Physics Adolescence Education Major (BS)

Description

Physics is the study of the physical properties of the universe and of the fundamental properties and interactions of matter and energy. Physics has applications in every field of pure and applied science, such as engineering, optics, materials science, space science, and medicine.

The major in Physics Adolescence Education is intended for students who want to become certified to teach high school Physics. It includes 57 credits in the Physics Content Core and 36 credits of Pedagogy Content offered by the Department of Education and Human Development (EHD). Because of the large number of required credits in this major, students should plan their time at Brockport carefully and consult with advisors in both Physics and EHD.

The Physics Adolescence Education major leads to initial certification (see ‘Certification’ below) under the ‘Adolescence Physics Education’ category as outlined by the New York State Education Department (NYSED):

  • Adolescence Physics, 7-12
  • Adolescence Physics, 5-6 Extension

Admission to the Program

Students will need to meet SUNY 3.0 GPA requirements for acceptance into the program in one of the following ways:

First-Year Students Criteria

First-year students must meet at least one of the following admissions criteria:

  • High School GPA of a B or better
  • High School Rank in top 30%
  • SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing+Math) ≥ 1140
  • ACT ≥ 24
  • Brockport GPA ≥ 3.0 based on at least 12 credits

Transfer Students Criteria

Transfer students must meet at least one of the following admissions criteria:

  • High School GPA of a B or better
  • High School Rank in top 30%
  • SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing+Math) ≥ 1140
  • ACT ≥ 24
  • Transfer GPA ≥ 3.0 based on at least 12 credits
  • Brockport GPA ≥ 3.0 based on at least 12 credits

Program Requirements

General Education Requirements (27-33 credits)

Teacher candidates must meet the general education requirements in effect at the time of matriculation. Some general education requirements also count toward major requirements, while others contribute to the requirements for certification.

  • Arts elective (F) (3 credits)
  • Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, & Social Justice elective (D) (3 credits)
  • ENG 112 (gen ed code Q) College Composition (3 credits)

Physics Content and Co-Requisites (57 credits)

Core Courses (31 credits)

Additional Requirements (26 credits)

Prerequisites

  • ENG 112 is a pre-requisite for PHS 325
  • MTH 122 (4 credits) may be required depending on student’s high school record

Pedagogy Content (36 credits)

Pre-Acceptance

Phase I

Phase II

Phase III Student Teaching

Total Credits (120-126)

All EDI and PRO courses require a grade of C or higher for program continuation.

Additional Degree Requirements

Program Planning

  • EDI 447 and 467require a 50-hour field experience beyond class time.
  • Complete all content, cognate and professional courses (Phases 1-2) prior to Phase 3

Continuation Requirements (Once Enrolled)

  • Maintain ≥ 2.0 cumulative Brockport GPA
  • Earn ≥ C in all content core, EDI, PRO, and modern languages courses
  • Complete prerequisite course(s) before moving to the next program phase
  • Minimum grade levels apply to transfer courses. Community college advising guides are available here
  • Demonstrate the dispositions necessary in the teaching profession
  • Acquire and maintain an acceptable level of professional performance
  • A ≥ 2.5 cumulative Brockport GPA is required to student teach.

Continuation in the program may be denied to any teacher candidate whose level of performance and/or dispositions do not adequately meet academic or professional standards. Decisions with respect to retention or dismissal of a teacher candidate are made by the faculty and staff of the Department of Education and Human Development, in consultation with the faculty in the Department of Physics, and not by any one person.

Students should note that admission into most graduate education programs in New York State will require a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for admittance.

Licensure & Certification

University Endorsement

Students must complete this program and submit the recommendation form to be eligible for the University’s recommendation for New York State certification. Students should consult the Brockport Certification Officefor the full list of New York state requirements for certification.

New York State Initial Teacher Certification Exams

Prospective Adolescence Education Teacher candidates must pass the following New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) to obtain initial certification in the State of New York:

Physics Certification exams

  • Educating All Students (EAS)
  • Content Specialty Test (CST) – Physics
  • edTPA

Workshops

Students must complete the following workshops and trainings for program completion:

Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Maltreatment: Mandated Reporter Training (CAD)

School Violence Prevention and Intervention Workshop (SAVE)

Harassment and Bullying Prevention Certification Training (DASA)

Program Co-Advisors

Eric M. Monier, Ph.D.
Professor of Physics
(585) 395-5589
emonier@brockport.edu

Buffie Edick, MS
Advisement Coordinator
Department of Education and Human Development
(585) 395-2326
bedick@brockport.edu

Amy McNulty, MS.Ed.
Adolescence Education Advisement Coordinator
School of Arts and Sciences
(585) 395-5516
amcnulty@brockport.edu

Student Learning Outcomes

Physics Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate competency in applying the basic laws of physics.
    1. Core topics (classical and quantum mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics)
    2. Fundamental themes (conservation laws, particle nature of matter, waves, etc.)
  2. Demonstrate instrumentation competency.
    1. Students will collect data with software tools such as LabVIEW and Arduino programing.
  3. Demonstrate software competency.
    1. Students will use industry-standard software and coding tools such as Excel, Mathematica, Python or C++ for design, modeling, or analysis in the course of solving problems.
  4. Demonstrate data analytics competency.
    1. Students will analyze data, including statistics and uncertainty analysis, and prepare tables and charts to support conclusions.
  5. Communicate scientific concepts and the results of scientific research both orally and in writing.
  6. Demonstrate familiarity with workplace concepts and professional skills
    1. Students will demonstrate their grasp of concepts and skills such as: project management, adapting to unforeseen problems, completing work in a timely manner, working collegially in teams, best-practices with respect to safety, and properly assessing one’s skills as related to a specific project.

    Pedagogical Student Learning Outcomes

    1. Content knowledge: Students will be able to understand the central concepts of their discipline.
    2. Pedagogical content knowledge: Students will be able to develop instructional plans and strategies, and connect them with content knowledge to enhance learning opportunities for 5-12 students.
    3. Professional knowledge and skills: Students will be able to understand the learning needs of all students, and utilize their professional knowledge and skills, including the implementation of assessments and technology, to create effective learning experiences.
    4. Reflective skills: Students will be able to continuously evaluate the impact of their work with students, reflecting on their success as teachers and addressing their needs for continuing professional improvement.
    5. Professional dispositions: Students will demonstrate practicing professional ethics, including dedication, respect, intellectual integrity, positive outlook, and self-awareness.
    6. Positive impact on 5-12 learning: Students will be able to produce evidence that they engage students in meaningful activity that promotes the development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills

Login