College Day Report

Department of Physics

Activities during the year 2013 -14

National Science Day Celebrations – Dr.S.Srivasan Memorial Lecture

In commemoration with National Science day, Dr.S.Srinivasan memorial lecture was delivered

by Dr. T.V.Venkateswarn, Academic Head, Vigyan Prasar, National Institute of Science

Communication, DST, New Delhi, on What is the shape of the Earth? Through his lecture, he

asked the students to explore scientific truths instead of accepting mythological aspects alone.

Legends of various civilisation in the world have created their own picture of the shape of the

earth based on their perceptions. Later, the humankind learnt to observe, question, analyse and

think critically based on evidences. The fifth edition of Physics Department magazine,

REVERBERATIONS 2014 , comprising articles- write ups, quiz, crosswords, puzzles, drawing

on Physics concepts was released by the chief guest.

Meet your Alumni

The Department has been organizing meet your Alumni every year to enable the students to

interact with alumni. This year, Mr.Saiganesh Department Alumni who currently with Crime

Branch Intelligence interacted with the students. He reminisced his college days, the knowledge

he gained through lab sessions and extra curricular activities. he insisted on the importance of

good habits, health and building a strong young India. He warned the students to be alert while

using social media and various gadgets. He mentioned that there is a need to spread awareness

about cyber crime as well the proactive role youngsters can play in this. As students of Physics,

he wanted many of them to opt cyber crime as specialization during their higher education, by

mentioning the challenges this field throws, along with the sense of professional satisfaction it

can give.

Sarvodhaya Day at G2

On Sarvodhaya Day , Jan 30, 2014, our Department arranged for mass prayer and bhajans.

Students and Staff rendered Gandhiji’s favourite Vaishno Janato that consolidates the great

Vaishnav philosophy and other songs. Along with the students of Physics Department, students

and staff from other departments joined the prayer. The Hall reverberated with “Rama Rama

jaya Rajaram, Ramarama jaya Sita Ram” for a long time even after the prayer. This we believe

will help the students work on their spiritual quotient, for their self realization as well a chance to

pay a graditute our father of the Nation. We could see twinkles dissolved in the tears of joy of

every student when the bhajans ended with Shanti nilava vaendum song, stressing the peaceful

path of bapuji!

A Meet with Nobel Laureate

Twenty five Under graduate and Post Graduate Students along with Four staff members of

our Department of Physics attended a lecture by Indian born Nobel laureate

Dr.Venkatraman Ramakrishnan at Shankara Netralaya on December 26, 2013.

Dr.Venkatraman Ramakrishnan is a structural biologist, who shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in

Chemistry with Thomas A. Steitz and Ada E. Yonath for “studies of the structure and function of

the ribosomes”. A post graduate in Physics, a researcher in Biology and a Nobel Laureate in

Chemistry, he is a reservoir of good knowledge of all the three branches of Science and Math for

all aspiring Scientists. The meeting was truly a memorable one. He spoke about the importance

of curbing the spread of infectious diseases, the challenges in drug discovery and also advocated

the rational use of antibiotics. During his interaction with the audience, he spoke about how the

irrational use of antibiotics encourages the spread of resistance.

Details of staff activities

1. Dr. D. Uthra

i. Received Best Teacher Award by Lions Clubs International District 324 A1 in

September 2013

ii. Delivered TEDX talk Beyond Convention at TEDX SAIRAM on August 17 2013.

iii. Chief guest at five different Educational Institutions and delivered talk.

Publications - 2

a) Ambroise Pare, Ariviyal Oli p.37-41,July 2013

b) Vaiyitril Oru Jannal, Ariviyal Oli, p.63-64 2014

2. Dr.V.Renganayaki

Paper Presention in conference -3

a. Contribtued paper “Thermo gravimetic study and analytical calculations of

Glycinium Maletate Single crystal.” in the the UGC sponsored National

Conference Visualize molecules and cognize crystals, NCVMCC -2014 held on

25- 26, February 2014 , Research Department of Physics, SDNB Vaishnav

College for Women, Chrompet , Chennai.

b. Contributed a paper “Thermo Analytical calculations of Glycinium Maleate using

Coats-Redfern method” , in the III National Seminar on Technologically

Important Crystalline and Amorphous solids TICAS, on 28, Feb- 1, Mar, 2014 by

Department of Physics, Kalasalingam University , Krishnakoil, Tamil Nadu.

c) Presented a paper “Effect of concentration in the Electrical conductivity and pH of

three different citrus fruit juices” in Technical Seminar in Applied Science and

Engineering, 6, March, 2014 organized by Science and Humanities Association, St.

