Why Iowa?

Home of James Van Allen, the “Father of Space Science" and one of the Top Fifth Global Universities in Physics according to U.S. News and World Report.

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Build a foundation

Expand your horizons

Learn from experts

See yourself here

Whether you're interested in space and plasma physics, astronomy and astrophysics, condensed matter and optics, or nuclear and particle physics, Iowa will develop your analytical, computational, and experimental skills to advance scientific knowledge of the universe around us.

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Research

Whether you’re passionate about space physics, quantum mechanics, or the intersections of physics and engineering, you’ll collaborate with expert faculty and cutting-edge labs. You’ll have access to hands-on research experiences, from working on space missions to contributing to particle physics discoveries. These opportunities allow you to expand your knowledge while making tangible contributions to the scientific community.

Research at Iowa

Top Fifth

of Global Universities in Physics

U.S. News and World Report 2022

$ 26 m

In annual research expenditures

Averaged over FY18-22

Write your story

Build on the legacy of space pioneer Dr. James Van Allen by getting involved with our faculty’s cutting-edge space physics research with NASA and the NSF, even as an undergrad.

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students in reserach lab

24

Full-time Faculty
Physics and Astronomy reserach lab

Very High

Research 1: Doctoral Universities
Research Activity

Carnegie Classification

120 +

Undergraduate physics and astronomy majors

2023-24 data

Physics and Astronomy reserach lab

70 +

Graduate students

2023-24 data

student with faculty discussions

Explore physics at Iowa

James Van Allen

Engage in our rich history by learning about the "Father of Space Science"

Outreach and engagement

Outreach and public engagement are essential to sharing our research with the general public, by interacting and listening in order to generate mutual benefit.

Earn your Natural Sciences requirement

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

News and announcements

Experiments Ring the ‘Death Knell’ for Sterile Neutrinos

Thursday, April 9, 2026
Decades of weird experimental results appeared to support the existence of the sterile neutrino, a hypothetical particle that would solve multiple mysteries. But recent experiments have killed hope of finding these phantoms, leaving physicists to wonder what might explain their anomalies. “It’s on us to learn how to get creative,” said Matheus Hostert, a physicist at the University of Iowa. “This is a very exciting time for the field, especially for theorists like myself who get to ask hard questions about all this data.”

Physics and Astronomy researchers aid rocket launch in Norway

Monday, April 6, 2026
David Miles, deputy director of research operations in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and a co-investigator for the rocket launch, was tasked with building the magnetometer attached to the rocket. While Miles had seen countless rocket launches before, Norway’s launch was a first for graduate student Jessica Mondoskin, the lead graduate student for the magnetometer project.

UI honors 2026 Discovery and Innovation awardees advancing high-impact research across the state, into space

Thursday, April 2, 2026
Associate Professor David Miles has been named the 2026 Scholar of the Year. The award recognizes nationally distinguished achievement in research, scholarship, and creative activity in the past 24 months. Richard Dvorksy, aerospace principal engineer and interim research administrator, has received the 2026 Distinguished Research Professional Award. This award recognizes staff members who performed exceptional service in support of research at the University of Iowa.
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Events

Astrophysics & Space Physics Seminar - Professor Emeritus Steve Spangler; Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Iowa promotional image

Astrophysics & Space Physics Seminar - Professor Emeritus Steve Spangler; Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Iowa

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 3:30pm to 4:20pm
Van Allen Hall
Astrophysics & Space Physics Seminar

Special Lecture - Thomas Sinclair; Purdue University

Thursday, April 16, 2026 12:30pm
MacLean Hall

Title: An introduction to continuous model theory

Abstract: The first order logic of metric structures is a new and rapidly developing field of mathematical logic. I'll give a basic introduction to this subject which helps to give a "peek under the hood" for the techniques motivating the colloquium talk.

Short Bio: Professor Thomas Sinclair is from Purdue University and works on Von Neumann Algebras, Model Theory of Metric Structures, Operator Systems and Ergodic Theory.

Physics and Astronomy Thesis Defense Seminar - David Fehr promotional image

Physics and Astronomy Thesis Defense Seminar - David Fehr

Thursday, April 16, 2026 1:30pm
Van Allen Hall
Physics and Astronomy Thesis Defense Seminar - David Fehr
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