Physics: Physics Teaching, BSLAS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences: Major in Physics (Sciences and Letters), Physics Teaching Concentration
department website: https://physics.illinois.edu/
department faculty: Physics Faculty
overview of college admissions & requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences
college website: https://las.illinois.edu/
email: undergrad@physics.illinois.edu
No longer accepting applications Fall 2022
This concentration fulfills state certification requirements to teach high school physics (grades 9-12) through the AP/honors level and general science (high school biology, chemistry, earth and space science, and environmental science up to but not including the AP/honors level).
Time to degree completion varies. Minimum time to completion is 8 semesters, some students may require 10 semesters. Transfer students may need 10 total semesters combined to complete the program. Please see the LAS section in the transfer handbook for more information.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Physics (Sciences and Letters), Physics Teaching Concentration
A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours). Please see your adviser.
Departmental distinction: Distinction is determined by a combination of grade point average and achievement in student teaching. The student's practice teaching experience will be evaluated by the departmental honors adviser and the teaching supervisor. Distinction requires a 3.2 grade point average; high distinction, 3.4; highest distinction, 3.6. Students desiring distinction should consult with the departmental honors adviser during the junior year.
General education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements including the campus general education language requirement.
Minimum required major and supporting course work: Minimum required major and supporting course work normally equates to 65-73 hours. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
Teacher Education requirements: Students in this concentration must complete the Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching. See the College of Education section for requirements of the minor (39 hours).
GPA requirements: To remain in good standing in this program and be recommended for certification, candidates are required to maintain UIUC, cumulative, content area, and professional education, grade-point averages of 2.5 (A= 4.0). Candidates should consult their advisor or the Council on Teacher Education for the list of courses used to compute these grade-point averages. http://www.cote.illinois.edu/
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Courses | ||
| The following courses must be completed or in progress when students apply to the Secondary Education minor. | ||
| MATH 221 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| or MATH 220 | Calculus | |
| MATH 231 | Calculus II | 3 |
| MATH 241 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 285 | Intro Differential Equations | 3 |
| or MATH 286 | Intro to Differential Eq Plus | |
| PHYS 211 | University Physics: Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 212 | University Physics: Elec & Mag | 4 |
| PHYS 213 | Univ Physics: Thermal Physics | 2 |
| PHYS 214 | Univ Physics: Quantum Physics | 2 |
| Select one group of Chemistry courses: | 4-5 | |
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I | ||
or | ||
| Accelerated Chemistry I and Accelerated Chemistry Lab I | ||
| Additional required coursework | ||
| Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching | 39 | |
| Physics Core | ||
| PHYS 110 | Physics Careers | 0 |
| PHYS 325 | Classical Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 435 | Electromagnetic Fields I | 3 |
| PHYS 485 | Atomic Phys & Quantum Theory | 3 |
| or PHYS 486 | Quantum Physics I | |
| Choose at least three courses from List A and List B below. At least one course must come from List B. | 9-14 | |
A | ||
| Classical Mechanics II | ||
| Electromagnetic Fields II | ||
| Thermal & Statistical Physics | ||
| Subatomic Physics | ||
| Quantum Physics II | ||
| Condensed Matter Physics | ||
| Introduction to Biophysics | ||
B | ||
| Classical Physics Lab | ||
| Modern Experimental Physics | ||
| Electronic Circuits | ||
| Acoustical Physics of Music | ||
| Additional Technical Courses | ||
| IB 100 | Biology in Today's World | 3 |
| GEOL 107 | Physical Geology | 4 |
| ASTR 210 | Introduction to Astrophysics | 3 |
- 1
MATH 220 may be substituted with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.
Requirements for the Teacher Education in Secondary School Teaching Minor
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Education Required Courses | ||
| EDUC 201 | Identity and Difference in Education 1 | 3 |
| EDUC 202 | Social Justice, School and Society 1 | 3 |
| CI 401 | Introductory Teaching in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| CI 403 | Teaching a Diverse High School Student Population | 3 |
| CI 404 | Teaching and Assessing Secondary School Students | 3 |
| CI 473 | Disciplinary Literacy | 3 |
| EPSY 201 | Educational Psychology 1, 2 | 3 |
| EPSY 485 | Assessing Student Performance | 3 |
| SPED 405 | General Educator's Role in Special Education | 3 |
| EDPR 442 | Educational Practice in Secondary Education | 12 |
| Total Hours | 39-40 | |
- 1
EDUC 201, EDUC 202 and EPSY 201 can be completed at any time during the degree and are not pre-requisites to apply for the minor.
- 2
PSYC 100 is a pre-requisite for EPSY 201.