Learning Outcomes
Physics majors will be able to:
- demonstrate competency in applying the basic laws of physics in classical and quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and statistical physics;
- solve complex, real-world problems using the principles of physics; and
- demonstrate competency in using basic instrumentation and in analyzing the data obtained.
The Bachelor of Science with a major in physics requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including at least 58 s.h. of work for the major (minimum of 42 s.h. in physics plus 16 s.h. in supporting coursework). Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major and in all UI courses for the major. They also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core.
Students must complete several required mathematics courses in addition to their required physics core. The department offers a wide range of upper-level electives and students are encouraged to explore different research areas. All students are strongly encouraged to get involved with research.
The B.S. with a major in physics requires the following courses or their equivalents.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Mathematics Courses | 16 | |
Introductory Physics Courses | 8-12 | |
Physics Core Courses | 25 | |
Upper-Level Elective Courses | 9-11 | |
Total Hours | 58-64 |
Mathematics Courses
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
All of these: | ||
MATH:1850 | Calculus I | 4 |
MATH:1860 | Calculus II | 4 |
MATH:2700 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 4 |
MATH:2850 | Calculus III | 4 |
Introductory Physics Courses
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
These three courses: | ||
PHYS:1701 | Physics I | 4 |
PHYS:1702 | Physics II | 4 |
PHYS:2703 | Physics III | 4 |
Or these two courses: | ||
PHYS:1611 | Introductory Physics I | 4 |
PHYS:1612 | Introductory Physics II | 4 |
Physics Core Courses
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
All of these: | ||
PHYS:2704 | Physics IV | 4 |
PHYS:3710 | Intermediate Mechanics | 3 |
PHYS:3730 | Statistical Physics | 3 |
PHYS:3741 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
PHYS:3742 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
PHYS:3756 | Intermediate Laboratory | 3 |
PHYS:3811 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
PHYS:3812 | Electricity and Magnetism II | 3 |
Upper-Level Elective Courses
Students can only take these courses once: PHYS:3850 Electronics, PHYS:4750 Advanced Laboratory, or ASTR:4850 Astronomical Laboratory.
Undergraduate majors who plan to pursue graduate study are advised to go as far as they can beyond the minimum requirements listed below, including further work in mathematics.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
One of these: | ||
PHYS:3850 | Electronics | 4 |
PHYS:4750 | Advanced Laboratory | 3 |
ASTR:4850 | Astronomical Laboratory | 3 |
Two of these: | ||
PHYS:3850 | Electronics | 4 |
PHYS:4720 | Introductory Optics | 3 |
PHYS:4726 | Electro Optics | 3 |
PHYS:4728 | Introductory Solid State Physics | 3 |
PHYS:4731 | Plasma Physics I | 3 |
PHYS:4740 | Elementary Particles and Nuclear Physics | 3 |
PHYS:4750 | Advanced Laboratory | 3 |
PHYS:4761 | Mathematical Methods of Physics I | 3 |
PHYS:4762 | Mathematical Methods of Physics II | 3 |
PHYS:4820 | Optical Signal Processing | 3 |
PHYS:4860 | Computational Physics | 3 |
PHYS:4905 | Special Topics in Physics | 3 |
PHYS:5905 | Special Topics in Physics | 3 |
ASTR:3771 | Introduction to Astrophysics I | 3 |
ASTR:3772 | Introduction to Astrophysics II | 3 |
ASTR:4850 | Astronomical Laboratory | 3 |
In planning this work, they should be guided by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences maximum hours rule: Students earning a B.S. may apply a maximum of 56 s.h. earned in one department to the minimum 120 s.h. required for graduation, whether or not the coursework is accepted toward requirements for the major. Students who earn more than 56 s.h. from one department may use the additional semester hours to satisfy requirements for the major (if the department accepts them), and the grades they earn become part of their grade-point average, but they cannot apply the additional semester hours to the minimum 120 s.h. required for graduation.
Students earning a B.S. with a double major in physics and astronomy may count more than 56 s.h. earned in the Department of Physics and Astronomy to the 120 s.h. required for graduation, but they must earn at least 56 s.h. in coursework outside the department in order to graduate.
Teacher Licensure
Students interested in teaching in elementary and/or secondary schools should seek admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) in the College of Education.
To qualify for licensure in secondary teaching, students in the TEP complete a degree in education as well as a related College of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree. See Teacher Education Program Application and Admission on the College of Education website for details on requirements and deadlines for applying to the College of Education and about TEP choices of majors leading to licensure.
Double Major in Physics and Astronomy
Students working toward a Bachelor of Science with a double major in physics and in astronomy must complete all requirements for both majors and must earn a minimum of 56 s.h. outside the Department of Physics and Astronomy in order to graduate. Students interested in earning a double major should consult with their advisors. See Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website.
B.S./M.S. in Business Analytics (Career Subprogram)
Students majoring in physics who are interested in earning a master's degree in business analytics with a career subprogram may apply to the combined B.S./M.S. program offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Tippie College of Business. The program enables students to begin the study of business analytics before they complete their bachelor's degree. Students are able to complete both degrees in five years rather than six.
Separate application to each degree program is required. Applicants must be admitted to both programs before they may be admitted to the combined degree program. For information about the business analytics program, see the M.S. in business analytics (career) in the Tippie College of Business section of the Catalog.
B.S./M.S. in Finance
Students majoring in physics who are interested in earning a master's degree in finance may apply to the combined B.S./M.S. program offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Tippie College of Business. The program enables students to begin the study of finance before they complete their bachelor's degree. Students are able to complete both degrees in five years rather than six.
Separate application to each degree program is required. Applicants must be admitted to both programs before they may be admitted to the combined degree program. For information about the finance program, see the M.S. in finance (Tippie College of Business) section of the Catalog.
Honors in the Major
Students majoring in physics have the opportunity to graduate with honors in their major. They must maintain a University of Iowa g.p.a. of at least 3.33. They must earn 6-8 s.h. in PHYS:4999 Undergraduate Research Undergraduate Research during their junior and senior years and conduct an investigation under the guidance of a faculty member. Students must present a written report of their research (honors thesis) and describe their research results at a departmental seminar.
University of Iowa Honors Program
In addition to honors in the major, students have opportunities for honors study and activities through membership in the University of Iowa Honors Program. Visit Honors at Iowa to learn about the University's honors program.
Membership in the UI Honors Program is not required to earn honors in the physics major.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core requirements provide students with a broad foundation of knowledge and a focused practice of transferable skills necessary for a lifetime of learning.
GE CLAS Core courses are particularly valuable for students making the transition into the University of Iowa. They help students understand the academic expectations of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences while providing the knowledge and skills needed for more advanced work in the major.
All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who wish to earn an undergraduate degree—Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), or Bachelor of Music (B.M.)—must complete the requirements of the GE CLAS Core.
GE CLAS Core Areas and Requirements
The GE CLAS Core has 11 required areas, grouped into three categories. Students must fulfill the requirements in each GE CLAS Core area. The requirements below are for students who entered the University of Iowa during Summer 2017 or after. Students who entered during a previous semester are held to different requirements as indicated on a student's degree audit.
Communication and Literacy:
- Rhetoric: a minimum of 4 s.h.
- World Languages: required credit varies by language (see "World Languages" below)
- Interpretation of Literature: a minimum of 3 s.h.
Natural, Quantitative, and Social Sciences:
- Natural Sciences: a minimum of 7 s.h.; must include one lab
- Quantitative or Formal Reasoning: a minimum of 3 s.h.
- Social Sciences: a minimum of 3 s.h.
Culture, Society, and the Arts:
- Diversity and Inclusion: a minimum of 3 s.h.
