2020-21 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2020-21 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Adolescence Education: Physics and Mathematics (7-12) [APM]


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This major in the Physics Department  leads to New York state certification to teach both physics and mathematics in grades 7-12.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Apply the core principles of physics, including principles from classical mechanics, electromagnetic theory, thermodynamics, optics, electronics, quantum mechanics, and special relativity.
  2. Use mathematical techniques from calculus, differential equations, and applied mathematical methods.
  3. Understand and articulate the knowledge and practices of contemporary science. They interrelate and interpret important concepts, ideas, and applications in their fields of licensure.
  4. Understand how students learn and develop scientific knowledge. Preservice teachers use scientific inquiry to develop this knowledge for all students.
  5. Plan for engaging all students in science learning by setting appropriate goals that are consistent with knowledge of how students learn science and are aligned with state and national standards. The plans reflect the nature and social context of science, inquiry, and appropriate safety considerations.
  6. Design and select learning activities, instructional settings, and resources--including science-specific technology, to achieve those goals; and they plan fair and equitable assessment strategies to evaluate if the learning goals are met.
  7. Demonstrate and maintain chemical safety, safety procedures, and the ethical treatment of living organisms needed in the P-12 science classroom appropriate to their area of licensure.
  8. Provide evidence to show that P-12 students' understanding of major science concepts, principles, theories, and laws have changed as a result of instruction by the candidate and that student knowledge is at a level of understanding beyond memorization. Candidates provide evidence for the diversity of students they teach.
  9. Develop knowledge and understanding of the ever-changing knowledge base of both content, and science pedagogy, including approaches for addressing inequities and inclusion for all students in science. They identify with and conduct themselves as part of the science education community.

Program Standard Grade Point Average Requirement

The major GPA is calculated by all courses identified in the college catalog as required for the major. In addition, this program has an established program standard GPA which may be used to determine progress in the program.

  • Program Standard GPA
    • Minimum GPA of 2.5 in PHY 150, 155, 201, 202, 203, 357, 410, 420, 425, 450, or 300:599
  • Program Standard GPA in Mathematics
    • Minimum GPA of 2.5 in MAT 135, 224, 236, 237, 272, 370, 375, 425, or 446
  • Professional Preparation GPA
    • Minimum GPA of 3.0 in AED 391, 392, 443, 444, or

ESL 406, or
HLH 199, or
LIT 449, or
PSY 101, 232, or
SPE 275

  • Courses Applied to Program Standard GPA in Physics
    • 30 credits in PHY 150, 201, 202, 203, 357, 410, 420, 425, 450, or PHY 300:599
  • Courses Applied to Program Standard GPA in Mathematics

30 credits in MAT 135, 224, 236, 237, 272, 370, 375, 425, or 446

  • Courses Applied to Professional Preparation GPA

27 credits in AED 391, 392, 443, 444, or

ESL 406, or
HLH 199, or
LIT 449, or
PSY 101, 232, or
SPE 275

Career Potential

  • Physics (7-12) and Mathematics (7-12) teacher
  • Technical specialist
  • Graduate study in higher education

Acceptance to the Program

Students will be accepted to the program after 45 credit hours have been completed. At that time students must have an overall grade point average of 2.5, a grade point average of 2.5 in physics and in mathematics, and an overall grade point average of 3.0 in the professional core courses.

Mathematics Department Course Retake Policy

  • For the purpose of this policy, "course" refers to any course offered by the Mathematics Department that is used to satisfy the requirements of any major or minor offered by the department [MAT], [AEM], [APM].
  • A student may repeat a course to replace a failing grade, grade of X (withdrawal from course) or to improve the student's grade point average when the first enrollment resulted in a passing grade.
  • A student may enroll in a course twice. A third or subsequent enrollment in that course shall be with the approval and by action of the Mathematics Department only. Such approval shall be given on a case by case basis and is not guaranteed. However, unless exceptional circumstances justify otherwise, a student shall not be allowed a third or subsequent enrollment in the same course if their total number of retakes in courses required for the major or minor is four or more. All retakes of the same course count towards this four-course threshold
  • Students who are unable to earn the required grade after their allowable attempts will be blocked from further registration in the course. As such, if this course is required for the major/minor, the student will not be able to complete their program of study and will need to pursue a different major or minor.
  • Courses that are dropped during the add/drop period (the first week of classes) do not count as enrollments in this retake policy.

B. Required Courses in Mathematics: 30 credit hours


Includes the cross-listed course PHY/MAT 425.

C. Required Courses in Related Areas of Science: 8 credit hours


E. Additional Requirements: 18-21 credit hours


  • Composition and General Elective Courses: 18 credit hours
  • Category 12 of the General Education requirements is satisfied by the cumulative experience of the students in the program.
  • Foreign Language Courses: 3 credit hours

Foreign Language through the 102 level is required for certification. A student may take level 102 only.

F. Admission to the Major


Admission to the major requires completion of at least 45 credit hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 overall; a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in each of the areas A and B, and a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in area D. Students enrolled in an adolescence education science program will not be allowed to progress through courses in the pedagogical sequence if they have notmet all the criteria for admission to teacher education by the time they have completed AED 391: Introduction to Adolescence Education. The pedagogical sequence is designated by:

G. Eligibility for Student Teaching


To be eligible for AED 445: Student Teaching, a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5 is required. Additionally, a minimum grade point average of 2.5 is required in each of the areas A and  B, and a minimum grade point average of a 3.0 is required in area D. A student must complete all program requirements before student teaching can begin with the exception of those courses allowed by the Physics Department and the coordinator for adolescence education: science.

H. Other Requirements


Specific information regarding state examinations for New York state teaching certification can be found under Degree Requirements .

Required Workshops


Complete the following workshops prior to student teaching:

  • Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting (CARR)
  • Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)
  • Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE)

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 125 credit hours


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