Peter’s University, Avadi, Chennai.

3. Ms.V.Sangeetha

Publications in International Journals-11

i. 3-Nitrophenol–1,3,5–triazine –2,4,6–triamine (2/1), V.Sangeetha, , Acta Cryst.E69

(2013) 0827.

ii. 2,4,6–Triamino –1,3,5–triazin–1–ium 3–(prop–2–enoyloxy)propanoate acrylic acid

monosolvate monohydrate, V.Sangeetha, Acta Cryst.E69 (2013) 0741.

iii. Vibratinal, DFT, thermal and dielectric studies on 3-nitrophenol-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-

triamine (2/1), V.Sangeetha, Spectrochim. Acta A 118 (2014), 1025-1037.

iv. Vibrational, DFT, and thermal analysis of 2,4,6–Triamino –1,3,5–triazin–1–ium 3–

(prop–2–enoyloxy)propanoate acrylic acid monosolvate monohydrate, V.Sangeetha, J.

Mol. Struct.1054-1055 (2014) 307-320.

v. Growth, optical, thermal, dielectric and microhardness characterization of melaminium

bis(trifluoroacetate) trihydrate single crystal, V.Sangeetha, J. Cryst. Growth, Ms. Ref.

No: CRYS-D-1301102R1-Accepted for publication

vi. Growth, vibrational and thermal studies on melaminium phthalate single

crystals, V.Sangeetha, Journal of Physical Science, Ms.ID JPS- 0A-13-0004.R1- under

publication

vii. Structure and vibrational spectra of melaminium (bistrifluoroacetate) trihydrate: FT-IR,

FT-Raman and quantum chemical calculations, V.Sangeetha, Spectrochim. Acta A,

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2014.01.018- in press.

viii. Thermal decomposition and dielectric behaviour of Melaminium bis(hydrogen oxalate)

single crystal, V.Sangeetha, J. Therm. Anal. Cal., Ms. Ref. No. JTAC-D-13-00865R1-

Accepted for publication.

ix. Crystal and Molecular structure, conformational, vibrational properties and

DFT calculations of Melaminium bis (hydrogen oxalate), V.Sangeetha, J. Mol. Struct.,

Ms. Ref. No.: L10-44-13R2- Accepted for publication.

x. Spectral and Thermal Degradation of Melamine Cyanurate, V.Sangeetha, Journal of

Materials, Volume 2013, Article ID 262094, 7 pages.

xi. Growth, Optical, thermal, mechanical and dielectric characterization of brucinium

hydrogen maleate, co-author, V. Sangeetha, J. Cryst. Growth, 380 1 October 2013, 111-

117.

Conference attended - 1

1. Attended UGC sponsored National Seminar - National seminar on Recent Advances in

Physics, 7-8, March, 2014 at Post Graduate and Research Department of Physics,

Presidency College (Autonomous), Chennai

4. Ms. R. Uma

Publications - 1

i. Fractal dimensional analysis of cyclonic disturbances over the north Indian ocean, R.Uma

and R.Samuel Selvaraj, J. Ind. Geophys. Union, vol. 18, no.1, pp: 119-126, 2014.

5. Ms.Z.Delci

Conference/ Workshops attended - 3

i. Attended UGC sponsored National Conference Visualize molecules and cognize crystals,

NCVMCC -2014 held on 25- 26, February 2014 , Research Department of Physics,

SDNB Vaishnav College for Women, Chrompet , Chennai.

ii. Attended one day workshop on “Laser Technology and its Applications (WLTA ’14) on

March 19, 2014 organised by the Department of Physics, B.S.Abdur Rahman University,

Vandalur, Chennai-48.

iii. Attended workshop WINPHYS 2013 conducted in Department of Physics, IIT Madras 16-

20, Dec, 2013.

