Ames National Laboratory is a government-owned, contractor-operated national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), operated by and located on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

For more than 70 years, the Ames National Laboratory has successfully partnered with Iowa State University, and is unique among the 17 DOE laboratories in that it is physically located on the campus of a major research university. Many of the scientists and administrators at the Laboratory also hold faculty positions at the University and the Laboratory has access to both undergraduate and graduate student talent.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy seeks to teach provide students with a broad knowledge of modern physics as a natural science, including knowledge of mechanics, electricity and magnetics, and thermodynamics. Graduates will be prepared for work as physicists, astronomers, science-educators, or for work in engineering, medicine, etc.

History
The Department of Physics was formed in 1915 from the division of the Department of Physics and Illuminating Engineering. In 1922 it was moved from the Division of Engineering to the Division of Industrial Science. In 1991 its name changed to the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Dates of Existence
1915-present

Historical Names

• Department of Physics (1915-1991)

Related Units

• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (parent college, 1922-present)
• College of Engineering (parent college, 1915-1922)