UWM Undergraduate Catalog 2009-2010

College of Letters and Science

Physics

• Web Home Pages:
  • College of Letters and Science
  • Physics

• Course of Study: Major
• Course of Study: Minor
• Applied Mathematics and Physics
• 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 ultrasonic attenuation in superconductors and rare earth compounds, ultra-low temperature physics, electron spectroscopy, ion spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction, scanning tunneling microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Theoretical studies are conducted in relativity, chaos, cosmology, high energy physics, quantum field theory, and statistical mechanics. 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 a wide range of study options (see below) that are designed for students to pursue particular career interests. The Standard Physics Major is for students who seek a general physics degree. The other options are for students who wish to obtain employment in industry immediately upon graduation or to pursue particular interests. While the Standard Physics Major generally is followed by students who plan to go on to graduate school, all options enable students to pursue graduate work in physics.

All 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 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:

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:

One of the following courses may be substituted for Physics 270 or 370:

The following course may be substituted for Physics 317:

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.)

k. Electives from Physics or Astronomy courses 300 level or above, minimum 2 cr,
selected from the following list:

Physics Major with Astronomy Emphasis

a. Two semesters of calculus-based introductory physics

o. 6 credits of electives from the following:

Course of Study: Minor

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 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.

Applied Mathematics and Physics

A related degree program is Applied Mathematics and Physics; see the description under Special Degree Programs.

Faculty

Daniel Agterberg, Prof., Ph.D.
University of Toronto

Luis Anchordoqui, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina

Patrick Brady, Prof., Ph.D.
University of Alberta

Jolien Creighton, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Waterloo, Ontario

Lian Li, Prof., Ph.D.
Arizona State University-Tempe

Elihu Lubkin, Assoc. Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

Abbas Ourmazd, Prof., Ph.D.
Wolfson College, Oxford

Leonard E. Parker, UWM Distinguished Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

Sarah Patch, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley

Valerica Raicu, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Bucharest (Romania)

Dilano K. Saldin, Prof., Ph.D.
Oxford University

Marius Schmidt, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
Technical University of Munich

Xavier Siemens, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
Tufts University

Alan Wiseman, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D., Chair
Washington University

Robert Wood, Senior Lect., D. Phil.
University of Oxford