Permanent Working Catalog (Fall 2025 Draft In Progress)
Physics and Astronomy
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Mark Holdhusen, Chair
Room 381-D Wausau
Room 433 Marshfield
Room B-109 Science Building, Stevens Point
Phone: 715-346-3508
Email: physastr@uwsp.edu
Web: www.uwsp.edu/physastr
This department is in the School of Mathematics, Computing, Physics, and Astronomy within the COLLEGE OF LETTERS AND SCIENCE .
Faculty and Academic Staff: P Banerjee, A Durbala, M Farzaneh, B Hinaus, M Holdusen, K Menningen, A Steffen, C Verzani, S Zamfir.
Definitions: Astronomy investigates the nature of celestial objects such as stars, planets, and galaxies, including their magnitudes, motions, distances and periods of revolution.
Engineering applies the knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences to develop ways to use the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of society.
Physics is the branch of science that investigates the laws of motion and properties of matter. It is often divided into the sub-disciplines of mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, optics, atomic and nuclear physics.
Notes for Astronomy:
- You may not take both ASTR 100 and ASTR 311 for credit.
- If you take ASTR 205 or ASTR 206 , you may not subsequently take ASTR 100 for credit.
- You may take both ASTR 205 and ASTR 206 for GEP credit.
Notes for Physics:
- To major or minor in physics, you should register with the school office, B246 Science Building.
- PHYS 300 , PHYS 315 , PHYS 320 , PHYS 335 , PHYS 370 , PHYS 383 , PHYS 384 , PHYS 385 , PHYS 405 , PHYS 435 , and PHYS 470 are not offered every semester. See course description for details.
- You will not receive credit for a course if you have already successfully completed a similar or more advanced course in the same area. The following restrictions apply:
| If you received credit for: |
you cannot receive credit for: |
| PHYS 100 |
PHYS 101 |
| PHYS 101 |
PHYS 100 |
| PHYS 240 |
PHYS 100 , PHYS 101 , PHYS 201 , PHYS 203 |
| PHYS 201 |
PHYS 100 , PHYS 101 , PHYS 240 , PHYS 203 |
| PHYS 202 |
PHYS 100 , PHYS 101 , PHYS 204 , PHYS 250 |
| PHYS 203 |
PHYS 100 , PHYS 101 , PHYS 201 |
| PHYS 204 |
PHYS 100 , PHYS 101 , PHYS 202 , PHYS 250 |
| PHYS 250 |
PHYS 100 , PHYS 101 , PHYS 202 , PHYS 204 |
| PHYS 275 |
PHYS 300 |
| PHYS 300 |
PHYS 275 |
Academic Standards for Physics Major
- To be accepted as a physics major, register with the department office. To be retained and approved for graduation, you must have a 2.00 cumulative GPA in all courses in the major, regardless of any declaration of academic forgiveness.
- No more than one grade below C- in physics courses numbered 300 or above may be applied to the major.
- If you do not meet these standards, you may petition the department chair for consideration. See the Grade-related Policies section of this catalog for the policy on repeating courses.
- All upper division physics courses (300 and above) are open to all students who meet the prerequisites.
Academic Standards for Astronomy Minor
- To be accepted as an astronomy minor, you must have a minimum grade point average of 2.00, regardless of a declaration of academic forgiveness. The department may grant exceptions.
- No more than one grade below C- in astronomy and physics courses numbered 300 or above may be applied to the minor.
Test-Out and Credit-by-Exam Policy for Physics and Astronomy
We will offer test-out examinations for all General Education Program (GEP) requirement physics and astronomy. The exams will cover both lecture and laboratory topics.
If you wish to take a test-out exam, confer with the department chair who will arrange for a faculty member to administer and grade a comprehensive written exam. A passing grade will be at least five percent above the most recent class average. You will be informed of the required passing score before taking the exam. Results will be evaluated and (if appropriate) credit granted by the departmental Educational Policies Committee. You may not take an exam more than once.
Course credit can be granted for ASTR 205 , ASTR 206 , ASTR 311 ; PHYS 115 , PHYS 240 , PHYS 203 , PHYS 204 , PHYS 250 . Credit will NOT be granted for ASTR 100 or PHYS 100 or PHYS 101 , but the GEP requirement will be waived.
ProgramsBachelor DegreesPre-ProfessionalMinorsUndergraduate CertificatesAssociate DegreesCoursesAstronomyEngineeringPhysics
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