6. Ms.Sharmila Begum

Workshop attended - 1

Attended one day workshop on Laser Technology and its Applications (WLTA ’14) on

March 19, 2014 organised by Department of Physics, B.S.Abdur Rahman University,

Vandalur, Chennai-48.

7. K. Selva Kothai Nachiyar

Publications - 3

i. Determination of EC, micro nutrients, heavy metals and Spectral assignment study of

Their soil (Red soil), Selvakothai Nachiyar, Asian J.Microbiolgy, Biotechnology

Environmental Science, 172, Vol.15a No(4) : 2013.

ii. Characterization of coastal soil and its Electrical conductivity study, Selvakothai

Nachiayar, Asian J.Chemical and Environmental Research, AJCER, Vol.6, 2013.

iii. Mannil minnium minsakthi , Arivial Oli, March,2014.

Paper Presention in Conference – 4

i. Presented a paper “Structural characterization and EC study of coastal soil” in the UGC

sponsored National Conference Visualize molecules and cognize crystals, NCVMCC -

2014 held on 25- 26, February 2014 , Research Department of Physics, SDNB Vaishnav

College for Women, Chrompet , Chennai.

ii. Contributed a paper “ Electrical conductivity of Riverbed Soil’’ in the III National

Seminar on Technologically Important Crystalline and Amorphous solids TICAS, on 28,

Feb- 1, Mar, 2014 by Department of Physics, Kalasalingam University , Krishnakoil,

Tamil Nadu.

iii. Presented a paper “Electrical conductivity study of Marina Beach Soil” in Technical

Seminar in Applied Science and Engineering, 6, March, 2014 organized by Science and

Humanities Association, St. Peter’s University, Avadi, Chennai.

iv. Presented paper “Vallalar’s view on Soil electrical energy” , in the National Tamil

Conference, 15-16, Mar, 2014, organised by the Department of Tamil. D.G. Vaishnav

College, Arumbakkam, Chennai.

Dr.Sridevi

Paper Presention in conference -1

Presented a paper “Synthesis and Characterization of ZnS Nanomaterials” in the UGC

sponsored National Conference Visualize molecules and cognize crystals, NCVMCC -

2014 held on 25- 26, February 2014 , Research Department of Physics, SDNB Vaishnav

College for Women, Chrompet , Chennai.

Workshop attended- 1

Attended workshop WINPHYS 2013 conducted by the Department of Physics, IIT Madras

16-20, Dec, 2013.

Ms. L. Bhavna

Workshop attended- 1

Attended NIUS Workshop on Introductory Computational Science, in HomiBhabha

Center for Science Education (Mumbai), from September 29 -2 October, 2013

Mr.V.G. Sathya Narayan (Chief Mechnic)

Conference Publication and presentation

Presented paper “Purachi Mahan Ramajuam Kanda Manidha Neyam”, in the National

Tamil Conference, 15-16, Mar, 2014, organised by the Department of Tamil. D.G.

Vaishnav College, Arumbakkam, Chennai.

Students’ activities

Paper presentation and participation in National Conferences /Seminars

The Department has been encouraging students to publish their project works and participate

to get a knowledge on research going on. Every year PG students have been presenting their

project work as research papers and publish them in Conference proceedings or journals.

This year, B.Sc. students have added feathers to this cap, and given the Department another

credit by working on problems in Basic Science which are interdisciplinary in nature. Their

works have been accepted for presentation and publication in Conference proceedings.

Paper Presentation

Kannan, Bharat Arjun , M.Senthur pandi, III B.Sc. Physics presented Paper a

paper (poster) “Electrical conductivity study of Marina Beach Soil”, Technical

Seminar in Applied Science and Engineering, 6, March, 2014 organized by

Science and Humanities Association, St. Peter’s University, Avadi, Chennai..

Work of Shanthi and Indumathy, II B.Sc. Physics, a paper on “Effect of

concentration in the Electrical conductivity and pH of three different citrus fruit

juices” has been published in the proceedings of the Conference, Technical

Seminar in Applied Science and Engineering, 6, March, 2014 organized by

Science and Humanities Association, St. Peter’s University, Avadi, Chennai.

