AMEP: Applied Mathematics, Engineering and Physics

AMEP Program description (OUTDATED!)

AMEP Degree Requirements (OUTDATED!)

AMEP advisors (OUTDATED!)

AMEP is a unique, interdisciplinary four-year undergraduate program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The purpose of the program is to provide a strong foundation in mathematics and physics with a substantial introduction to engineering science. AMEP is a small and challenging program. It is recommended only for those students who have a strong ability and great interest in mathematics and the physical sciences. The program is particularly appealing to students who want to have a good overview of the various areas in the physical sciences and of various career options before making major decisions that will affect their entire career.

Two AMEP graduates are now on the faculty at UW-Madison: Prof. Cary Forest (AMEP 1986) in Physics and Prof. Chris Hegna (AMEP 1986) in Engineering Physics. Prof Forest is the AMEP Physics advisor.

Read what AMEP students are saying about the program:

• AMEP sophomore (2001-2002):
  I started out as an engineering major with a broad interest in the math and sciences. Unfortunately the engineering program seemed too restrictive for me to be able to truly explore all of my interests. AMEP has allowed that flexibility while still being able to have an applied perspective to the sciences that I wanted out of engineering. I feel that the AMEP is a program that serves students who have a broad interest in the math and sciences and want to explore that interest. This is in my opinion one of the greatest aspects of the program, its flexibility. I do not think that I would have been able to satisfy my thirst for knowledge in the math and sciences without a program like this. The combination of the variety of advisors and the plethora of opportunities definitely make this program worthwhile.

• AMEP sophomore (2001-2002):
  (i) I like the structured variety of my schedule, and its flexibility. If I were purely an engineering student, I would not have this much freedom to broaden my curriculum.
  (ii) I am still somewhat unsure of industry's interest in graduates with this degree. I intend to make use of the programming offered by Engineering Career Services (ECS) to find out more. Any data that the advisors are able to provide would be of interest also.
  (iii) This appears to be a useful major for students who wish to attend graduate school, simply because it prepares the student for several different programs.

• AMEP graduate (2001):
  As far as I am concerned I consider the AMEP program an excellent field of study. I came to UW with the intention of studying mathematics, but soon after I found out about this program I immediately switched majors. Being a more science oriented person, the fact that the non science courses required by this program were considerably less than in the math major, was enough to convince me to make that change in majors. Although a bit more demanding than any of the three disciplines it covers (Math, Engineering and Physics), it gives us a firm grasp of the various concepts covered in each of them. Having three advisors, each for every field, is in my opinion, very advantageous, since with their help we can organize our course of study to meet our needs and interests. I believe that this program gave me adequate preparation to attend graduate school at any of those areas, since in addition to the required courses, I had also the option to take classes to further concentrate to my preferred field of study, mathematics. Finally, I would suggest that in a program like that some computer science courses should also be compulsory as a replacement of Chemistry 103, which despite being a very informative course, I could not see its connection with any of the other courses I took .

• AMEP graduate (2001):
  I have formally accepted an offer to work for Motorola in Dearborn, MI in their Automotive and Industrial Electronics Group upon graduation in May. It's great to know that they are still looking for fresh new qualified candidates at a time when job cuts and layoffs are the norm for this company. I'm glad that I have chosen this major. Many professors say that it is a better preparation for grad school in engineering than an actual undergrad engineering degree. I'd go a step further and say that, coupled with a hands-on student project, like FutureTruck, the AMEP student is actually better prepared for a full-time engineering position in industry, compared with a typical ME, EE, etc. It has to do with the ability of being versatile and being able to adapt to new applications and concepts, using the same principles. Understanding where the governing equations come from, (where one derives them in 300 level and above math and physics courses) and seeing them applied in real-world situations on these student design projects, puts the AMEP student at a definite advantage. This level of understanding is usually only seen at the graduate level in engineering programs.

• AMEP graduate (1979):
  I feel that the AMEP program is very good program especially for those students who intend to work in industry. The emphasis on fundamentals in math and physics with practical application in engineering develops a solid foundation for a successful career. It is also good for the student who does not want to be limited to one area of study early in their college career, whether they will be following the industrial or academic tract. While I was at the university I did not see much direction or support for the AMEP program. There was little mention of the program to incoming students, no guidance while you were in the major, and little interaction with other AMEP majors: I almost decided not to study AMEP because one of my high school teachers told it was too difficult of a major. While I was studying in the AMEP program there was little direction or guidance received from the administration or faculty. Determining what courses to take, developing a plan to meet the requirements for graduation, signing up for job interviews was something I did myself with some help from fellow AMEP majors (and some friends in engineering). I only met a few other AMEP majors since we were in the same courses together, at graduation we finally saw who the other AMEP majors were. Nearing graduation I was only approached by engineering regarding graduate school (may be this was due to my performance in my math and physics courses?). In order to secure interviews for a graduate position and industry jobs I had to use the programs engineering had. I did find that the faculty that knew about the program supported it well. Without this the AMEP program may not still be in existence. For those students who persevere the AMEP program reaps great rewards.