- Historical Perspectives: a minimum of 3 s.h.
- International and Global Issues: a minimum of 3 s.h.
- Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts: a minimum of 3 s.h.
- Values and Culture: a minimum of 3 s.h.
Students may count transfer credit and/or credit by exam toward some GE CLAS Core requirements. See CLAS Core Policies for details regarding use of transfer credit, credit by exam, and other policies for how GE CLAS Core requirements may be fulfilled.
Communication and Literacy
Rhetoric
Rhetoric courses develop speaking, writing, listening, and critical reading skills and build competence in research, analysis, and argumentation.
All entering first-year students are required to complete RHET:1030 Rhetoric (4-5 s.h.). Because rhetorical skills lay the foundation for further study at the University, most students register for RHET:1030 during their first year at Iowa. Students in some majors, such as English or journalism and mass communication, enroll in RHET:1030 during their first semester.
Students who must enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses as determined by their English proficiency evaluation must complete all ESL courses before they may register for RHET:1030 Rhetoric.
Students who have transfer credit in composition, speech, and argumentation but have not been granted an A.A. degree must complete the equivalent of RHET:1030 Rhetoric and often must take RHET:1040 Writing and Reading or RHET:1060 Speaking and Reading in addition to their transfer courses in composition and/or speech.
Each entering student's degree audit shows the course(s) that must be completed in order to fulfill the Rhetoric requirement.
The following courses are approved for the Rhetoric area.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
RHET:1030 | Rhetoric | 4-5 |
RHET:1040 | Writing and Reading | 3 |
RHET:1060 | Speaking and Reading | 3 |
Transfer of Credit for Rhetoric
Transfer students who have been granted an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree from an Iowa community college, Waldorf College in Iowa, or Black Hawk College in Illinois have satisfied the Rhetoric requirement.
Transfer credit for students without an A.A. degree is evaluated as follows:
- transfer students who have completed composition I, composition II, and speech at another institution have satisfied the GE CLAS Core Rhetoric requirement of RHET:1030 Rhetoric;
- transfer students who have completed only composition I must complete RHET:1030 Rhetoric at the University of Iowa;
- transfer students who have completed composition I and speech must complete RHET:1040 Writing and Reading at the University of Iowa;
- transfer students who have completed only speech must complete RHET:1040 Writing and Reading at the University of Iowa;
- transfer students who have completed composition I and II or only composition II must complete RHET:1060 Speaking and Reading at the University of Iowa;
- for transfer students who have completed any other course at another institution that may be equivalent to RHET:1030 Rhetoric, the University of Iowa Office of Admissions examines the content of the course and decides on equivalency based on the content of that course, conferring with the Department of Rhetoric on the correct equivalency, if necessary.
Interpretation of Literature
Courses in the Interpretation of Literature area focus on the major genres of literature (short and long fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama), improving students' abilities to read and analyze a variety of texts. Small group discussions in these courses challenge students to think critically, to share insights, and to listen thoughtfully to the arguments of others.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Interpretation of Literature area. The following courses are approved for the area.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
CLSA:1200 | Interpretation of Ancient Literature (GE status effective spring 2021) | 3 |
ENGL:1200 | The Interpretation of Literature | 3 |
FREN:1005 | Texts and Contexts: French-Speaking World | 3 |
FREN:1007 | Nature/Ecology French Philosophy and Fiction | 3 |
WLLC:1510/ASIA:1510 | Ghost Stories and Tales of the Weird in Premodern Chinese Literature | 3 |
World Languages
GE CLAS Core courses in World Languages provide the practice of important communication skills in a second language as well as the knowledge of the cultures in which the language is spoken. This in-depth study allows students to better understand how languages as a whole function, encouraging students to learn more about their own first language, including how it creates both inclusion and diversity. To fulfill the GE CLAS Core requirement in World Languages, students may choose one of the following options:
complete four years of a single world language in high school; or
achieve the fourth level of proficiency in a world language by completing the appropriate sequence of courses offered at the University of Iowa; or
achieve the fourth level of proficiency by completing appropriate courses at another college or university or through approved study abroad courses; or
achieve an equivalent score on a related Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or other approved college-level examination accepted by the University of Iowa and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (see Credit By Exam Options on the Office of Admissions website); or
earn an equivalent score on both a UI written placement test and on a UI oral proficiency exam in a language taught at the University of Iowa (see World Languages Placement Test (WLPT) on the New Student Services website); or
earn an equivalent score on a proficiency exam in a language that is not taught at the University of Iowa (see Proficiency Examinations for Languages Not Taught at UI on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website).
A fourth level of proficiency is equivalent to the successful completion of an intermediate II language course (or of a second-year second semester course, for example) as taught at the University of Iowa. Depending on a student's placement test results and the language taken, a student may need to take four semesters of a language, starting with a beginning course and ending with a second semester intermediate course. Other students may be able to start elsewhere in the language sequence and complete the GE World Language requirement by taking two or three courses. See "World Languages Placement Tests" under Placement Tests on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website.
Semester hours earned for these courses vary by language. Students should be sure to take the placement test for the language of interest and should be aware of the course sequence required to fulfill the GE requirement in World Languages for that particular language.
Once the World Languages requirement is completed, a student may earn up to an additional 8 s.h. of college credit while studying a world language. See Furthering Language Incentive Program (FLIP) on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website.
Students may use the following language course sequences to fulfill the World Languages requirement. To avoid duplication or regression, consult the appropriate language department before registering for courses.
American Sign Language
Courses in American Sign Language (ASL) are offered by the American Sign Language Program. The following sequence fulfills the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ASL:1001 | American Sign Language I | 5 |
ASL:1002 | American Sign Language II | 5 |
ASL:2001 | American Sign Language III | 5 |
ASL:2002 | American Sign Language IV | 5 |
Students with previous knowledge of American Sign Language should consult the ASL program for placement.
Arabic
Courses in Arabic are offered by the Department of French and Italian. The following sequence fulfills the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ARAB:1001 | Elementary Modern Standard Arabic I | 5 |
ARAB:1002 | Elementary Modern Standard Arabic II | 5 |
ARAB:2001 | Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic I | 5 |
ARAB:2002 | Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic II | 5 |
Students with previous knowledge of Arabic should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Chinese
Courses in Chinese are offered by the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures. For students without previous knowledge of Chinese, the department recommends the following sequence to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
CHIN:1111 | First-Year Chinese: First Semester | 5 |
CHIN:1112 | First-Year Chinese: Second Semester | 5 |
CHIN:2101 | Second-Year Chinese: First Semester | 5 |
CHIN:2102 | Second-Year Chinese: Second Semester | 5 |
Students may use varied combinations of Chinese language courses approved to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Heritage learners and students who have studied Chinese abroad may be able to fulfill the requirement by substituting CHIN:2103 Accelerated Second-Year Chinese: First Semester and CHIN:2104 Accelerated Second-Year Chinese: Second Semester for CHIN:2101 and CHIN:2102. Consult the department for more information.
French
Courses in French are offered by the Department of French and Italian. For students without previous knowledge of French, the department recommends the following sequence to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
FREN:1001 | Elementary French I | 4-5 |
FREN:1002 | Elementary French II | 4-5 |
FREN:2001 | Intermediate French I | 5 |
FREN:2002 | Intermediate French II | 5 |
Students may use varied combinations of French language courses approved to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Those with previous knowledge of French may be able to fulfill the requirement by substituting FREN:1010 First-Year French Review for FREN:1001 and FREN:1002 in the sequence above. Some students may be evaluated as ready for FREN:2001 or FREN:2002. Consult the department for appropriate placement.
