Physics Major - Science Teaching Specialization

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Program Contact/Coordinator
Joel Rauber, Head
Department of Physics
Daktronics Engineering Hall 255
605-688-5428
e-mail: joel.rauber@sdstate.edu
http://www.sdstate.edu/phys
Click here for additional information.

Program Information
Physics is the foundation of almost all of the science and engineering disciplines. The curriculum in Physics has the flexibility to accommodate a wide range of student interests including engineering, physical science, mathematics, biological science, or health sciences. Graduates find careers in physics research, education, engineering, medicine, nuclear medicine, law, science journalism or alternatively many other choices.

Program Outcomes

Additional Academic Requirements
The program requires a Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above for all physics courses and a GPA 2.0 or above in PHYS 211-213 (or PHYS 111-113) and PHYS 331.

Accreditation, Certification and Licensure

Course Delivery Format
Physics students learn through hands-on and face to face learning in lecture, laboratory, and field based experiences.

Requirements for Physics Major - Science Teaching Specialization: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements*: 33

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101
and
ENGL 201
or
ENGL 277
Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SPCM 101
Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity :
SOC 100
and/or
PSYC 101
Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics:
MATH 123
Credits: 4
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
PHYS 211-211L
and
PHYS 213-213L
Credits: 8

Institutional Graduation Requirements**: 5

Goal #1 First Year Seminar:
PHYS 109**
Credits: 2
Goal #2 Cultural Awareness and Social and Environmental Responsibility: ANTH 421** Credits: 3

College of Arts & Sciences Bachelor of Science Requirements: 34

Bachelor of Science

Natural Science Credits: 14
   With 6 credits of Biological Sciences :
BIOL 101-101L
  and
BIOL 103-103L
  Credits: 6
   With 8 credits of Physical Sciences
Social Sciences Credits: 12 including EPSY 302 Credits: 3
Humanities Credits: 8 including
PHIL 200
or
PHIL 331
Credits:3

SGRs, IGRs, and/or Major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts and Sciences for additional information about Bachelor of Arts Specifications and Bachelor of Science Specifications .

Major Requirements: 39

PHYS 316-316L - Measurement Theory and Experiment Design and Lab (AW)
Credits: 2
PHYS 331 - Introduction to Modern Physics (COM)
Credits: 3
PHYS 421-521 - Electromagnetism (COM)
Credits: 4
PHYS 341 - Thermodynamics (COM)
and
PHYS 343 - Statistical Physics (COM)
Credits: 4
OR
PHYS 451-551 - Classical Mechanics (COM)
Credits: 4
OR
PHYS 471-571 - Quantum Mechanics (COM)
Credits: 4
PHYS 490-590 - Seminar (COM)
Credits: 1-3 Only (1 credit required for program.)
PHYS 337 - Foundations of Health Physics
Credits: 3
PHYS 185-185L - Introduction to Astronomy I and Lab* (COM)
Credits: 3
OR
PHYS 187-187L - Introduction to Astronomy II and Lab* (COM)
Credits: 3
MATH 125 - Calculus II * (COM)
Credits: 4
MATH 225 - Calculus III * (COM)
Credits: 4
MATH 321 - Differential Equations (COM)
Credits: 3
CHEM 112-112L - General Chemistry I and Lab* (COM)
Credits: 3, 1
OR
CHEM 106-106L - Chemistry Survey and Lab* (COM)
Credits: 3,1
CHEM 114-114L - General Chemistry II and Lab * (COM)
Credits: 3, 1
OR
CHEM 120-120L - Elementary Organic Chemistry and Lab*
Credits: 3, 1

Teaching Specialization Requirements

Professional Semester III

SPED 405 - Educating Secondary Students with Disabilities
Credits: 2
SEED 410 - Social Foundations, Management and Law
Credits: 2
EDER 415 - Educational Assessment
Credits: 2
ELED 488 - K-8 Student Teaching (COM)
or
SEED 488 - 7-12 Student Teaching (COM)
Credits: 8
*Candidates in K-12 areas such as Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Art, Modern Language, and Music split their student teaching credits, enrolling in both SEED 488 and ELED 488

Additional Requirements

Prior to enrolling in PSI, students complete
SOC 100
or
PSYC 101
as part of the University General Education Core.
Students must also receive a “C” grade or better in
SPCM 101
,
ENGL 101
, and
Math 102
or higher.
There are GPA requirements for entry into and continuation within the teacher education program. For additional information please consult the Secondary Education Handbook.

Curriculum Notes

* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has a 5 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.