Physics Requirements
Professor Mary E. Williams-Norton
Assistant Professor Sarah J. Warthesen
Communicating Plus-Physics: Students completing a major in physics develop skills in four Communicating Plus areas: problem-solving, written communication, oral communication, and critical thinking. These skills develop in all courses required for the major and are refined with experience. Solving problems systematically is a significant component of each physics course and the mathematical sophistication of problem solutions as part of written assignments and laboratory work increases from first-year work to sophomore and junior courses. Students are given opportunities to apply use of numerical methods and computer modeling as well as differential and integral calculus, algebra and analytic geometry to the solution of problems. Error analysis is a vital part of laboratory work from the very beginning. By the time students are working in the Modern Physics or other advanced laboratory setting, they are expected to apply their understanding of error analysis to experimental design. Most written communication requires the integration of mathematical expressions, figures, tables and other graphics into text. Students are expected to practice combining these elements not only in laboratory reports but also in problem-solution papers. As students progress from first-year to more advanced courses, their reports increase in length, detail and mathematical sophistication. More emphasis is placed on derivations as well as on literature searches for background. Critical thinking is central to effective experimental design. Oral communication in beginning courses occurs mostly among peers during group laboratory and problem-solving sessions. Some quizzes make use of group formats to encourage effective exchange of ideas. A poster session during the first-year and Power Point presentations of projects in advanced courses help develop both oral communication and graphics skills. All of these skills are brought to bear on the senior thesis.
Physical Science
150 Courses of Study project that involves both written and oral presentations of an individually designed research project that must involve literature searches and project design.
Requirements for a major in physics: Physics 251, 330, 333, 340, two semesters of Physics Seminar (Physics 500), plus eight additional credits in courses numbered above 210 (excluding 401). Majors must complete a substantial research project that culminates in a written thesis as well as a seminar presentation. Students majoring in physics may not major in physical science.
Requirements for a teaching major in physics: Physics 251, 330, 333, 340, 360. 401, two semesters of Physics Seminar (Physics 500), plus four additional credits in courses numbered above 210. Teaching majors also must take at least eight credits in another science as well as Environmental Studies 120. Teaching majors must complete a substantial research project that culminates in a written thesis as well as a seminar presentation.
Requirements for a minor in physics: Physics 151 and 152, 251, 500, and at least eight additional credits in physics courses numbered higher than 210 (excluding 401) chosen in consultation with the department chair. Students minoring in physics
may not major in physical science.
Requirements for a teaching minor in physics: Physics 151 and 152, 251, 360, 401, 500 and at least four additional credits in physics courses numbered above 210 chosen in consultation with the department chair.
Physics majors and minors usually begin their course of study in their first year with Physics 151 and Physics 152 unless they can demonstrate significant advanced study. Those students intending to use a physics major as a basis for work in engineering are recommended to take at least two semesters of chemistry. Those students preparing to do graduate work in physics are recommended to consider studying at the University of Wales Swansea during the second semester of their junior year. Mathematics 141, 142 and 206 or equivalent background are necessary pre- or co-requisites for courses beyond Physics 152. Mathematics 224, 303 and 343 are highly recommended for students preparing to do graduate work in physics.
Physical Science Requirements
Co-Directors:
Professors Colleen M. Byron, Dean A. Katahira, Mary E. Williams-Norton
The physical science major is an interdisciplinary program designed for students interested in material science, engineering, science teaching and any other field in which a good background in both physics and chemistry is required. Physical science majors also must take basic courses in mathematics (see requirements below) with Mathematics 206 recommended. Students interested in material science should consider taking Chemistry 321.
Requirements for a major in physical science: Physics 151-152, Physics 251, and four additional credits in physics chosen from 330, 340, 360, or 412; Chemistry 111-112, 211, 214, and 334; Mathematics 142 or higher; two credits of seminar (Physics 500 and Chemistry 501). A senior thesis is required. Students majoring in physical science may not major or minor in chemistry or physics.
Requirements for a teaching major in physical science: all courses for the physical
science major listed above including Physics 360, the senior thesis, plus the course Teaching of Physical Science (cross listed as Physics 401 and Chemistry 401) and Biology 120.
Courses
101. Everyday Physics (Warthesen)
Four credits. Offered yearly
The application of physics in our daily lives is explored through concepts such as energy, optics, waves, motion and electromagnetism. The course consists of lectures, laboratory investigations, homework and reading assignments, and projects. This course is intended for students who have no previous experience in physics. Prerequisite: none. This course does not count toward the physics major or minor or a major in physical science.
120. Astronomy (Williams-Norton)
Four credits.