Learning Basic concepts of Science through videos in Tamil, a paper by Shankar

Raman, II M.Sc. Physics and Karthick, I.B.Sc .Physics has been published in the

proceedings, Technical Seminar in Applied Science and Engineering, 6, March,

2014 organized by Science and Humanities Association, St. Peter’s University,

Avadi, Chennai.

P.Vishnupriya, II M.Sc.Physics presented her paper as a Poster Presentation at

the UGC sponsored National Conference Visualize molecules and cognize

crystals, NCVMCC -2014 held on 25- 26, February 2014 , Research Department

of Physics, SDNB Vaishnav College for Women, Chrompet , Chennai.

K.J.Akila, II M.Sc. made an Oral Presentation of her work in the seminar at the

UGC sponsored National Conference Visualize molecules and cognize crystals,

NCVMCC -2014 held on 25- 26, February 2014 , Research Department of

Physics, SDNB Vaishnav College for Women, Chrompet , Chennai.

Participation in Seminars and Conferences

K.Indira, II M.Sc. and Kanchan Singh Mourya, I M.Sc. participated in the UGC

sponsored National Conference Visualize molecules and cognize crystals,

NCVMCC -2014 held on 25- 26, February 2014 , Research Department of

Physics, SDNB Vaishnav College for Women, Chrompet , Chennai.

Five students from II M.Sc Physics attended Seminar “Structural determination

of compound by spectroscopic techniques and problem solving approach” on 22-

23, Aug, 2013, organized by Department of Chemistry, Ethiraj College, Chennai.

I M.Sc. Student M. Avinash attended National Seminar on Recent advanced in

Physics” on 7-8 March 2014, organized by Department of Physics, Presidency

College, Chennai.

Training Workshops attended by the students

1. IITM, Depratment of Physics has been organizing residential Winter Workshop in

Physics. Our students Surya and Lakshman kumar , III B.Sc Physics were selected

and attended WINPHYS 13 , Winter Physics Workshop conducted by Department

of Physics, IIT Madras from 16-20 Dec ,2013.

2. 11 M.sc students, 16 B.Sc students , 6 B.Sc PCA students attended one day

workshop on “Laser Technology and its Applications (WLTA ’14) on March

19,2014, Department of Physics, B.S.Abdur Rahman University, Vandalur,

Chennai-48.

3. Fifteen students from B.Sc Physics attended workshop on “Preservation of

Manuscript” Nov 2013, Egmore Museum, Chennai.

Lectures attended by students

5 students of I M.Sc, 8 students of II B.Sc. Physics, 9 students of I.B.Sc. Physics and

2 students of I B.Sc PCA students attended a special lecture Dr.Venkataraman

Ramakrishnan, Nobel Laureate, on Ribosome Protein Synthesis organized by

Sankara Nethralaya , Chennai on 26th

Dec, 2013

10 students of I M.Sc Physics attended Special lecture on “Creating a new

generation of new Superconductors” on 8, Jan 2014, organized by Department of

Physics, WCC, Chennai.

12 students of III B.Sc Physics and 3 students of III B.Sc PCA attended “ One day

Orientation Program for B.Sc Physics students to mark Bragg’s Centenary 2013

and International Year of Crystallography” on 15th

Mar, 2014 organized by

Department of Physics, Sathayabama University, Chennai

Participation/Prizes won by the students in events organized by different City

Colleges

M. Praveena, C. Indumathi and R. Karthika of II B. Sc. Physics participated in drawing

and Tamil essay competition held at Madras University organised by MTS academy.

V. Mythili II B.Sc Physics participated in English essay competition held at Madras

University hosted by MTS academy.

Shanthi II B. Sc. Physics participated in singing competition held at Madras University

hosted by MTS academy.

15 students participated in various activities in “Chennai Science Festival- 2014”

organized by Science City, Chennai.

M. Shakthi Hassan of II B. Sc. Physics participated in singing competition held at

mamallapuram for a campaign in cancer awareness

Noorul Hassan II B. Sc. Physics participated in Tamil oratorical competition by north

Chennai youth forum.

Noorul Hassan of II B. Sc. Physics participated in oratorical held in Ethiraj College.