German
Courses in German are offered by the Department of German. For students without previous knowledge of German, the department recommends the following sequence to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
GRMN:1001 | Elementary German I | 4 |
GRMN:1002 | Elementary German II | 4 |
GRMN:2001 | Intermediate German I | 4 |
GRMN:2002 | Intermediate German II | 4 |
Students may use varied combinations of German language courses approved to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Those with previous knowledge of German may be able to fulfill the requirement by substituting GRMN:1010 First-Year German Review for GRMN:1001 and GRMN:1002 in the sequence above. Some students may be evaluated as ready for GRMN:2001 or GRMN:2002. Consult the department for appropriate placement.
The department also offers accelerated intensive courses, GRMN:1020 Intensive Elementary German and GRMN:2020 Intensive Intermediate German, which may be appropriate for students with strong language learning abilities or experience. The intensive courses may be combined with nonintensive courses to create other sequences that may be used to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Consult the department to identify an appropriate course sequence.
Greek
Courses in Greek are offered by the Department of Classics. Students without previous knowledge of Greek should fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement with the following sequence.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
CLSG:1001 | Classical and New Testament Greek I | 3-5 |
CLSG:1002 | Classical and New Testament Greek II | 3-5 |
CLSG:2001 | Second-Year Greek I | 3 |
CLSG:2002 | Second-Year Greek II | 3 |
Students with previous knowledge of Greek should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Italian
Courses in Italian are offered by the Department of French and Italian. Students without previous knowledge of Italian should fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement with the following sequence.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ITAL:1101 | Elementary Italian I | 5 |
ITAL:1102 | Elementary Italian II | 5 |
ITAL:2203 | Intermediate Italian I | 4 |
ITAL:2204 | Intermediate Italian II | 4 |
Students with strong language learning abilities or a background in another Romance language may be able to complete the requirement by substituting ITAL:3002 Intensive Elementary Italian for ITAL:1101 and ITAL:1102 in the sequence above. Consult the department for appropriate placement.
Japanese
Courses in Japanese are offered by the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures. For students without previous knowledge of Japanese, the department recommends the following sequence to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
JPNS:1001 | First-Year Japanese: First Semester | 5 |
JPNS:1002 | First-Year Japanese: Second Semester | 5 |
JPNS:2001 | Second-Year Japanese: First Semester | 5 |
JPNS:2002 | Second-Year Japanese: Second Semester | 5 |
Students may use varied combinations of Japanese language courses approved to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Those with previous knowledge of Japanese should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Korean
Courses in Korean are offered by the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures. For students without previous knowledge of Korean, the department recommends the following sequence to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
KORE:1101 | First-Year Korean: First Semester | 4 |
KORE:1102 | First-Year Korean: Second Semester | 4 |
KORE:2101 | Second-Year Korean: First Semester | 4 |
KORE:2102 | Second-Year Korean: Second Semester | 4 |
Students with previous knowledge of Korean should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Latin
Courses in Latin are offered by the Department of Classics. Students without previous knowledge of Latin should fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement with the following sequence. Students must take both CLSL:2001 and CLSL:2002 in order to fulfill the World Languages requirement. These courses require a similar knowledge of Latin, but one focuses on poetry and the other on prose. Other world languages permit a student to complete the last courses in the sequence to meet the GE CLAS Core requirement since the final course is more difficult than the previous ones. This is not true with the Latin sequence, and thus, both courses must be successfully completed.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
CLSL:1001 | Elementary Latin I | 3-5 |
CLSL:1002 | Elementary Latin II | 3-5 |
CLSL:2001 | World of Cicero | 3 |
CLSL:2002 | Golden Age of Roman Poetry | 3 |
Students with previous knowledge of Latin should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Portuguese
Courses in Portuguese are offered by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. Two sequences in Portuguese are approved to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. All courses are open to entering first-year students.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
PORT:2000 | Accelerated Elementary Portuguese | 5 |
PORT:2500 | Accelerated Intermediate Portuguese | 5 |
Students may also substitute PORT:2010 Elementary Portuguese I and PORT:2015 Elementary Portuguese II for PORT:2000 in the sequence above.
Students with previous knowledge of Portuguese should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Russian
Courses in Russian are offered by the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures. Students without previous knowledge of Russian should fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement with the following sequence.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
RUSS:1111 | First-Year Russian I | 5 |
RUSS:1112 | First-Year Russian II | 5 |
RUSS:2111 | Second-Year Russian I | 4 |
RUSS:2112 | Second-Year Russian II | 4 |
Students with previous knowledge of Russian should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Sanskrit
Courses in Sanskrit are offered by the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures. Students without previous knowledge of Sanskrit should fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement with the following sequence. Each of these courses is open to entering first-year students.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
SOAS:2901/CLSA:2901 | First-Year Sanskrit: First Semester | 4 |
SOAS:2902/CLSA:2902 | First-Year Sanskrit: Second Semester | 4 |
SOAS:3901/CLSA:3901 | Second-Year Sanskrit: First Semester | 3 |
SOAS:3902/CLSA:3902 | Second-Year Sanskrit: Second Semester | 3 |
Students with previous knowledge of Sanskrit should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Spanish
Courses in Spanish are offered by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. For students without previous knowledge of Spanish, the department recommends the following sequence to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
SPAN:1001 | Elementary Spanish I | 5 |
SPAN:1002 | Elementary Spanish II | 5 |
SPAN:1501 | Intermediate Spanish I | 5 |
SPAN:1502 | Intermediate Spanish II | 5 |
Students may use varied combinations of Spanish language courses to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Those with previous knowledge of Spanish may be able to fulfill the requirement by substituting SPAN:1003 Elementary Spanish Review for SPAN:1001 and SPAN:1002 in the sequence above.
The summer course SPAN:1004 Accelerated Elementary Spanish, which combines SPAN:1001 and SPAN:1002, may be appropriate for some students.
The accelerated course SPAN:1503 Accelerated Intermediate Spanish, which combines SPAN:1501 and SPAN:1502, may be appropriate for some students.
The accelerated course SPAN:1505 Accelerated Intermediate Spanish for Heritage Speakers may be appropriate for other students.
Pappajohn Education Center students may use the following sequence to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
CLAS:1002 | Elementary Spanish I | 4 |
CLAS:1003 | Elementary Spanish II | 4 |
CLAS:1501 | Intermediate Spanish I | 3 |
CLAS:1502 | Intermediate Spanish II | 3 |
Students with previous knowledge of Spanish should take the language placement test in Spanish to help determine proper placement.
Swahili
Courses in Swahili are offered by the Department of French and Italian. The following sequence fulfills the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Each of these courses is open to entering first-year students.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
SWAH:1001 | Elementary Swahili I | 4 |
SWAH:1002 | Elementary Swahili II | 4 |
SWAH:2001 | Intermediate Swahili I | 4 |
SWAH:2002 | Intermediate Swahili II | 4 |
Students with previous knowledge of Swahili should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Other Course Sequences
A student who successfully completes a four-semester world language sequence that has not been approved for the GE CLAS Core may have the sequence substituted for a proficiency test to fulfill the GE CLAS Core requirement.
Students who complete a world language sequence this way should notify the department that offers the sequence; the department will contact Graduation Analysis in the Office of the Registrar, which will update a student's degree audit to show fulfillment of the World Languages requirement.
Natural, Quantitative, and Social Sciences
Natural Sciences
Courses in the Natural Sciences area explore the scope and major concepts of a scientific discipline. Students learn the attitudes and practices of scientific investigators: logic, precision, experimentation, tentativeness, and objectivity. In courses with a laboratory component, students gain experience in the methods of scientific inquiry.
