Bachelor of Science in Physics (Science Teaching Certification)
About This Program
Bachelor of Science in Physics provides students with a rigorous training in Physics, which is designed to prepare students 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 concepts, which is essential.
- Program graduates will be able to guide students through the scientific investigation process.
- Program graduates will acquire skills to clearly explain complex physics concepts to students of varying learning styles.
- Program graduates will demonstrate familiarity with 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 adjust teaching methods and strategies to address unexpected challenges.
- 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 | ||
| For Foundational Component Area select: | ||
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY I | ||
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY II | ||
| Physics Foundations | ||
| Additional hours required in core. | 5 | |
| UNIV-SC 1131 | STUDENT SUCCESS | 1 |
| or UNIV-SC 1101 | CAREER PREPARATION AND STUDENT SUCCESS | |
| 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. | ||
| MATH 2425 | CALCULUS II | 4 |
| MATH 2326 | CALCULUS III | 3 |
| MATH 3319 | DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS & LINEAR ALGEBRA | 3 |
| Teacher Certification | ||
| SCIE 1201 | STEP 1: INQUIRY APPROACHES TO TEACHING | 2 |
| SCIE 1202 | STEP 2: INQUIRY-BASED LESSON DESIGN | 2 |
| 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 |
| SCIE 4607 | CAPSTONE TEACHING EXPERIENCE FOR STEM SECONDARY GRADES | 6 |
| SCIE 4107 | CAPSTONE TEACHING EXPERIENCE SEMINAR | 1 |
| Physics Specialization | ||
| PHYS 2311 | MATHEMATICAL METHODS OF PHYSICS | 3 |
| PHYS 3313 | INTRODUCTION TO MODERN PHYSICS | 3 |
| PHYS 3183 | MODERN PHYSICS LABORATORY | 1 |
| PHYS 4315 | THERMODYNAMICS AND STATISTICAL MECHANICS | 3 |
| PHYS 4326 | INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM MECHANICS | 3 |
| PHYS 3321 | INTERMEDIATE ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM | 3 |
| PHYS 4319 | ADVANCED MECHANICS | 3 |
| PHYS 4343 | RESEARCH METHODS - UTEACH | 3 |
| PHYS 4117 | INDIVIDUAL LEARNING BY SEMINAR | 1 |
| Select 6 hours of PHYS electives approved by a UTeach advisor or the Department of Physics chair. | 6 | |
| Chemistry Minor | ||
| CHEM 2335 | QUANTITATIVE CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| CHEM 2285 | QUANTITATIVE CHEMISTRY LABORATORY | 2 |
| CHEM 3315 | INTRODUCTION TO BIOPHYSICAL CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| CHEM 3321 | PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I | 3 |
| CHEM 3181 | PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | 1 |
| Total Hours | 125 | |
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 |
| CHEM 1441 | 4 | PHYS 1443 | 4 |
| MATH 1426 | 4 | CHEM 1442 | 4 |
| UNIV-SC 1131 or 1101 | 1 | MATH 2425 | 4 |
| ENGL 1301 | 3 | ENGL 1302 | 3 |
| POLS 2311 | 3 | SCIE 1202 | 2 |
| SCIE 1201 | 2 | ||
| 17 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| PHYS 1444 | 4 | PHYS 2311 | 3 |
| CHEM 2335 | 3 | PHYS 3313 | 3 |
| CHEM 2285 | 2 | PHYS 3183 | 1 |
| MATH 2326 | 3 | MATH 3319 | 3 |
| POLS 2312 | 3 | CSE 1311, PHYS 2321, or MATH 3345 | 3 |
| EDUC 4331 | 3 | PHIL 2314 | 3 |
| 18 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| PHYS 4315 | 3 | PHYS 4319 | 3 |
| PHYS 3321 | 3 | Approved PHYS elective | 3 |
| CHEM 3321 | 3 | CHEM 3315 | 3 |
| CHEM 3181 | 1 | US History (part 2) | 3 |
| US History (part 1) | 3 | Language, Philosophy, & Culture | 3 |
| EDUC 4332 | 3 | PHYS 4343 | 3 |
| 16 | 18 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| PHYS 4326 | 3 | SCIE 4607 | 6 |
| PHYS 4117 | 1 | SCIE 4107 | 1 |
| Approved PHYS elective | 3 | ||
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 | ||
| Creative Arts | 3 | ||
| EDUC 4333 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 7 | ||
| Total Hours: 125 | |||