Astronomy Courses
History of astronomy; planets; stellar evolution, nucleosynthesis; death of stars: white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes; galaxies and quasars; expansion of the universe, dark matter; the big bang.
Prerequisites: math placement level 10.
General Education Requirements: NS
Last Taught: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016.
Observations of planets, stars, stellar clusters, and galaxies; related experiments. Correlated with Astron 103.
Prerequisites: Astron 103(C) or Astron 211(C).
General Education Requirements: NS+
Last Taught: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016.
Space: how we know and what we know; the solar system, stars, galaxies, and the universe. 2 hrs lec, lab.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: NS+
Last Taught: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2015, Fall 2013.
Specific topics are announced in the Schedule of Classes each time the class is offered.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: NS
Course Rules: Open only to freshmen. Students may earn cr in just one L&S First-Year Sem (course numbers 192, 193, 194).
Last Taught: Spring 2006, Fall 2001, Spring 2001, Fall 2000.
For further information, consult dept chair.
Prerequisites: 2.5 gpa; writ cons instr, dept chair & asst dean for SAS.
Course Rules: May be retaken to 6 cr max.
Light and matter; planets; stellar evolution, nucleosynthesis; death of stars; white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes; galaxies, quasars; expansion of universe, dark matter; big bang.
Prerequisites: Physics 120(P) or 209(P) or cons instr.
General Education Requirements: NS
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2015, Fall 2013.
Application of basic principles of astronomy in a research, business, organizational, educational, political, or other appropriate setting.
Prerequisites: intro course in astron; 2.25 gpa; cons supervising faculty member.
Course Rules: One cr earned for academic work based on 40 hours in internship. May be retaken to 6 cr max.
Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem. May be retaken w/chg in topic.
Prerequisites: none; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.
Last Taught: Fall 2007.
Introductory astrophysics for students with junior-/senior-level background in mathematics and physics. Light and matter; stars and the sun; extrasolar planets; compact objects.
Prerequisites: Astron 103(P) or 211(P) or cons instr; Physics 309(P); Physics 317(R) recom.
Last Taught: Fall 2016, Fall 2014, Fall 2012, Fall 2010.
Continuation of Astron 400; for students with junior-/senior-level background in mathematics and physics. The Milky Way Galaxy; galactic evolution; structure of the Universe; cosmology.
Prerequisites: Astron 400(300)(P).
Last Taught: Spring 2017, Spring 2015, Spring 2013, Spring 2011.
Application of advanced principles of astronomy in a research, business, organizational, educational, political, or other appropriate setting.
Prerequisites: jr st; 300-level or above course in astron; 2.25 gpa; cons supervising faculty member.
Course Rules: One cr earned for academic work based on 40 hours in internship. May be retaken to 6 cr max.
Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem.
Prerequisites: jr st; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.
Last Taught: Spring 2006.
Physics Courses
Introductory course in general physics designed for the student with little or no previous science training.
Prerequisites: Math Placement Level 10.
Course Rules: Fee for 3 cr assessed. Not open to students w/cr in Physics 110(ER), 120(ER), or 209(ER).
Last Taught: Spring 2015, Fall 2014, Spring 2014, Fall 2013.
Selected topics for citizens in a technological world. Emphasis on those aspects of science important to an understanding of our surroundings. For non-science majors.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: NS
Course Rules: May not be taken conc with or after having taken Physics 120(ER) or 209(ER).
Last Taught: Summer 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Summer 2017.
Experiments correlated with Physics 107.
Prerequisites: Physics 107(C).
General Education Requirements: NS+
Last Taught: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016.
An introductory course without laboratory for students in health-related pre-professional programs. Topics include mechanics, fluids, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, electrical devices, optics, and radioactivity. 3 hrs lec, 1 hr dis.
Prerequisites: H.S. general science; Math Placement Level 20.
General Education Requirements: NS
Course Rules: May not be taken conc with or after having taken Physics 120(ER) or 209(ER).
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Spring 2016, Fall 2015.
Mechanics, wave motion, heat, and sound. 3 hrs lec, 2 hrs dis.