Historical development of astronomy, properties of light and light sources, planetary origins and characteristics, properties of stars, stellar evolution, cosmology. Laboratory introduction to telescopes, optical spectra and the night sky. Lecture, laboratory, projects. Prerequisite: none.
151. Introductory Physics I (Williams-Norton)
Five credits. Offered fall semester yearly.
Mechanics, gravitation, waves and sound. Lecture, laboratory and problem-solving sessions. Intended for students with interest in science and/or mathematics but with little or no previous
experience with physics.
152. Introductory Physics II (Warthesen)
Five credits. Offered spring semester yearly.
Thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and light. Introduction to relativity and quantum physics. Lecture, laboratory and problem-solving sessions. Prerequisite: Physics 151 or permission of the instructor.
210. Investigations in Physical Science and Mathematics (Williams-Norton)
Four credits.
Integrated study of physical science and mathematics through laboratory investigation, problem-
solving, discussion, group work and projects. Emphasis is on observation and investigation.
Students will learn how to ask questions and seek answers through experiments. Specifically
designed for students seeking EC/MC certification but open to others. Open to first-year students. Prerequisite: none.
251. Modern Physics (Williams-Norton)
Five credits. Offered fall semester yearly.
Historical development of quantum physics. Introduction to quantum mechanics, structure and behavior of atoms, nuclei and solids, special and general relativity, quantum statistics. Applications of modern physics to current technology. Lecture, laboratory and problem-solving
sessions. Prerequisites: Physics 152.
300. Departmental Studies (Staff)
300. Departmental Studies Staff
Two to four credits.
Special subjects in physics not covered by regular courses. This course may be repeated for credit when topics change Prerequisites: Physics 152 or consent of the instructor.
310. Aerospace Studies Seminar (staff)
One credit each semester.
Can be taken more than once for credit. Enrollment for credit limited to students with NASA Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) undergraduate scholarship. Grading is S-U.
330. Advanced Mechanics (Warthesen)
Four credits. To be offered in the fall semester in alternate years beginning 2008-09.
Topics include kinematics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, harmonic oscillations, central-force motion, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics. Lecture, problem-solving sessions
and projects. Prerequisites: Physics 251 or consent of the instructor.
333. Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics (Warthesen)
Four credits. To be offered yearly in the spring semester.
A study of the interrelationships between temperature, thermal energy, heat, work and entropy, explored on both macroscopic and microscopic scales. Topics include applications of the laws of thermodynamics, analysis of idealized and actual physical systems, kinetic theory and statistical thermodynamics. Lecture, problem-solving sessions and projects. Prerequisite: Physics 152 or consent of the instructor.
349. Electricity and Magnetism (Williams-Norton)
Four credits. To be offered alternate years in the spring semester beginning 2007-08.
Electrostatics, DC and AC circuits, development and application of Maxwell’s equations to systems including wave optics. Lecture, problem-solving sessions, individual and group projects.
Prerequisites: Physics 251 or consent of the instructor.
360. Astrophysics (Williams-Norton)
Four credits. Offered in the spring semester 2008-09 and alternate years.
Historical introduction to astronomy and cosmology. Planet formation, planetary geology and meteorology, stellar evolution, cosmology, galactic structure, quasars. Laboratory introduction to astronomical observation. Prerequisite: Physics 251 or consent of the instructor.
401. The Teaching of Physics (Williams-Norton)
Two credits. Offered on demand.
Methods of teaching physics in secondary schools. Development of laboratories, lectures, problems, evaluations, demonstrations. Laboratory safety. Required for certification in physics.
412. Quantum Mechanics (Williams-Norton)
Four credits. To be offered in the fall semester 2007-08 and alternate years.
Solutions of the Schrodinger Equation for physical systems including atoms and nuclei. Properties of operators, commutation relationships and the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. Properties of wave functions. Lecture, problem sessions and problem-solving projects. Prerequisites:
Physics 251 and Mathematics 206 or consent of the instructor.
440. Advanced Laboratory & Computational Physics Problems (staff)
Four credits. To be offered in the spring semester in 2008-09 and alternate years.
Laboratory and computational projects to investigate complex physical systems and learn to use new laboratory instruments and data analysis techniques. Experimental design and mathematical
modeling. Introduction to numerical methods and application of numerical models to explore problems such as fluid dynamics, stochastic processes, fractals and electronic structure. Prerequisite: Physics 251 or consent of the department chair.
500. Senior Seminar (staff)
One credit each semester. May be taken twice for credit.
Offered on demand for senior physics majors and minors.
Student-led demonstrations and problem-solving sessions. Presentations of students’ research results. Grading is S-U.
540. Independent Study (Staff)
Two to four credits. Offered on demand.
May be taken more than once for credit. Prerequisite: Physics 251 or consent of the department
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