All students must complete at least 7 s.h. of coursework in the Natural Sciences area, including at least one natural science lab component. The following courses are approved for the area; courses with a lab component are noted "(lab)."
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ANTH:1301 | Human Origins | 3 |
ASTR:1060/BIOL:1060/EES:1060 | Big Ideas: Origins of the Universe, Earth, and Life | 3 |
ASTR:1070 | Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.) | 3-4 |
ASTR:1079 | Introductory Astronomy Laboratory (lab) | 1 |
ASTR:1080 | Exploration of the Solar System (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.) | 3-4 |
ASTR:1085 | Citizen Astronomy | 3 |
ASTR:1091 | Life in the Universe | 3 |
ASTR:1771 | Introductory Astronomy I: Basic Astrophysics and Planetary Astronomy (lab) | 4 |
ASTR:1772 | Introductory Astronomy II: Stellar, Galactic, and Extragalactic Astronomy (lab) | 4 |
BIOL:1140 | Human Biology (lab) | 4 |
BIOL:1141 | Introductory Animal Biology (lab) | 4 |
BIOL:1251 | How the Brain Works (and Why it Doesn't) | 3 |
BIOL:1260 | Plants and Human Affairs | 2-3 |
BIOL:1261 | Introduction to Botany (lab) | 4 |
BIOL:1311/ANTH:1310 | Human Genetics in the Twenty-First Century | 3 |
BIOL:1370 | Understanding Evolution (formerly Ecology and Evolution) | 3 |
BIOL:1411 | Foundations of Biology (lab) | 4 |
BIOL:1412 | Diversity of Form and Function (lab) | 4 |
CHEM:1050 | Chemistry of Our World | 3 |
CHEM:1060 | Technology and Society Laboratory (lab) | 1 |
CHEM:1070 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
CHEM:1080 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
CHEM:1100 | Chemistry in Industry and the Economy | 3 |
CHEM:1110 | Principles of Chemistry I (lab) | 4 |
CHEM:1120 | Principles of Chemistry II (lab) | 4 |
CHEM:1160 | Principles of Chemistry Lab (lab) | 2 |
CHEM:1180 | Chemical Science I | 3 |
CHEM:1190 | Chemical Science II | 3 |
CHEM:1200 | Chemical Science Laboratory (lab) | 2 |
EES:1030/CEE:1030 | Introduction to Earth Science (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.) | 3-4 |
EES:1031/CEE:1031 | Introduction to Earth Science Laboratory (lab; students must have previously completed EES:1030/CEE:1030 without the lab) | 1 |
EES:1040 | Evolution and the History of Life (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.) | 3-4 |
EES:1050 | Introduction to Geology (lab) | 4 |
EES:1061/ANTH:1061/ASTR:1061 | Big Ideas: Evolution of Life on Earth and the Search for Life in the Universe (lab) | 4 |
EES:1070 | Age of Dinosaurs (lab) | 4 |
EES:1080/ENVS:1080 | Introduction to Environmental Science (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.; not for students who have taken EES:1085 or ENVS:1085) | 3-4 |
EES:1085/ENVS:1085 | Fundamentals of Environmental Science (lab; not for students who have taken EES:1080 or ENVS:1080) | 4 |
EES:1081/ENVS:1081 | Introduction to Environmental Sciences Laboratory (lab) | 1 |
EES:1290 | Energy and the Environment | 3 |
EES:1400 | Natural Disasters | 3 |
GEOG:1020 | The Global Environment | 3 |
GEOG:1021 | The Global Environment Lab (lab) | 1 |
HHP:1100 | Human Anatomy | 3 |
HHP:1110 | Human Anatomy Laboratory (lab; GE status effective spring 2021) | 1 |
HHP:1150 | Human Anatomy Lecture with Lab (lab; GE status effective spring 2021) | 4 |
HHP:1300 | Fundamentals of Human Physiology | 3 |
HHP:2310 | Nutrition and Health | 3 |
HONR:1640 | Honors Seminar in Natural Sciences | 3 |
MICR:1006 | Small Wonders: Microbes in Our Lives | 3 |
PCOL:2220 | Drug Use and Abuse | 3 |
PHYS:1100 | From Quarks to Quasars (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.) | 3-4 |
PHYS:1200 | Physics of Everyday Experience | 3 |
PHYS:1400 | Basic Physics (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.) | 3-4 |
PHYS:1409 | Basic Physics Lab (lab) | 1 |
PHYS:1410 | Physics of Sound (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.) | 3-4 |
PHYS:1511 | College Physics I (lab) | 4 |
PHYS:1512 | College Physics II (lab) | 4 |
PHYS:1611 | Introductory Physics I (lab) | 4 |
PHYS:1612 | Introductory Physics II (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.) | 3-4 |
PHYS:1619 | Introductory Physics II Lab (lab) | 1 |
PHYS:1701 | Physics I (lab) | 4 |
PHYS:1702 | Physics II (lab) | 4 |
Quantitative or Formal Reasoning
Courses in the Quantitative or Formal Reasoning area help develop analytical skills through the practice of quantitative or formal symbolic reasoning. Courses focus on presentation and evaluation of evidence and argument; understanding the use and misuse of data; and organization of information in quantitative or other formal symbolic systems, including those used in computer science, linguistics, mathematics, philosophy, and statistics.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Quantitative or Formal Reasoning area. Students also may fulfill this GE CLAS Core requirement by completing a course that lists an approved GE CLAS Core course as a prerequisite. The following courses are approved for the area.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
COMM:1117 | Theory and Practice of Argument | 4 |
CPH:1600 | Public Health Science: Inquiry and Investigation in Public Health | 3 |
CS:1020 | Principles of Computing | 3 |
CS:1110 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
CS:1210 | Computer Science I: Fundamentals | 4 |
LING:1050 | Language and Formal Reasoning | 3 |
MATH:1020 | Elementary Functions | 4 |
MATH:1120 | Logic of Arithmetic | 4 |
MATH:1250 | Mathematics for Arts and Humanities (GE status effective fall 2020) | 3 |
MATH:1260 | PokeMath: The Mathematics of Pokemon Go (GE status effective spring 2021) | 3 |
MATH:1340 | Mathematics for Business | 4 |
MATH:1350 | Quantitative Reasoning for Business (GE status effective fall 2020) | 4 |
MATH:1380 | Calculus and Matrix Algebra for Business | 4 |
MATH:1440 | Mathematics for the Biological Sciences | 4 |
MATH:1460 | Calculus for the Biological Sciences | 4 |
MATH:1550 | Engineering Mathematics I: Single Variable Calculus | 4 |
MATH:1850 | Calculus I | 4 |
PHIL:1636 | Principles of Reasoning: Argument and Debate | 3 |
POLI:1050/RELS:1050 | Big Ideas: Introduction to Information, Society, and Culture | 3 |
POLI:1700 | Introduction to Political Analysis | 3 |
PSY:2811 | Research Methods and Data Analysis in Psychology I | 3 |
STAT:1010 | Statistics and Society | 3 |
STAT:1020/PSQF:1020 | Elementary Statistics and Inference | 3 |
STAT:1030 | Statistics for Business | 4 |
STAT:2010 | Statistical Methods and Computing | 3 |
Social Sciences
Courses in the Social Sciences area focus on human behavior and the institutions and social systems that shape and are shaped by that behavior. Courses provide an overview of one or more social science disciplines, their theories, and their methods.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Social Sciences area. The following courses are approved for the area.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ANTH:1101/IS:1101 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
