The SEENET-MTP Workshop JW2011 Scientific and Human Legacy of Julius Wess 27-28 August 2011, Donji Milanovac, Serbia

1. Department of Physics
University of Vlora, Albania
New Building, University of Vlora, Skele, Vlore
Phone: 035533202915
Web: http://univlora.edu.al/fe/fiz/
Contact: mirjeta_hoxhaj@yahoo.com
Web: http://univlora.edu.al/fe/fiz/
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2. The Mission of Department
• Department of Physics, University of Vlora, was
established in 2008 with the mission to be one of
the top physics departments in Albania to the:
• graduating and training of physics teachers and
senior specialists in the fields of physics
• providing a high level in scientific research
• coordination of efforts to improve and coordinate
technical, professional and legal components of
education and industrial system in Albania
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3. Department Administration
Department of Physics is part of Technical Science Faculty at University of Vlora. It has not
financial autonomy.
Chair of Department
Assoc. Prof. Jorgo Mandili
Assistant to the chair. M.Hoxha
Recruitment Strategy Department Academic Textbooks Academ Tutorial
and mobility Department Regulation Programs Approve ic Physics
Commission Commissio Draft Commission Advisor Center
Commission n Commission
J.Mandili S.Caushi V.Tahiri
J.Mandili D.Spahiu B.Shkurtaj N.Thomo V.Tahiri S.Mico
N.Thomo N.Thomo E.Licaj J.Mandili I.Sino
S.Caushi V.Cako S.Mico
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4. Research areas
groups
The department of Physics has an scientific activity in the areas of:
• Physics Education Research
Scientific Group
Prof. Dritan Spahiu
Prof. Dr Spiro Caushi
Assoc. Prof. Jorgo Mandili
Dr. Silvana Mico
MSc. Astrit Denaj
MSc. Valbona Tahiri
MSc. Fatjon Musli
• Experimental physics
Scientific Group
Prof. Niko Thomo
Prof. Dr Bilal Shkurtaj
Assoc. Prof. Engjell Licaj
Prof.Dr Mersin Shenaj
MSc. Veledin Cako
MSc. Ilirjana Sino
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5. Conditions for research
The department contains a number of excellent researchers that are not allowed to reach their
potential due to lack of supporting resources. One of the most important
duties of department is to find possibilities to repair this situation: sufficient funding and
collaborating with other local research departments, industry and international research
organizations.
1. Physics Education Research
We believe that our education research focus is highly relevant for our courses in physics and
science education. Collaborating closely with science educators at other departments at our
university and high schools of our country is an important base that supports our research.
2. Experimental Physics
For experimental research the main difficulty is the lack of resources for equipments, which
are very far from satisfactory. The reality of Albanian universities is so much to be desired
regarding to the proper experimental infrastructure for the experimental research by
standards.
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6. Education research
activities
Education research group is responsible for: introductory courses in physics, physics
education and science education in both theoretical and experimental work to
understand student learning; coordination of courses and study programs in physics
at our Department; physics teachers and other science teachers professional
development; teaching of cross-disciplinary science courses, including the results of
research in our teaching.
Our research group develops and studies:
 1. Using technology to support effective teaching practices
 2. Using the world-wide web and Java for homework and other application
 3. Develop and assess more effective curricular materials
 4. Development of student problem-solving skills in physics.
 5. Provide online tools for teaching and learning physics at the high schools levels
 6. Assessment of students' conceptual understanding of physics
 7. Learning from by using computer simulations
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7. Education research
activities
 Workshops
- Curriculum and education at Department of Physics, University of Vlora October 2009
- Physics Education research-based reforms, January 2010,
- Using new technologies in physics courses, May 2011.
 Conferences
- International Conference on the History of Quantum Physics, November 2010, Vlora, Albania
- Co-organizer, ACA 2010, Applications of Computer Algebra , 2010, Vlora, Albania
 Grants
 Research grant from UNESCO and CERN, for Valbona Tahiri
(6 months)
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8. Education research
activities
Talks and posters (included conference proceedings) at:
- 7th BPU General Conference, Alexandropoulos, Greece, Sept 2009
- International Conference on Education “Role of Universities in Knowledge Society”,
Education Department, May 2010, Vlora
- GIREP-ICPE-MPTL Conference 2010, August 22-27, 2010 Reims, France
- 4th International Conference of the European Society for the History of Science,
Barcelona, 18-20 November 2010.
