Glenn Spiczak

Glenn Spiczak

Department Chair, Professor
member of graduate faculty

Start Year: 2001

Physics
Office: 125 Centennial Science Hall
Phone: 715-425-4630

Email: glenn.spiczak@uwrf.edu

Education:

Ph.D. Astrophysics, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
M.A. Astronomy, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
B.S. Astrophysics, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

Courses Taught:

• Astronomy (on campus and online)
• Astrophysics
• Algebra-based Physics/Lab (on campus and online)
• Calculus-based Physics/Lab (on campus and online)
• Capstone Design
• Conceptual Physics (on campus and online)
• Digital Electronics
• Engineering Dynamics
• Internships
• Linear Integrated Circuits
• Nuclear and Particle Physics
• Sustainable Energy (online)
• Thermodynamics

Research Interests:

• Astronomy & Physics Education
• Cosmic Rays
• Experimental Astroparticle Physics
• Uniview Fulldome & OpenSpace Planetarium/Digital Dome operation

Professional Activities:

• Institutional Representative for Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium
• Observatory Director
• STEM Fellow for active learning, Wisconsin Teaching Scholar
• Society of Physics Students (SPS) advisor

Dr. Spiczak's research explores the composition, origin and acceleration of cosmic rays via characteristics of high energy particle debris raining down on Earth's surface after these spacefaring nuclei collide with Earth's atmosphere. He was a research scientist at the Bartol Research Institute of the University of Delaware studying Cosmic Rays using SPASE (South Pole Air Shower Experiment) and AMANDA (Antarctic Muon And Neutrino Detector Array) and continues such work at UWRF using the IceTop surface array of the IceCube cubic-kilometer neutrino telescope at the South Pole. He was a lead member of the task force for active learning classrooms on campus and mentors UWRF's high-powered rocket teams competing in NASA's Collegiate Rocket Competitions along with the Physics Student robotics teams.