Physics Education Degree Requirements

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH A MAJOR IN PHYSICS TEACHING – 54 hours 

The physics teaching major is for students seeking certification to teach at the secondary level (grades 8-12) either through the traditional undergraduate program or the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). (Alternatively, students may choose to complete the Physics Major while seeking secondary certification.) 

27 semester hours in physics: 

 Core (17 hours)   

• PHYS 241     Physics I 
• PHYS 242     Physics II 
• PHYS 335     Quantum Physics 
• PHYS 340     Classical Physics 
• PHYS 410     Ethics in Science 
• PHYS 419     Physics Capstone   

 Theory (minimum 6 hours)

• PHYS 430     Classical Mechanics 
• PHYS 431     Electromagnetism 
• PHYS 436     Lasers 
• PHYS 439     Applications of Nuclear Physics 
• PHYS 490     Selected Topics in Physics 

Experiment (4 hours)   

• PHYS 312     Experimental Design and Analysis 
• PHYS 332     Experimental Physics I 

 
12 semester hours in physical science:     

    Science (minimum 12 hours)   

• CHEM 111    General Chemistry Laboratory I 
• CHEM 132    General Chemistry I 
• CHEM 211    General Chemistry Laboratory II 
• CHEM 232    General Chemistry II 
• PHYS 117     Physical Science Laboratory 
• PHYS 137     Physical Science 
• PHYS 140     Astronomy 

15 semester hours of support courses:   
    Mathematics (15 hours)

• MATH 140     Calculus I 
• MATH 240     Calculus II 
• MATH 241     Calculus III 
• MATH 430     Differential Equations 

Option 1 – Undergraduate Professional Education 42 semester hours in professional education: 
See the catalog listing for the School of Education for professional education requirements. 

Option 2 – Master of Arts in Teaching 
Upon graduation, a student may choose to complete the MAT degree to become certified: 
See the Graduate Education Catalog for admissions and graduation requirements.