Prerequisites: Math Placement Level 30 or grade of C or better in Physics 100(P); HS trig or Physics 100 strongly recom.
General Education Requirements: NS
Course Rules: Any combination of Physics 120, 121, 209, 214, 219 carries max 5 cr toward graduation.
Last Taught: Summer 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Summer 2017.
Experiments correlated with lecture material of Physics 120.
Prerequisites: Physics 120(C).
General Education Requirements: NS+
Course Rules: Any combination of Physics 120, 121, 209, 214, 219 carries max 5 cr toward graduation.
Last Taught: Summer 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Summer 2017.
Electricity, optics, modern physics. 3 hrs lec, 2 hrs dis.
Prerequisites: Physics 120(NP).
General Education Requirements: NS
Course Rules: Any combination of Physics 122, 123, 210, 215, 220 carries 5 cr max toward graduation.
Last Taught: Summer 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Summer 2017.
Experiments on topics related to the lecture material of Physics 122.
Prerequisites: Physics 122(C).
General Education Requirements: NS+
Course Rules: Any combination of Physics 122, 123, 210, 215, 220 carries 5 cr max toward graduation.
Last Taught: Summer 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Summer 2017.
Simple machines; work, energy and power; heating and cooling; static electricity and elementary electrical circuits; waves. 2 hrs lec; 2 hrs lab/dis.
Prerequisites: Math 175(P) & cons instr.
General Education Requirements: NS+
Course Rules: Not open for cr to students with cr in Physics courses numbered 110 or above.
Last Taught: Spring 2014, Spring 2013, Spring 2012, Spring 2011.
The specific topics are announced in the Schedule of Classes each time the class is offered.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: NS
Course Rules: Open only to freshmen. Students may earn cr in just one L&S First-Year Sem (course numbers 192, 193, 194).
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013.
For further information, consult dept chair.
Prerequisites: 2.5 gpa; writ cons instr, dept chair & asst dean for SAS.
Course Rules: May be retaken to 6 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2016, Spring 2008, Fall 2003.
Selected topics in mechanics, wave motion, sound, and heat. 3 hrs lec, 2 hrs dis.
Prerequisites: Math 227(C), 228(C), or 232(C).
General Education Requirements: NS
Course Rules: Any combination of Physics 120, 121, 209, 214, 219 carries max 5 cr toward graduation.
Last Taught: Summer 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Summer 2017.
Continuation of Physics 209. Electromagnetic field theory and optics. 3 hrs lec, 2 hrs dis.
Prerequisites: grade of C- or better in Physics 209(NP); Math 229(C) or 233(C).
General Education Requirements: NS
Course Rules: Any combination of Physics 122, 123, 210, 215, 220 carries max 5 cr toward graduation.
Last Taught: Summer 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Summer 2017.
Experiments in mechanics, wave motion, heat, and thermodynamics. 3 hrs lab.
Prerequisites: Physics 209(C).
General Education Requirements: NS+
Course Rules: Any combination of Physics 120, 121, 209, 214, 219 carries 5 cr max toward graduation.
Last Taught: Summer 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Summer 2017.
Experiments in electricity, magnetism, and optics. 3 hrs lec.
Prerequisites: Physics 210(C).
General Education Requirements: NS+
Course Rules: Any combination of Physics 122, 123, 210, 215, 220 carries 5 cr max toward graduation.
Last Taught: Summer 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Summer 2017.
Basic kinematics; Newton. Selected topics in mechanics, wave motion, sound, and heat. 8 hrs lec/lab.
Prerequisites: Math 227(C), 228(C), or 232(C).
General Education Requirements: NS+
Course Rules: Not open to students w/cr in Physics 209. Any combination of Physics 120, 121, 209, 214, 219 carries max 5 cr toward graduation.
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015.
Electromagnetic field theory and optics.
Prerequisites: grade of C or better in Physics 219(NP); Math 229(C) or 233(C).
General Education Requirements: NS+
Course Rules: Not open to students w/cr in Physics 210. Any combination of Physics 122, 123, 210, 215, 220 carries max 5 cr toward graduation.
