Department of Physics

Alphonsa College, Pala was established in 1964 as Junior College to impart higher education to the young women of the locality. It was upgraded in 1967 and three year degree course in Physics was started along with degree courses in many other disciplines. Prof. M.D. Thomas from Department of Physics, St.Thomas College, Pala was appointed in the Department as H.O.D on deputation. He continued in the department till 1970 and returned to the mother institution after presenting the first batch of students for university examination. Sr.Pelagia took charge as the Head of the Department in 1970 and she continued till she retired in 1996. The advance of information Technology and its influence in job market led us to the starting of a second Degree course in Vocational Physics with Computer Applications as the vocational subject in 2000, with a student strength of 24. Both the Degree Courses are running extremely well and we are getting very good results.

Dept. of Physics conducts various programmes for the academic enrichment of the students. The Dept. regularly organize seminars by experts on different advanced and relevant topics of Physics. The Dept. has a publication called Harmonics, released every year with articles on latest developments in Science and Technology. Department conducts Certificate Course in Electrical & Electronic Instrumentation. Training in household wiring, maintenance of electrical and electronic equipments, rectification of defects in laboratory instruments, etc. is given in this course. Remedial Classes for the weak and Enrichment Programmes for the elite are conducted regularly. Tutorial assistance for every student and counseling for the needy are done regularly. Dept. has instituted two merit scholarships. Every year, our III D C students get placements in leading I T companies.

We have the U G C grant for a Major Research Project “Primordial Non-Gaussianity from an anomalous potential” – P. I : Dr Minu Joy.

The former members of the faculty were:

• Rev. Sr. Pelagia (1964 – 1996), College Principal (1978 – 1984)
• Rev. Sr. Annie Jose (1965 – 1994)
• Mrs. A. M. Aleyamma (1968 – 1995)
• Rev. Sr. Edwin (1968 – 1998)
• Mrs. K G Aleyamma (1971 – 1999)
• Mrs. C J Aleyamma (1968 – 2001)
• Mrs Mary Mathew (1968 – 2001)
• Rev Sr. Stella Maris (1970 – 2001)
• Rev. Sr. Lisa Maria (1970 – 2001)
• Smt. A M Aleyamma (1976 – 2002)
• Rev. Sr. Teena (1976 – 2005)
• Rev. Sr. Lisa Martin (1981 – 2006)
• Mrs. Maryamma Zacharias (1978 – 2009)
• Mrs. Jolly Sebastian (1978 – 2010)

Presently, three permanent teachers and three guest lecturers are working in the Department.