GE CLAS Core: Natural Sciences

Learn more about how our programs can satisfy the General Education CLAS Core requirement in Natural Sciences.

James Van Allen

Research

Outreach and Public Engagement

News and Announcements

UI team designs microscope to study interaction of light and matter in electronic devices

Thursday, February 6, 2025
In a new study, a physics team at the University of Iowa designed a special microscope that can precisely study the interaction between light and matter that underpins electronic devices, such as those used in interior home lighting, smartphones, televisions and solar panels. The infrared cryo-microscope, designed by a team led by Thomas Folland, assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, uses off-the shelf components to make precise measurements of different materials’ properties.

Swarm Featured in 2025 Dare to Discover Campaign

Friday, January 24, 2025
Dustin Swarm, a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is part of the 2025 Dare to Discover banner campaign, showcasing 80 undergraduate, graduate student, and postdoctoral scholars engaged in promising research, scholarship, and creative activities.

Chorus Waves Detected in Deep Space

Thursday, January 23, 2025
In this Scientific American article, Associate Professor Allison Jaynes discusses peculiar bursts of energy called chorus waves detected in deep space far from our planet. These waves could pose problems for long-distance space travel.

Upcoming Events

Public Observing Night - Van Allen Observatories promotional image

Public Observing Night - Van Allen Observatories

Friday, March 7, 2025 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Van Allen Hall
Watch the skies! Join the University of Iowa Department of Physics & Astronomy as we use small telescopes on the southeast lawn of Van Allen Hall as well as the rooftop Van Allen Observatory to tour the spring sky. To attend this Astronomy observation session, either join the event on the ground level outside of Van Allen Hall or follow the signs inside of Van Allen Hall to reach the rooftop observatory.
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$ 26 m

In annual research expenditures (averaged over FY18-22)

Top Fifth

of Global Universities in Physics
(U.S. News and World Report 2022)

Very High

Research 1: Doctoral Universities
Research Activity
(Carnegie Classification)

24

Full-time Faculty

3100

Students taught in introductory courses per year (2017-2022)

124

Undergraduate Physics and Astronomy Majors
(2023-24)

72

Graduate Students
(2023-24)