1. Revitalization Of An Undergraduate Physics Program
Gubbi Sudhakaran
Department of Physics
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
La Crosse, Wisconsin

2. Viewing La Crosse from Grandad’s Bluff

3. Introduction
Academic Programs
Emphases and Concentrations
Dual Degree Program
Undergraduate Research
Seminar for Credit
Recruitment/Advising/Retention
Assessment
Teacher Education
Impact

4. Introduction of New Academic Programs
One of the important additions in attracting new physics majors was the introduction of a set of emphasis programs that could be packaged along with course and career information.
Physics major with:
a) Astronomy emphasis
b) Computational physics emphasis
c) Optics emphasis
d) Business concentration
e) Biomedical concentration
Student interest
Faculty expertise
Employment opportunities

5. Dual Degree Program University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
University of Minnesota
This is a collaborative program between UW-L and four engineering colleges. The students spend three years at UW-L studying physics and then transfer to an engineering college for two years. The student receives a B.S. degree in physics (along with a math minor) from UW-L and a B.S. degree in engineering from the engineering college.
The dual degree program combines the richness of a traditional liberal arts education with scientific and technological skills so much in demand today.

6. Undergraduate Research
One of the major facts that leads to high student satisfaction with our program is a strong set of research experiences for the undergraduate physics majors.
New Faculty
New Research Labs
Recognition for Students and Faculty
Funding for Students
Funding for Faculty
Student Presentations

7. Natalie Fuchs and Michael Lauters working in the FIR Laser Laboratory

9. Student Scholarships/Grants/Awards
Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium Undergraduate Scholarship
Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium Undergraduate Research Fellowship
American Physical Society, Division of Laser Science Summer Research Fellowship
Council on Undergraduate Research Summer Fellowship
Sigma Xi Grants-In-Aid Research Award
NASA Academy Summer Research Fellowship
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
Strzelczyk Award

10. Student Presentations
Annual UW-L Undergraduate Research Symposium
Annual UW-System Undergraduate Research Symposium
Annual Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium Conference
National Council on Undergraduate Research Conference
Annual Undergraduate Research Poster Session on Capitol Hill

11. Funding For Students Funding For Faculty
Undergraduate Research Grants – $1,000/student
Dean’s Distinguished Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship – $3,500/student
Awarded competitively based on proposals submitted by students
Proposals reviewed by cross-disciplinary committee of faculty
Covers stipend, materials, and supplies
Supplies and Travel Grants
Funding For Faculty
Summer Research Grants (Total $150,000)

12. External Funding ACS-PRF and Research Corporation – $71,800
“High Resolution Spectroscopy Using Laser Magnetic Resonance”
NSF-U.S.-U.K. Cooperative Agreement – $17,400
“High Resolution Spectroscopy of Free Radicals Using Laser Magnetic Resonance”
NSF-MRI – $96,999
“Acquisition of a Three-Laser Heterodyne Frequency Measurement System”
NSF-RUI – $120,500
“High Resolution Molecular Spectroscopy Using Direct Discharge and Optically Pumped Molecular Lasers in the Far-Infrared”
NSF-RUI – $150,500
“Computational Studies of Spin-Polarized Quantum Fluids and Solids”
NSF-CRIF – $69,950
“Purchase of an Optically Pumped Molecular Laser System”
NSF-ILI – $88,162
“Computer Based Physics Teaching Laboratory for Science and Engineering Majors”
Teacher Education Grants – $130,000

13. Seminar for Credit
This was designed to provide a meeting place for the majors and faculty. Students must attend all seminars and either present a seminar or write a report on one of them at the end of the semester.
Speakers from various fields
Showcase undergraduate research
Talks on research topics, careers, and engineering programs
Physics Club-SPS events
Distinguished Lecture Series in Physics

14. Announcing the Annual Distinguished Lecture Series in Physics
University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
Announcing the Annual Distinguished Lecture Series in Physics
The UW-L DLS series in Physics is co-sponsored by the UW-L Foundation, Inc., the Department of Physics, and the College of Science and Allied Health. The purpose of the series is each year to bring to La Crosse a physicist whose significant accomplishments and communication skills can inspire and enrich the careers of students, faculty, and the community in general. Lectures are open to the public.
This year’s speaker:
1996 Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics
Douglas D. Osheroff
Stanford University
Sept , 2002
2001 DLS speaker:
1997 Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics
Steven Chu
Stanford University
“Holding Onto Atoms and Bio-molecules with Laser Light”
2000 DLS speaker:
1997 Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics
William D. Phillips
National Institute of Standards and Technology
“Almost Absolute Zero: The Story of Laser Cooling”

15. Recruitment/Advising/Retention
For a successful Physics Program, the role of physics advisor is very critical. The advisor should be:
A mentor
A friend
A counselor
Student friendly
Very knowledgeable about the employment situation, scholarships, summer internships and graduate schools.

16. UW-La Crosse Physics Brochure

17. Recruitment Tools High school recruitment Campus Close-Ups
Department tours
Laser shows
Community of Scholars Camp

18. Annual UW-La Crosse Campus Close-Ups

20. Assessment Courses Exit interviews Dual degree program
Graduate schools

21. Teacher Education Workshops for in-service teachers
Inquiry-based physics course for elementary education majors
Broadfield science majors
Collaboration with education faculty

22. Impact Increase number of majors Student scholarships/grants/awards
Graduate school admission
External funding
Team work