ANTH:1401 | Language, Culture, and Communication | 3 |
ANTH:2100 | Anthropology and Contemporary World Problems | 3 |
ANTH:2136 | Urban Anthropology | 3 |
ANTH:2261 | Human Impacts on the Environment | 3 |
ASP:1800/CSD:1800/NURS:1800/SSW:1800/TR:1800 | Aging Matters: Introduction to Gerontology | 3 |
COMM:1170 | Communication Theory in Everyday Life | 3 |
COMM:1174 | Media and Society | 3 |
CPH:1400 | Fundamentals of Public Health | 3 |
CRIM:1410 | Introduction to Criminology | 3 |
CSD:3117/LING:3117 | Psychology of Language | 3 |
CSD:3118/LING:3118 | Language Acquisition | 1-3 |
ECON:1100 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4 |
ECON:1200 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 4 |
GEOG:1070 | Contemporary Environmental Issues | 3 |
GEOG:1090 | Globalization and Geographic Diversity | 3 |
GEOG:2110/GHS:2110 | Seven Billion and Counting: Introduction to Population Dynamics | 3 |
GEOG:2910 | The Global Economy | 3 |
HIST:1219/SOC:1219 | Big Ideas: Equality, Opportunity, and Public Policy in America | 3 |
HONR:1660 | Honors Seminar in Social Sciences | 3 |
JMC:1100 | Media Uses and Effects | 3 |
LING:1010 | Language and Society | 3 |
LING:1060 | Languages of the World | 3 |
MUSM:3001/ANTH:3001/EDTL:3001/SIED:3001 | Introduction to Museum Studies | 3 |
POLI:1100 | Introduction to American Politics | 3 |
POLI:1200 | Introduction to Political Behavior | 3 |
POLI:1300 | Introduction to Political Thought and Action | 3 |
POLI:1400 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
POLI:1401 | Introduction to Russian Politics | 3 |
POLI:1445 | Introduction to Asian Politics: China | 3 |
POLI:1449 | Introduction to European Politics | 3 |
POLI:1500 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
POLI:1501 | Introduction to American Foreign Policy | 3 |
POLI:1600 | Introduction to Political Communication | 3 |
POLI:2415/LAS:2415 | Latin American Politics | 3 |
PSQF:2115 | Introduction to Counseling Psychology | 3 |
PSY:1001 | Elementary Psychology | 3 |
PSY:2301 | Introduction to Clinical Psychology | 3 |
PSY:2401 | Introduction to Developmental Science | 3 |
PSY:2601 | Introduction to Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
SOC:1010 | Introduction to Sociology | 3-4 |
SOC:1220 | Principles of Social Psychology | 3-4 |
TR:1070 | Perspectives on Leisure and Play | 3 |
Culture, Society, and the Arts
Diversity and Inclusion
Courses in the Diversity and Inclusion area help to develop students’ recognition of their positions in an increasingly pluralistic world while fostering an understanding of social and cultural differences. Students reflect critically on their own social and cultural perspectives while increasing their ability to engage with people who have backgrounds or ideas different from their own. Students also explore the historical and structural bases of inequality and the benefits and challenges of diversity.
Transfer credit is not accepted for the Diversity and Inclusion requirement; students must complete this requirement with coursework taken at the University of Iowa.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Diversity and Inclusion area. The following courses are approved for the area.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
AFAM:1020/AMST:1030 | Introduction to African American Culture | 3 |
AFAM:1030 | Introduction to African American Society | 3 |
AFAM:1130 | The History of African American Film (GE status effective spring 2021) | 3 |
AFAM:1241/MUS:1741 | The Soundtrack of Black America | 3 |
AFAM:2064/SOC:2064 | Racial Inequity and the Experiences of African American Families in the U.S. | 3 |
AFAM:2070/COMM:2069 | Black Television Culture | 3 |
AFAM:2500 | Black Culture and Experience: Contemporary Issues | 3 |
AMST:2025 | Diversity in American Culture | 3 |
ANTH:2151/GWSS:2151/IS:2151 | Global Migration in the Contemporary World | 3 |
ANTH:2165/AMST:2165/NAIS:2165 | Native Peoples of North America | 3 |
ARTS:2100 | Printmaking and Politics of Protest | 3 |
ASIA:2222/GWSS:2222/WLLC:2222 | Women in Premodern East Asian Literature | 3 |
CCCC:2220 | Foundations of Critical Cultural Competence | 3 |
CINE:1195 | Video Games and Identity | 3 |
CINE:1625 | Race, Gender, and Sexuality on Screen | 3 |
CLSA:2800 | Race and Marginality in the Ancient World (GE status effective spring 2021) | 3 |
COMM:1168 | Music and Social Change | 3 |
COMM:1898/LATS:1898 | Introduction to Latina/o/x Communication and Culture | 3 |
CSD:1200 | Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities | 3 |
DANC:2065 | Performing Power/Performing Protest: The Body, Identity, and the Image | 3 |
DST:1101 | Introduction to Disability Studies | 3 |
EDTL:2670 | Peacebuilding, Singing, and Writing in a Prison Choir | 3 |
EDTL:4900 | Foundations of Special Education (GE status effective spring 2021) | 3 |
EPLS:1240 | Finding Your Path in Higher Education | 3 |
GRMN:2600 | Witch Hunts in Fact and Fiction: A Global History of Exclusion (GE status effective spring 2021) | 3-4 |
GRMN:2620/WLLC:2620 | Anne Frank and Her Story | 3-4 |
GRMN:2675 | The Politics of Memory: Holocaust, Genocide, and 9/11 | 3-4 |
GWSS:1001 | Introduction to Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies | 3 |
GWSS:1002 | Diversity and Power in the U.S. | 3 |
HHP:2280 | Cultural Competency in Health Promotion | 3 |
HIST:1040 | Diversity in History | 3 |
HIST:2267/AFAM:2267 | African American History to 1877: From Slave Cabin to Senate Floor | 3 |
HIST:2268/AFAM:2268 | African American History Since the Civil War | 3 |
IS:2020 | World Events Today! | 3 |
ITAL:2660 | The Italian American Experience | 3 |
JMC:2500 | Community Media | 3 |
JMC:2600 | Freedom of Expression | 3 |
LATS:2280/HIST:2280/SPAN:2280 | Introduction to Latina/o/x Studies | 3 |
LING:1070 | Language Attitudes: Is How You Sound How You Are Seen? | 3 |
NAIS:1290/AMST:1290/GHS:1290/HIST:1290 | Native American Foods and Foodways | 3 |
POLI:1601 | Introduction to Social Media and Politics | 3 |
POLI:1800 | Introduction to the Politics of Class and Inequality | 3 |
POLI:1900 | Introduction to the Politics of Race | 3 |
POLI:1950 | Introduction to the Politics of Religion | 3 |
PSY:1501 | Everyone's a Little Bit Biased: The Science Behind Prejudice | 3 |
RELS:1015 | Global Religious Conflict and Diversity | 3 |
RELS:2330 | Economics and Islam | 3 |
RELS:2620 | Politics, Sex, and the Bible | 3 |
RHET:2135 | Rhetorics of Diversity and Inclusion | 3 |
RUSS:2232 | Romani (Gypsy) Cultures of Eastern Europe | 3 |
SJUS:1001 | Introduction to Social Justice | 3 |
SOC:1030 | Contemporary Social Problems | 3-4 |
SOC:2830 | Race and Ethnicity (GE status effective fall 2020) | 3 |
SPAN:2050/LATS:2050 | Spanish in the United States | 3 |