Last Taught: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016.
Study of how the laws of physics (particularly 1st and 2nd Laws of Thermodynamics) limit society's options in dealing with scarcity of utilizable energy.
Prerequisites: H.S. algebra; Physics 107(P), 110(P), 120(P), or 209(P).
Use of computers to solve physics problems, including particle collisions, chaotic systems, planetary motion, and other topics related to relativity and quantum mechanics.
Prerequisites: Physics 209(P); Math 233(C).
Last Taught: Spring 2008, Fall 2006, Fall 2005, Fall 2004.
Application of basic principles of physics in a research, business, organizational, educational, political, or other appropriate setting.
Prerequisites: intro course in physics; 2.25 gpa; cons supervising faculty member.
Course Rules: One cr earned for academic work based on 40 hours in internship. May be retaken to 6 cr max.
Undergraduate research participation in a project developed with a supervising member of the faculty or staff.
Prerequisites: acceptance into UROP; prior or conc reg in UROP seminar.
Course Rules: One cr for 45 hrs research. May be retaken to 9 cr max in any combination of UROP apprenticeship courses.
Last Taught: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2014.
Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work.
Prerequisites: acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.
Last Taught: Spring 2015, Summer 2011, Spring 2010, Fall 2009.
Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem.
Prerequisites: none; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.
Last Taught: Fall 1994, Fall 1991, Spring 1991, Fall 1990.
Applications of physics to living systems & medical diagnostics. 3 hrs lec.
Prerequisites: grade of B+ or better in Physics 209(P). (Conc reg in Physics 210 strongly recom).
Course Rules: Primarily for premed students and others in the medical & biological sciences. Approved for Premed Stds Cert Prog.
Last Taught: Spring 2011, Fall 2004, Spring 2003, Spring 2002.
Physical foundations of cellular phenomena; physical laws of complex biological systems; imaging and instrumentation for biophysics. 3 hrs lec.
Prerequisites: Physics 122(P) or 210(P); Chemistry 104(P) or 105(P).
Course Rules: Approved for Premed Stds Cert Prog.
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2015, Fall 2010, Spring 2009.
Elementary quantum physics, atomic and molecular physics, solid state and nuclear physics.
Prerequisites: Physics 210(NP); Math 234(C).
General Education Requirements: QLB
Course Rules: Not open for cr to students who have had Physics 341.
Last Taught: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016.
Classical thermodynamics, including entropy, the use of thermodynamic potentials, and applications to pressure-volume and other systems. Some basic statistical physics may be included.
Prerequisites: Physics 210(NP).
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Spring 2016, Spring 2015.
Geometric and physical optics, image formation, interference, diffraction, polarization, optical instruments, resolving power, coherence, lasers, holography. Selected experiments in optics. Studio-format course.
Prerequisites: Math 234(P) & Physics 309(C) or cons instr.
Course Rules: Counts as repeat of Physics 325 & 2 cr of Physics 410.
Last Taught: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015.
Basic principles of condensed-matter physics. Crystals and amorphous materials; bonding; magnetic, thermal, and transport properties; band theory.
Prerequisites: Physics 309(P) or Chem 311(P).
Course Rules: Counts as repeat of Physics 499 w/same topic.
Solutions to various physics problems. Applications (both analytical and numerical) from mechanics, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, astrophysics, condensed matter physics.
Prerequisites: Physics 210(NP); Math 234(C) or ElecEng 234(C); or cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Fall 2015, Fall 2014.
Selected topics concerning history and the nature of physics as an intellectual discipline.
Prerequisites: soph st; Honors 200(P); cons Honors College dir.
General Education Requirements: NS
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max. No cr toward major.
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2013, Fall 2011.
Independent research for undergraduates on faculty-supervised research projects.
Prerequisites: Physics 309(P)); 3.25 GPA in physics courses; cons instr.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic to 6 cr max; non-repeatable for change of grade.
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016, Spring 2016.
Microscopy and spectroscopy methods for identification of chemical composition introducing interdisciplinary opportunities in fundamental and industrial applications.
