Mar 28, 2024  
2021-22 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-22 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physics, Physics Teaching Concentration, B.S.


Department of Physics and Astronomy  
615-898-2130
Ron Henderson, program coordinator
Ron.Henderson@mtsu.edu

All physics majors must choose to concentrate in Professional Physics, Physics Teaching, Applied Physics, or Astronomy. Each concentration specifies additional upper-division electives in physics and astronomy and other disciplines which vary by concentration. A minimum of 12 upper-division semester hours in the physics major must be taken at MTSU.

The Physics Teaching concentration offers preparation for careers as physics teachers, as well as serving as an appropriate degree path for other physics majors who do not plan to attend graduate school.

Students seeking a license to teach physics in secondary schools (grades 7-12) must complete (1) a major in physics with a concentration in Physics Teaching, and/or (2) a minor in Secondary Education through MTeach.

Academic Map


Following is a printable, suggested four-year schedule of courses:

Physics, Physics Teaching, B.S., Academic Map   

Degree Requirements


General Education 41 hours
Major Requirements 33 hours*
     Major Core    25 hours
     Physics Teaching Concentration    8 hours
Supporting Courses 26 hours*
Electives 20-31 hours
TOTAL 120 hours

*This program requires courses that can also fulfill requirements of the General Education curriculum. If program requirements are also used to fulfill General Education requirements, the number of elective hours will increase. 

General Education (41 hours)


General Education  requirements (shown in curricular listings below) include courses in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences.

The following courses are required by the program and can satisfy the respective General Education requirement:

Major Requirements (33 hours)


Supporting Courses (26 hours)


Electives (20-31 hours)


  • 36 total credits must be earned at the 3000/4000 level

NOTE:


The minimum number of hours for graduation is 120; however, the number of hours required for this program may exceed this if students choose the Secondary Education Minor  in addition to the Physics Teaching concentration.

Curriculum: Physics, Physics Teaching


Curricular listings include General Education  requirements in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences categories.

Subtotal: 31 Hours


Subtotal: 32 Hours


Junior


Subtotal: 29 Hours


Senior


Subtotal: 28 Hours