SRM:1045 | Diversity and Inclusion in Healthy Living | 3 |
SPST:1074/AMST:1074/GWSS:1074 | Inequality in American Sport | 3 |
THTR:2320 | Playwriting in a Global World | 3 |
THTR:2405 | Staging Americans: U.S. Cultures Through Theatre and Performance | 3 |
WLLC:1200/DST:1200/GHS:1200/GRMN:1200 | Disabilities and Inclusion in Writing and Film Around the World | 3 |
WLLC:2001/ASIA:2001/FREN:2010/RUSS:2001/SPAN:2001/TRNS:2001 | Global Science Fiction (GE status effective spring 2021) | 3 |
WRIT:2100 | Writing and Community Outreach | 3 |
Historical Perspectives
Courses in the Historical Perspectives area help students comprehend the historical processes of change and continuity; develop the ability to generalize, explain, and interpret historical change; and understand the past in its own terms.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Historical Perspectives area. The following courses are approved for the area.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ANTH:1201 | World Archaeology | 3 |
ARTH:1010 | Art and Visual Culture | 3 |
ARTH:1050 | From Cave Paintings to Cathedrals: Survey of Western Art I | 3 |
ARTH:1060 | From Mona Lisa to Modernism: Survey of Western Art II | 3 |
ARTH:1070/CHIN:1070 | Asian Art and Culture | 3 |
ARTH:1090 | Earthly Paradises: A Global History of Gardens | 3 |
ARTH:2920 | Introduction to American Art | 3 |
CLSA:1181/GHS:1181 | Ancient Medicine | 3 |
CLSA:1830 | Greek Civilization | 3 |
CLSA:1840 | Roman Civilization | 3 |
CLSA:2127/JPNS:2127 | Global Manuscript Cultures | 3 |
EES:1115/ENVS:1115/GEOG:1115/HIST:1115 | The History and Science of Oil | 3 |
FREN:3120 | French Civilization | 3 |
HIST:1010 | History Matters | 3 |
HIST:1016 | The History That Made Our World | 3 |
HIST:1261 | American History to 1877 | 3 |
HIST:1262 | American History 1877-Present | 3 |
HIST:1401 | The West and the World: Ancient | 3-4 |
HIST:1402 | The West and the World: Medieval | 3-4 |
HIST:1403 | The West and the World: Modern | 3-4 |
HIST:1601/ASIA:1601 | Civilizations of Asia: China from Origins to the 17th Century (GE status effective spring 2021) | 3 |
HIST:1602/ASIA:1602 | Civilizations of Asia: China from the 17th Century to the Present | 3 |
HIST:1604/ASIA:1604 | Civilizations of Asia: Japan | 3-4 |
HIST:1606/ASIA:1606/RELS:1606 | Civilizations of Asia: South Asia | 3-4 |
HIST:1607 | Civilizations of Asia: Korea | 3-4 |
HIST:2461/CLSA:2461/RELS:2361 | Middle East and Mediterranean: Alexander to Suleiman | 3 |
HONR:1610 | Honors Seminar in Historical Perspectives | 3 |
ITAL:2550 | Images of Modern Italy | 3 |
JMC:1200 | Media History and Culture | 3 |
MUS:1303 | Roots, Rock, and Rap: A History of Popular Music | 3 |
MUS:2301 | History of Western Music I | 3 |
MUS:2302 | History of Western Music II | 3 |
PHIL:1033 | The Meaning of Life | 3 |
PHIL:1034 | Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness | 3 |
RELS:1001 | Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | 3 |
RELS:1225/HIST:1025 | Medieval Religion and Culture | 3 |
RELS:1250/HIST:1050 | Modern Religion and Culture | 3 |
RELS:2930/COMM:2079 | Digital Media and Religion (GE status effective spring 2021) | 3 |
RUSS:1531 | Slavic Folklore | 3 |
RUSS:1532 | Traces of Ancient Russian Culture (IX-XVII Centuries): Vikings, Mongols, and Tsars | 3 |
THTR:1400 | Theatre and Society: Ancients and Moderns | 3 |
THTR:1401 | Theatre and Society: Romantics and Rebels | 3 |
THTR:2410 | History of Theatre and Drama I | 3 |
THTR:2411 | History of Theatre and Drama II | 3 |
International and Global Issues
Courses in the International and Global Issues area focus predominantly on countries or issues outside the United States, encouraging students to understand contemporary issues from an international perspective. Students develop knowledge of one or more contemporary global or international issues, gain a greater awareness of varied international perspectives, and improve their skills of analysis and critical inquiry.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the International and Global Issues area. The following courses are approved for the area.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ANTH:1046/GEOG:1046/GWSS:1046 | Environmental Politics in India | 3 |
ANTH:2100 | Anthropology and Contemporary World Problems | 3 |
ANTH:2136 | Urban Anthropology | 3 |
ANTH:2261 | Human Impacts on the Environment | 3 |
ARTH:1040 | Arts of Africa | 3 |
FREN:1006 | Global Sports and National Cultures | 3 |
FREN:1510 | Cultural Misunderstandings: France and U.S.A. | 3 |
GEOG:1060 | Geography of Asia: From Japan to Pakistan | 3 |
GEOG:1070 | Contemporary Environmental Issues | 3 |
GEOG:1090 | Globalization and Geographic Diversity | 3 |
GEOG:2910 | The Global Economy | 3 |
GHS:2000/ANTH:2103 | Introduction to Global Health Studies | 3 |
GRMN:2720/HIST:2420 | Germany in the World | 3 |
GRMN:4315 | German Society Today | 3 |
HIST:1016 | The History That Made Our World | 3 |
HIST:1403 | The West and the World: Modern | 3-4 |
HIST:1601/ASIA:1601 | Civilizations of Asia: China from Origins to the 17th Century (GE status effective spring 2021) | 3 |
HIST:1602/ASIA:1602 | Civilizations of Asia: China from the 17th Century to the Present | 3 |
HIST:1604/ASIA:1604 | Civilizations of Asia: Japan | 3-4 |
HIST:1606/ASIA:1606/RELS:1606 | Civilizations of Asia: South Asia | 3-4 |
HIST:1607 | Civilizations of Asia: Korea | 3-4 |
HONR:1620 | Honors Seminar in International and Global Issues | 3 |
IS:2000 | Introduction to International Studies | 3 |
ITAL:2770 | The Mafia and the Movies | 3 |
LING:1040/ANTH:1040 | Language Rights | 3 |
POLI:1400 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
POLI:1401 | Introduction to Russian Politics | 3 |
POLI:1445 | Introduction to Asian Politics: China | 3 |
POLI:1449 | Introduction to European Politics | 3 |
POLI:1500 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
POLI:1501 | Introduction to American Foreign Policy | 3 |
POLI:2415/LAS:2415 | Latin American Politics | 3 |
RELS:1130/HIST:1030 | Introduction to Islamic Civilization | 3 |
RELS:2852/GWSS:2052 | Women in Islam and the Middle East | 3 |
RELS:3855/IS:3855 | Human Rights and Islam | 3 |
RUSS:1132 | Russia Today | 3 |
RUSS:2050/WLLC:2050 | Women from an Unknown Land: The Fight for Independence | 3 |
SPST:2170 | Sport and Globalization | 3 |
Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts
Courses in the Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts area provide students with opportunities to appreciate the arts and to analyze them within their historical and theoretical contexts. They also help students develop the analytic, expressive, and imaginative abilities necessary for understanding, appreciating, and creating art.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts area. The following courses are approved for the area.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
