UWM Undergraduate Catalog 2012-2013
College of Letters and Science
Physics
- Web Home Pages:
- Course of Study: Major
- Course of Study: Minor
- Courses: Astronomy (ASTRON)
- Courses: Physics (PHYSICS)
- Faculty
The principles of physics provide the underpinnings for many of the scientific and technological advances of the last several decades. Because of this, physics course work is taken by students majoring in virtually every scientifically based field, e.g., engineering, nursing, architecture, pre-medicine, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, meteorology, etc. Students in other fields take less comprehensive physics or astronomy courses in order to attain basic scientific literacy. The operational use of mathematics in the 100- and 200-level courses is indicated by the prerequisite math placement level.
Among the less comprehensive courses is Physics 100, a course for students who feel a need for additional preparation before taking a required physics course. Other topical courses include Astronomy 103, Physics 107, Physics 109, and Physics 133. There also are occasional one-time course offerings of this nature. They will be listed in class schedules and on bulletin boards when they are offered. Physics 110 is designed for students in the health sciences. Physics 120 and 122 are non-calculus introductory physics courses. Optional laboratories for these courses are Physics 121 and 123. Astronomy 175 and Physics 185 are courses for elementary teachers. Students in the College of Engineering and Applied Science take Physics 209 and 210; they also should consider taking Physics 309 (221).
Physics 209, 210, 214, 215, and 309 (221) are appropriate for students majoring in the sciences. These courses are recommended strongly for all students who plan to take any courses beyond the general physics level. Physics 120/121 and 209/214 treat similar subject matter but with different degrees of mathematical sophistication. Any combination of these courses carries a maximum of 5 credits towards graduation. Similarly, Physics 122/123 and 210/215 treat similar subject matter but with different degrees of mathematical sophistication. Any combination of these courses carries a maximum of 5 credits toward graduation.
At the advanced undergraduate level the Department of Physics offers instruction in the classical and modern fields of physics. Experimental research facilities are available in the areas of condensed matter, surface science, biophysics, and optics. Theoretical studies are conducted in relativity and cosmology, high energy physics, biophysics, medical imaging, and condensed matter physics. Joint study with other departments also can be arranged.
Freshmen who enter with scores of 4 or 5 on the Physics Advanced Placement exam given by CEEB are given partial credit for the introductory courses.
Students who have a combined GPA of 2.5 or above in all mathematics and physics courses taken in the first two years will be approved for a major in physics. This requirement will be waived in those cases where students are able to show evidence of unusual circumstances.
The department offers two study options. The standard physics major is for students who seek a general physics degree. The physics major with astronomy emphasis is for students who wish to pursue their interest in astronomy. While the standard physics major generally is followed by students who plan to go on to graduate school, the major with astronomy emphasis also enables students to pursue graduate work in physics.
Both options require that students take at least 15 credits in advanced-level courses (numbered 300 and above) in residence at UWM. The College requires that students attain at least a 2.5 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.5 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work. All students in the College are required to complete a research experience in their majors. Physics majors meet this requirement by successfully completing one of the following upper-level, 3-credit laboratory courses:
Physics 406 |
Introduction to Infrared Microspectroscopy |
|
Physics 408 |
Experiments in Linear Electronics |
|
Physics 409 |
Modern Physics Laboratory |
|
Physics 410 |
Optics Laboratory |
|
Physics 670 |
Electron Microscopy Laboratory |
|
| or | ||
| Physics 391 | Undergraduate Research Participation |
Students who intend to double-major in physics and engineering may substitute some specific engineering courses for required physics courses. See the list of possible substitutes below, following the requirements for the major with astronomy emphasis.
