Create your path. Stay on track.
Academic advising is essential to your success as an undergraduate student. Your advisor will help you understand policies and procedures, assist you in selecting majors and courses, and encourage you to engage in campus and community activities. These experiences enrich your college experience, while also helping you realize your dreams and reach your goals.
Academic Advising Center
Advising at the University of Iowa is designed to grow with you academically. Your advising team will change as your needs change. First-semester students and those with fewer than 30 semester hours are advised in the campus-wide Academic Advising Center, where the center’s advisors specialize in transitioning students to academic and student life at Iowa.
Departmental advising
As a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences student with a declared major and 30+ semester hours of credit, you will transition to a departmental advisor. CLAS advisors are located within departments and specialize in providing expert guidance tailored to the majors they serve.
Students with multiple programs of study may have multiple advisors. You’ll visit your primary advisor for registration, but we all work together to help you meet your academic and career goals. Find and schedule with your advisor(s) using MyUI.
Advisor Assignment
First-year students are initially advised by professional staff advisors in the Academic Advising Center. The center’s team of advisors specializes in transitioning students to academic and student life at Iowa, and helping each student plan for a successful academic start at Iowa.
Once a student declares a Physics or Astronomy major, they will be assigned to a professional academic advisor until they complete the course PHYS:2703 – Physics III. For more information visit the CLAS Advising Network. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is currently searching for an academic advisor for Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Science Departments.
Once a student in Physics/Astronomy major completes PHYS:2703 - Physics III (or is in the third or the fourth year), they will be assigned to a Physics and Astronomy faculty member for academic advising. The student will receive an email with the name and contact information of their departmental faculty advisor.
Plans of Study and Degree Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Physics [Course checklist; P&A double major checklist]
- Bachelor of Science in Astronomy [Course checklist; P&A double major checklist]
- Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics
- Bachelor of Arts in Physics [Course checklist]
- Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy [Course checklist]
- BA/MAT Science Education [General Catalog Info]
MAUI Help Pages for Advisors
Meet Physics and Astronomy academic advisors
Jane M. Nachtman, PhD
Schedule an appointment
Connect with your professional advisor through MyUI. To contact faculty advisors, email them directly to make an appointment.
Getting started with Academic Advising
Verify your advisor and program
Your advisor may change. Verify your primary advisor and their office location. Your program(s) of study are listed in MyUI and include your majors, minors, certificates, or pre-professional programs. If any of this needs to be updated, contact your advisor.
Review your degree audit
Check your degree audit regularly to ensure you understand your program requirements and how courses will count. Contact your advisor if you have questions.
Prepare for registration
Visit your advisor each semester to discuss courses and registration. Your primary advisor can also assist with schedule changes, including adding and dropping.
Seek academic support
Your advisor can help you work to improve your academic performance whether you are on academic probation or want to improve your GPA. Ask about support for your academic success.
Next steps
Plan for graduation
Collaborate with your advisor to create a plan for graduation that incorporates all your programs. Review this plan with your advisor(s) regularly and ask questions about your progress toward degree completion.
Find student resources
The University of Iowa provides resources for social, health, well-being, financial, and academic support. Your advisor can help you navigate campus services.
Explore engagement opportunities
Learn about student organizations, study abroad, service, research, internships, and honors in your major.
Set your goals
Discuss your interests and future educational and career goals. Your advisor can help you plan for graduate and professional study and can connect you to the Pomerantz Career Center.