The Department of Physics offers the B.S. degree in physics with three emphases. Physics majors should complete at least one year of a foreign language and consult with the department chair before choosing one of the three emphases below.
The department also offers a minor in physics, which is attractive to other science and mathematics majors as well as to students in technical programs. Several of the lower-division courses offered by the department can be used by non-majors toward fulfilling the science area requirement in the university’s general education program. Certain courses are also required in majors in other departments. In addition, the department also offers astronomy courses. Illinois state teacher certification is available through the physics educator licensure program.
Students who want to choose the emphasis in secondary teaching should consult with the physics department education advisor. Applicants are admitted to this emphasis upon completion of a successful interview. Students pursuing the emphasis in secondary teaching need to enter the physics educator licensure program only if they also wish to become licensed to teach within the state of Illinois. Students seeking a degree in physics who also wish to become licensed to teach must see the physics department advisor at the earliest possible date. Failure to do so may make it impossible for the student to satisfy NIU and physics department graduation requirements as well as Illinois licensure requirements in four years.
The department provides academic advisement to incoming preengineering students who plan to transfer to another university after a few years at NIU. The department offers two courses of study to prepare students for the study of engineering at other universities. The first is a two-year pre-professional course of study in science and mathematics which can be tailored to the prerequisites of specific engineering programs. The second requires approximately three years at NIU and two years at the University of Illinois and leads to a B.S. degree in physics from Northern Illinois University and an engineering degree from the University of Illinois. (See “Pre-professional Studies.”)
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