Program Requirements

The Physics program includes a two-semester introductory sequence in classical physics and three semesters of calculus. Students are also required to take a two-semester sequence of laboratory science electives outside physics. The science courses can be chosen from Biology, Chemistry, or Earth and Environmental Science.

The degree requirements need to meet Pennsylvania Department of Education standards and are subject to change. All students are strongly recommended to check with the TUteach advisor in the College of Science and Technology to affirm the requirements that pertain to their specific major.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Bachelor of Science Requirements

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

  1. University Requirements (124 total s.h.)
    • Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.
    • All undergraduate students must complete at least two writing-intensive courses for a total of at least six credits at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
      ·¡·¡³§Ìý2096
      Climate Change: Oceans To Atmosphere
      ·¡·¡³§Ìý4696
      Vertebrate Paleontology and Taphonomy
      ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý2796
      Introduction to Modern Physics
      ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý4796
      Experimental Physics
      ²Ñ³Ò³§·¡Ìý3796
      Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines (grades 7-12)
    • Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
      • See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.
      • Students who complete TUteach majors receive a waiver for 1 Human Behavior (GB), 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.
    • Students must satisfy general °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø residency requirements.
  2. College Requirements
    • A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
      • A minimum of 45 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above).
    • Complete a one-credit first-year or transfer seminar.
      • ³§°ä°Õ°äÌý1001 CST First Year Seminar for every entering first-year CST student.
      • ³§°ä°Õ°äÌý2001 CST Transfer Seminar for every entering transfer CST student.
  3. Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (90 s.h.)1
    At least 9 courses required for the major must be completed at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø. At least 6 Physics courses and 3 Education courses must be completed at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø. Though not required, students are strongly encouraged to increase training and field work experience by enrolling in ³§°ä°Õ°äÌý1385, ³§°ä°Õ°äÌý2385, or ³§°ä°Õ°äÌý2389. Students will also benefit from directed laboratory projects offered through ³§°ä°Õ°äÌý3185. These courses are offered every semester.
    Mathematics
    ²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1041Calculus I4
    ´Ç°ùÌý²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1941 Honors Calculus I
    ²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1042Calculus II4
    ´Ç°ùÌý²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1942 Honors Calculus II
    ²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý2043Calculus III4
    ´Ç°ùÌý²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý2943 Honors Calculus III
    Physics
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý1008Physics Seminar I1
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý1061Elementary Classical Physics I4
    ´Ç°ùÌý±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý1961 Honors Elementary Classical Physics I
    ´Ç°ùÌý±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý2021 General Physics I
    ´Ç°ùÌý±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý2921 Honors General Physics I
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý1062Elementary Classical Physics II4
    ´Ç°ùÌý±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý1962 Honors Elementary Classical Physics II
    ´Ç°ùÌý±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý2022 General Physics II
    ´Ç°ùÌý±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý2922 Honors General Physics II
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý2101Classical Mechanics3
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý2502Mathematical Physics4
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý2796Introduction to Modern Physics4
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý3091Research Methods3
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý3301Electricity and Magnetism4
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý4796Experimental Physics3
    Physics Electives - Select three of the following:9
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý1004
    Introduction to Astronomy
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý2511
    &²¹³¾±è;Ìý±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý3511
    Scientific Computing I
    and Scientific Computing II
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý3101
    Analytical Mechanics
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý3302
    Classical Electromagnetism
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý3701
    Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý4101
    Thermal Physics
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý4301
    Electronics
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý4302
    Optics
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý4701
    Introduction to Solid State Physics
    ±Ê±á³Û³§Ìý4702
    Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II
    Sequenced Science courses 2
    Select one of the following sequences:8
    µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý1011
    &²¹³¾±è;Ìýµþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý1012
    General Biology I
    and General Biology II
    µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý1111
    &²¹³¾±è;Ìýµþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý2112
    Introduction to Organismal Biology
    and Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
    °ä±á·¡²ÑÌý1031
    &²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±á·¡²ÑÌý1033
    &²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±á·¡²ÑÌý1032
    &²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±á·¡²ÑÌý1034
    General Chemistry I
    and General Chemistry Laboratory I
    and General Chemistry II
    and General Chemistry Laboratory II
    ·¡·¡³§Ìý2001
    Physical Geology (and an Earth & Environmental Science 2002+ Elective)
    College of Science & Technology
    ³§°ä°Õ°äÌý1013Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences3
    ³§°ä°Õ°äÌý1389Step 1 and 2: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design in Science and Mathematics Modified for English Learners2
    ³§°ä°Õ°äÌý3001History of Science3
    ³§°ä°Õ°äÌý3312Coding STEM Lessons 31
    Education
    ·¡¶Ù±«°äÌý2179Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science3
    ·¡¶Ù±«°äÌý4388TUteach Apprentice Teaching4
    ·¡¶Ù±«°äÌý4802TUteach Apprentice Teaching Seminar3
    ²Ñ³Ò³§·¡Ìý2189Classroom Interactions (S)3
    ´Ç°ùÌý³§°ä°Õ°äÌý3485 Science and Mathematics in the Classroom
    ²Ñ³Ò³§·¡Ìý3796Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines (grades 7-12)3
    ²Ñ³Ò³§·¡Ìý4189Project-Based Instruction (F)3
    ´Ç°ùÌý³§°ä°Õ°äÌý4485 Integrating STEM Practice in Diverse Teaching Environments
    ³§±Ê·¡¶ÙÌý2231Introduction to Special Education3
    Total Credit Hours90
    1

    The certification requirements need to meet Pennsylvania Department of Education standards and are subject to change. All students are strongly recommended to check with the TUteach Advisor in the College of Science and Technology to affirm the requirements that pertain to their specific major. In addition, students should check the Undergraduate Bulletin web site for the most current information about these programs, or the . It is also recommended that all students meet with an advisor before enrolling in classes specific to these majors and leading to certification as a teacher. This is to assure that a candidate's intended program of study will be compatible with the new requirements.

    2

    Students are required to take a two-semester sequence of laboratory science electives not within physics. The science courses can be chosen from Biology, Chemistry or Earth & Environmental Science.

    3

    All students are required to take a minimum of one credit.