Physics Major with Astronomy Emphasis - Bachelor of Science (BS)

(All colleges, excluding teacher certification programs)

40 credits (56 total credits including MTH)

Core
PHY 203General Physics I 14
or PHY 103 Fundamental Physics I
PHY 204General Physics II 14
or PHY 104 Fundamental Physics II
PHY 155Solar System Astronomy4
PHY 160Stars, Galaxies and the Universe4
PHY 305Introduction to Thermodynamics and Waves3
PHY 306Modern Physics3
PHY 311Experimental Physics2
PHY 362Astrophysics3
PHY 466Cosmology and the Structure of The Universe3
PHY 491Capstone in Physics1
Electives
Select nine additional credits from physics courses at the 300/400 level 2, 3, 49
Total Credits40
Prerequisite coursework
MTH 207Calculus I4
MTH 208Calculus II4
MTH 308Linear Algebra with Differential Equations4
MTH 310Calculus III: Multivariable Calculus4
Total Credits16
1

PHY 203 and PHY 204 are preferred.

2

Students intending to pursue a graduate degree are strongly advised to take PHY 325 and PHY 332 and should consult with their physics advisor when choosing physics elective courses.

3

Excluding PHY 320, PHY 321, PHY 343, PHY 376, PHY 423, PHY 452, PHY 483, PHY 497. 

4

If PHY 498 is chosen, the research must be astronomy related, and only three credits of PHY 498 may apply towards the major.

All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements to qualify for a degree. All enrolled students have access to a degree audit to track all of these requirements. 

College of Science and Health (CSH) Bachelor of Science core requirements

B.S. students graduating from the College of Science & Health are required to take:

  1. Two MTH/STAT courses or one MTH/STAT course and one CS course
    CS 101
    		Introduction to Computing 1
    CS 115
    		Introduction to Python Programming 1
    CS 120
    		Software Design I 1
    CT 100
    		Introduction to Computational Thinking 1
    MTH 115
    		Mathematics for Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers I 1
    MTH 116
    		Mathematics for Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers II 1
    MTH 123
    		Mathematics for Decision Making 1
    MTH 150
    		College Algebra 1
    MTH 151
    		Precalculus 1
    MTH 160
    		Mathematics for Business 1
    MTH 175
    		Applied Calculus 1
    MTH 207
    		Calculus I 1
    MTH 208
    		Calculus II 1
    MTH 215
    		Mathematics for Middle School Teachers I 1
    MTH 216
    		Mathematics for Middle School Teachers II 1
    MTH 265
    		Mathematical Models in Biology 1
    STAT 145
    		Elementary Statistics 1
1

Course may also satisfy a Core General Education Requirement.

  1. Two laboratory science courses, one of the two courses must be from a department outside of the student's major department:
ANT 102
Introduction to Biological Anthropology 1
BIO 100
Biology for the Informed Citizen 1
BIO 105
General Biology 1
BIO 203
Organismal Biology
BIO 210
Animal Biology
BIO 304
Plant Biology
CHM 103
General Chemistry I 1
CHM 104
General Chemistry II
ESS 205
Human Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise and Sport Science I
GEO 101
Earth Environments 1
GEO 221
Weather and Climate
GEO 222
Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
MIC 100
Microbes and Society 1
PHY 103
Fundamental Physics I 1
PHY 104
Fundamental Physics II
PHY 106
Physical Science for Educators 1
PHY 155
Solar System Astronomy 1
PHY 160
Stars, Galaxies and the Universe 1
PHY 203
General Physics I 1
PHY 204
General Physics II

Notes: Mathematics courses can be pairs, i.e. MTH 150 and MTH 151.

  1. In addition to all other College of Science and Health core requirements, students from non-exempted programs2 must complete one of the following options. It is recommended that courses are selected in consultation with students’ academic advisor.
    1. Complete a second major; or
    2. Complete a minor outside the major; or
    3. Complete two certificates outside the major with at least 12 combined credits at the 300/400 level; or
    4. Complete an individualized option, consisting of 18 credits
      1. At least 12 credits must be earned at the 300/400 level outside the major department.
      2. The remaining six credits should come from
        1. 100 level or higher courses outside the major (all courses used to meet these requirements must be in addition to the minimum credits required in the Core General Education Requirements); or
        2. 300/400 level courses inside major not being used to fulfill major requirements.
      3. Internship credits may not count toward the individualized option.
2

The list of exempted CSH programs is on the CSH catalog page.

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

  1. Fulfill the Core General Education Requirements (CGER).
  2. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
  3. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
  4. At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
  5. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
  6. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
  7. Submit an application for graduation via the "Submit Intent to Graduate" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
1

Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.

2

The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.

No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.

Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.

The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use their degree audit and work closely with their advisor(s) and college dean's office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.

Core General Education Program

The Core General Education Requirement (CGER) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include CGER placeholders to ensure completion of the core general education requirements. The CGER category listed in parentheses indicated the recommended course to help complete CGER and the program requirements. Transferred courses may alter the plan. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. CGER courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the Core General Education Requirements for more specific details.

At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level. 

Note: New students and transfer students with less than 12 credits earned are required to take The Eagle Advantage for College Success (UWL 100, 2 cr.) or FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.

This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.

Year 1
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PHY 203 or 103 (CGER NSWL-ES Natural Science & Wellness: Experiential Science)14PHY 204 or 10414
PHY 4971PHY 1604
MTH 207 (CGER MQR-QR Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning: Quantitative Reasoning)4PHY 4971
ENG 110 (CGER CL-WL Communication & Literacy: Written Literacy)3MTH 208 (CSH Core)4
UWL 100 or FYS 100 (CGER SBS-FS Social & Behavioral Science: Social Foundation for Success)2CST 110 (CGER CL-SL Communication & Literacy: Spoken Literacy)3
 14 16
Year 2
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PHY 1554PHY 3063
PHY 3053MTH 3084
MTH 3104CGER CP-CW Civics & Perspective: Cultures of Our World 3
CGER CP-CU Civics & Perspective: Communities of the United States3CGER SBS-BS Social & Behavioral Science: Social & Behavioral Studies3
CGER HA-AA Humanities & Arts: Arts & Aesthetics3University Elective3
 17 16
Year 3
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PHY 3112PHY Elective (300/400-level)3
CGER NSW-MBP Natural Science & Wellness: Mind, Body, & Planet3PHY Elective (300/400-level)3
CGER CL-SWT Communication & Literacy: Stories We Tell3CGER HA-PDU Humanities & Arts: Pasts that Define Us3
CSH Core (300/400 not PHY) or minor3CSH Core (Lab Science not PHY)4
University Elective3CSH Core (300/400 not PHY) or minor3
 14 16
Year 4
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PHY 3623PHY 4663
CSH Core or minor23PHY 4911
University Elective3PHY Elective (300/400-level)3
University Elective2CSH Core or minor23
University Elective3University Elective3
 14 13
Total Credits: 120
1

PHY 203 and PHY 204 preferred.

2

See CSH BS Core Requirements for information on completing the individualized option. 300/400 requirements for graduation may be impacted.