Chemical Physics

Why study chemical physics?

A major in chemical physics means examining chemical and physical issues, developing an interdisciplinary knowledge of natural science and gaining the opportunity to pursue a path toward research and engineering.

  • Professionals with training in chemical physics work in diverse fields such as chemical engineering, nanotechnology, physical chemistry or materials science.
  • Through exploration of both chemistry and physics, students gain an understanding of chemical systems ranging from atomic collisions to complex materials.
Physics at AU

Physics at AU

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Augustana University is offering a new 5-year dual-degree engineering program — set to launch in Fall 2025. As part of the new program, students will take foundational courses at Augustana, earning a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in chemistry, physics or mathematics at the university. Students will begin taking online engineering courses in their second year — offered through the University of North Dakota (UND).

This is in addition to Augustana's other dual-degree engineering options. Currently, students can earn a B.A. in a major of their choice from Augustana and then apply to get their bachelor’s or master’s degrees in engineering from Columbia University in New York, New York; Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri; or South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. With these options, students take courses at Augustana for three years and then finish out their degrees in-person at other universities.

The university is excited to announce that the Augustana Physics Department has secured more than $595,000 in grant renewals from the Mathematics and Physical Science Division of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) for undergraduate research. The funding will help sustain excellence, facilitate growth and cultivate innovative and impactful teaching, learning and research.

Augustana University is proud to announce that Eleanor Weckwerth ‘23, of Dassel, Minnesota, has been named a 2022 Goldwater Scholar.

Highlights

Chemical Physics at AU

Careers

Graduates have secured careers as engineers, researchers, quality control specialists, hazardous waste managers and metallurgists.

Hands-On Learning

Many students in biochemistry undertake paid research, engage in mentorship in research, internship and personalized advanced courses, present at national conferences and co-author peer-reviewed publications.

Internship opportunities include:

  • Antimicrobial Materials, Inc.
  • Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (BRIN)
  • SAb Biotherapeutics
  • POET
  • Mayo Clinic

Students conduct primary research in Augustana’s science labs containing quality equipment for students, including cutting-edge microscopy and chemical detection instrumentation. 

Courses & Organizations

Students choose an emphasis in physics or chemistry with this major, depending on the number of courses taken in physics, chemistry and mathematics.

In courses and research, Augustana’s lab equipment includes:

  • Infrared, UV-visible, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Raman, emission and atomic absorption spectroscopy instrumentation
  • Liquid and gas chromatography instrumentation
  • JEOL 400 MHz NMR spectrometer, which allows access to 1D and 2D NMR methods of analysis

Chemical physics students often participate in:

  • Student Members of the American Chemical Society (SMACS)
  • Paid laboratory assistantships and tutoring positions
  • Women in STEM
  • Society of Physics Students