The Department of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences offers a Physics Secondary Education Track that leads to a Bachelor of Science or Arts degree in Physics. This program is designed for those students who plan to teach physics at the secondary level.

Students who decide not to complete all secondary education requirements must select and complete a different concentration/track in the major in order to graduate.

In addition to the Core Curriculum requirements and the requirements specified by the Department of Secondary Education, students must complete 34 credits in physics courses and 26-27 credits in non-physics courses. For certification purposes (NSTA), students should include the course WRIT 312 (History of Science). All courses required for the major must be completed with a grade equivalent of 2.00 or higher.

Physics Core Courses (30 credits)

PHYS 185 Introductory Seminar in Physics (1)
PHYS 241, 242 General Physics I,II (4,4)
or
PHYS 251, 252 Honors General Physics I,II (4,4)
PHYS 243 General Physics III (3)
PHYS 307 Intro. Math. Physics (3)
PHYS 311 Modern Physics (4)
PHYS 341 Inter. Phys. Lab I (3)
PHYS 351 Mechanics I (4)
PHYS 354 Electricity & Magnetism I (4)

PHYS 342 Intermediate Physics Laboratory II(3)
PHYS 385 Physics Seminar (1)

Non-physics Requirements (26-27 credits)

BIOL 201 Biology I (4)
CHEM 131 General Chemistry I (3)
and
CHEM 131L General Chemistry I Lab (1)
CHEM 132 General Chemistry II (3)
and
CHEM 132L General Chemistry II Lab (1)
MATH 273-274 Calculus I, II (4, 4)
WRIT 312 History of Science (3)
One of the following earth science courses:
ASTR 161 General Astronomy I (4)
GEOL 121 Physical Geology (4)
GEOL 357 Physical Oceanography (3)

The Physics Secondary Education major also requires 29-32 credits of secondary education courses. For details and sequencing see the Department of Secondary Education listings in this catalog. To remain informed of current certification requirements, each student in this program must have an adviser in the Department of Secondary Education.

Requirement for Admission to Teacher Education Program for Student Teaching/Internship

All students applying for admission to a Teacher Education Program at Towson University and all pre-service students in Teacher Education Programs whose program of study requires an intensive/
extensive internship or student teaching experience in a public or private school setting (pre-K through 12) are required to complete a Criminal Background Disclosure Form. This form is to be notarized and sent to the Director of the Center for Professional Practice to be kept on file.

Next: Dual Degree Program