About Our Department

• The Department
• Opportunities
• Facilities and Resources
• Scholarships

The Department

• One of 13 departments within the College of Letters and Science, the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point offers coursework leading to the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in physics. In addition to the traditional physics major designed to provide a firm basis for graduate study, the Department offers physics majors which emphasize applied mechanics or applied electronics, as well as a major leading to secondary school teacher certification.
• An academic minor is also available in physics. Numerous courses in astronomy are offered at the introductory and advanced level. Pre-professional fields of study, such as engineering and medicine, are serviced by designated courses in physics.

Opportunities

• The many accomplishments of recent graduates provide a sense of the academic opportunities available within our Department. During their undergraduate careers, students are encouraged to pursue a variety of research interests. Many of our graduating seniors have co-authored published articles in refereed scientific journals while several others presented talks at national meetings describing the results of their undergraduate research projects. Approximately half of our graduating seniors accept fellowships or assistantships for advanced study at institutions across the country.
• As a supplement to coursework and research experiences offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy, our students have been quite successful in national competition for summer internships. In recent years, our junior and senior level students have participated in a variety of summer programs at institutions such as Argonne and Brookhaven National Laboratories, Marshfield Clinic, Lucent Technologies, and the Universities of Notre Dame, Minnesota, Rochester, and Nevada-Las Vegas.
• Physics majors at UW-Stevens Point enjoy unparalleled access to international programming, including academic coursework at sites worldwide, London internships, and short travel courses covering specialized topics.
• Many students within the Department are employed in relevant positions during the course of their studies. Research assistants, tutors, graders, planetarium staff members, and laboratory assistants are routinely hired by the Department. In addition, special scholarships provide financial support to a number of students in physics and astronomy.

Facilities and Resources

• Seven large teaching laboratories are well-equipped for the study of astronomy, mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Advanced fundamental research is conducted in the areas of astronomy, condensed matter, optics and lasers.
• The condensed matter laboratories provide analytical capabilities employing x-ray diffraction, electrical conductivity, and tensiometry.
• The Femtosecond Laser Laboratory houses a 5-watt argon-ion laser that is used to "pump" a Ti:sapphire laser capable of producing 10-femtosecond laser pulses.
• The Department operates a planetarium as an instructional tool for university classes as well as a public resource serving all of central Wisconsin. An observatory atop the Science Building houses a 16-inch reflecting telescope used for both student research projects and public viewing sessions. Several smaller telescopes are also available.
• UWSP belongs to a consortium of research institutions that have contracted with Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Arizona, to operate their 0.9-meter telescope.  As a participating member of the consortium, UWSP faculty and students are guaranteed observing time on specified dates throughout the calendar year.
• Many items of research equipment are fabricated in the machine shop operated by the Department. In addition, an electronics shop staffed by a skilled technician provides technical support for a variety of courses and projects.

Scholarships

• The Department administers several scholarships for students studying physics. Students are awarded these scholarships on the basis of academic achievement and scholastic merit.
• The Arthur Pejsa Aerospace Scholarship in the amount $1000 is annually given by the faculty to a student with an interest in aerospace science.
• The Monica E. Bainter Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a continuing junior level student majoring in physics. The primary criterion for this scholarship is demonstrated academic excellence, particularly in the study of physics. The recipient is selected by the faculty. The award ranges in value up to $1500.
• Additional Bainter Scholarships are awarded to students majoring or minoring in physics. The primary criterion for awarding these scholarships is demonstrated academic excellence, especially in the study of physics or astronomy. Financial need is also considered. Generally, two or three recipients are selected annually by the faculty. These awards are typically $500.
• Freshman Scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen who intend to major in physics. The primary criterion is academic performance in high school, particularly in science. Recipients are selected by the faculty and award amounts range in value up to $1000.