UW - La Crosse Physics Department

Physics Degree Programs

Physics Major (non-emphasis)
The information below delineates the required and suggested courses needed
to complete a physics major at UW-La Crosse. A four-year sample schedule is
also included. A different set of courses will be required if you are
taking the physics major with a specific emphasis. Consult the current
undergraduate catalog for detailed information.

Required Physics Courses
Fundamental Physics I or General Physics I
Fundamental Physics II or General Physics II
Modern Physics
Experimental Physics
Optics and Optics Laboratory
Classical Mechanics
Electronics
Electrodynamics
Thermodynamics
Quantum Mechanics
Physics electives (nine credits required)

Suggested Courses (must take 18 credits for core req.)
General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II
Software Design I
Calculus I
Calculus II
Calculus III
Calculus IV
Differential Equations
Mathematical Physics
Complex Analysis

In a addition there are general education requirements.

Sample 4-Year Schedule

Year One (freshman year)

Semester One (16 credits) Credits
PHY 203 General Physics I 4
MTH 207 Calculus I 5
ENG 110 College Writing I 3
HST 151 World History to 1500 3
PHY 497 Physics and Astronomy Seminar 1

Semester Two (15 credits)
PHY 204 General Physics II 4
MTH 208 Calculus II 4
SPC 110 Essentials of Speech Communication 3
SAH 105 Health and Physical Well Being 3
PHY 497 Physics and Astronomy Seminar 1

Year Two (sophomore year)

Semester One (15 credits) Credits
PHY 250 Modern Physics 3
PHY 311 Experimental Physics (writing emphasis) 2
MTH 309 Calculus III 4
ART 102 Art Appreciation 2
ECO 110 MicroEconomics and Public Policy 3
PHY 497 Physics and Astronomy Seminar 1

Semester Two (15 credits)
PHY 302 Optics 3
PHY 303 Optics Laboratory (writing emphasis) 1
MTH 310 Calculus IV 4
ENG 201 American Literature I 3
ECO 120 Global MacroEconomics 3
PHY 497 Physics and Astronomy Seminar 1

Year Three (junior year)

Semester One (15 credits) Credits
PHY 321 Classical Mechanics 3
PHY 335 Electronics 4
MTH 353 Differential Equations 3
CHM 103 General Chemistry I 5

Semester Two (15 credits)
PHY 332 Electrodynamics 3
PHY 343 Thermodynamics 3
CHM 104 General Chemistry II 5
C-S 120 Software Design I 4

Year Four (senior year)

Semester One (14 credits) Credits
PHY 498 Physics and Astronomy Research 2
Physics Elective 3
MUS 105 Music Appreciation 2
Elective 3
MTH 250 Statistics 3

Semester Two (15 credits)
PHY 401 Quantum Mechanics 3
W-S 100 Introduction to Women's Studies 3
Elective 2
Math Elective 3
PHY 498 Physics and Astronomy Research 3

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