Prerequisites: Bio Sci 150(P) & 152(P); or Physics 209(P) & 210(P); or Chem 102(P) & 104(P); or Chem 105(P).
Last Taught: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2014.
Transistor and integrated circuit characteristics; electronic measurement and control.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 210(P).
Course Rules: No cr for students w/cr in ElecEng 330(R).
Last Taught: Fall 2015, Spring 2014, Spring 2012, Fall 2008.
Selected experiments in modern physics using advanced lab instrumentation.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 309(P) or cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2014.
Kinematics, vector analysis, conservation laws, oscillations, variational methods, chaos, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 210(NP).
Last Taught: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015.
Electrostatics, capacitance, boundary value problems, mulipole expansion, dielectrics, magnetostatics, vector potential, magnetic properties of matter, motional emf, inductance, Maxwell's equations in differential form.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 210(NP); a grade of B- or better in Math 321(P); or Math 321(P) and a grade of B- or better in Physics 370(P); or grad st.
Course Rules: Counts as repeat of 2 cr of Physics 421.
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2016.
Electrostatics, capacitance, boundary value problems, mulipole expansion, dielectrics, magnetostatics, vector potential, magnetic properties of matter, motional emf, inductance, Maxwell's equations in differential form.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 210(NP); a grade of B- or better in Math 321(P); or Math 321(P) and a grade of B- or better in Physics 370(P); or grad st.
Course Rules: Counts as repeat of 2 cr of Physics 421.
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2016.
Conservation laws in electrodynamics, Maxwell's stress tensor, electromagnetic waves, absorption, dispersion, reflection and transmission of plane electromagnetic waves, wave guides, retarded potentials, radiation, electrodynamics and relativity.
Prerequisites: jr st, Physics 420(P); or grad st.
Course Rules: Counts as repeat of 2 cr of Physics 421.
Last Taught: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015.
Historical background and experimental basis, De Broglie waves, correspondence principle, uncertainty principle, Schroedinger equation; hydrogen atom, electron spin, Pauli Principle, applications of wave mechanics.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 309(NP); Math 321(C).
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2016.
Historical background and experimental basis, De Broglie waves, correspondence principle, uncertainty principle, Schroedinger equation; hydrogen atom, electron spin, Pauli Principle, applications of wave mechanics.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 309(NP); Math 321(C).
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2016.
Continuation of Physics 441, emphasizing perturbation theory and applications to multi-electron systems, including atoms, molecules, and solids.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 441(NP).
Last Taught: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015.
Application of advanced principles of physics in a research, business, organizational, educational, political, or other appropriate setting.
Prerequisites: jr st; 300-level or above course in Physics; 2.25 gpa; cons supervising faculty member.
Course Rules: One cr earned for academic work based on 40 hrs in internship. May be retaken to 6 cr max.
Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work.
Prerequisites: jr st; acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.
Last Taught: Fall 2014, Spring 1998, Fall 1997.
Talks by faculty, visitors, and students on topics of current interest in physics, astronomy, and other science and engineering fields.
Prerequisites: sr st; Physics 411(C), 421(C), or 441(C).
Course Rules: Cr/no cr only.
Last Taught: Fall 2010, Spring 2010, Fall 2009, Spring 2009.
Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem.
Prerequisites: jr st; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.
Last Taught: Spring 2013, Spring 2011, Spring 2007, Spring 2004.
Selected topics in mathematics for study of the techniques and procedures for stating physical problems in mathematical terms and the physical interpretation of mathematical solutions.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 210(P); Math 234(P).
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2016.
Selected topics in mathematics for study of the techniques and procedures for stating physical problems in mathematical terms and the physical interpretation of mathematical solutions.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 210(P); Math 234(P).
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2016.
More selected topics in mathematical models.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 210(P); Math 234(P). Physics 501(R).
Last Taught: Spring 2007, Spring 2006, Spring 2005, Spring 2003.
Brief survey of thermodynamics; statistical mechanics; classical and quantum gases.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 317(P) & 441(P).
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2016.
