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Physics Teaching Combined BS/MEd

 

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About the Program of Study

The Physics Teaching BS/MEd meets the requirements for a BS in Physics Teaching and USBE endorsements in Physics and Physical Science. Additional electives can be taken to earn endorsements in English as a Second Language (ESL). Additional coursework is required to obtain a teaching license and can be taken post-BS or as part of the joint BS/MEd program in Physics Teaching and Educational Psychology. Note that the BS/MEd option only adds one course to the requirements for licensure, so most students will benefit from this pathway. Students should consult with an advisor early in the program to ensure that the appropriate prerequisite, general education, and endorsement courses are taken.

  1. Meet with an advisor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy once per semester. This will ensure that you are making the most of your University of Utah experience and staying on track to meet important requirements. Advisors will let you know about course availability, any prerequisites you may need to take, and additional opportunities in the college. Contact the physics advising team here: Physics Advising.
  2. Students should also meet with an advisor in the College of Education to discuss education course requirements for licensure, prerequisites, and the admissions process to the MEd program. Contact an advisor in UITE during your second or third year to make sure you are on track to meet education requirements: UITE Advising.
  3. Students can choose from a number of allied science electives to meet multiple science endorsements. Be sure to check in with the BS/MEd personnel to learn more (contact ally.rocks@utah.edu). You can refer to the Utah State Board of Education endorsement guide here: Utah State Board of Education Endorsement Guide.

Application to Licensure and MEd Programs

Students are also required to apply to the Licensure and MEd in Educational Psychology program prior to their final (5th) year. A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA is required for admission to the MEd program.  Admission to the licensure program requires a B- or higher in all education and licensure courses.  Please contact an advisor in UITE for assistance with both applications.

Degree Requirements

Required Science Core Courses

Course Number Course Name Credits
MATH 1050 & 1060 or MATH 1080 College Algebra & Trigonometry or Precalculus 7 or 5
MATH 1210 Calculus I 4
MATH 1220 Calculus II 4
MATH 2210 Calculus III 3
MATH 2250 Differential Equations and Linear Algebra 4
CHEM 1210 General Chemistry I 4
CHEM 1215 General Chemistry Laboratory I 1
CHEM 1220 General Chemistry II 4

 

Required Physics Core Courses

Course Number Course Name Credits
PHYS 1980 Undergraduate Seminar I 1
PHYS 3980 Undergraduate Seminar II 1
PHYS 2210 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I 4
PHYS 2215 Physics Laboratory for Scientists and Engineers I 1
PHYS 2220 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II 4
PHYS 2225 Physics Laboratory for Scientists and Engineers II 1
PHYS 2710 Physics III -- Modern Physics and Thermodynamics 4
PHYS 2235 Computational Laboratory for Physicists 1
PHYS 3010 Physics IV- Intermediate Mechanics with Special Relativity 4
PHYS 4010 Physics V- Electromagnetism and Quantum Mechanics 4

 

Advanced Physics Courses

Course Number Course Name Credits
PHYS 5140 Research and Teaching in Physics Education 3
ASTR 3070 or PHYS 3070 Foundations of Astronomy 3
Complete at least 1 course from PHYS or ASTR 3XXX-5XXX Any elective 3000-level or higher (except PHYS 3111 or 3670  

 

Allied Science Electived

Course Number Course Name Credits
ATMOS 1010 or 1020 or 5400 Severe and Unusual Weather or Climate Change or The Climate System 3

 

Required Education Courses(17-18 Credits)

Course Number Course Name Credits
EDU 1010 Introduction to Education (20 field hours required) 3
ETHNC 2550 or 2570 or 2580 or 2590** African American or American Indian, or Asian Pacific American, or Pacific Islander Experience 3
ECS 2150 Intro to Multicultural Education (15 field hours required) 3
EDPS 3721 Adolescent Psychology 3
EDU 5170 Secondary Science Methods (10 field hours required)  3
ECS 5709 Building Family Partnerships ( 32 field hours required) 3

 

Optional Electives for Completion of English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement (9 Credits)

Course Number Course Name Credits
EDU 5200 Teacher Language Awareness  (16 field hours required) 3
ECS 5645 Assessment of Linguistically Diverse Populations 3
ECS 5647 Instructional Methods for LinguisticallyDiverse Populations (16 field hours required) 3

* Can only be counted once

** ETHNC 2560 Latin American Experience can also be taken but this course only counts for a DV requirement. It is recommended students choose between the other four options to obtain both a DV and HFor BF requirement.

Requirements for a Masters of Education in Educational Psychology with Licensure

Course Number Course Name Credits
ED PS 6151 Educational Applications of Technology 3
ED PS 6035 Instructional Assessments: Design, Implementation, and Analysis Online 3
SP ED 6022 Principles of Instruction & Behavior Support 3
EDU 6201 Teaching Practices, Ethics & Professional Development 3
EDU 6490 Field Practicum Secondary: 9 hours/week in the field 3
EDU 6491 Professional Development & Teacher Research 3
SP ED 5012 Teaching Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Secondary Classrooms (16 field hours required) 3
ED PS 5564/6564 Advanced Secondary Science Methods 3
EDU 6495 Student Teaching: 12 weeks full-time 9

 

Notes on Coursework

  • Many of the education/licensure courses require field hours in the community or in the classroom. Students should plan their semesters carefully and be careful to not overload their semesters with courses that require a lot of field hours. They are as follows:
    • EDU 1010 (undergrad requirement): Intro to Education (20 field hours required)
    • ECS 2150 (undergrad requirement): Intro to Multi-Cultural Education (15 field hours required)
    • ECS 5709 (undergrad requirement): Family Partnerships (32 field hours required)
    • EDU 5170 (undergrad requirement): Science Methods for (10 field hours required)
    • SP ED 5012 (grad requirement): Inclusive Classrooms (16 field hours required)
    • EDU 5200 (optional ESL endorsement requirement): Teacher Language Awareness (16 field hours required)
    • ECS 5647 (optional ESL endorsement requirement): Instructional Methods for Linguistically Diverse Populations (16 field hours)
    • EDU 6490 (grad requirement): Field Practicum (6-9 field hours a week required)
    • EDU 6495 (grad requirement):  Student Teaching (Full-time 12-week student teaching experience)
  • Students may take ETHNC 2550 (HF, DV), 2560(DV), 2570 (HF, DV), 2580 (BF, DV), or 2590 (HF, DV) to meet licensure requirements however it is highly recommended that students choose between 2550, 2570, 2580, or 2590 as those classes will satisfy two general education requirements.
  • Students may take FCS 5230 instead of ED PS 3721 (Adolescent Psychology) however it is not recommended since it doesn't meet a general education requirement.
  • Undergraduate students in this combined BS/MEd program are allowed to select up to 12 credit hours of graduate-level courses (5000 level or above) while still classified as an undergraduate student to be used in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the graduate degree. The recommended courses to be completed prior to starting the M.Ed are as follows:
    • SP ED 5012 is only taught in spring/summer so it should be taken before beginning the M.Ed. program
    • ED PS 6151 could be taken before starting the MEd year (only taught fall semester).
    • SP ED 6022 could be taken before starting the MEd year (taught every semester).
    • Any of the optional ESL endorsement courses can also be taken before starting the MEd year. (EDU 5200, ECS 5645, & ECS 5647)
Last Updated: 8/12/24