Physics Department

Interested in physics?

The Augustana University Physics Department supports excellent scientific and technical education as well as research opportunities that prepare students for lives of intellectual growth and service. Students are immersed in forefront research and nationally recognized instruction with professors in small settings. The combination of personal attention from faculty and student access to large facilities through our collaborations produces a powerful educational experience.

Physics Department Tour at AU

Physics Department Tour at AU


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Augustana University
Physics Department
Froiland Science Complex
2407 S. Summit Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57197

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Latest News

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.

Augustana University student Patrick Adah ‘26, who hails from Lagos, Nigeria, is an engineering physics and dual-degree engineering double major. He is interning at the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SD-DOT) in Mitchell, South Dakota, where he reviews construction plans, conducts field tests and collaborates directly with contractors on highway and bridge projects.

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.

Physics Research & Grants

Undergraduate research experiences are an essential part of strong STEM preparation, and Augustana University provides numerous opportunities for physics and pre-engineering students to engage in impactful research work. Over the last 15 years, more than 90% of our physics graduates have participated in some type of research experience.

Our students co-author research articles and present at regional, national and international meetings. These efforts have helped our students earn awards and gain admission to notable graduate programs.

All of the physics faculty members are actively pursuing research topics, with all three tenure-track faculty members earning federal grants that are used to support student research.

Physics Research & Grants