The Transvaal Technical Institute, which became the Transvaal University College, (TUC) was established in Johannesburg in 1903. It was the first tertiary educational institution in the province of Transvaal, South Africa. The Pretoria Centre of the Transvaal University College (TUC) opened its doors on the 10th of February 1908 in Kya Rosa in Skinner Street for 32 students. Amongst the first four professors was Prof. Dr. D. F. du Toit Malherbe, professor in Physics, Chemistry, Geology and Mathematics. In 1911 the TUC moved into the Old Arts building on the present campus and on 10 October 1930 the TUC was incorporated in the independent 'Universiteit van Pretoria'. The Department of Physics became an independent department in 1909.
Heads of the Physics Department since 1909
Prof Dr P G Gundry 1909-1929
Prof Dr J S van der Lingen 1930-1948
Prof Dr H W Verleger 1949-1971
Prof Dr J H van der Merwe 1972-1979
Prof Dr E Friedland 1980-1998
Prof Dr J B Malherbe 1998-2011
Prof Dr C Theron 2012-2024
Prof Jackie Nel (Acting) 2025
Prof Lerothodi Leeuw 2025-Current
Some statistics
The BSc Honours course was introduced in 1972.
The first MSc degree was awarded to Mr Beezhold in 1932. He became Professor and Head of the Department of Applied Mathematics.
The first doctorate was awarded to Dr Basson in 1954, who became the Vice-President of the Atomic Energy Board.
The number of degrees awarded in recent years is as follows:
| BSc | BSc Honours | MSc | PhD | |
| 2024 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 5 |
| 2023 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
| 2022 | 16 | 9 | 16 | 7 |
| 2021 | 29 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| 2020 | 11 | 13 | 8 | 17 |
| 2019 | 16 | 15 | 8 | 11 |
| 2018 | 28 | 13 | 5 | 11 |
| 2017 | 31 | 6 | 9 | 4 |
| 2016 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 7 |
| 2015 | 22 | 11 | 7 | 5 |
| 2014 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
History in Photos
A booklet can be downloaded here, which contains a summary of the history of the department, including some photos.