N. Naveen of I PCA and Noorul Hassan II B. Sc. Physics, participated in Vision Tamil

Nadu 2023. Noorul hassan has won best speaker award.

N. Naveen, S. Subhash, S. Sanathkumar of I PCA won third place in “Wealth out of

waste” organized by Emarald Earth, D G Vaishnav College.

Thanishwar and Rajagopalan of I B. Sc. Physics participated in voice over held at MCC,

Spectra’14 and won first prize

Pawan kumar, Logesh from I B. Sc. Physics and N. Naveen from I PCA won first prize in

QUIZ held at MCC, Spectra’14.

N. Naveen of I PCA and Noorul Hassan II B. Sc. Physics, participated in Muttamil Vizha

Oratorical Competition in our College and won I prize in Aided and Self supporting

streams respectively.

N. Naveen of I PCA participated in Tamil oratorical competition held in Loyola College.

M.Praveena and B.Baskar of II B.Sc.Physics participated in Pot Connection, and

Ramachandran and Priyadarshini of B.Sc.Physics participated in quiz competition,

Karthick and Aswin displayed their projects at Physics festival organized by Hindu

College, Chennai.

5 students of II B.Sc.Physics participated in SYMBAN-2014 quiz, Treasure hunt, Pot

pourri, stress interview and creative writing at Madras Christian College..

Parthiban, Abib Rahman, Manoj Kumar,Vineshkumar and Surendhar of II B.Sc.Physics

participated in ADZAP held in Alpha College.

4 students of I B.Sc.Physics participated in Pot connection, paper presentation and quiz

conducted by the Department of Physics, SDNB Vaishnav College, Chrompet, Chennai.

10 students of B.Sc.Physics participated in various competiotions in Physics and

Electronics at “Electro Phy 2014 “ in Bhakthavatsalam Memorial College, Chennai. Our

team won second prize in ADZAP.

Activities of the Department of Physics under

DBT Star support scheme

Training Programmes organized

1. Hands-on training on Biophysical Techniques in association with CAS in

Crystallography and Biophysics, Guindy Campus, University of Madras

A Progamme was specially arranged in association with the Centre of Advanced studies

in Crystallography and Biophysics, Guindy Campus, University of Madras on 13-14,

Aug, 2013. 70 students from B.Sc. Physics, Chemistry and Botany attended two day

workshop and could understand potential of Biology, need to connect with it through

technology and computations. With foundation in Maths, Chemistry, Physics,

computation and instrumentation, electronics, they need to learn biology to get

footing in Biophysics and related areas.

2. Training programme in “Roof Gardening”

A training programme was organized with TNAU I & TC - TamilNadu Agricultual

University Information and Training Centre, Chennai in “Roof Gardening” on 16th

, July,

2013. Students from Physics, Chemistry and Botany attended it. For many first

generation learners, it ingrained confidence to find job market related to their studies,

gave entrepreneurship training.

3. Training programme in flower arrangement and bouquet making

A training programme on fresh flower arrangement and bouquet making was organised

by the Dept. of Physics, D.G Vaishnav College on 26th

July 2013 and 23rd

Aug,

2013 was conducted by TNAU at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University at Anna Nagar.

For Physics and Chemistry students, it created an excitement to refresh their school

botany knowledge and paved away to horticulture and floriculture fields.

4. Orientation programme on Research and Business opportunities on banana and

Plantain

One day orientation programme on Research and Business opportunities on banana and

Plantain was organized by Dept. of Physics, D.G Vaishnav College on 20th

September

2013. Dr.K.N.Shiva Senior Scientist in Horticulture and post harvest technology,

National research Centre for banana Tiruchirappalli highlighted the importance of banana

as a part of food and nutrition. He threw knowledge on job market in the field of banana

plantation, sale, and latest technology in banana processing and research. Students came

to know about different research opportunities available in our country in the field of

botany and agriculture. This inter disciplinary lecture helped the students to integrate life

sciences with technology and it was an eye opener for Physics and Chemistry students

about opportunities they too can have in the R&D of biology. Students gained knowledge

on job market in the field of banana plantation, sale, food industry and latest technology

in banana processing and research. Students from all the three participating departments

benefitted from this one day orientation.

