UWM Undergraduate Catalog 2007-08

College of Letters and Science

Physics

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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.

Course of Study: Major

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. 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:

Physics 406	Introduction to Infrared Microspectroscopy
Physics 408	Experiments in Linear Electronics
Physics 409	Quantum Physics Laboratory
Physics 410	Optics Laboratory
Physics 670	Electron Microscopy Laboratory
or
Physics 391	Undergraduate Research Participation The research proposal must be approved by the Undergraduate Advisor and the Departmental Undergraduate Committee; it must demonstrate clear pedagogical value. Unfocused laboratory internships are not acceptable.

Standard Physics Major

A minimum of 37 credits in physics, of which 15 must be taken in advanced-level courses (numbered 300 and above) in residence at UWM, are required, including:

Physics 209	Physics I (Calculus Treatment)	4
Physics 214	Lab Physics I (Calculus Treatment)	1
Physics 210	Physics II (Calculus Treatment)	4
Physics 215	Lab Physics II (Calculus Treatment)	1
Physics 309	Physics III: Modern Physics	3
Physics 270	Introduction to Computational Physics	3
or
Physics 370	Computational Physics	3

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

CompSci 151	Introduction to Scientific Programming in Fortran	3
CompSci 153	Introduction to Scientific Programming in C++	3
CompSci 201	Introductory Computer Programming	3
Math 413	Introduction to Numerical Analysis	3

Physics 317

Thermodynamics

The following courses may be substituted for Physics 317:

MechEng 301	Thermodynamics	3
or both
MatlEng 441	Thermodynamics of Materials I	3
and
MatlEng 442	Thermodynamics of Materials II	3

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.)

Physics 406	Infrared Microspectroscopy Laboratory	3
Physics 408	Experiments in Linear Electronics	3
Physics 409	Modern Physics Laboratory	3
Physics 410	Optics Laboratory	3
Physics 670	Electron Microscopy Laboratory	3

Physics 411

Mechanics

The combination of both Civ Eng 201 Statics, 3 cr, and 202 Dynamics, 3 cr, may substitute for Physics 411.

Physics 421

Electricity and Magnetism

The combination of both ElecEng 361 Electromagnetic Fields, 3 cr, and
461 Microwave Engineering, 3 cr, may substitute for Physics 421.
If this is done, the student must complete additional physics electives
at the 300-level or above to meet the advanced credit requirement
in the major.

Physics 441	Quantum Physics I	4
Physics 498	Undergraduate Seminar	1

Total: 35 credits

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

Astron 300	Astronomy I	3
Astron 320	Astronomy II	3
Physics 305 (405)	Medical Physics	3
Physics 306	Introduction to Biophysics	3
Physics 325	Optics	3
Physics 370	Computational Physics (if not selected above)	3
Physics 391	Undergraduate Research Participation	1-6
Physics 406	Infrared Microspectroscopy Laboratory (if not selected above)	3
Physics 408	Experiments in Linear Electronics (if not selected above)	3
Physics 409	Modern Physics Laboratory (if not selected above)	3
Physics 410	Optics Laboratory (if not selected above)	3
Physics 422	Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II	3
Physics 515	Statistical Mechanics	3
Physics 517	Special Relativity	3
Physics 531	Principles of Quantum Mechanics I	3
Physics 532	Principles of Quantum Mechanics II	3
Physics 541	Elementary Particles	3
Physics 551	Introduction to Solid State Physics I	3
Physics 651	Introduction to Solid State Physics II	3
Physics 670	Electron Microscope Laboratory (if not selected above)	3

Physics Major with Astronomy Emphasis

Physics 209	Physics I (Calculus Treatment)	4
Physics 214	Lab Physics I (Calculus Treatment)	1
Physics 210	Physics II (Calculus Treatment)	4
Physics 215	Lab Physics II (Calculus Treatment)	1
Physics 270	Inroduction to Computational Physics	3
or
Physics 370	Computational Physics	3
Physics 309	Physics III: Modern Physics	3
Physics 317	Thermodynamics	3
Physics 325	Optics	3
Physics 410	Optics Laboratory	2
Physics 411	Mechanics	4
Physics 421	Electricity and Magnetism	4
Physics 441	Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I	4
Physics 442	Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II	3
Physics 498	Undergraduate Seminar	1
Astron 104	Astronomy Laboratory	1
Astron 300	Astronomy I	3
Astron 320	Astronomy II	3

6 credits of electives from the following:

Astron 381	Honors Seminar: (Subtitle)	3
Atm Sci 110	The Origin, Composition, and Structure of Planetary Atmospheres	3
Geo Sci 120	Geology of the Planets	3
Physics 391	Undergraduate Research Participation	1-6
Physics 517	Special Relativity	3
Physics 541	Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics	3
Total		54

Students are advised strongly to take the following courses as part of their electives:

Chem 102	General Chemistry	5
Chem 104	General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis	5
Commun 103	Public Speaking	3
English 206	Technical Writing	3

Physics Major With Computational Physics Emphasis

Physics 209	Physics I (Calculus Treatment)	4
Physics 214	Lab Physics I (Calculus Treatment)	1
Physics 210	Physics II (Calculus Treatment)	4
Physics 215	Lab Physics II (Calculus Treatment)	1
Physics 270	Introduction to Computational Physics	3
Physics 309	Physics III: Modern Physics	3
Physics 317	Thermodynamics	3
Physics 370	Computational Physics	3
Physics 391	Undergraduate Research Participation¹	6
Physics 408	Experiments in Linear Electronics	3
Physics 411	Mechanics	4
Physics 421	Electricity and Magnetism	4
Physics 441	Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I	4
Physics 498	Undergraduate Seminar	1

Computer Science Minor

Total

¹Research project must be in some area of computational physics. Physics 391 will be waived for students who complete a summer internship in an area of computational physics, in which case the total credit requirement is reduced from 62 to 56.

