The Department of Physics of the University of Beira Interior is one of the oldest of this higher education institution. Its creation is even prior to the institution recognition as a University. Currently, it has a young and dynamic teaching body, of more than twenty-five PhD teachers and some other in their doctoral phase.
Teachers of the Department of Physics develop some researches of recognized quality, by participating in national and international scientific projects. The subject areas through which the Department has established itself are optometry, applied optics, high energy physics and cosmology, meteorology and atmospheric physics, nuclear and plasma physics, and signal processing.
The Physics Department offers first and second cycle courses in Optometry, second cycle courses in Optics and Instrumentation, High Energy Physics and Gravitation, and Teaching of Physics and Chemistry (in collaboration with other departments), all suited to the Bologna process. The Department of Physics also collaborates in the teaching service of courses run by other departments, namely Chemistry, Engineering and Health Sciences.
The Department of Physics provides services abroad, especially the material characterization by electronic microscopy and x-ray interferometry and scientific dissemination, through lectures presentation aimed at non-specialized audiences in schools and other public places across the country.