Brief survey of thermodynamics; statistical mechanics; classical and quantum gases.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 317(P) & 441(P).
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2016.
Relativistic kinematics, the Lorentz transformation, tensor calculus, applications to motion of particles, electromagnetism.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 411(R) & 421(R).
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2014.
Relativistic kinematics, the Lorentz transformation, tensor calculus, applications to motion of particles, electromagnetism.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 411(R) & 421(R).
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2014.
Vector and Hilbert spaces; Schroedinger equation in 1, 2, and 3 dimensions; systems of many particles; symmetries; angular momentum.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 441(P).
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2016.
Vector and Hilbert spaces; Schroedinger equation in 1, 2, and 3 dimensions; systems of many particles; symmetries; angular momentum.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 441(P).
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2016.
Continuation of 531. Spin; hydrogen atom; variational methods; WKB approximation; perturbation theory; scattering theory; Dirac equation.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 531(P).
Last Taught: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015.
Accelerators and detectors; special unitary groups; quark model of hadrons; Feynman diagrams; electromagnetic, weak and strong interactions of quarks and leptons; Higgs boson.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 441(P).
Last Taught: Fall 2011, Fall 2009, Spring 2002, Spring 1998.
Crystal structure, reciprocal lattice; crystal binding; elastic waves; phonons, lattice vibrations; thermal properties of insulators; free electron Fermi gas. Band structure; semiconductor crystals; Fermi surface.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 441(P) or cons instr.
Last Taught: Fall 2016, Fall 2014.
Crystal structure, reciprocal lattice; crystal binding; elastic waves; phonons, lattice vibrations; thermal properties of insulators; free electron Fermi gas. Band structure; semiconductor crystals; Fermi surface.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 441(P) or cons instr.
Last Taught: Fall 2016, Fall 2014.
Viscous and molecular flow, vacuum materials and seals, metal-to-ceramic seals, evaporation and vapor pressures, vacuum pumps, vacuum gauges, mass spectrographs, chemical reactions at surfaces, outgassing.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 441(P).
Last Taught: Spring 2011, Fall 2003, Fall 2000, Spring 1991.
Cell structure and the molecular basis of life. Molecular and cellular interactions. Supracellular organization, signaling, and communication. Selfsimilarity and cooperativity.
Prerequisites: jr st, Physics 210(P), & writ cons instr; or grad st.
Participants critique lectures, videotapes of experienced teachers, each other; address conceptual problems facing beginning students; gain familiarity with demonstrations, classroom technology; discuss their own classes.
Prerequisites: appt as undergrad TA or grad st.
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2016.
Participants critique lectures, videotapes of experienced teachers, each other; address conceptual problems facing beginning students; gain familiarity with demonstrations, classroom technology; discuss their own classes.
Prerequisites: appt as undergrad TA or grad st.
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2016.
Transport, superconductivity, dielectric properties, ferroelectric crystals, magnetism, magnetic resonance, optical phenomena in insulators, nanostructures, non-crystalline solids, point defects, alloys, dislocations.
Prerequisites: jr st; Physics 551(P).
Last Taught: Spring 2015, Spring 2013, Spring 2011, Spring 2009.
Diffraction, imaging, and spectroscopy methods for study of morphology, crystallinity, and composition of solids in a transmission electron microscope.
Prerequisites: sr st; Physics 551(P) or cons instr.
Last Taught: Fall 2012, Fall 2009, Spring 2004, Spring 2001.
Enrichment of students' physics background. Work with faculty mentor to develop an innovative teaching program for use in students' own classroom.
Prerequisites: sr st; current teaching contract.
Course Rules: Open only to practicing science teachers with demonstrable expertise in physics. May be retaken to 9 cr max.
Last Taught: Summer 2010, Summer 2009, Summer 2007.
Independent reading or research under supervision of faculty member. Study proposal required. For further information, consult dept chair or undergrad advising coord.
Prerequisites: jr st; 2.5 GPA; writ cons instr, dept chair, & asst dean for SAS.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic to 6 cr max.
Last Taught: Summer 2018, Fall 2016, Summer 2015, Fall 2008.