Mission

The Department of Physics and Astronomy, as a member of the College of Letters and Science, strives to aid students to:

1. understand, effectively use, and appreciate the process of learning;
2. recognize the complexity of problems and develop creative solutions; and
3. join a community of teachers, scholars, and students who endeavor to higher standards of achievement.

As a science department, we regard our mission to also include:

1. exposing students to scientific methods for evaluating physical evidence or information;
2. helping students understand and apply the process of building and testing scientific hypotheses and theories; and
3. fostering the development of students’ critical thinking skills, such as the ability to draw conclusions, infer relationships, solve problems, and make predictions about the physical world.

In addition to the above, as a department of physics and astronomy we are committed to providing:

1. a rigorous and effective curriculum for physics majors and minors, with sufficient depth of study for students to successfully pursue physics, astronomy, or engineering at the graduate level, or to embark on a career in technology or science education;
2. effective and relevant service courses for the many students whose majors or career goals require physics or astronomy courses;
3. effective and engaging courses for the many students who choose to take physics or astronomy courses as part of the breadth of a liberal arts education;
4. educational experiences in physics and astronomy, for Central Wisconsin and beyond, through public outreach, 
5. opportunities for student and faculty engagement in research; and
6. an understanding of how physics and astronomy relate to the individual and to society.
   

Vision

The Department of Physics & Astronomy aspires to provide

1. inspiring, enriching, and effective programs of study in physics and astronomy for all UWSP learners;
2. outstanding undergraduate-level preparation for those planning careers in astronomy, physics, physics education, and related areas;
3. a wealth of opportunities for collaborative student/faculty research;
4. broad educational outreach to Central Wisconsin and beyond.