Physics Major With Engineering Emphasis

The Physics with Engineering Emphasis program allows students three options: (i) transfer after two years, (ii) complete a B.S. degree in four years, or (iii) participate in a 3-2 program with UW-Milwaukee to receive two B.S. degrees in five years. The first two options are addressed in the sample 4 year plan below, and the 3-2 program is addressed in more detail on our 3-2 agreement page.

The following table represents a typical 4 year plan for a physics major who wants to pursue an engineering career. This 4 year plan fulfills the requirements for a Bachelor of Science, a physics major and a mathematics minor, as well as the General Education courses required by the University for graduation. You may wish to view a table of course requirements to compare the physics coursework required for each of the four emphases of the physics major.

Term Course NameCredits TermCourse NameCredits
Fall 2002680-101 Freshmen English3 Spring 2003680-102 Freshmen English3
 760-152 Elementary Fuctions5  760-253 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I5
 800-170 Introductory Physics I 3  765-171 Introduction to Programming 3
 800-170 Introductory Physics I 3  800-172 Introductory Physics II 3
 900-120 US Experience in a World Context 3  800-173 Introductory Physics Laboratory I 1
     Elective3
 Total semester credits17  Total semester credits18
       
Fall 2003900-130 Individual and Society 3 Spring 2004 440-192 Personal Health and Fitness for Life1
 800-174 Introductory Physics III 3  800-221 Intermediate Laboratory 2
 800-175 Introductory Physics Laboratory II 1  800-303 Microprocessor Laboratory 2
 760-254 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II 5  760-255 Calculus and Analytic Geometry III 3
 800-310 Mechanics I 3  166-110 Speech3
 800-280 Engineering Mechanics: Statics 3  900-150 Science and Technology in Society 3
     800-282 Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics3
 Total semester credits18  Total semester credits17
       
Fall 2004800-320 Electricity and Megnetism I 3 Spring 2005640-104 Introductory Chemistry5
 640-102 Introductory Chemistry 5  900-390 The World Of Ideas 3
 760-280 Discrete Mathematics 3  800-330 Analog and Digital Electronics 3
 800-410 Modern Physics I 3  800-331 Analog and Digital Electronics Laboratory 1
 800-411 Modern Physics Laboratory I 1  760-301 Introduction to Analysis 3
 Any Health and Fitness course marked GP.5-1  760-355 Matrices and Linear Algebra 3
 Total semester credits15.5  Total semester credits18
       
Fall 2005800-354 Optics 3 Spring 2006800-364 Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory3
 800-355 Optics Laboratory 1  800-489 Physics Senior Seminar 1
 760-464 Advanced Calculus I 3  630-141 General Botany 5
 680-372 Technical and Scientific Writing 3  Any course from Diversity Course Options3
 760-361 Differential Equations 3  Elective3
 Elective3    
 Total semester credits16  Total semester credits15
For courses marked Elective, the student can choose any course marked GA, GH, GS, GE, or GI. For the Health and Fitness 1 credit requirement, the student may choose any course marked GP. These notations are marked next to the course name in the Undergraduate Catalog.

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Transferring to an Engineering School

UW-Whitewater students can take courses in general education, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering that will transfer into an engineering program at another school. Wisconsin schools of engineering which accept UW-Whitewater credits include:

Other engineering schools may also accept some or all credits earned at UW-Whitewater. In addition, UW - Whitewater has a joint pre-engineering program with UW - Platteville. Students who apply for this program have dual enrollment at UW-Whitewater and UW-Platteville. Application would normally occur within the first year of enrollment at UW-Whitewater. This is a different program than the 3-2 agreement with UW-Milwaukee and an engineering degree only is earned at UW-Platteville under this arrangement.


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Engineering, Physics, and Modern Technology

Engineering is the design and development of safe and economical production of materials, products, and structures important to society. Engineering includes fields such as mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering , civil and environmental engineering, industrial engineering, nuclear engineering, agricultural engineering, and materials science. Today's engineers need a firm science background in order to apply the methods and knowledge of science. A thorough knowledge of basic physical principles is essential to understanding technology. Consequently, physics, chemistry, and mathematics courses can serve as an excellent introduction to engineering and applied physics for students planning careers in the rapidly evolving fields of modern technology.

Students who plan graduate study in engineering or applied science may find it most expedient and pleasant to finish their four years at The University of Wisconsin - Whitewater with a major in physics and then to go on directly to a graduate program in their chosen field. Again, broad training in fundamentals more than compensates for lack of elementary engineering courses. This is demonstrated by past graduates who have been successful in the engineering and technology with a physics major with industry emphasis.

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UWW Physics Department Webmaster
menningk@uww.edu
Author: BJR 12/18/01