Print edition: 
WICHITA — Wichita State University officials said today they will merge the physics department with the department of mathematics and statistics to create one of the largest academic units on campus.
The merger, which will be completed by July 1, 2011, was announced by Gary Miller, provost and vice president for academic affairs and research, and William Bischoff, dean, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
The merger, which must be approved by the Kansas Board of Regents Chief Academic Officers, will allow the continuation of an undergraduate degree program in physics.
WSU first began discussing eliminating physics as a department and as a degree major in April. Officials cited the lack of physics majors and graduates as the reason.
But supporters of the physics department said demoting physics from a major to a grouping of courses would damage WSU's national reputation.
"This is a very desirable outcome and completely aligned with ongoing reshaping efforts to best utilize the university's human and intellectual resources," Miller said in a statement. "It offers a real chance to strengthen our physics program through collaboration with mathematics. This will benefit students and serve as a catalyst for new research opportunities."
