Physics Major - Bachelor of Arts (BA)
(All colleges, excluding teacher certification programs)
38 credits (55 total credits including MTH)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| PHY 203 | General Physics I 1 | 4 |
| or PHY 103 | Fundamental Physics I | |
| PHY 204 | General Physics II 1 | 4 |
| or PHY 104 | Fundamental Physics II | |
| PHY 305 | General Physics III | 3 |
| PHY 306 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHY 308 | Optics | 3 |
| or PHY 334 | Electrical Circuits | |
| PHY 311 | Experimental Physics | 2 |
| PHY 321 | Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 332 | Electrodynamics | 3 |
| PHY 343 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| PHY 401 | Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 491 | Capstone in Physics | 1 |
| Electives | ||
| Select six credits of electives from PHY courses at the 300/400-level or from the astronomy courses PHY 155, PHY 160. | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 38 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisite coursework | ||
| MTH 207 | Calculus I | 5 |
| MTH 208 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MTH 308 | Linear Algebra with Differential Equations | 4 |
| or MTH 309 | Linear Algebra | |
| MTH 310 | Calculus III: Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| Total Credits | 17 | |
All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR.
College of Science and Health (CSH) Bachelor of Arts core requirements
B.S. and B.A. students graduating from the College of Science and Health are required to take two natural laboratory science courses selected from the general education laboratory science category (GE 05) and/or from BIO 203, BIO 210, BIO 304, CHM 104, GEO 221, GEO 222, PHY 104 or PHY 204, and they either must take two mathematics courses or one math course and one computer science course from the math/logical systems category of the general education requirements (GE 02). One of the two science courses must be from a department outside of the student’s major department.
Note: Math courses can be pairs, i.e. 150 and 151; MTH/CS majors can use two science courses from same department.
For the Bachelor of Arts degree, students must complete a major from the college and proficiency in a world language at the 202 level or demonstrate English language proficiency for non-native speakers of English. Contact the CSH Dean's Office for eligibility and regulations.
Students must also complete one of the following options. It is recommended that courses are selected in consultation with your advisor.
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Complete a minor in the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities/School of Visual and Performing Arts; or
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Complete two certificates in the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities/School of Visual and Performing Arts with at least 12 combined credits at the 300/400 level; or
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Complete an individualized option, consisting of 15 credits.
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These courses must be from the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities/School of Visual and Performing Arts.
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At least 9 credits must be earned at the 300/400 level.
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General education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements.
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Internship credits may not count toward the individualized option.
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Baccalaureate degree requirements
Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:
- Fulfill the general education requirements.
- Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
- Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
- Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
- 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.
- Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
- A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
- Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" 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.
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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 in order 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.
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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 the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.
General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed 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 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 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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PHY 203 or 103 (Gen Ed Natural Lab Science) | 4 | PHY 204 or 104 | 4 |
| PHY 497 | 1 | PHY 497 | 1 |
| MTH 207 (Gen Ed Math) | 5 | MTH 208 (Gen Ed Math) | 4 |
| ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy-Written) | 3 | CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy-Oral) | 3 |
| Gen Ed Arts | 2-3 | FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar) | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PHY 305 | 3 | MTH 308 or 309 | 4 |
| MTH 310 | 4 | PHY 306 | 3 |
| Gen Ed Minority Cultures | 3 | PHY 308 or 334 | 3 |
| Gen Ed Self & Society | 3 | Gen Ed Arts | 2-3 |
| Gen Ed World History | 3 | 202-Level Language (CSH BA Core) | 4 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PHY 311 | 2 | PHY 332 | 3 |
| PHY 321 | 3 | PHY 343 | 3 |
| CSH Core (300/400 CASSH elec) or CASSH Minor | 3 | Gen Ed Global Studies | 3 |
| Gen Ed Health & Well-Being | 3 | CSH Core (300/400 CASSH elec) or CASSH Minor | 3 |
| Gen Ed Natural Lab Science (not PHY) | 4 | Gen Ed Humanistic Studies | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PHY 401 | 3 | PHY 491 | 1 |
| PHY 498 (PHY Elective) | 1-3 | PHY 498 (PHY Elective) | 1-3 |
| CSH Core (300/400 CASSH elec) or CASSH Minor | 3 | PHY Elective | 3 |
| CSH Core or CASSH Minor1 | 3 | CSH Core or CASSH Minor1 | 3 |
| University Elective | 1 | University Elective | 3 |
| University Elective | 3 | University Elective | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Total Credits: 120 | |||
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See CSH BA Core Requirements for information on completing the individualized option. 300/400 requirements for graduation may be impacted.