The Department of Physics "Aldo Pontremoli" hosts research activities in various domains of fundamental and applied Physics such as Astrophysics, Theoretical Physics, Nanotechnologies, Optics, Particle Physics, Nuclear Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Physics of Plasmas, Accelerator Physics, Physics of Complex Systems, Environmental and Cultural Heritage Physics, and Medical Physics.

The Department hosts a research unit of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN).   Research is also performed in collaboration with other national research agencies: the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF), the National Consortium of Universities for the Physics of Matter (CNISM), and the National Research Council (CNR). The Department partly hosts the activity of the Interdisciplinary Center of Excellence (CIMAINA) in the field of nanotechnologies, which involves several research groups across the University.

The national and international excellence of the research performed in the Department, are demonstrated by the award of substantial national and international grants, The graduate School also involves several national and international institutions. The Department also performs basic and applied research in collaboration with private companies and government agencies.

The Department employs about 90 research staff members, and 40 administrative and technical staff units. Several Italian and foreign students of the PhD School and Post-Docs contribute to the research activities of the Department.