An understanding of the physical universe informs many disciplines. The study of physics is essential to understanding nature and to advancing technology. A certificate in Physics increases the opportunities for students to become better informed on technological issues at the local, state, national, and international levels.
The certificate is designed to serve students majoring in biological fields, Chemistry, or Mathematics, Engineering, Education and other fields who wish to extend their study of physics beyond what may be required or recommended for their major.
How to Get in
To declare a certificate in physics, students must fill out a major/certificate declaration form. An undergraduate physics advisor must sign the form. The form to declare the certificate can be obtained at the Physics departmental office. All undergraduate students are eligible to declare the certificate, except those declared in the following majors:
- Physics,
- Astronomy-Physics, and
- Applied Mathematics, Engineering, and Physics (AMEP)
Requirements
The physics certificate requires 18 credits of Intermediate or Advanced-level undergraduate PHYSICS courses, with the following restrictions:
- At least 9 of the credits must be in residence.
- At most one course from each of the three semesters of an introductory sequence can be counted.
- At most 3 credits of directed study can be counted.
- Only graded courses may be used toward the certificate.
- A minimum grade point average of 2.000 is required in all certificate courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Introductory Course (complete only one): | 5 | |
| A Modern Introduction to Physics (recommended) | ||
| General Physics | ||
| General Physics | ||
| Statics and Dynamics 1 | ||
| Second Introductory Course (complete only one): | 5 | |
| A Modern Introduction to Physics (recommended) 2 | ||
| General Physics | ||
| General Physics | ||
| Third Introductory Course (complete only one): | 3-4 | |
| A Modern Introduction to Physics (recommended) 2 | ||
| Modern Physics for Engineers | ||
| Introduction to Solid State Electronics | ||
| Introduction to Modern Physics | ||
| Directed Study (optional, maximum 3 credits) | 0-3 | |
| Directed Study | ||
| Directed Study | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Thesis | ||
| Senior Thesis | ||
| Additional Intermediate and Advanced PHYSICS courses | 1-5 | |
| Introduction to Medical Physics | ||
| Physics Today | ||
| Intermediate Laboratory-Mechanics and Modern Physics | ||
| Mechanics | ||
| Electric Circuits and Electronics | ||
| Electromagnetic Fields | ||
| Electromagnetic Fields | ||
| Optics | ||
| Machine Learning in Physics | ||
| Acoustics for Musicians | ||
| Special Topics in Physics | ||
| Advanced Laboratory | ||
| Thermal Physics | ||
| Atomic and Quantum Physics | ||
| Atomic and Quantum Physics | ||
| Radiation Physics and Dosimetry | ||
| Introduction to Plasmas | ||
| Plasma Confinement and Heating | ||
| Introduction to Quantum Mechanics | ||
| Introduction to Particle Physics | ||
| Introduction to Atomic Structure | ||
| Solid State Physics | ||
| Microscopy of Life | ||
| Electronic Aids to Measurement | ||
| Applied Optics | ||
| Radiation Production and Detection | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
- 1
A maximum of 5 credits from E M A 201 and E M A 202 count toward the 18 credits required for the certificate.
- 2
Students may not transfer into the PHYSICS 247 - PHYSICS 248 - PHYSICS 249 sequence from another introductory sequence.
Certificate Completion Requirement
This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand basic physical principles.
- Solve problems proficiently using both quantitative and qualitative applications of these physical principles.
- Know how to perform quantitative measurements of physical phenomena and understand the statistical significance of observations made in the presence of statistical and systematic uncertainties.
- Be prepared for graduate study and/or careers in STEM fields.
- Communicate effectively with scientific peers and the public, both orally and in writing.
Advising and Careers
Physics Undergraduate Advisors
Evan Heintz
Professor Tulika Bose
Professor Deniz Yavuz
Scheduling an Advising Appointment with a Physics Major Advisor
To meet with a Physics major advisor, you may either email physics-advisors@wisc.edu or contact them directly.
Read more at physics.wisc.edu/undergraduate/certificate-in-physics
SuccessWorks
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.
Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.
- What you can do with your major (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
- Make a career advising appointment
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students