Bachelor of Science in Physics (Mathematics Teaching Certification)
About This Program
Bachelor of Science in Physics provides students with a rigorous training in Physics, which is designed to prepare for a career in science, technology, and/or engineering research. When combined with the required UTeach education courses, the Bachelor of Science program is also appropriate for students who are interested in becoming schoolteachers.
Physics majors are encouraged to participate in research projects under faculty guidance for course credit or financial reward. In this way, undergraduate students have the choice of gaining hands-on experience from a variety of research disciplines, including astrophysics, biophysics, computational physics, high energy physics, medical physics, optics, space physics, and theoretical and experimental condensed matter physics.
Competencies
- Program graduates will gain in-depth knowledge and a strong foundation in physics principles and mathematical concepts.
- Program graduates will be able to guide students through the scientific investigation process.
- Program graduates will acquire skills to clearly explain complex physical and mathematical concepts to students of varying learning styles.
- Program graduates will be able to demonstrate various teaching methods, including lectures, problem-based and hands-on activities.
- Program graduates will be able to develop engaging, well-structured lesson plans that cater to diverse student needs.
- Program graduates will acquire skills and knowledge to evaluate student learning through various methods and provide constructive feedback.
- Program graduates will acquire skills and knowledge to foster a collaborative learning environment among students.
- Program graduates will be able to articulate the skills and knowledge they have gained and apply them to future career, employment, or educational goals.
Admissions Criteria
Students considering a Physics major should schedule an appointment with the undergraduate advisor in Physics to discuss admissions criteria and degree options.
Curriculum
| Foundations | ||
| General Core Requirements | 42 | |
| Students must complete specific courses in certain core areas. | ||
| For Communication select: | ||
| RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I and RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION II | ||
| For Life & Physical Science select: | ||
| GENERAL TECHNICAL PHYSICS I and GENERAL TECHNICAL PHYSICS II | ||
| For Mathematics select: | ||
| CALCULUS I and CALCULUS II | ||
| For US History select: | ||
| HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1865 | ||
| HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1865 TO PRESENT | ||
| Physics Foundations | ||
| Additional hours required in core. | 4 | |
| Communication Competence - satisfied by PHYS 4117 | ||
| Select one of the following for Computer Science: | 3 | |
| INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING FOR ENGINEERS | ||
| COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS | ||
| NUMERICAL ANALYSIS AND COMPUTER APPLICATIONS | ||
Any CSE course numbered 3401 or higher. | ||
Another suitable course approved by UTeach advisor or chair of the Department of Physics. | ||
| CHEM 1441 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I | 4 |
| CHEM 1442 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II | 4 |
| Teacher Certification | ||
| SCIE 1201 | STEP 1: INQUIRY APPROACHES TO TEACHING | 2 |
| SCIE 1202 | STEP 2: INQUIRY-BASED LESSON DESIGN | 2 |
| SCIE 4107 | CAPSTONE TEACHING EXPERIENCE SEMINAR | 1 |
| SCIE 4607 | CAPSTONE TEACHING EXPERIENCE FOR STEM SECONDARY GRADES | 6 |
| EDUC 4331 | KNOWING AND LEARNING IN MATH AND SCIENCE | 3 |
| EDUC 4332 | CLASSROOM INTERACTIONS | 3 |
| EDUC 4333 | MULTIPLE TEACHING PRACTICES IN MATH AND SCIENCE | 3 |
| PHIL 2314 | PERSPECTIVES ON SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS | 3 |
| Physics Specialization | ||
| PHYS 2311 | MATHEMATICAL METHODS OF PHYSICS | 3 |
| PHYS 3313 | INTRODUCTION TO MODERN PHYSICS | 3 |
| PHYS 3183 | MODERN PHYSICS LABORATORY | 1 |
| PHYS 3321 | INTERMEDIATE ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM | 3 |
| PHYS 4117 | INDIVIDUAL LEARNING BY SEMINAR | 1 |
| PHYS 4315 | THERMODYNAMICS AND STATISTICAL MECHANICS | 3 |
| PHYS 4319 | ADVANCED MECHANICS | 3 |
| PHYS 4326 | INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM MECHANICS | 3 |
| PHYS 4391 | SPECIAL TOPICS | 3 |
| Select 6 hours of PHYS electives approved by a UTeach advisor or the Department of Physics chair. | 6 | |
| Minor and Electives | ||
| Mathematics Minor | 18 | |
| CALCULUS III | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO PROOFS | ||
| FOUNDATIONS OF GEOMETRY | ||
| DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS & LINEAR ALGEBRA | ||
| ABSTRACT ALGEBRA I | ||
| Select electives sufficient to bring total hours to 120, with 36 hours at the 3000/4000-level. | ||
| Total Hours | 127 | |
SUGGESTED Course Sequence
Details of a personal course sequence should be made with the guidance of the Physics undergraduate advisor, particularly since many courses in Physics are not offered every semester. Consultation with the Health Professions advisor is also encouraged. For all entering freshmen, it is important to begin the mathematics sequence, starting with MATH 1426 CALCULUS I, in the first semester.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MATH 1426 | 4 | PHYS 1444 | 4 |
| CHEM 1441 | 4 | MATH 2425 | 4 |
| ENGL 1301 | 3 | ENGL 1302 | 3 |
| HIST 1301 | 3 | HIST 1302 | 3 |
| SCIE 1201 | 2 | SCIE 1202 | 2 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| PHYS 1444 | 4 | PHYS 2311 | 3 |
| MATH 2326 | 3 | PHYS 3313 | 3 |
| MATH 3319 or 3318 | 3 | PHYS 3183 | 1 |
| CHEM 1442 | 4 | MATH 3300 | 3 |
| EDUC 4331 | 3 | MATH 3301 | 3 |
| EDUC 4332 | 3 | ||
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| PHYS 3321 | 3 | PHYS 4391 | 3 |
| Approved PHYS elective. | 3 | Approved PHYS elective | 3 |
| MATH 2330 | 3 | POLS 2311 | 3 |
| Computer Science course | 3-4 | Creative Arts core course | 3 |
| PHIL 2314 | 3 | Social & Behavioral Science core course | 3 |
| 15-16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| PHYS 4315 | 3 | PHYS 4117 | 1 |
| PHYS 4326 | 3 | PHYS 4319 | 3 |
| MATH 3321 | 3 | Foundational Component Area core course | 3 |
| POLS 2312 | 3 | Language, Philosophy & Culture core course. | 3 |
| EDUC 4333 | 3 | SCIE 4107 | 1 |
| SCIE 4607 | 6 | ||
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Total Hours: 127-128 | |||