Physics, Engineering, and Astronomy

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If you want to understand the forces of nature — and how to use that knowledge to solve problems — consider majoring in the related fields of engineering or physics.

Our faculty advisors can help you decide which career path is best for you. We offer an Engineering (Bachelor of Science) program, plus Bachelor of Arts programs in engineering physics, physics or teaching physics.

The faculty are experts in many disciplines, including mechanical engineering, environmental engineering, pulsed laser systems, astronomy, nuclear physics, quantum mechanics and teaching physics.

They take the time to get to know our students and help them identify their own passions. This leads to successful employment or acceptance to graduate school. Augustana students use human-centered design, solve important problems in their discipline, or inspire students in high school physics classes.

Augustana College offers several paths in engineering and physics:

Engineering Physics, Physics or Teaching Physics

You can major or minor in physics or major in teaching physics in the secondary schools. The full-time physics faculty all hold a Ph.D., and teach all laboratory sessions as well as courses.

If you are interested in combining the applied side of physics and engineering, you can choose a major in engineering physics with a chemical, electrical or mechanical track.

Physics program

Engineering (Bachelor of Science)

The college offers an innovative Engineering (Bachelor of Science) program at a liberal arts institution, with focuses in mechanical, civil, and environmental and sustainability engineering.

This program is multidisciplinary so students will be exposed to physics, mathematics and engineering, while incorporating ethics, humanities and social sciences.

Engineering program

Astronomy

With a minor in astronomy, you can be part of a 50-plus-year history of exploring space at a college known for strong science programs with a liberal arts foundation, and a culture of support for research and adventure.

Research and adventure are at the heart of study in astronomy. At Augustana, students minoring in astronomy learn using resources that link our campus to the American west, and to the far reaches of space.

Astronomy program

Distinctions

During the past five years, more than 80% of students seeking graduate school were successfully enrolled in top schools such as the University of Iowa, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Dartmouth, and the University of Colorado-Boulder programs.
The Augustana Physics and Engineering Society (APES) has won the Outstanding Chapter Award more than 16 times, as well as the Blake Lilly Prize and Marsh W. White award from the national honor society of the Society of Physics Students. It’s a fun and engaging group focused on developing a sense of community through presentations, outreach to area schools, discussions on modern science and get-togethers.
Our student-led mentoring program (APS-IDEA) pairs first- and second-year students with junior and senior majors. Seniors are paired with an alumni mentor so they are ready to take the next step, whether that’s a job or graduate school.
Augustana’s CORE career coaches help students with résumés, interview practice and internships. Our engineering majors have had internships at John Deere, Exelon, Bergstrom, Solar Plastics and Crawford Company, which have led to permanent positions.
The John Deere Planetarium and Carl Gamble Observatory features a Celestron C14 computer-driven 14-inch reflector telescope. Stargazing, educational programs and planet viewing are offered to the community as well as campus.

APES 2026 — APES, Augustana's Society of Physics Students (SPS) Club, received the 2024-25 Outstanding Chapter Award Certificate from the SPS national organization. The award is for clubs that are exceptionally active in outreach efforts, community service, and student events, both academic and social. **Pictured:** Anabela Cabrera '26, Abigail Kimber '26, Hanna Gebremariam '26, Cholo Ferrolino '27, Emma Biskie '27, Dottie Kangara '27 and Pritisha Malla '26.

Four students in front of a gray backdrop — Augustana students attended the Quad Cities Engineering and Science Council (QCESC) 64th STEM Celebration to network with STEM professionals across the Quad Cities area. The program included presenting awards to engineering, scientists, educators and high school scholars, plus a talk from the executive vice president and CEO of FIRST, the world's leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM. **Pictured:** Maranda Bargren '27, Evelyn Coronado Mendoza '27, Raunak Rijal '26, Pritisha Malla '26

Five students at a conference — Students attending the Conference for Undergraduate Women and Gender Minorities in Physics

Students at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams — From the left, Dr. Nathan Frank, Pritisha Malla '26, Lili Leatherman '27, Braden (Amber) Olson '27, Tom Ha '27, Lee Ndegwa '27 and Luke Dalzell '26 in front of the Modular Neutron Array (MoNA) in the experimental vault at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at Michigan State University.

Two faculty members and a guest lecturer, each holding a physics toy — Geology professor Dr. Michael Wolf, guest speaker Dr. Allison Pease '18 and physics professor Dr. Nathan Frank

Students sitting in chairs with laptops — From the left, Pritisha Malla '26, Lee Ndegwa '27, Tom Ha '27, Braden (Amber) Olson '27, Lili Leatherman '27 and Luke Dalzell '26 learned how to control the data acquisition system for the complex experimental systems. Faculty, post-doc students and graduate students trained Augustana students on how to operate these systems.

Students neat complex detectors — Augustana students learn about electronics used to take data from complex detectors from a Michigan State University post-doc student.

Augustana faculty member José Wilches and guest speaker Paul Guèye pose for a picture — Engineering faculty member Dr. José Wilches poses with guest lecturer Dr. Paul Guèye

Student award winners pose with Augustana physics, engineering and astronomy faculty — 2024 physics, engineering and astronomy student award winners pose with department faculty

Five students recently inducted into Sigma Pi Sigma — 2023 Sigma Pi Sigma inductees Viet Bui, Amanda Gravelle, Carson Ghys, Rukkus Hunkins and Isabelle Sansom

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Physics, Engineering, and Astronomy news

Augustana’s Cholo Ferrolino helping to build a ‘Chicago-area quantum ecosystem’

Augustana College faculty and students are collaborating with quantum researchers at Northwestern University — along with University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab — to build the quantum internet. Quantum computing can create ultra-precise and unhackable data transmission, and new capabilities.

Friends share a passion for physics, and now a $5,000 scholarship

For Tara Armas ’27 and Emma Biskie ’27, studying physics at Augustana College has meant much more than mastering equations and theories. It has led to research opportunities in places far and near, connections with scientists and, along the way, a close friendship. Plus — a prestigious $5,000 scholarship!

Augustana College’s engineering program earns ABET accreditation

Augustana College’s Bachelor of Science degree program in Engineering has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, a nonprofit, ISO 9001-certified quality assurance organization. This reflects the continued growth of the engineering program within the college’s liberal arts and sciences tradition.