mathematical equations.

About Us

Mission & Goals

Mission

The IPFW Department of Physics serves Northeastern Indiana, the university, and the School of Arts and Sciences by providing students and the public with an understanding and appreciation of the principles of physics and by preparing students for careers in physics or physics teaching.

Goals

The Bachelor of Science in Physics program enables the student to:

  • Acquire, apply, and communicate knowledge central to physics
  • Gain bachelor-level entry to employment or graduate schools
  • Be able to use the methods of research and of maintaining currency in physics

The Bachelor of Science in Physics Teaching program enables the student to:

  • Acquire, apply, and communicate knowledge central to physics
  • Be qualified to teach physics effectively in Indiana schools
  • Be able to maintain currency in physics

The courses taught for science and technology majors by the department enable those students to:

  • Acquire an understanding of the fundamental introductory concepts and principles of physics and be able to explain how those concepts and principles apply to the solution of basic qualitative problems related to their chosen field and to the physical world around them
  • Be able to combine mathematics with the principles of physics in solving basic quantitative problems related to their chosen field and to the physical world around them

The general education courses taught for non-science majors by the department enable those students to:

  • Acquire a qualitative understanding of the fundamental introductory concepts and principles of physics and be able to communicate that knowledge.
  • Be able to use sound scientific reasoning in applying the above concepts and principles to the qualitative explanation and prediction of physical phenomena occurring in the world around them.
  • Be able to distinguish meaningful from meaningless or mistaken physical ideas