A look at physics in Cuba

The history of physics in Cuba is connected to the country's relationship with the Soviet Union, other socialist countries, and other parts of Latin America and Europe. The first studies in the field of physics were introduced in 1814 by a priest, Félix Varela. Manuael Gran introduced a more substantial and rigorous approach to physics education with due mathematical preparation, problem solving, and practical experiments. When the university offered degrees in physical and chemical sciences and physics and mathematical sciences, a course in theoretical physics was introduced in the year 1993. A number of visiting professors came to Cuba during 1960s who taught courses in modern physics, promoted the creation of new laboratories in acoustics, electronics, and solid-state physics. Medical physics is one of the branches with greater prospects, in keeping with the importance of medicine in Cuba.