Physics (B.S.) - Science Teaching Specialization

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

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Students and professor in a physics lab.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Robert McTaggart, Assistant Department Head
Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics
Daktronics Engineering Hall 255
605-688-5428

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.

Accreditation

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

South Dakota Department of Education

Certification and Licensure

Completion of an approved teacher preparation program.
Completion of an approved South Dakota Indian studies course.
Pass the state designated content knowledge test or 2.7 GPA in content major coursework.
Pass the state designated pedagogy test.
Apply online with the South Dakota Department of Education.
Written recommendation from institution of higher education (SDSU) verifying program completion.

Course Delivery Format

Physics students primarily learn through hands-on, in-person instruction in lectures, labs, and field experiences. While most courses are taught on campus, a few upper-level courses are offered online.

Teacher Education Program Progression Requirements

Acceptance into Teacher Education

A grade of “C” or better is required in education coursework (classes with AIS, EDFN, SPED, or SEED prefixes).
An overall GPA of 2.5 is required.
A GPA in the academic major of 2.6 is required.
Completion of program application and professional licensure location form.

Acceptance into Residency I

A grade of “C” or better is required in education coursework (classes with AIS, EDFN, SPED, or SEED prefixes).
An overall GPA of 2.5 is required.
A GPA of 2.7 is required in both major and education courses.
The teacher candidate must take the Praxis content exam.
The teacher candidate is also required to complete a criminal background check with field placements, a TB test with negative reading, and CPR and first aid certification.

Acceptance into Residency II

A grade of “C” or better is required in education coursework (classes with AIS, EDFN, SPED, or SEED prefixes).
An overall GPA of 2.5 is required.
A GPA of 2.7 is required in both major and education courses.
The teacher candidate must take the Praxis PLT exam.

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 -PHYS 213 (or PHYS 111 -PHYS 113 ) and PHYS 331 .
A grade of “C” or better is required in education coursework (classes with AIS, EDFN, SPED, or SEED prefixes).
An overall GPA of 2.5 is required.
A GPA of 2.7 is required in both major and education courses.

Requirements for Physics Major - Science Teaching Specialization: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication: SGR #1 Elective Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication: SGR #2 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences: AIS 211 - South Dakota American Indian Culture and Education (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3 (Teaching Specialization Requirement) and SGR #3 Electives Credits: 3
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities: SGR #4 Elective Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics:
MATH 123 - Calculus I (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 4
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
PHYS 211 - University Physics I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 4
(Major Requirement), PHYS 211L - University Physics I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1 (Major Requirement), PHYS 213 - University Physics II (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 4 (Major Requirement), and PHYS 213L - University Physics II Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1 (Major Requirement)

Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics Requirements

Capstone course in the major discipline
Upper division coursework Credits: 33

Major Requirements

CHEM 112 - General Chemistry I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
CHEM 112L - General Chemistry I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
CHEM 114 - General Chemistry II (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
CHEM 114L - General Chemistry II Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
EE 216 - Linear Circuits I Credits: 3
EE 216L - Linear Circuits I Lab Credits: 1
MATH 125 - Calculus II (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 4
MATH 225 - Calculus III (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 4
MATH 321 - Differential Equations (COM) Credits: 3
PHYS 119 - First Year Seminar in Physics (COM) Credits: 1
PHYS 185 - Solar System Astronomy (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 2
and PHYS 185L - Solar System Astronomy Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
or PHYS 187 - Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 2
and PHYS 187L - Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
PHYS 211 - University Physics I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 4
PHYS 211L - University Physics I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
PHYS 213 - University Physics II (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 4
PHYS 213L - University Physics II Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
PHYS 316 - Measurement Theory and Experiment Design Credits: 1
PHYS 316L - Measurement Theory and Experiment Design Lab Credits: 1
PHYS 331 - Introduction to Modern Physics (COM) Credits: 3
PHYS 341 - Thermodynamics (COM) Credits: 2
PHYS 343 - Statistical Physics (COM) Credits: 2
PHYS 421 - Electromagnetism (COM) Credits: 4
PHYS 437 - Foundations of Health Physics Credits: 3
PHYS 451 - Classical Mechanics (COM) Credits: 4

Teaching Specialization Requirements

AIS 211 - South Dakota American Indian Culture and Education (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3
EDFN 102 - Introduction to Education (COM) Credits: 3
EDFN 340 - Adolescent Development in Educational Contexts Credits: 3
EDFN 351 - Teaching and Learning I Credits: 1
EDFN 352 - Teaching and Learning II Credits: 3
EDFN 453 - Teaching and Learning III Credits: 3
EDFN 453L - Teaching and Learning III Lab Credits: 4
EDFN 454 - Teaching and Learning IV: Student Teaching Credits: 11
SEED 413 - 7-12 Science Methods (COM) Credits: 3 (Teaching Content Methods Requirement) (Capstone)
SEED 450 - Reading and Content Literacy (COM) Credits: 2
SEED 456 - Capstone/Action Research Credits: 1
SPED 100 - Introduction to Persons with Exceptionalities (COM) Credits: 3

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science
System General Education Requirements*	22 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	57 Credit Hours
Teaching Specialization Requirements	40 Credits Hours
Electives**	1 Credit Hour

*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements and Supporting Coursework.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.