Physics Education
Physics Education
You’re fascinated by how the universe works—the laws that govern matter, motion and energy and how those laws are expressed through mathematical formulas. As a high school physics teacher, you’ll share that sense of wonder with others—pointing your students to the Creator who made the universe and set it in motion.
Why NWC?
As a physics education major at Northwestern, you’ll study with faculty who hold doctorates in astronomy and civil engineering, as well as profs with a history of training excellent mathematics teachers. You’ll graduate with two majors: physics education, which will help you describe the theories behind the fundamental principles of the universe, and secondary education, which will equip you to teach those principles to others.
Your physics education courses will cover topics including classical and modern physics, astronomy, optics, chemistry, and calculus. The physics education major is also designed with enough flexibility that you can earn a second teaching endorsement in math, chemistry or basic science.
Department Chair
Career Outlook
Because of the importance of STEM education and careers, high school physics teachers are in high demand. With a major in physics teaching, you’ll be prepared to teach a subject that’s ranked as one of the top 10 most-needed teaching specialties in both Iowa and the U.S. According to U.S. News, the median annual salary for physics teachers is $61,000.
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Experience
The Compass Center for Career & Calling offers a variety of career exploration experiences, including job shadowing; internships in a variety of locations; and study abroad opportunities around the globe.
Northwestern's engineering program offers concentrations in civil, computer, electrical and mechanical engineering. As an engineering student, you’ll regularly engage in hands-on learning experiences, including 3D printing, wooden bridge building, machining, electric circuits, programming, geospatial analysis and traffic simulation. You’ll also study newly developing concepts like AI. Our program has been designed to achieve ABET accreditation, for which it will be eligible upon graduation of the first cohort in 2028.
Northwestern’s physics department also offers a dual-degree program with Washington University of St. Louis, one of the nation’s top engineering schools. If you are accepted into the dual-degree program, you can choose from two tracks: a 3-3 program in which you’ll earn two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree in six years, or a 3-2 program if you elect not to pursue a graduate degree.
The Compass Center for Career & Calling offers a variety of career exploration experiences, including job shadowing; internships in a variety of locations; and study abroad opportunities around the globe.
Northwestern's engineering program offers concentrations in civil, computer, electrical and mechanical engineering. As an engineering student, you’ll regularly engage in hands-on learning experiences, including 3D printing, wooden bridge building, machining, electric circuits, programming, geospatial analysis and traffic simulation. You’ll also study newly developing concepts like AI. Our program has been designed to achieve ABET accreditation, for which it will be eligible upon graduation of the first cohort in 2028.
Northwestern’s physics department also offers a dual-degree program with Washington University of St. Louis, one of the nation’s top engineering schools. If you are accepted into the dual-degree program, you can choose from two tracks: a 3-3 program in which you’ll earn two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree in six years, or a 3-2 program if you elect not to pursue a graduate degree.
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Faculty
Brilliant scholars. Committed Christians. Invested in you. That’s Northwestern’s faculty.
Dr. Young-Ji Byon
Founding Director of the Engineering Program
Dr. Kim Jongerius
Professor of Mathematics; Department Chair
Dr. Timothy Huffman
Professor of Mathematics; Director of the Actuarial Science Program
Dr. Ashley Jairam
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Dr. Hyunsung Jun
Associate Professor of Math and Physics
Dr. Jennifer Schon
Director of Institutional Research; Instructor of Statistics
