Physics-Engineering Dual Degree


The UW Oshkosh Physics-Engineering Dual Degree Program allows students to receive two degrees in 5 years:

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with a major in physics from UW Oshkosh
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Engineering from the University of Wisconsin Madison or University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

You’ll begin by taking a number of courses in physics, math, and general education courses. After successfully completing all program requirements, you can choose to transfer to either UW-Madison’s College of Engineering or UW-Milwaukee’s College of Engineering and Applied Science. Typically, students spend 3 years at UW Oshkosh and 2 years at the partner institution to complete the dual degree. Dual degree students are very competitive in the engineering job market as a result of a combined preparation in physics and engineering.

Course Requirements

In addition to all USP (general education) courses, physics-engineering dual degree students must take:

Physics 191 and 192 – General Physics, 10 cr.
Physics 206 – Modern Physics, 3 cr.
Physics 222 – Physics Lab I, 2 cr.
Math 171, 172, 273, and 371 – Calculus I-III, Differential Equations, 15 cr
Chemistry 105 and 106 – General Chemistry I-II, 10 cr.
Physics 320 – Classical Physics, 3 cr.

Additionally, student must take eleven (11) elective credits of upper-level physics (must include either Physics 417 or 419). Note: The five-year plan assumes Physics 109 and 110 are taken during the student’s freshmen year.

Sample Course Schedule

Curricular Requirements

Physics-engineering dual degree students must satisfy several curricular requirements:

  • Students must meet all course requirements for the University Studies Program (general education) and for the B.S. degree in the UW Oshkosh College of Letters and Science. Credits to satisfy general education requirements may be transferred back from the partner institution, but students are responsible for ensuring they meet the requirements.
  • Students must meet the grade point average requirements of UW Oshkosh with regard to the University Studies Program (general education) and courses taken in physics at UW Oshkosh.
  • Students must meet the UW Oshkosh requirement for 35 upper level course credits. Courses designated as upper level by the engineering school to which the student has transferred will be included in the upper level credit count to meet the UW Oshkosh requirement.
  • Typically, students will complete 90+ credits at UW Oshkosh before transferring to their engineering school of choice. If a student transfers courses into UW Oshkosh, the student will still be required to complete 30 credits of UW Oshkosh courses to qualify for the B.S. degree with a major in physics from UW Oshkosh.
  • A minimum of credits applied to the degree must be earned in UW Oshkosh courses (varies by partner institution.)
  • Within the course credits transferred back from the destination engineering school to UW Oshkosh there must be sufficient: (1) approved upper division physics and engineering courses for the student to have at least 36 credits in physics and engineering courses, including the required 29 credits of UW Oshkosh physics courses listed above, and (2) credits to meet the required minimum total of 120 credits and the 35 upper division credits required for graduation at UW Oshkosh.
  • The B.S. degree with a major in physics will be awarded after the student has transferred the necessary courses from the partner institution, met the requirements for a UW Oshkosh B.S. degree including the University Studies Program (general education program), and met the requirements for the physics major.
  • Note: The UW Oshkosh residency requirement stating that 15 of the student’s last 30 credits must be taken at UW Oshkosh will be waived for these students.

For complete details, see the current Undergraduate Bulletin for the Department of Physics Astronomy (2017-2019).

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

Physics & Astronomy

N. Halsey Science Center
Room 127 or 142
921 Elmwood Ave.

 

Department Chair

Dr. Nadia Kaltcheva
Room 337B
kaltchev@uwosh.edu

 

More contact information

Hours

Department Office Hours
Monday-Friday
7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

 

 

 

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