5. Guest lecture on Introduction to Optometry

To make the students understand the importance of what they learn and to connect them

with the application in the actual field, a guest lecture AN INTRODUCTION TO

OPTOMETRY has been arranged in association with SANKARA NETHRALAYA On

September 4, 2013. Ms. Ramya, Senior Optometrist, The Sankara Nethralaya Academy,

also Faculty in Elite School of Optometry delivered a lecture “An Introduction to

Optometry”. She explained the fundamental principles of optics and optometry. The

programme helped the students to know the basic concepts such as defects in the eye and

their correction, power of the lens, anti reflection coating in lenses and helped the

students explore daily applications of optometry and allied concepts. They were

introduced to the fundamentals of optometry so that they could understand and apply the

theory they learn.

6. Lec-Dem programme on Physics in everyday life

A live lecture demonstration show on PHYSICS IN EVERYDAY LIFE was conducted

by Prof.T.S.Natarajan, on 24, Jul, 2013. Prof. T.S.Natarajan, Department and thousands

of young minds through his experimental demonstrations on basic Physics concepts. On

that day, the audience was nearly 80 students from Chemistry and Botany disciplines.

7. Two days Workshop on Conservation of Manuscripts

B.Sc. Physics students attended a two day workshop on the “Preventive Conservation of

Manuscripts” organized by the Government Museum, Chennai on 20-21, November

2013. Curators gave excellent overview on need for conservation of the manuscripts. 15

students from B.Sc. Physics learnt about different chemical methods and preservation

techniques, choosing right kind of specimen and the importance of preservation of

manuscripts.

8. Lecture on SCIENCE IN TAMIL LITERATURE

Enthusiastic students from Dept. of Botany and Physics attended an awareness lecture

organised by Tamilnadu Science and Technology Centre, SCIENCE IN TAMIL

LITERATURE, by Dr. Maa.Ki.Ramanan on 17, July, 2013. Students were amazed by

the knowledge we can gain from literature, if one has a keen eye for this.

9. PARTICIPATION IN WINTER SCHOOL

Surya and Lakshman kumar of III B.Sc. Physics attended WINPHYS 2013 , Winter

Workshop in Physics , Dec, 16 –20, 2013 organised by Department of Physics , IIT

Madras. The objective is to motivate participants towards higher studies and research in

Physics through interaction of the participants with the course faculty at the level of

class-room discussions, rigorous laboratory sessions and special lectures on current

research topics.

10. Lecture by Prof. A.Raman - Cynical Scientist

Prof.Ananthanarayanan Raman, Ecological Agriculture and Sustainable Land

Management, Charles Sturt University, Australia interacted with the students of B.Sc.

Physics, Chemistry and Botany on 11 th

December 2014. Begin a contributor to Madras

Musings under researcher on scientists of Madras, the speaker interacted with the students

on the importance of knowing history of science. ‘Scientia’ means knowledge. Mankind has

been inquisitive. We have been asking why and how always - that’s why we have evolved

from the status of hunters to civilized knowledge based society. In order to advance,

promote science in our country youngsters must take more interest in deployment of science

to solve technological and social problems. Students must look at science at a broader

perspective and should develop a keen observation skill. This would help them transfer

what they learn in lab or class suitably. By understanding how various technology evolved,

the problems that various scientist faced, it is possible for the current generation to evolve

suitably. By accepting theories and practices without questioning will not give fruitful

result.

Awareness camps organized by the Department of Physics

1. Field trip to Pallikaranai marshland

Students from Department of Botany and Department of Physics had their learning

experience from Mother Nature, instead from their College labs or within four walls on

6th

August, 2013. Students were awed to learn about the heterogeneous ecology existing

in the marsh lands and their role in conserving the rich biodiversity. Nearly 60 students

from the Departments of Physics and Botany, accompanied by their staff ( teaching and

non-teaching) went for a field trip to Pallikaranai marshland with the guidance of

Conservation Authority of Pallikaranai Marshlands, CAPML under Tamilnadu Forest

Department, The Nature Trust and rangers from Department of Forest, Tamilnadu to

learn about marsh land ecology and the importance of conservation of Pallikaranai marsh

lands. Under DBT Star College support scheme, these students took up this trip in

association with Conservation Authority of Pallikaranai Marshlands and The Nature