- International Conference on the History of Quantum Physics, November 2010, Vlora,
Albania
- ACA 2010, Applications of Computer Algebra , 2010, Vlora, Albania
Publications at:
Curriculum and school, ISP,Tirane, Albania
Buletini Shkencor, University of Vlora, Albania
Buletini Shkencor, University of Gjirokastra, Albania
Mendimi Akademik, University of Vlora, Albania
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9. Projects
• Projects
1. Project of Physics Department: “Introductory Physics course package” , by self contribute of education
group research.
A. Instructor package (translations):
- Five Easy Lessons Strategies for Successful Physics Teaching, Randall Knight
- Teaching Physics with the Physics Suite ,Eduard Redish
- Teaching Introductory Physics, Arnold Arons
- Instructor’s Solution Manual (Serway)–
B. Student’s package (translations):
- Principles of Physics-a calculus based text, Serway
- Student Solution Manual and Study Guide, Serway/Jewet’s
- Tutorials in Introductory Physics and Homework Package, Lillian C. McDermott
- Interactive- illustration Physlet Physics: Interactive Illustrations, Explorations and Problems for
Introductory Physics, Mario Belloni, Wolfgang Christian.
- Test Bank , Eduard Adelson
• Proposal Projects
1. Opening the Master Degree in Physics of Materials, Tempus IV (2010-2014).
2. Equipment the didactic laboratory of physics with the set-Pasco Comprehensive Physics Complete
System-realization of experiments with computer. Proposed as part of Project “Quality and Equality “ for
Public Institutions of Higher Education for Research and Didactic Laboratories Equipments for 2011.
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10. Textbooks
Printed
• Lasers, D.Spahiu
• Classical Mechanics, M.Shena, B.Shkurtaj, J. Mandili
• Elements of Quantum Mechanics, J.Mandili
• Physics: B.Shkurtaj N.Thomo, J.Mandili, M.Shena
• Conceptual Fundamentals of Physic, J.Mandili
• Physical Phenomena in Physics, J.Mandili
• Optics, J.Mandili, E. Licaj
• Analog Electronics, D.Spahiu
• Albert Einstein, D.Spahiu, Z.Mulaj.
• Solved Problems of Modern Physics, J.Mandili, S.Mico, E.Myftaraj, V.Tahiri
• Introductory to Physics, Vol I, II J.Mandili, S.Mico
• Guide of Study; Introductory to Physics, Vol I, II, S.Mico, J.Mandili, D.Canaj
• Practicum of General Physics, Mersin Shena, Veledin Cako
Preprints
• Electromagnetism, E.Licaj J.Mandili
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11. Experimental research
activities
The experimental research activities mainly are focused in Environmental Studies. The
present research is focused towards the application of the principles of physics to the
environment and encourage the development and application of physical methods to
environmental research:
 Monitoring of pollutant compounds, harmful to the environment (air, water, soil)
 The study of the content of harmful compounds such as pesticides, hydrocarbons, PCBs, PAHs,
alcohol in food products, beverages, biological fluids and living organisms..
 Studies in the field of environmental physics, as the energy of the sun and wind, radioactive
radiation, meteorological measurements, acoustical pollution and electromagnetic pollution.
 Studies on the geo- environment, geo tourism, marine biology and environmental education.
Publications at:
“Buletini Shkencor” Journal, University of Vlora, Albania
Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology), official journal of B.E.N.A,
“Buletini Shkencor” Journal, University of Elbasan, Albania
“Buletini Shkencor” Journal, University of Gjirokastra, Albania.
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12. Experimental research
 Projects
activities
- Development and application of analytical methodologies and recommendation techniques for surface and
underground water in aquatic basins of trans boundary areas of Greece and Albania. Project of Department of
Physics and Chemistry in collaboration with the Chemistry Department of Ioannina.
- The study of the possibility of using the solar energy to improve energy balance, in the area of Prefectures of
Vlora, Fier and Gjirokastra. It is a project of the Department of Physics, in collaboration with the Department of
Ferrara, Italy.
