Physics, Bachelor of Science with a Concentration in Physics Teaching (B.S.)
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this program the graduate will:
- be able to apply mathematics to analyze problems in Physics;
- be able to use fundamental physical results, such as conservation laws, to study physical systems;
- be able to analyze important processes occurring in physical systems.
Additionally, graduates of this program will:
- be prepared for employment in Physics or a related field in the public or private sector;
- be prepared for admission to a graduate program in Physics or a related field;
- be prepared to take and pass the Praxis exam in Physics; and physics teaching majors will be prepared to teach Physics in a secondary school.
Program Requirements
CIP Code: 40.0801
Summary Checklist for General Education
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Element 1 | ||
| A: Written Communication | 3 | |
| B: Written Communication | 3 | |
| C: Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Element 2 | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Element 3 | ||
| A: Arts | 3 | |
| B: Humanities | 3 | |
| Element 4 | ||
| Natural Sciences | 6 | |
| Element 5 | ||
| A: Historical Science | 3 | |
| B: Social Behaviorial Science | 3 | |
| Element 6 | ||
| Diversity of Perspectives Experiences | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Students are expected to complete Elements 1 and 2 within their first 60 hours of college credit.
Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Graduation Requirements | ||
| General Education | 36 | |
| Student Success Seminar | ||
| SCO 100P | Student Success Seminar in Physics (waived for transfers with 30+ hrs.) | 1 |
| Writing Intensive Course (Hrs. incorporated into Major/Supporting/Gen Ed/Free Electives category) | ||
| Upper division courses (42 hrs. distributed throughout Major/Supporting/Gen Ed/Free Electives categories) | ||
| ACCT – Physics majors will fulfill ACCT with one of the following. (Credit hours may be incorporated into Major or Supporting requirements.) | ||
| Choose from one of the following: | ||
| Clinical VI: The Professional Semester | ||
| Applied Learning in Physics | ||
| Applied Learning in Physics (A-N) | ||
PHY 406 | ||
| Advanced Physics Laboratory | ||
| Independent Study in Physics:___ | ||
| Quantum Mechanics | ||
| Thesis Project and Seminar | ||
A program-approved Leadership experience | ||
A program-approved Study Abroad | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| PHY 201 | University Physics I 1 | 5 |
| or PHY 131 | College Physics I | |
| PHY 202 | University Physics II 2 | 5 |
| or PHY 132 | College Physics II | |
| PHY 211 | Intermediate Physics | 4 |
| PHY 302 | Modern Physics | 4 |
| or PHY 302W | Modern Physics | |
| PHY 406 | 3 | |
| or PHY 406W | Advanced Physics Laboratory | |
| Concentrations | ||
| Students must select one of the following Concentrations: | ||
Physics (General) | ||
Engineering Physics | ||
| Physics Teaching | 54 | |
| Supporting Course Requirements | ||
| Choose from 10-23 hours of supporting courses | ||
20 hours of General Physics | ||
23 hours of Engineering Physics | ||
10 hours of Physics Teaching | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Choose from 8-20 hours of free electives 3 | 8-20 | |
| Total Hours | 120-132 | |
- 1
At the discretion of the chair, PHY 131 College Physics I may be substituted for PHY 201 University Physics I.
- 2
For teaching majors PHY 132 College Physics II may be substituted for PHY 202 University Physics II.
- 3
Students who are interested in Medical Physics graduate programs are encouraged to take EHS 510 Radiological Health and Safety as a free elective.
Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Courses | ||
| AST 135 | Introductory Astronomy | 3 |
| AST 335 | Stars, Galaxies, & Cosmology | 3 |
| Choose from three hours of PHY courses numbered 300 and above | 3 | |
| Supporting Course Requirements | ||
| Introductory Biology (Element 4) G | ||
or BIO 102 | Inquiry Biology for Teachers | |
| General Chemistry and General Chemistry Lab I (Element 4) G | ||
| CHE 112 & 112L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab | 4 |
| Calculus I (Element 2) G,1 | ||
| MAT 244 | Calculus II | 4 |
| Professional Education Requirements | ||
| EDC 300 | Differentiation in Inclusive Classrooms | 3 |
| EDF 203 | Educational Foundations | 3 |
| EDF 204 | Emerging Instructional Technologies | 2 |
| EDF 219 | Human Development and Learning | 3 |
| EDF 413 | Assessment in Education | 3 |
| EMS 300W | Curriculum and Instructional Design | 3 |
| EMS 474 | Disciplinary Literacy | 3 |
| EMS 490 | Classroom & Behavior Management | 3 |
| ESE 561 | Teaching Science in Secondary School | 3 |
| Special Education Introduction (Element 6) G | ||
| Clinical Experiences: | ||
| CED 100 | Clinical I: Introduction to the Education Profession | 0 |
| CED 200 | Clinical II: Understanding the Learner | 0 |
| CED 300 | Clinical III: Curriculum and Instructional Design | 0.5 |
| CED 400 | Clinical IV: Diagnosis and Prescription | 0.5 |
| CED 450 | Clinical V: Practicing Teaching | 1 |
| CED 499 | Clinical VI: The Professional Semester | 9 |
| Exit Requirements | ||
| PRAXIS Examination | ||
| Students must register for and take the PRAXIS exam which correlates to their degree program, per College of Education requirements. Refer to Degree Works for exam details. The PRAXIS exam must be taken prior to student teaching. | ||
| Total Hours | 54 | |
- G
Course also satisfies a General Education element. Hours are included within the 36 hr. General Education requirement above. Note that a max of 3 credit hours from one course may be applied each to any Gen. Ed. element.
- 1
A preparatory course (MAT 122 Precalculus Mathematics) in mathematics may be required before admission to MAT 234 Calculus I.