Trust, Chennai. They were awed to learn about the heterogeneous ecology in the

Pallikaranai marsh lands and their role in conserving the rich biodiversity. They could

appreciate the flora and fauna of marsh lands, nesting and breeding patterns of various

species, necessity for migration and our duty to preserve this ecosystem

2. Vision Screening Camp with TSNA

In association with The Sankara Nethralaya Academy , a vision screening camp was

organised on 4 th

September in the College with the help of Titmus vision screener and

pocket vision screeners. Hundreds of students, teaching staff and non teaching staff were

befitted by this free check up. Few of those who were identified with refractive error

were given a follow-up later. Students took part in rendering help with pocket vision

screeners.

Industrial visits by students of Department of Physics

i. The students were taken to Regenix Super Specialities Pvt. Ltd. to get knowledge

about the working of various sophisticated analytical instruments and demonstrations

were also made with highly skillful analysts of the lab. Students of Physics visited

Regenix lab on 3, Sep, 2013

ii. Students from Department of Physics, accompanied by their faculty went for a

field trip to Essilor India Pvt. Ltd., Guindy Industrial Estate, Chennai. Essilor are the

inventors of the first progressive lens and have revolutionized opthalmic lens market of

India.

Extension Activities organized by the Department of Physics

a. Government school teachers undergo training in Physics Practical

Fifty two Government and Government aided School PG Teachers handling

Higher Secondary classes were trained during the Two day refresher programme in

Physics Practicals organized (on 18-19, Nov, 2013 ) by Dwaraka Doss Goverdhan Doss

Vaishnav College, Arumbakkam, Chennai. This programme was aimed at helping them

to augment their lab training skills through continuous learning. This programme was

organized in association with Federation of Science clubs of Tamilnadu(FSCT).

Dr.Daniel Chellappa, Senior Scientist, BARC and the President of FSCT said that the

country needs more and more scientists who can make India self sustained in every field

and this can be achieved only by sowing the scientific temper at very young age.

Dr.S.Gunasekaran, former Registrar, Periyar University gave the inaugural address.

School teachers could sharpen their knowledge with the better infrastructure facilities

during this hands-on training. Based on the existing curriculum of the Tamilnadu State

Board, teachers performed various practicals related to the Higher secondary coursework.

They were also helped to handle apparatus like radiation counter, microprocessor,

ultrasonic apparatus and laser diffraction apparatus which they teach in their theory

classes, though they do not have any access to such apparatus in schools. This training

helped them to understand the instrumentation and technical aspects, which has imbibed

confidence in them to handle the theory part also with more confidence.

b. Dubbing Science Videos-

Department of Physics students are dubbing Science videos of Arvind Gupta into Tamil

language, which are uploaded by Arvindgupta Toys now and then. More than 300 videos

have been dubbed by our students, which are watched ravenously by school children and

teacher.

c. Translating Mathematics Presentations-

Students of B.Sc Physics volunteered to translate mathematics presentation of VII

standard. Nearly 50 students from the three years of B.Sc Physics involved themselves in

translating the slides of VII standard mathematics lessons into Tamil. These have

been uploaded by voluntary organization GYANOME and spread across Tamil Nadu.

As many of them are from tamil medium themselves, they could immediately connect

with this work. They felt the importance of this work and commented that if such

translated presentation were available during their school days, they would have shined

better. Students will be translating material of other classes too in coming academic

years.

Workshop conducted for teachers in association with Commonwealth

Educational Media Centre for Asia, CEMCA.

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- Empower teachers! Enthuse learners!

A workshop was organized by the Department of Physics between 18-20, May

2013 with Mr.V.Krishnamoorthy, CEMCA as our resource person. The objective of

this workshop was to develop, support and popularise easy technological options to

all teachers both in formal, non-formal and ODL systems and to empower teachers to

create educational contents, integrate various tools and deliver them using open free

softwares. Teachers and students from various city college as well our College

participated, learnt and created their video presentation of their teaching and

uploaded them as resource material.