- Monitoring of acustic pollution in the closed environments and public institutions in the area of the prefecture of
Vlora, Fier and Gjirokastra, and recommendation of the measures to reduce its level. It is a project of the
Department of Physics, funded by the Ministry of Education. (2008-2009).
 Proposal projects
- Characterization and Restoration of ancient and bezant Pottery and coins. Proposed as part of INTEREG
"Greece-Albania IPA Cross-Border Programme" in collaboration with the Department of Ioannina (2011).
- Establishment of a scientific research laboratory for the science of materials for testing and control without their
destruction, a collaboration of Department of Physics, Department of Mechanical and Naval Engineering, and
Department of Chemistry. Proposed as part of Project “Quality and Equality “ for Public Institutions of Higher
Education for Research and Didactic Laboratories Equipments for 2011.
 Participation in conferences
1. BPU7 General Conference of the Balkans Physics Union, Alexandropoulos, Greece, Sept 2009.
2. Climate Change, Health and Ecology Conference, 1-3 September 2010 Uppsala, Sweden.
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13. Programs Offered
The Department of Physics offers the degree of Physics and
Degree of Mathematics- Physics :
 Bachelor
1. Physics
2. Mathematics-Physics
 Professional Master in Mathematics-Physics
 Master of Science
1. Physics
2. Mathematical Physics
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14. Undergraduate and
graduate activities
• Exam (3 partial exams an 1 final exam)
• Colloquia
• Labs
• Homework
• Projects
• Essay
• Students workshop
• Research Experience
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15. Laboratory infrastructure for
undergraduate and graduate
teaching
The equipment has been partly improved and modernized during the years, as a special
effort by the Faculty. However, also here there is a lack of continuity in funding both for
equipment and personnel.
Didactic General Physics Laboratory (room C 405): Didactic General Physics Laboratory
serves to realize the main student's experiments of Physics such as determination: of the
value of g(electronic devices);of the value e/m; of Plank's constant; Frank-Hertz
experiment; propagation of signals with optical fibers; generation and properties of E-
M waves; etc.
Laboratory of Analog and Digital Electronics (room C406): This lab is used to perform the
experimental exercises for the analog and digital electronics. Students have possibility to
know the properties and parameters of electronic elements, such as semiconductors,
diodes, transistors, OA, logic gates, etc
Others:
Department library (room C403),
computers, internet access,
video projector,
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16. National and International
Cooperation
Partner national Universities/Institutions
• Department of Physics at University of Tirana
• University of Gjirokastra
• University of Shkodra
• Albanian Institute of Nuclear Physics
Partner International Universities/Institutions
• Department of Physics Oakland University
• University of Craiova, Romania
• Department of Physics, University of Ferrara, Italy
• University of Ioannina Greece
• University of Prishtina, Kosovo
• University of Tetovo, Macedonia
• The Southeastern European Network in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics
Other links:
• Albanian Physical Union
BPU - Balkan Physical Union
European Physical Society
American Physical Society
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17. Strategy and plans for the
future
Our strategy is based on the "National Strategy for AL-2008 - 2013" which has as its fundamental
objective: to create, develop and transmit the knowledge through teaching and scientific research.
This strategy includes an overview of the current state of the department about the methods, style
and content of teaching and research in accordance with the requirements for accreditation. In the
second part of this strategy, are defined the new obligations of scientific research to be carried
during the years 2009 - 2012, which reflect the physics department's efforts to achieve the
fundamental goal: education through science.
• Teaching:
o Processing curricula according to the Bologna Declaration.
o Orientation curriculum toward Western Institutions.
o Qualification of academic staff.
o To educate students at an advanced level (Master and PhD).
o Improving the teaching materials in the teaching service.
o Establishment of teaching laboratory at the modern level of teaching.
o Integrate new technologies and methods of teaching to support the educational mission.
• Research :
• Strengthen theoretical and experimental research.
o Research collaboration at the national, international, industry or public sector level.
o Integration in the research projects with national and international partners.
o Development of research infrastructure.
o The insurance of competitive research grants, mainly from international.
o Organization of conferences, symposia and workshops in the areas of education research , theoretical and
experimental physics.
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18. Web: http://univlora.edu.al/fe/fiz/
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