Physics B.A. - Physics Education
This concentration contains additional course requirements designed to meet state standards. Those interested in teaching in K-12 schools must complete the education/teaching concentration of a major in a teaching content area plus the Teacher Education Program through the Department of Teaching and Learning. Additional teaching areas can be added through completion of the education/teaching concentration of a major or education/teaching minor in that content area.
To complete this concentration, you need to contact the Teaching and Learning Department. Approvals for this concentration must come from the Teaching and Learning Department.
This major and concentration do not qualify as a single-field endorsement. The demand for teaching in this field is limited. The required second endorsement (either a teaching major or a teaching minor) should be in a field in high demand.
Bachelor of Arts - Physics; Concentration in Physics Education
College of Humanities & Sciences
Degree Specific Credits: 91-92
Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0
Catalog Year: 2022-23
General Education Requirements
Information regarding these requirements can be found in the General Education Section of the catalog.
Summary
Lower-Division Physics | 10 | |
Upper-Division Physics | 30 | |
Physics Electives | 6 | |
Math Requirements | 16 | |
Computer Science Requirements | 3 | |
Advanced College Writing Requirement | 3 | |
Physics Education Concentration Requirements | 23-24 | |
Total Hours | 91-92 |
Lower-Division Physics
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Complete one of the following Physics sequences: | 10 | |
Algebra- and Trigonometry-based Physics: | ||
PHSX 205N | College Physics I | |
PHSX 207N | College Physics II | |
Calculus-based Physics (strongly recommended): | ||
PHSX 215N | Fund of Physics w/Calc I | |
PHSX 217N | Fund of Physics w/Calc II | |
Total Hours | 10 |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Upper-Division Physics
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Complete all of the following courses: | ||
PHSX 301 | Intro Theoretical Physics | 3 |
PHSX 311 | Oscillations and Waves | 2 |
PHSX 320 | Classical Mechanics | 3 |
PHSX 323 | Intermediate Physics Lab | 3 |
PHSX 343 | Modern Physics | 3 |
PHSX 423 | Electricity & Magnetism I | 3 |
PHSX 444 | Advanced Physics Lab | 3 |
PHSX 461 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
PHSX 499 | Senior Capstone Seminar | 1 |
Complete two of the following courses: | 6 | |
PHSX 425 | Electricity & Magnetism II | |
PHSX 446 | Thermodyn & Stat Mech | |
PHSX 462 | Quantum Mechanics II | |
Total Hours | 30 |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Physics Electives
Note: Other PHSX courses may be substituted with adviser approval.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Complete two of the following courses: | 6 | |
PHSX 141N | Einstein's Relativity | |
or ASTR 142N | The Evolving Universe | |
PHSX 327 | Optics | |
PHSX 330 | Communicating Physics | |
PHSX 333 | Computational Physics | |
PHSX 425 or PHSX 446 or PHSX 462 | Electricity & Magnetism II or Thermodynamics & Stat Mech or Quantum Mechanics II | Note: 2 of these 3 courses must be taken in the physics core, the remaining course can be used as an elective |
Total Hours | 6 |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Math Requirements
Note: M 317, M 412, and M 418 are recommended as well
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Complete all of the following courses: | ||
M 171 | Calculus I | 4 |
M 172 | Calculus II | 4 |
M 221 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 4 |
M 273 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
Total Hours | 16 |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Computer Science Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Complete one of the following courses: | 3 | |
CSCI 100 | Intro to Programming | |
CSCI 150 | Introduction to Computer Science | |
CSCI 151 | Interdisciplinary Computer Science I | |
PHSX 333 | Computational Physics (strongly recommended) | |
Total Hours | 3 |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Advanced College Writing Requirement
Note: May substitute another advanced writing course as approved by the department chair.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Complete the following course: | ||
PHSX 330 | Communicating Physics | 3 |
Total Hours | 3 |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Physics Education Concentration Requirements
Additional Science Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Complete all of the following courses: | ||
ASTR 131N | Planetary Astronomy | 3 |
ASTR 132N | Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe | 3 |
CHMY 121N | Introduction to General Chemistry | 3 |
CHMY 485 | Laboratory Safety | 1 |
GEO 101N or ERTH 101N | Intro to Physical Geology or Earth Systems Science | 3 |
GEO 102N or ERTH 103N | Intro to Physical Geology Lab or Earth Systems Science Lab | 1 |
Complete one of the following courses: | 3-4 | |
BIOB 160N | Principles of Living Systems | |
BIOB 170N | Principles of Biological Diversity | |
BIOE 172N | Introductory Ecology | |
BIOO 105N | Introduction to Botany | |
Complete one of the following courses: | 3 | |
GEO 105N | Oceanography | |
GEO 108N | Climate Change | |
ENSC 105N | Environmental Science | |
ENST 472 | General Science: Conservation Education | |
Total Hours | 20-21 |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Teaching Science Methods Course
Note: The EDU 497 course number is used for multiple courses. Students should register for EDU 497 Methods: 5-12 Science.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Complete the following course: | ||
EDU 497 | Teaching and Assessing | 3 |
Total Hours | 3 |
Minimum Required Grade: C-
Secondary Teaching Licensure
Note: For endorsement to teach physics, a student also must gain admission to the Teacher Education Program and meet all the requirements for secondary teaching licensure. For more information, see the Teaching and Learning Department.