Undergraduate programs
Physics
Undergrad major Undergrad minor Teacher license Graduate degree Doctorate degreePhysicists study and uncover the fundamental rules of why and how things work, from quarks to galaxies. Physicists have uncovered some really weird and unexpected things about nature. But applying these principles of physics has transformed the way we interact with the world. Physics concepts are in action all around us — in computer chips, headphones, air bags, and many other everyday devices. It has also made a major impact in healthcare with medical diagnostics and treatments like MRIs and radiation therapy.
Areas of study
Applied Emphasis
The applied emphasis gives you theoretical background to focus on the experimental aspect of physics. While not an engineering degree, this emphasis requires the same basic classes as the Bachelor of Science in Physics & Bachelor of Science in Engineering Dual Degree Program.
Undergrad major View a sample plan for Applied Catalogfor AppliedAstronomy Emphasis
The science of astronomy applies principles of physics to everything beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Students use what they learn in core classical and modern physics courses to study the properties of stars, planets and exoplanets, white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes, other galaxies, dark matter, dark energy, and cosmology.
Undergrad major Undergrad minor View a sample plan for Astronomy Catalogfor AstronomyBiomedical Concentration
Do you like physics, mathematics, chemistry, and biology? Are you struggling to choose just one for a major? You don’t have to with the biomedical concentration! This physics concentration combines all of these subjects by providing a set of core courses and allowing you to choose the advanced courses you will take to prepare for your future. Whether you are looking ahead to the rigors of medical school, a program in medical physics, a future in biomedical engineering or other options, a biomedical concentration could be the perfect path for you.
Undergrad major View a sample plan for Biomedical Catalogfor BiomedicalBusiness Concentration
Combine physics with business to grow your problem-solving skills while expanding your background in business including economics, accounting, finance and marketing. This concentration requires the physics core courses and provides the flexibility to choose from 12 additional physics classes from a catalog of classes. The rest of the classes are taught in the College of Business Administration.
Undergrad major View a sample plan for Business Catalogfor BusinessComputational Physics Emphasis
Computational physics employs mathematics, computer science and physics to solve complex problems using computational methods.
Undergrad major View a sample plan for Computational Physics Catalogfor Computational PhysicsScience Education
Completion of the physics: science education concentration program and associated benchmark assessments will lead to endorsement for the Wisconsin teaching license in middle and high school science, grades 4-12 (2600). Students in all teacher education programs must satisfy the School of Education (SOE) core requirements.
Undergrad major Teacher license View a sample plan for Science Education Catalogfor Science EducationOptics Emphasis
From lasers and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to fiberoptics, microscopes, spectrometers and telescopes, optical instruments play a key role in how we live and study the universe around us. In this emphasis, students take specialized optics courses where they learn about the fundamental properties of light and how modern optical instruments work.
Undergrad major View a sample plan for Optics Catalogfor OpticsUndergrad dual degree
This is special dual degree program enables students to receive both a Bachelor of Science degree (physics major) from UWL and a Bachelor of Science degree (engineering major) from UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Platteville, UW-Stout, the University of Minnesota Duluth, or Winona State University. The total length of time for both degrees is expected to be five years.
Undergrad major Graduate degree View a sample plan for Undergrad dual degree Catalogfor Undergrad dual degreeGraduate dual degree
This dual degree program enables students to receive both a Bachelor of Science degree (physics major with biomedical concentration) and a graduate degree (physical therapy) from UWL. The total length of time for both degrees is expected to be six years.
Undergrad major Graduate degree Doctorate degree View a sample plan for Graduate dual degree Catalogfor Graduate dual degree