Physics (BA) and Secondary Education
Program Mission
The mission of the Physics Program is to foster curiosity about the laws governing the physical world, enlighten students in critical thinking, and instruct them on applying the scientific method. Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in physics and physics-related fields, or the pursuit of advanced degrees. Graduates can pursue advanced degrees in diverse fields, including physics, medicine, teaching, engineering, or law.
Program Outcomes
- Graduates will have conceptual knowledge of physics within the framework of a liberal arts education.
- Graduates will be proficient in fundamental laboratory skills, including data analysis, and the use of instrumentation.
- Graduates will be able to access, interpret, and utilize scientific materials as well as clearly and concisely communicate scientific results via oral and written reports.
- Graduates will have the tools to succeed in a career in a physics-related field, graduate studies in physics, teaching, or the pursuit of advanced degrees in medicine, teaching, or the law.
- Graduates will have the interpersonal and professional skills to effectively work within teams and be project leader of teams of varied cultural and experiential backgrounds regardless of cultural differences.
Guidelines for Acceptance to a Physics & Astronomy Department Major
In order to ensure that students are on a successful academic trajectory, it is recommended that students who have not earned at least a C average in both PHYS-2100, Classical Physics I, and PHYS-2110, Classical Physics II, should not declare a major in the Physics & Astronomy Department. Students who have not achieved this minimum grade guideline but who still seek acceptance to a major in the Physics & Astronomy Department must meet with and receive approval from the Department Chair.
Program Requirements for Physics & Secondary Education double major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ASTR-1300 | Sun & Solar System | 4 |
| PHYS-4457 | Methods of Teaching Secondary Physics | 2 |
| CHEM-1200 | General Chemistry I Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM-1210 | General Chemistry II Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM-1201 | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM-1211 | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| NASC-1400 | Earth Science | 3 |
| PHYS-2100 & PHYS-2101 | Classical Physics I and Introductory Physics Laborartory I | 4 |
| PHYS-2110 & PHYS-2111 | Classical Physics II and Introductory Physics Lab II | 4 |
| PHYS-3200 | Relativity & Atomic Physics | 3 |
| PHYS-3201 | Modern Physics Lab | 1 |
| PHYS-3210 | Nuclear & Elementary Particle Physics | 2 |
| PHYS-3211 | Modern Physics Lab II | 1 |
| PHYS-3500 | Electronics | 4 |
| PHYS-COMP | Senior Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
| PHYS-4900 | Physics Colloquium | 0 |
| Secondary Education Requirements | ||
| Complete the requirements for a B.A. in Secondary Education | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Suggested Sequence of Courses for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physics and Secondary Education
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| ENGL-1010 | English Composition | 3 |
| THEO-1100 | Introduction to Theology | 3 |
| EXSC-1115 | Wellness for Life | 1 |
| EDUC-2200 | Introduction to Education | 2 |
| EDUC-2201 | Intro Educational Research & Field Exper | 1 |
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| PHYS-2100 | Classical Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS-2101 | Introductory Physics Laborartory I | 1 |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| EDUC-2222 | Intro to K-12 Special Education | 3 |
| PHYS-2110 | Classical Physics II | 3 |
| PHYS-2111 | Introductory Physics Lab II | 1 |
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| EXSC Fitness Course (Health) | 1 | |
| PSYC-1000 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Aesthetic Foundation | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| EDUC-2220 | Science of Learning & Teaching | 3 |
| CHEM-1200 | General Chemistry I Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM-1201 | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| PHIL-2100 | Principles of Nature | 3 |
| Natural World Foundation | 3-4 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| World Civilization to 1500 | ||
| World Civilization Since 1500 | ||
| Hours | 16-17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| EDUC-3332 | Literacy in the Secondary Classroom | 2 |
| EDUC-3333 | Literacy in Secondary Classroom Fid Exp | 1 |
| CHEM-1210 | General Chemistry II Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM-1211 | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| Philosophical Inquiry Foundation | 3 | |
| Historical Inquiry Foundation | 3 | |
| Aesthetic Foundation | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PHYS-3200 | Relativity & Atomic Physics | 3 |
| PHYS-3201 | Modern Physics Lab | 1 |
| NASC-1400 | Earth Science | 3 |
| Natural World Foundation | 4 | |
| Mathematical Reasoning Foundation | 3-4 | |
| EDUC-3312 | School As Community | 3 |
| EDUC-3313 | School As Community Rsch & Field Exper | 1 |
| Hours | 18-19 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PHYS-3210 | Nuclear & Elementary Particle Physics | 2 |
| PHYS-3211 | Modern Physics Lab II | 1 |
| PHYS-3500 | Electronics | 4 |
| Faith Foundation | 3 | |
| EDUC-4451 | Philosophy of Education | 3 |
| PHYS-4457 | Methods of Teaching Secondary Physics | 2 |
| NASC-1000 | Environmental Science | 3 |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ASTR-1300 | Sun & Solar System | 4 |
| EDUC-4455 | Meeting the Needs of All Learners | 2 |
| EDUC-4462 | Classroom Management | 2 |
| EDUC-3357 | General Secondary Methods & Media | 3 |
| EDUC-3358 | General Secondary Method & PracticumýGeneral Secondary Meth & Media Practicum | 1 |
| PHYS-4200 | Mathematical Methods for Physics | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| EDUC-4470 | Student Teaching Seminar | 2 |
| EDUC-4496 | Supervised Student Teach Secondar School | 10 |
| EDUC-COMP | Senior Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
| PHYS-COMP | Senior Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
| EDUC-DPROF | Diversity Proficiency | NULL |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 128-130 | |