Standard Physics Major
A minimum of 41 credits in physics, of which 15 must be taken in advanced-level courses (numbered 300 and above) in residence at UWM, are required, including:
| a. Two semesters of calculus-based introductory physics |
|
Physics 209 |
Physics I (Calculus Treatment) |
4 |
|
Physics 214 |
Lab Physics I (Calculus Treatment) |
1 |
|
Physics 210 |
Physics II (Calculus Treatment) |
4 |
|
Physics 215 |
Lab Physics II (Calculus Treatment) |
1 |
|
b. Physics 309 |
Physics III: Modern Physics |
3 |
|
c. Physics 270 |
Introduction to Computational Physics |
3 |
|
or |
||
|
Physics 370 |
Computational Physics |
3 |
d. Physics 317 |
Thermodynamics | 3 |
e. One of the following advanced laboratory courses:
(Note: these courses are NOT offered every semester; check with the undergraduate
advisor to plan for completing this requirement.)
| Physics 406 |
Introduction to Infrared Microspectroscopy |
3 |
| Physics 408 |
Experiments in Linear Electronics | 3 |
| Physics 409 | Modern Physics Laboratory | 3 |
| Physics 410 |
Optics Laboratory | 3 |
| Physics 670 |
Electron Microscopy Laboratory | 3 |
| or | ||
| Physics 391 | Undergraduate Research Participation |
f. Physics 411 |
Mechanics | 4 |
|
g. Physics 420 |
Electricity and Magnetism I |
3 |
h. Physics 422 |
Electricity and Magnetism II | 3 |
i. Physics 441 |
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I | 4 |
j. Physics 442 |
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
| (Students who major in both physics and engineering are not required to take Physics 442; however, it is recommended strongly that they do so.) |
Total: 39 credits |
k. Electives from Physics or Astronomy courses
300 level or above, minimum 2 cr,
selected from the following list:
| Astron 300 |
Astronomy I |
3 |
| Astron 320 |
Astronomy II |
3 |
| Physics 305 (405) |
Medical Physics |
3 |
| Physics 306 |
Introduction to Biophysics |
3 |
| Physics 325 | Optics | 3 |
| Physics 370 | Computational Physics (if not selected above) | 3 |
| Physics 391 |
Undergraduate Research Participation |
1-6 |
| Physics 406 | Introduction to Infrared Microspectroscopy (if not selected above) | 3 |
| Physics 408 |
Experiments in Linear Electronics (if not selected above) |
3 |
| Physics 409 |
Modern Physics Laboratory (if not selected above) |
3 |
| Physics 410 |
Optics Laboratory (if not selected above) |
3 |
| Physics 515 |
Statistical Mechanics |
3 |
| Physics 517 |
Special Relativity |
3 |
| Physics 531 |
Principles of Quantum Mechanics I |
3 |
| Physics 532 | Principles of Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
| Physics 541 |
Elementary Particles |
3 |
| Physics 551 |
Introduction to Solid State Physics I |
3 |
| Physics 651 |
Introduction to Solid State Physics II |
3 |
| Physics 670 |
Electron Microscope Laboratory (if not selected above) |
3 |
Physics Major with Astronomy Emphasis
a. Two semesters of calculus-based introductory physics
Physics 209 |
Physics I (Calculus Treatment) |
4 |
|
Physics 214 |
Lab Physics I (Calculus Treatment) |
1 |
|
Physics 210 |
Physics II (Calculus Treatment) |
4 |
|
Physics 215 |
Lab Physics II (Calculus Treatment) |
1 |
| b. Physics 309 | Physics III: Modern Physics | 3 |
|
c. Physics 270 |
Inroduction to Computational Physics |
3 |
| or | ||
| Physics 370 | Computational Physics | 3 |
d. Physics 317 |
Thermodynamics |
3 |
e. Physics 325 |
Optics |
3 |
f. Physics 410 |
Optics Laboratory |
2 |
g. Physics 411 |
Mechanics |
4 |
h. Physics 420 |
Electricity and Magnetism I |
3 |
| i. Physics 422 | Electricity and Magentism II | 3 |
j. Physics 441 |
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I |
4 |
| k. Physics 442 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
l. Astron 104 |
Astronomy Laboratory |
1 |
m. Astron 300 |
Astronomy I |
3 |
| n. Astron 320 | Astronomy II |
3 |
o. 6 credits of electives from the following:
Astron 381 |
Honors Seminar: (Subtitle) |
3 |
Atm Sci 110 |
The Origin, Composition, and Structure of Planetary Atmospheres |
3 |
Geo Sci 120 |
Geology of the Planets |
3 |
Physics 391 |
Undergraduate Research Participation |
1-6 |
Physics 517 |
Special Relativity |
3 |
Physics 541 |
Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics |
3 |
Total |
55 |
Students are advised strongly to take the following courses as part of their electives:
|
Chem 102 |
General Chemistry |
5 |
|
Chem 104 |
General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis |
5 |
|
Commun 103 |
Public Speaking |
3 |
|
English 206 |
Technical Writing |
3 |
Possible Course Substitutions for Students with Physics and Engineering Double Majors
One of the following courses may be substituted for Physics 270 or 370:
Civ Eng 280 |
Computer-Based Engineering Analysis |
3 |
CompSci 151 |
Inroduction to Scientific Programming in Fortran |
3 |
CompSci 201 |
Introductory Computer Programming |
3 |
The following course my be substituted for Physics 317:
MechEng 301 |
Basic Engineering Thermodynamics |
3 |
The combination of both Civ Eng 201 Statics, 3 cr., and 202 Dynamics, 3 cr., may substitute for Physics 411.