Inter -Departmental Trainings for Undergradute Students

i) Orientation programme in Experimental Techniques in Physics for Botanists

An orientation programme was organized for B.Sc. Botany students of final year in

Experimental Techniques in Physics by the Department of Physics. The Programme

was organized under the support of DBT STAR college scheme during 7th

– 20th

,

January, 2014. The students were given hands – on training in various simple Physics

experiments. During the programme, the students were explained about the various

concepts of Physics such as surface tension, viscosity, bending of beams, dispersion,

diffraction etc. For the first time, the Botany students enjoyed using telescope,

spectrometer and other Physics laboratory equipments. They understood the fundamental

principles behind those instrumentation techniques. They learnt about the bending and

twisting strength of materials, which they can apply in the day to day life.

The Students were excited to know the characteristics of GM counter and to

measure the count rate of radiation exposure using Geiger Muller Counter tube. The

interaction session during each experiment was an interesting one. The Students were

also encouraged to take up small projects relating Botany and Physics. The feedback

collected from the Students revealed their interest and enthusiasm in learning new

Physics concepts and experiments.

ii) Inter departmental Lab training Microbiology Laboratory Techniques for

Physics Students

The PG Department of Microbiology conducted training programme on ‘’Microbial

Laboratory Techniques’’ under DBT star college scheme for the final year

undergraduate students of Physics Department. The Main aim of the programme was

to create awareness among the non life science students about application of

microbiology in day to day life. Knowing about microbiology in everyday life

changed the idea of students from ignorance to fascination. The enthusiastic

participation of the non biology students revealed their quest to learn the science of

day to day life.

iii) Inter Departmental Labcourse training for Physics students in day to day

Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry enthused the students with lab training on various

chemistry techniques that ranged from finding adulterants to understanding pH. Apart

from the regular course work, Botany and Physics students underwent training in the

Chemistry lab for a period of nearly a week. This has definitely enriched their

chemical knowledge to face the future challenges in research. As the students are

exposed to operate the instruments which they have studied only in their theory will

increase the interest in chemistry. These projects may help them if they get

appointment in any analytical laboratory. As the students undergo hands on training

this may encourage them to go for higher studies in interdisciplinary fields also. All

the projects done highlight the importance of chemistry in our day to day life. The

students themselves have prepared the project with the guidance of the staff members

which will definitely improve their computational skills, language skills and

compilation ability of results. This project may help the students to perform better

academically and may also impart knowledge to their class room learning.

iv. Hands–on training in biochemical techniques

Forty students from Department of Physics underwent hands on training in

Biochemical techniques organized by the Department of biochemistry of our

College during 3-5, Feb, 2014. This training gave them an excellent knowledge

on various biochemistry techniques to understand various process in our life.

They could understand analysis of different biomolecules-carbohydrates, proteins.

They were given exposure to estimating the same from different food samples.

They were given hands on training in computational biochemistry using open

source softwares RASMOL.

Inter Disciplinary projects by B.Sc. students

This year, B.Sc. students have added feathers to our cap, and have given the

Departments another credit by working on problems in Basic Science which are

interdisciplinary in nature. Students in small teams are guided by faculty on problems

invoving application of basic science knowledge. Some teams comprising of students

from different departments are able to culminate their knowledge which is the prime

aim of these works. These projects span over a period of two months to ensure

students complete them within stipulated time. More than 8 such projects are on

going on various topics, and already 15 have been completed by the students in a

short span of time.

Few of their works have been accepted for presentation and publication in

Conference proceedings of Technical Seminar in Applied Science and Engineering,

6, March, 2014 organized by Science and Humanities Association, St. Peter’s

University, Avadi, Chennai.

i) Kannan, Bharat Arjun , M.Senthur pandi, III B.Sc. Physics presented Paper a

paper (poster) “Electrical conductivity study of Marina Beach Soil”

ii) Shanthi and Indumathy, II B.Sc. Physics, presented a paper on “Effect of

concentration in the Electrical conductivity and pH of three different citrus fruit

juices” .

iii) Learning Basic concepts of Science through videos in Tamil, a paper by Shankar

Raman, II M.Sc. Physics and Karthick, I.B.Sc .Physics .