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

(All colleges, excluding teacher certification programs)

38 credits (50 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 305Introduction to Thermodynamics and Waves3
PHY 306Modern Physics3
PHY 311Experimental Physics2
PHY 320Statics3
PHY 334Electrical Circuits3
PHY 343Engineering Thermodynamics3
or PHY 345 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
PHY 491Capstone in Physics1
Electives
Select 12 additional credits from the following:12
PHY 308
Optics
PHY 321
Dynamics
or PHY 325
 Classical Mechanics of Physics
PHY 335
Electronics
PHY 374
Computational Physics
PHY 411
Advanced Experimental Physics
PHY 460
Condensed Matter Physics
PHY 497
Physics and Engineering Seminar 2
PHY 498
Physics and Engineering Research 3
CHM 104
General Chemistry II
Any 300/400-level chemistry course
Total Credits38
Prerequisite coursework
MTH 207Calculus I4
MTH 208Calculus II4
MTH 310Calculus III: Multivariable Calculus4
Total Credits12
1

PHY 203 and PHY 204 preferred.

2

A maximum of two credits of PHY 497 may apply to the major.

3

A maximum of three credits of PHY 498 may apply to 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 49721PHY 49721
MTH 207 (CGER MQR-QR Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning: Quantitative Reasoning)4MTH 208 (CSH Core)4
CST 110 (CGER CL-SL Communication & Literacy: Spoken Literacy)3ENG 110 (CGER CL-WL Communication & Literacy: Written Literacy)3
CGER HA-AA Humanities & Arts: Arts & Aesthetics3UWL 100 or FYS 100 (CGER SBS-FS Social & Behavioral Science: Social Foundation for Success)2
 15 14
Year 2
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PHY 3053PHY 3063
MTH 3104PHY 3343
CGER CP-CU Civics & Perspective: Communities of the United States3CGER CL-SWT Communication & Literacy: Stories We Tell3
CGER NSW-MBP Natural Science & Wellness: Mind, Body, & Planet3University Elective2
CGER SBS-BS Social & Behavioral Science: Social & Behavioral Studies3University Elective3
 16 14
Year 3
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PHY 3112PHY 343 or 3453
PHY 3203CSH Core (Lab Science not PHY)4
PHY Elective3CSH Core (300/400 not PHY) or Minor3
CGER CP-CW Civics & Perspective: Cultures of Our World 3University Elective3
CSH Core (300/400 not PHY) or Minor3University Elective3
 14 16
Year 4
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PHY Elective3PHY 4911
PHY Elective3PHY Elective3
CGER HA-PDU Humanities & Arts: Pasts that Define Us3CSH Core or Minor33
CSH Core or Minor33University Elective3
University Elective3University Elective3
 University Elective3
 15 16
Total Credits: 120
1

PHY 203 and PHY 204 preferred.

2

A maximum of two credits of PHY 497 may apply towards elective requirements in the major.

3

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