Physics - Astrophysics Emphasis
Explore the vast cosmos and develop highly-marketable skills that will prepare you for a variety of careers.
Discover the Wonders of the Universe
We'll help you answer some of the biggest questions in the universe while developing practical and desirable skills. Learn to code, perform experiments, and analyze astronomical data. Our faculty are experts in their field and are here to provide guidance and a stellar education.
In fact, our physics and astronomy department was one of eight departments selected nationally by the American Institute of Physics as a case study for the best practices of physics higher education, with a record of success in preparing students for careers in STEM. What the case study found was something that we've always known about our university: the student-centered atmosphere, dedicated faculty, research opportunities and mentoring, and excellent advising set this program apart.
What you do next is up to you! Some astrophysics graduates choose to start their own businesses, leveraging their scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills to develop innovative products or services. Others dive into research and academia, science communication, finance or even aerospace engineering. No matter your career path, you'll leave UW-Eau Claire well-prepared to achieve your goals.
Program Details
While pursuing your degree in physics, you'll have direct access to outstanding academic facilities, such as the UWEC supercomputer cluster, Hobbs Observatory, an optics research lab, the Materials Science and Engineering Center, an electron microscopy lab, and an electronics lab. There, you can use real-world technology such as a 24-inch reflecting telescope, an atomic force microscope, a scanning tunneling electron microscope, and an X-ray diffractometer.
As a graduate of our physics program, you'll gain critical skills, including the ability to effectively initiate new ideas, conduct research, analyze data, develop theories, and solve problems. You'll also gain experience using sophisticated technology and applying physical and mathematical principles across disciplines — making you an extremely versatile employee. Learn to program in Python, develop computational skills, and take advantage of working with our data science faculty all while completing your major.
UW-Eau Claire consistently offers students the chance to learn and refine their craft in the real world. Be a part of a service-learning project over spring break, mentor an international student majoring in physics, hear from international experts and speakers, study abroad in Scotland, or attend one of the 200 universities that participate in the National Student Exchange program.
Graduates leave UW-Eau Claire ready to hit the ground running. Thanks to the program's "learn by doing" approach, you'll be able to convert a physical situation into a mathematical model; use measurement technology, computational tools and statistical techniques to collect and analyze data; and use physical principles to model astronomical objects and to explain observations of astronomical objects — all before you even graduate.
Blugold Stories
Where can the astrophysics program lead me after graduation?
The versatility of an astrophysics degree means there are countless opportunities in a variety of fields, allowing you to consider your own interests, strengths, and goals to determine which path aligns best with your aspirations. Whether your passionate about research and academia or data analysis and technology, the possibilities are endless. A degree in astrophysics can open doors to roles in observatories and space agencies such as NASA or ESA, the aerospace industry, and even finance.
If you enjoy explaining complex scientific concepts to others, you can pursue a career in science communication. This may involve writing articles, hosting science podcasts, creating educational content, or working as a science journalist to make astrophysics accessible to the public. Your knowledge of astrophysics can also be valuable in shaping science policy and advising government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies on matters related to space exploration, research funding, and scientific initiatives.
Example Careers
- Research scientist
- Data scientist
- Aerospace engineer
- Science communicator/writer
- Software engineer
- Educator
- Financial analyst
- Consultant
- Science policy advisor
- Entrepreneur
The astrophysics emphasis major provides preparation for astrophysics or astronomy graduate school, as well as a broad range of careers in technical fields found in business/industry settings.
Here are a few courses in Physics - Astrophysics Emphasis at UW-Eau Claire.
PHYS 226
Astronomy-Solar System
The physical nature of the solar system, including earth motions, celestial coordinates, time, telescopes, moon, planets, sun, and origin of solar system.
PHYS 367
Astrophysics
Physics applied to astronomical objects. The birth, structure, and evolution of stars are studied in detail. Nebulae, the interstellar medium, and stellar remnants are also investigated.
PHYS 445
Thermal Physics
Statistical mechanics and thermodynamics including the laws of classical thermodynamics, equations of state, thermodynamical processes, and applications to classical and quantum mechanical systems.
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