New IDEA supports first- and second-year physics students
In February, the physics department will launch a mentorship program to support majors of underrepresented identities through personal connections with peers and alumni.
Augustana College offers a major and minor in physics, a major for teaching physics, and a major in engineering physics. The five full-time faculty all hold a Ph.D., and teach all laboratory sessions as well as regular coursework.
Careers and internships
Physics majors study a range of physics topics — including thermodynamics, mechanics, astrophysics, electricity and magnetism, and quantum physics — with much flexibility, depending on interests.
The engineering physics major is designed for students interested in the applied side of physics or the 3-2 program.
Many physics graduates pursue technology careers, while others enter graduate programs in physics, engineering or education. Engineering physics majors can take advantage of the college's coordinated-degree program, through which a student can earn both a bachelor of arts from Augustana and a bachelor of science in engineering from an engineering school. Currently, Augustana has agreements with Washington University and Northern Illinois University. Other popular choices include the universities of Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota, Iowa State, Michigan State and Purdue University.
A sampling of recent graduates
Mark Hoffmann '14 is vice president of analytics and co-founder at 38th Street Studios in East Lansing, Mich., a software company.
Peter Draznick '14 is a co-founder of 38th Street Studios.
Abdul Rahman Merhi '15 is a graduate teaching assistant at Iowa State University.
Steven Ash '11 is the co-Owner of Exclusive Saver in Moline, Ill.
Amelia Wietting '09 is an IT Analyst IV at John Deere in Moline, Ill.
Gabriel Caceres '08 is a graduate research fellow in the department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Penn State. He received a Ph.D. there in 2016.
Distinctions
Physics majors study a range of physics topics, including thermodynamics, mechanics, astrophysics, solid state and quantum physics. The engineering physics major is designed for students interested in the applied side of physics or the 3-2 program.
Physics majors who want to pursue engineering can take advantage of the college's coordinated degree programs with engineering schools in the Midwest: Purdue, Iowa State, University of Iowa, University of Minnesota and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Through these programs, a student can earn both a bachelor of arts degree from Augustana and a technical bachelor of science degree in engineering from the university.
Augustana's variety of study-abroad options includes the physics and German learning community, Science in Society: Switzerland and Germany. During this 6-credit spring course, students explore some of the most important European sites for technology, innovation, physics and engineering.
Physics facilities include the college’s John Deere Planetarium and Carl Gamble Observatory, along with four area-specific laboratories in the Hanson Hall of Science: basics lab, optics and modern physics lab, electronics and acoustics lab, and the scanning electron microscopy lab.
What students say
Abdul Rahman Merchi '15, engineering physics and computer science; Winner of the Swedish Council of America's 2015 Glenn T. Seaborg Science Scholarship; pursuing a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at Iowa State University of Science and Technology
"I am always and will always be grateful to Augustana College for the great education it gave me-especially the physics and astronomy department for its great generosity and amazing professors. "
Natalie Viscariello '15, physics and applied mathematics; Graduate student in medical physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
"When I came into Augustana, I thought I wanted to study German, biology or maybe physics. I definitely didn't expect to be going to graduate school in medical physics, but my time here helped me find my passion.... I'm in a much more exciting place than I thought I would be. All of my professors and friends have given me opportunities and support throughout my time here. They've helped me to become a better person and a better thinker. I've learned to be more confident in my ideas and that I can actually be an effective leader. I've learned that I can handle a lot, academically or otherwise."
Stuart Casarotto '14, engineering physics major, environmental studies and mathematics minor; Graduate student in mechanical engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder.
"Many professors and administrators helped me to reach the point where I am. Professors helped me construct and complete a crazy schedule. Administrators helped me start two clubs and allowed me to sit on two important committees. Because of the group I helped start-called AugiePonics - a hydroponics wall for growing food was installed in the dining center. I will miss some of the great professors most. Many of them have really changed my future for the better, and I will miss being able to go into their offices just to hang out."