Students are advised strongly to take the following courses as part of their electives:

Chem 102	General Chemistry	5
Chem 104	General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis	5
Commun 103	Public Speaking	3
Econ 103	Principles of Microeconomics	3
Econ 104	Principles of Macroeconomics	3
English 206	Technical Writing	3

Physics Major with Applied Physics Emphasis

Physics 209	Physics I (Calculus Treatment)	4
Physics 214	Lab Physics I (Calculus Treatment	1
Physics 210	Physics II (Calculus Treatment)	4
Physics 215	Lab Physics II (Calculus Treatment)	1
Physics 309	Physics III: Modern Physics	3
Physics 317	Thermodynamics	3
Physics 325	Optics	3
Physics 270	Introduction to Computational Physics	3
or
Physics 370	Computational Physics	3
Physics 408	Experiments in Linear Electronics	3
Physics 409	Modern Physics Lab	3
Physics 410	Optics Laboratory	3
Physics 411	Mechanics	4
Physics 421	Electricity and Magnetism	4
Physics 441	Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I	4
Physics 442	Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II	3
Physics 498	Undergraduate Seminar	1
CompSci 201	Introductory Computer Programming	3
CompSci 252	Computer Programming II	3

5 credits of electives from the following list:

Physics 391	Undergraduate Research Participation	1-6
Physics 511	Fundamentals of Acoustics	3
Physics 515	Statistical Mechanics	3
Physics 531	Introduction to Quantum Mechanics	3
Physics 551	Introduction to Solid State Physics I	3
Physics 651	Introduction to Solid State Physics II	3
Physics 670	Electron Microscopy Laboratory	3
Total		58

Students are strongly advised to take the following courses as part of their electives:

Chem 102	General Chemistry	5
Chem 104	General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis	5
Commun 103	Public Speaking	3
Econ 103	Principles of Microeconomics	3
Econ 104	Principles of Macroeconomics	3
English 206	Technical Writing	3

Physics Major with Engineering Physics Emphasis

Physics 209	Physics I (Calculus Treatment)	4
Physics 214	Lab Physics I (Calculus Treatment)	1
Physics 210	Physics II (Calculus Treatment)	4
Physics 215	Lab Physics II (Calculus Treatment)	1
Physics 309	Physics III: Modern Physics	3
Physics 317	Thermodynamics	3
Physics 325	Optics	3
Physics 270	Introduction to Computational Physics	3
or
Physics 370	Computational Physics	3
Physics 408	Experiments in Linear Electronics	3
Physics 409	Modern Physics Lab	3
Physics 410	Optics Laboratory	3
Physics 411	Mechanics	4
Physics 421	Electricity and Magnetism	4
Physics 441	Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I	4
Physics 498	Undergraduate Seminar	1

14 credits at 300 level or above in any one of the following areas: Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Total

Students are advised strongly to take the following courses as part of their electives:

Chem 102	General Chemistry	5
Chem 104	General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis	5
Commun 103	Public Speaking	3
Econ 103	Principles of Microeconomics	3
Econ 104	Principles of Macroeconomics	3
English 206	Technical Writing	3

Physics Major with Business Concentration

Physics 209	Physics I (Calculus Treatment)	4
Physics 214	Lab Physics I (Calculus Treatment)	1
Physics 210	Physics II (Calculus Treatment)	4
Physics 215	Lab Physics II (Calculus Treatment)	1
Physics 270	Introduction to Computational Physics	3
Physics 309	Physics III: Modern Physics	3
Physics 317	Thermodynamics	3
Physics 325	Optics	3
Physics 408	Experiments in Linear Electronics	3
Physics 409	Modern Physics Lab	3
Physics 410	Optics Laboratory	3
Physics 411	Mechanics	4
Physics 421	Electricity and Magnetism	4
Physics 441	Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I	4
Physics 498	Undergraduate Seminar	1

General Business Minor

Total

Students are advised strongly to take the following courses as part of their electives:

Chem 102	General Chemistry	5
Chem 104	General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis	5
Commun 103	Public Speaking	3
English 206	Technical Writing	3

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. 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 421), 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, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Toronto

Bruce Allen, Prof., Ph.D.
Cambridge University

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

Donald E. Beck, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

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

Yutze Chow, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

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

Richard H. Dittman, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

John L. Friedman, Prof., Ph.D.
University of Chicago

Marija Gajardziska-Josifovska, Prof., Ph.D.
Arizona State University
Associate Dean, College of Letters and Science

Robert G. Greenler, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

Prasanjit Guptasarma, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Bombay, India

Carol Hirschmugl, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
Yale University

Moises Levy, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

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

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

Paul Lyman, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania

Richmond B. McQuistan, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

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

Leonard E. Parker, Distinguished Prof., Ph.D.
Harvard University

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., Chair
Oxford University

Bimal K. Sarma, Prof., Ph.D.
Northwestern University

Dale R. Snider, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

Richard S. Sorbello, Prof., Ph.D.
Stanford University

Shuk Yin Tong, Dist. Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

William L. Walters, Prof. Emeritus, Ph.D.

Michael Weinert, Prof., Ph.D.
Northwestern University

Alan Wiseman, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
Washington University

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

Vladislav Yakovlev, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
Moscow State University, Russia

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University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Undergraduate Catalog 2007-08-:
Physics
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