The Department is composed of groups working in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, earth and environmental sciences, life sciences, and science and technology for junior-high school. In all these areas there are extensive research and development projects, aimed at producing improved and up-to-date learning materials that integrate the use of modern technologies, and implementing these materials throughout the Israeli education system.
The Department of Physics of Complex Systems has research programs in applied physics, including optics (holography, image processing, non-linear effects in optical fibers, electro-optics, planar optics and ultrafast optics, atomic lithography and laser cooling, and trapping of atoms).
The Department of Particle Physics is engaged in both experimental and theoretical research, in various directions. These include elementary particle physics, relativistic heavy ion physics, field theory, string theory, molecular physics, nuclear physics, plasma physics, and radiation detection physics.
The department was formed in October 1993 as a result of the reorganization of the physics faculty. Presently the scientific activity of this young department is mainly concentrated around the experimental and theoretical research in quantum solid state but also includes a growing group of theoretical astrophysicists.
The principal research interests of the department lie in the two general areas of mathematical analysis and it applications, and of algebra, mainly representation theory, algebraic geometry, and number theory.
The principal interests of the department lie in the areas of computer science and applied mathematics. Research in computer science includes the study of computational complexity, the development and analysis of algorithms, cryptography, proof theory, parallel and distributed computing, logic of programs, specification methodologies, the formal study of hybrid systems, combinatorial games, biological applications, brain modeling, visual perception and recognition, robotics and motion control.
The areas of research in the Department of Organic Chemistry include synthetic and mechanistic organic and organometallic chemistry, novel reactions for organic synthesis, bond activation by metal complexes, polymeric reagents and catalysis. Bioorganic chemistry includes the studies of plant antiviral agents, the molecular mechanism of action of rhodopsin, artificial ion carriers and molecular sensors.
The areas of research in the Department of Organic Chemistry include synthetic and mechanistic organic and organometallic chemistry, novel reactions for organic synthesis, bond activation by metal complexes, polymeric reagents and catalysis. Bioorganic chemistry includes the studies of plant antiviral agents, the molecular mechanism of action of rhodopsin, artificial ion carriers and molecular sensors.
The scientific research of the department focuses on the understanding and design of functional materials with unique physical and chemical properties.
This Department, established in 1990, is dedicated to understanding the complex inter-relationships among the major earth systems and between the human need for energy and the consequent impact on the earth's environment. This requires knowledge of all the interdependent ecosystems that together constitute the "environment," as well as a commitment to improving the manner in which energy is utilized by humans.