Physics leads by experiments, observation and measurement the natural phenomena on quantitative relationships (experimental physics) and mathematically formulated laws (theoretical physics) back. The division into the two sub-areas corresponds to the two types of physical research, on the one hand to ask specific questions to nature and to explore through experiments and on the other hand to interpret the results using mathematical and numerical methods and to predict new facts. The Department of Physics of the University of Basel successfully participates in cutting-edge research in important and fascinating fields of physics.