Students who major in both physics and engineering are not required to take Physics 442; however, it is recommended strongly that they do so.
A minor in physics requires 18 credits, of which 9 credits must be in courses at the 300-level or above taken in residence at UWM. The College requires that students attain at least a 2.5 GPA on all credits in the minor attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.5 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work. There is latitude in the choice of credits. Students majoring in engineering or computer science should consider optics (Physics 325) and the optics lab (Physics 410), fundamentals of acoustics (Physics 511), and an appropriate short course (Physics 361). Science or math education majors should take thermodynamics (Physics 317), optics (Physics 325) and general astronomy (Astron 300). Math majors will find complementary subject matter in mechanics (Physics 411), electricity and magnetism (Physics 420 and 422), and special relativity (Physics 517). Students are required to consult with the physics advisor when planning their minor programs of study.
For the teaching minor, see the School of Education section of this catalog.
Courses (PHYSICS)
Daniel Agterberg, Prof., Ph.D.
University of Toronto
Luis Anchordoqui, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina
Donald E. Beck, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.
Patrick Brady, Prof., Ph.D.
University of Alberta
Philip Chang, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
University of California, Santa Barbara
Yutze Chow, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.
Jean Creighton, Admin. Prog. Mgr., Ph.D.University of Waterloo, Ontario
Jolien Creighton, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Waterloo, Ontario
Richard H. Dittman, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.
Dawn Erb, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.California Institute of Technology
John L. Friedman, Distinguished Prof., Ph.D.
University of Chicago
Marija Gajardziska-Josifovska, Prof., Ph.D.
Arizona State University
Robert G. Greenler, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.
Prasanjit Guptasarma, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Bombay, India
Carol Hirschmugl, Prof., Ph.D.
Yale University
California Institute of Technology
Moises Levy, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.
Lian Li, Prof., Ph.D.
Arizona State University at Tempe
Elihu Lubkin, Assoc. Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.
Paul Lyman, Prof., Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Richmond B. McQuistan, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.
Abbas Ourmazd, Distinguished Prof., Ph.D.
Wolfson College, Oxford
Leonard E. Parker, Distinguished Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.
Sarah Patch, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley
Valerica Raicu, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Bucharest, Romania
Dilano K. Saldin, Prof., Ph.D.
Oxford University
Bimal K. Sarma, Prof., Ph.D.
Northwestern University
Marius Schmidt, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
Technical University of Munich
Xavier Siemens, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
Tufts University
Dale R. Snider, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.
Richard S. Sorbello, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.
Shuk Yin Tong, Dist. Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.
William L. Walters, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.
Michael Weinert, Distinguished Prof., Ph.D.
Northwestern University
Alan Wiseman, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D., Chair
Washington University
Robert Wood, Senior Lect. and Adjunct Assoc. Prof., D. Phil.
Oxford University
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University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Undergraduate Catalog 2012-2013:
Physics
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