AFAM:1240/MUS:1740 | The Art of Listening to Jazz | 3 |
AMST:1800 | American Gothic: Film, Literature, and Popular Culture | 3 |
ARTH:1010 | Art and Visual Culture | 3 |
ARTH:1020 | Masterpieces: Art in Historical and Cultural Perspectives | 3 |
ARTH:1040 | Arts of Africa | 3 |
ARTH:1050 | From Cave Paintings to Cathedrals: Survey of Western Art I | 3 |
ARTH:1060 | From Mona Lisa to Modernism: Survey of Western Art II | 3 |
ARTH:1070/CHIN:1070 | Asian Art and Culture | 3 |
ARTH:1095/NAIS:1095 | Native American Art | 3 |
ARTH:2920 | Introduction to American Art | 3 |
ARTS:1010 | Elements of Art | 3 |
ARTS:1030 | Elements of Jewelry and Metal Arts | 3 |
ARTS:1050 | Elements of Printmaking | 3 |
ARTS:1080 | Elements of Sculpture | 3 |
CERM:2010 | Ceramics I: Handbuilding | 3 |
CHIN:1702 | Chinese Popular Culture | 3 |
CINE:1100 | The Art of Smartphone Filmmaking | 3 |
CINE:1602 | Introduction to Film Studies | 3 |
CINE:1610 | Contemporary Cinema | 3 |
CL:1240/CLSA:1040 | World Literature: Antiquity to 1700 | 3 |
CL:1241 | World Literature: 1700 to Present | 3 |
CLSA:1010 | Hero, God, Mortal: Literature of Greece | 3 |
CLSA:1020 | Love and Glory: The Literature of Rome | 3 |
CLSA:1740/WRIT:1740 | Writing Strategies: Word Origins and Word Choice | 3 |
CLSA:2016 | Classical Mythology | 3 |
CNW:1620 | Introduction to Creative Nonfiction | 3 |
CW:1800 | Creative Writing Studio Workshop | 3 |
DANC:1010 | Beginning Tap | 2 |
DANC:1020 | Beginning Jazz | 2 |
DANC:1025 | Beginning Hip Hop Dance | 2 |
DANC:1030 | Beginning Ballet | 2 |
DANC:1040 | Beginning Modern Dance | 2 |
DANC:1110 | Continuing Tap | 1-2 |
DANC:1120 | Continuing Jazz | 2 |
DANC:1125 | Continuing Hip Hop Dance | 2 |
DANC:1130 | Continuing Ballet | 2 |
DANC:1140 | Continuing Modern Dance | 2 |
DANC:2020 | Intermediate Jazz | 2 |
DANC:2025 | Intermediate Hip Hop Dance | 2 |
DANC:2029 | Intermediate Ballet for Nonmajors (GE status effective spring 2021) | 2 |
DANC:2030 | Majors Intermediate Ballet (no longer approved for GE status spring 2021) | 3 |
DANC:2040 | Majors Intermediate Modern Dance | 3 |
DANC:2060/DPA:2060 | Dance and Society in Global Contexts | 3 |
EDTL:2122 | Creativity, Imagination, Play, and Human Development through the Arts | 3 |
ENGL:1100 | City of Literature | 3 |
ENGL:1320 | Heroes and Villains | 3 |
ENGL:1330 | The Art of Storytelling | 3 |
ENGL:1345 | American Lives | 3 |
ENGL:1350 | Literature and Sexualities | 3 |
FREN:4100 | French Cinema | 3-4 |
GRMN:2275 | Scandinavian Crime Fiction | 3 |
GRMN:2630 | German Cinema: Greatest Hits | 3-4 |
GRMN:2666/RUSS:2666/WLLC:2666 | Pact with the Devil | 3 |
GRMN:2785 | Cyborgs, Monsters, and the Uncanny | 3 |
HONR:1630 | Honors Seminar in Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts | 3 |
ITAL:2440 | Italian Arts for Business (GE status effective spring 2021) | 3 |
MUS:1001 | Group Piano I: Non-Music Majors | 1 |
MUS:1009 | Jazz Cultures in America and Abroad | 3 |
MUS:1012 | Creativity in Music | 3 |
MUS:1020 | Performance Instruction for Nonmajors | 1 |
MUS:1066 | Introduction to Film Music | 3 |
MUS:1301 | Concepts and Contexts of Western Music | 3 |
MUS:1302 | Great Musicians | 3 |
MUS:1310 | World Music | 3 |
MUS:1720 | History of Jazz | 3 |
MUS:1800/DPA:1800 | World of the Beatles | 3 |
MUS:2005 | Issues in Popular Music: Women Who Rock | 3 |
MUS:2301 | History of Western Music I | 3 |
MUS:2302 | History of Western Music II | 3 |
MUS:2311/LAS:2311 | Music of Latin America and the Caribbean | 3 |
PORT:2850/LAS:2850/SPAN:2850 | Brazilian Narrative in Translation | 3 |
SCLP:2810 | Undergraduate Sculpture I | 3 |
SPAN:1700/LATS:1700 | Latina/o/x Literature in the United States | 3 |
SPAN:1800 | Contemporary Spanish American Narrative | 3 |
THTR:1140 | Basic Acting | 3 |
THTR:1400 | Theatre and Society: Ancients and Moderns | 3 |
THTR:1401 | Theatre and Society: Romantics and Rebels | 3 |
THTR:1412/DANC:1412/DPA:1412 | The Arts in Performance | 3 |
THTR:2301 | Playwriting I | 3 |
THTR:2410 | History of Theatre and Drama I | 3 |
THTR:2411 | History of Theatre and Drama II | 3 |
Values and Culture
Courses in the Values and Culture area focus on how culture shapes the human experience and the role of values in society, with students asking fundamental questions regarding the human experience while exploring their own values and beliefs.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Values and Culture area. The following courses are approved for the area.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
AMST:1010 | Understanding American Cultures | 3 |
AMST:1154 | Food in America | 3 |
AMST:2000 | Introduction to American Studies | 3 |
ANTH:1101/IS:1101 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
ANTH:2175/JPNS:2175 | Japanese Society and Culture | 3 |
ARTH:1030 | Themes in Global Art | 3 |
ARTH:1045 | Race and Art in America | 3 |
ARTH:1095/NAIS:1095 | Native American Art | 3 |
ARTS:2000/ASP:2000/EDTL:2000/RHET:2000 | Big Ideas: Creativity for a Lifetime | 3 |
ASIA:2450 | India Beat: The Aesthetics and Politics of India Today | 3 |
CHIN:1504 | Asian Humanities: China | 3 |
CLSA:1340 | Magic in the Ancient World | 3 |
CLSA:1875 | Ancient Sports and Leisure | 3 |
CLSA:2016 | Classical Mythology | 3 |
CLSA:2482/RELS:2182 | Ancient Mediterranean Religions | 3 |
CLSA:2651/GWSS:2651 | Gender and Sexuality in the Ancient World | 3 |
COMM:1174 | Media and Society | 3 |
DANC:1150/LAS:1150 | Brazilian Culture and Carnival | 3 |
ENGL:1420 | Technologies and Literatures of the Future | 3 |
EPLS:4180 | Human Relations for the Classroom Teacher | 3 |
GRMN:2550/WLLC:2550 | Mardi Gras and More: Cultures of Carnival | 3-4 |
GRMN:2618/WLLC:2618 | The Third Reich and Literature | 3 |
GRMN:2650 | German Nationalism After WWII | 3-4 |
GRMN:2655/IS:2600 | Muslim Minorities in the West | 3-4 |
GWSS:1060/AMST:1060/ENGL:1410 | Sex and Popular Culture in America | 3 |
HHP:2200 | Physical Activity and Health | 3 |
HIST:1609 | India Now! Surveying the World's Largest Democracy | 3-4 |
HIST:1708 | Civilizations of Africa | 3 |
HONR:1670 | Values and Culture | 3 |
ITAL:2550 | Images of Modern Italy | 3 |
ITAL:2880 | Italian Food Culture (GE status effective fall 2020) | 3 |
JMC:1500 | Social Media Today | 3 |
JPNS:1506 | Asian Humanities: Japan | 3 |
LING:2900 | Language, Gender, and Sexuality | 3 |
MUS:1009 | Jazz Cultures in America and Abroad | 3 |
MUS:1720 | History of Jazz | 3 |
MUS:2311/LAS:2311 | Music of Latin America and the Caribbean | 3 |
NAIS:1049 | Introduction to American Indian and Native Studies | 3 |
PHIL:1401 | Matters of Life and Death | 3 |
PHIL:1861 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
PHIL:2402 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
POLI:1300 | Introduction to Political Thought and Action | 3 |
RELS:1070 | Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament | 3 |
