Physics and Astronomy at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN OSHKOSH

PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

Roy Knispel, Chairperson
Department Office: Halsey Science 337
Department Telephone: 920-424-4433

Code 80 or PHYS SCI, 82 or PHY/AST, 85 or PRAC ART

I. FACULTY

Briley, Gade, Jambunathan, Knispel, Lattery, Rioux

II. DEGREES

Undergraduate: A major in Physics can lead to the degree(s): Bachelor of Science; Bachelor of Science in Education.

Graduate: Students who complete a major in our Department may want to continue in our graduate program, leading to the degree(s): Master of Science.

For specifics, please see the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Graduate Bulletin.

III. SUMMARY OF FIELDS OF STUDY

1. GOAL(S)

Upon completion of a Physics major, students will be able to determine specified information about a physical system by using basic physics principles, a mathematical representation, laboratory methods and instruments, and computer and graphical techniques; find and retrieve published or computer archived information; communicate physics concepts and results of scientific work in written and oral forms.

In addition to the above goals, Professional Emphasis majors will be able to use integrated principles of physics and advanced analytic and computational methods.

Computer and Instrumentation Emphasis majors will be able to use the concepts and laboratory techniques of digital and analog electronics, digital signal processing techniques to improve and analyze digitized data, high level programming languages and assembler languages and assemble and use computer interfaced equipment.

Secondary Education Emphasis majors will be able to use appropriate apparatus and computers to teach physics concepts to high school students.

2. THE MAJOR(S)

The Department offers a choice of 3 emphases within the Physics Major. These are: 1) Professional Emphasis in Physics, 2) Computing and Instrumentation Emphasis, 3) Secondary Education Emphasis.

3. THE MINOR(S)

The Department offers 2 minor(s): 1) Physics - Liberal Arts, 2) Physics - Secondary Education.

IV. ADMISSION/GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for graduation, students must meet all requirements for the degree being sought in addition to earning a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all courses required for the Physics and Astronomy major or minor. Refer to the following for complete major/minor course requirements.

Those students seeking Wisconsin teacher certification must earn a minimum grade point average of 3.00 in all courses required for their majors and minors in order to meet requirements of the College of Education and Human Services.

V. REQUIRED CORE COURSES

Physics

82-109 General Physics 5 cr.
82-110 General Physics 5 cr.
82-206 Introductory Modern Physics 4 cr.
82-305 Electronic Circuits and Devices 3 cr.
82-308 Experimental Physics Laboratory 3 cr.

Mathematics

67-171 Calculus I 4 cr.
67-172 Calculus II 4 cr.
67-273 Calculus III 4 cr.

Comment:

The mathematics courses listed in the core are not counted as part of the required credits in the major emphases.

Course Offerings:

Group 1 Introductory Courses: 82-103, 82-104, 82-106, 82-107, 82-108, 82-109, 82-110, 82-113, 82-114, 82-123, 82-124.
Group 2 Upper Division Courses: 82-206, 82-304, 82-307, 82-319, 82-320, 82-333, 82-335, 82-408, 82-417, 82-418, 82-419, 82-446, 82-449, 82-456, 82-470, 82-474.
Group 3 Instrumentation and Laboratory Courses: 82-211, 82-305, 82-308, 82-309, 82-311, 82-405, 82-415, 82-491.
Group 4 Service Courses: 82-105, 82-201, 82-202.
Group 5 Physical Science Course: 80-101.
Group 6 Practical Arts Courses: 85-101, 85-102, 85-251.

VI. THE MAJOR(S), WITH EMPHASES AND/OR OPTIONS

1. PROFESSIONAL PHYSICS EMPHASIS

Recommended for students who seek employment in the field of Physics or who are preparing for graduate studies in Physics, Astronomy or related fields.

Required Credits: 46 minimum

Required Courses: In addition to the Core Courses:

Physics: 82-320, 82-417, 82-419, 82-449, 82-491.
Mathematics: 67-371, 67-375, 67-376.

Electives: Sufficient courses from the Department's offerings in Groups 2 and 3 to meet the Minimum Requirement.

Comment:

37 credits of Physics and 9 credits of Mathematics required for this emphasis

2. COMPUTING AND INSTRUMENTATION EMPHASIS

Recommended for students who seek employment in the application of Physics and Computing to scientific and technical areas.

Required Credits: 49 minimum

Required Courses: In addition to the Core Courses:

Physics: 82-309, 82-311, 82-319, 82-405, 82-491.
Computer Science: 34-221, 34-251, 34-310.
Mathematics: 67-355.

Electives: Sufficient courses from the Department's offerings in Groups 2 and 3 to meet the Minimum Requirement.

Course Substitutions: Course number 82-211 may be substituted for 82-311.

Comment:

37 credits Physics, 9 credits Computer Science and 3 credits Mathematics for this emphasis.

3. SECONDARY EDUCATION EMPHASIS

Recommended for students who plan to teach Physics at the secondary school level.

Required Credits: 35 minimum

Required Courses: In addition to the Physics Core Courses:

Physics: 82-320, 82-333, 82-335.

Electives: Sufficient courses from the Department's offerings in Groups 2 and 3 to meet the Minimum Requirement.

VII. MINOR(S)

1. PHYSICS (LIBERAL ARTS) MINOR

Required Credits: 23 minimum

Required Courses:

Physics: 82-109, 82-110, 82-206, 82-308, plus 6 credits from groups 2 and 3.

Electives: Sufficient courses from the Department's offerings in Groups 2 and 3 to meet the Minimum Requirement.

Prerequisites:

Mathematics: 67-171

2. PHYSICS (SECONDARY EDUCATION) MINOR

Recommended for students who plan to complete a broadfield science major in Secondary Education.

Required Credits: 23 minimum

Required Courses:

Physics: 82-109, 82-110, 82-206, 82-308, 82-335.

Electives: Sufficient courses from the Department's offerings in Groups 2 and 3 to meet the Minimum Requirement.

Prerequisites:

Mathematics: 67-171

Comment:

Secondary Education students completing this minor must complete a minor in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry or Earth Science to meet licensure requirements.

Questions, Comments...
Please Email registrar@uwosh.edu

Last Updated July 1, 1999