Department of Physics

B.S. Applied Physics Major/Engineering Dual Degree Major

Purpose and Goals

Qualified students may pursue a dual-degree major leading to a B.S. Applied Physics degree from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and a B.S. engineering degree from Iowa State University (ISU) or The University of Iowa (UI). This requires approximately three years of attendance at UNI followed by approximately two years of attendance at ISU or UI. Students who successfully complete the UNI part of the major are guaranteed admittance into the ISU or UI portion of the major if they have: an average of at least B (3.00) in all course work; an average of at least B (3.00) in the chemistry, mathematics, and physics courses required by the UNI Department of Physics; and the positive recommendation of the Head, Department of Physics.

Main Features of the Program

In the first three years, taken at UNI, students in the major must complete at least 90 semester credit hours of course work. In addition to the courses listed below, the students are expected to complete courses to satisfy the Liberal Arts Core requirements. Credit, but no grades, for courses at UNI passed with a grade of C or better will be transferred to ISU or UI as credit for equivalent courses there, even though they may not be required by the engineering curriculum selected by the student. The engineering courses completed toward a B.S. engineering degree at ISU or UI will be transferred to UNI to provide 6-9 credit hours of electives for the applied physics portion of the major. The UNI internship requirement will be satisfied through comparable practical experience at ISU or UI that has been approved by the Head, Department of Physics, UNI.

During the years at ISU or UI, students will complete the requirements specified in the College of Engineering Catalog at the time of their admission. Course work completed at ISU or UI will be transferred to UNI to complete the requirements for the applied physics portion of the major. Upon successful completion of the major, students will be eligible to participate in commencement ceremonies at both UNI and either ISU or UI.

UNI Courses for Dual Degree Program in Physics/Engineering

I. Liberal Arts Core Requirements:

Note The remaining 7 credit LAC Requirements in CNS will be satisfied by the following required major courses:

800:060 Calculus I - 3
880:130 Physics I for Science and Engineering - 4

II. Core Requirements:

III. Electives

B. Other Electives (to be taken at ISU or UI)

The required engineering courses completed toward a BS degree in engineering at ISU or UI will be transferred to UNI to satisfy the balance of 6-9 credit requirements for the degree of BS-Applied Physics. The UNI internship requirement will be satisfied through comparable engineering internships at ISU or UI.

SAMPLE Schedule at UNI

Hours from ISU or UI are transferred to complete the UNI Applied Physics BS