2024-25 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Nov 21, 2024  
2024-25 Undergraduate Catalog

Adolescence Education: Physics (7-12) [APH]


This major in the Physics Department  leads to New York state certification to teach physics 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.

Career Potential

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

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 related areas, and a grade point average of 3.0 in the professional core courses.

Professional Licensure Disclosure Information 

B. Required Courses in Related Areas of Science and Mathematics: 27 credit hours


Select one of the following four courses:


D. Additional Requirements 33 credit hours


  • Composition and General Education Courses: 27 credit hours
  • Foreign Language Courses: 0-6 credit hours
    Foreign Language through the 102 level is required for certification. A student may begin the sequence at the 101 level, however if a score of 85 or better is received on the New York State Regents exam, only the 102 level is required.

E. 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 C above. Students enrolled in an adolescence education science program will not be allowed to progress through courses in the pedagogical sequence if they have not met 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:

F. 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 C.  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 adolescence education-science coordinator.

G. Other Requirements


Specific information regarding requirements such as 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 (CAR)
  • Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)
  • Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE)

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 120-123 credit hours


Example of Adolescence Education: Physics (7-12) [APH] over four years


General Education (General Education  ) and World Language Requirement  

Total credit hours for semester: 14


Total credit hours for semester: 18


Second Year Fall


Total credit hours for semester: 17


Second Year Spring


Total credit hours for semester: 17


Total credit hours for semester: 16


Third Year Spring


Total credit hours for semester: 13


Total credit hours for semester: 16


Fourth Year Spring


Total credit hours for semester: 12