Physics is the second basic science after mathematics that is essentially needed to understand and master other basic sciences, applied sciences, and subsequently to develop technology. The position and status of physics is very strategic, requires physicists to always develop, apply, and at the same time socialize the science of physics, in order to positively encourage the development and mastery of science and technology in this world. The Earth as a place of life for humans and various other beings, for its sustainability, increasingly demands high efficiency of energy utilization in all its manifestations. Energy is the amount of physics that is absolutely needed for the realization of life sustainability. Therefore physics is required to be able to research, find, develop, manage energy sources.
In addition, all kinds of human activities (both agrarian and industrial) and all natural processes (both related to the dynamics of the earth and biological) that are mostly closely related to the process of physics, regulation, security, and management so as not to damage and nothing is wasted or mubazir, but precisely effective (efficient) and successful (effective) and constructive for the survival of all people , most are also the responsibilities of physicists. So much so that the demands of mankind on physicists, in such a way that inevitably the Department of Physics FMIPA-UGM is expected to also be able to bear some portion of the global responsibility worldwide or even universally. In this case, in order for the contribution of the Department of Physics to be significant, donations in the form of thought, research, its discovery is expected to be the spearhead of the development of physics. Internationally, this is a pretty tough challenge but it is not impossible.
Department of Physics FMIPA-UGM which opened in 1955 with only a few teachers and some students, then developed rapidly until formed Basic Physics Laboratory, Laboratory of Atomic and Core Physics, Laboratory of Solid Substance Physics, Laboratory of Electronics and Instrumentation, and Laboratory of Vibration and Waves which later developed into Geophysical Laboratory. In addition to laboratories, the Department of Physics also has workshops as supporting facilities, including Mechanical Workshop, Glass Workshop, Photography Workshop, and Repair and Maintenance Workshop Instrumentation.
Based on the Decree of the Director General of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, No. 22/DIKTI/Kep/1985 dated May 1, 1985, the Department of Physics held three study programs, namely the Physics Study Program, the Electronic and Instrumentation Study Program, and the Geophysical Study Program. The three study programs above to date produce graduates / scholars who are well absorbed by the industrial community and research and education institutions, both public and private. However, with the Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia No. 0219/U/1995 dated July 25, 1995 concerning the National Curriculum of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Undergraduate Program, in which the Electronic and Instrumentation Study Program is not listed in it, then temporarily the Electronic and Instrumentation Study Program starting from academic year 1995/1996 does not accept new students.
Study Program and Laboratory of Electronics and Instrumentation after obtaining approval of the Department of Physics has submitted a proposal for the implementation of the D3 Program of Electronics and Instrumentation to the Faculty. The Senate Meeting of the Faculty of Mathematics and Social Sciences on Saturday, May 23, 1998 has received the proposal and after the improvement was forwarded to UGM. The UGM Senate has accepted the proposal so that in 1999 it has been opened and began to implement the D3 Electronics and Instrumentation program. In 2002, the D3 Program has started to graduate students.
Furthermore, in 2002 the New Student Receiving System (SPMB) has listed the name of the Electronic and Instrumentation study program in its list. This means that starting the academic year 2002/2003 the study program of Electronics and Instrumentation will begin again.
After going through an assessment carried out by the National Accreditation Board on the Study Program of Physics, Geophysics and Electronics and Instrumentation, the Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia decided that all three courses received A accreditation.
Department of Physics FMIPA UGM also held two post-graduate programs, namely Master's Program and Doctoral Program in Physics in line with efforts to make UGM as an international standard research university.
Starting in 2009, the D3 Program of Electronics and Instrumentation was gradually transferred to Sokolah Vocational UGM. Furthermore, the Electronic and Instrumentation Study Program starting in 2010 moved from the Department of Physics to the Department of Computer Science and Electronics.