RELS:1080 | Introduction to the New Testament | 3 |
RELS:1130/HIST:1030 | Introduction to Islamic Civilization | 3 |
RELS:1350/AFAM:1250 | Introduction to African American Religions | 3 |
RELS:1404/ASIA:1040/HIST:1610 | Living Religions of the East | 3 |
RELS:1506/ASIA:1060/HIST:1612 | Introduction to Buddhism | 3 |
RELS:1702 | Religion in America Today | 3 |
RELS:1810 | Happiness in a Difficult World | 3 |
RELS:1903 | Quest for Human Destiny | 3 |
RELS:2700/NAIS:2700 | Sacred World of Native Americans | 3 |
RELS:2852/GWSS:2052 | Women in Islam and the Middle East | 3 |
RELS:2986 | Religion and Women | 3 |
RHET:2070 | Persuasive Stories | 3 |
RUSS:1082 | Youth Subcultures After Socialism | 3 |
RUSS:1131 | Introduction to Russian Culture | 3 |
RUSS:1132 | Russia Today | 3 |
RUSS:1531 | Slavic Folklore | 3 |
RUSS:1532 | Traces of Ancient Russian Culture (IX-XVII Centuries): Vikings, Mongols, and Tsars | 3 |
RUSS:2100 | Russian Mindset: Sex, Business, and Politics | 3 |
SOAS:1502/RELS:1502 | Asian Humanities: India | 3 |
SOC:1310/GWSS:1310 | Gender and Society | 3 |
SOC:2710 | The American Family | 3 |
SOC:2810 | Social Inequality | 3 |
SOC:2830 | Race and Ethnicity (GE status ends effective fall 2020) | 3 |
SPAN:1700/LATS:1700 | Latina/o/x Literature in the United States | 3 |
SPAN:2901 | Diversity and Cultures in Spain | 3 |
SRM:1072 | Leisure and the Liberal Arts | 3 |
SSW:1022/SOC:1022 | Social Justice and Social Welfare in the United States | 3 |
THTR:1411 | Comedy and Society | 3 |
THTR:1412/DANC:1412/DPA:1412 | The Arts in Performance | 3 |
Physics graduates have mastered skills that are readily transferable to a number of fields. They might choose to work in research, engineering, software development, teaching, finance, biomedical research, or consulting.
The degree provides preparation for careers in industry, employment in research laboratories, and graduate study in physics and related sciences.
About 70 percent of physics and astronomy graduates go on to graduate school. With help from the department’s in-house recruiting office, they win acceptance to some of the best graduate programs in the country.
The Pomerantz Career Center offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs.
Four-Year Graduation Plan
The following checkpoints list the minimum requirements students must complete by certain semesters in order to stay on the University's Four-Year Graduation Plan. Courses in the major are those required to complete the major; they may be offered by departments other than the major department.
Before the third semester begins: calculus II and physics II
Before the fifth semester begins: physics III-IV, introduction to linear algebra, calculus III, and up to two more courses in the major
Before the seventh semester begins: two to four more courses in the major and at least 90 s.h. earned toward the degree
Before the eighth semester begins: two or three more courses in the major
During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining coursework in the major, all remaining GE CLAS Core courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Physics, B.S.
Academic Career | ||
---|---|---|
Any Semester | Hours | |
Research: students are strongly encouraged to be active participants in research within the department. | ||
Hours | 0 | |
First Year | ||
Fall | ||
PHYS:1701 | Physics I a | 4 |
MATH:1850 | Calculus I a, b | 4 |
ENGL:1200 or RHET:1030 |
The Interpretation of Literature or Rhetoric |
3 - 4 |
GE CLAS Core: Social Sciences c | 3 | |
CSI:1600 | Success at Iowa | 2 |
Hours | 16-17 | |
Spring | ||
PHYS:1702 | Physics II a | 4 |
MATH:1860 | Calculus II | 4 |
GE CLAS Core: Diversity and Inclusion c | 3 | |
RHET:1030 or ENGL:1200 |
Rhetoric or The Interpretation of Literature |
3 - 4 |
Hours | 14-15 | |
Second Year | ||
Fall | ||
PHYS:2703 | Physics III | 4 |
GE CLAS Core: Values and Culture c | 3 | |
MATH:2700 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 4 |
GE CLAS Core: World Languages First Level Proficiency or elective course d | 4 - 5 | |
Hours | 15-16 | |
Spring | ||
PHYS:2704 | Physics IV | 4 |
PHYS:3710 | Intermediate Mechanics | 3 |
MATH:2850 | Calculus III | 4 |
GE CLAS Core: World Languages Second Level Proficiency or elective course d | 4 - 5 | |
Hours | 15-16 | |
Third Year | ||
Fall | ||
PHYS:3811 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
PHYS:3741 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
GE CLAS Core: Historical Perspectives c | 3 | |
GE CLAS Core: World Languages Second Level Proficiency or elective course d | 4 - 5 | |
Elective course e | 1 - 3 | |
Hours | 14-17 | |
Spring | ||
PHYS:3742 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
PHYS:3812 | Electricity and Magnetism II | 3 |
PHYS:3850 | Electronics f | 4 |
GE CLAS Core: World Languages Fourth Level Proficiency or elective course d | 4 - 5 | |
Hours | 14-15 | |
Fourth Year | ||
Fall | ||
PHYS:3730 | Statistical Physics | 3 |
PHYS:3756 | Intermediate Laboratory f | 3 |
Major: upper-level physics course | 3 | |
GE CLAS Core: Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts c | 3 | |
Elective course e | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
GE CLAS Core: International and Global Issues c | 3 | |
Major: upper-level physics course | 3 | |
Elective course e | 3 | |
Elective course e | 3 | |
Elective course e | 3 | |
Degree Application: apply on MyUI before deadline (typically in February for spring, September for fall) g | ||
Hours | 15 | |
Total Hours | 118-126 |
a | Fulfills a major requirement and may fulfill a GE requirement. |
b | Enrollment in math courses requires completion of a placement exam. |
c | GE CLAS Core courses may be completed in any order unless used as a prerequisite for another course. Students should consult with an advisor about the best sequencing of courses. |
d | Students who have completed four years of a single language in high school have satisfied the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Enrollment in world languages courses requires a placement exam, unless enrolling in a first-semester-level course. |
e | Students may use elective courses to earn credit towards the total s.h. required for graduation or to complete a double major, minors, or certificates. |
f | Students who choose PHYS:3850 as one of their two required laboratory courses are advised to take it before they take PHYS:3756 Intermediate Laboratory. |
g | Please see Academic Calendar, Office of the Registrar website for current degree application deadlines. Students should apply for a degree for the session in which all requirements will be met. For any questions on appropriate timing, contact your academic advisor. For more information visit http://commencement.uiowa.edu/. If applicable search for "Early and Late Participation" to find this page (e.g. participate in graduation ceremony in May, degree conferral in August). |