Physics, Preparation for Teaching, BA

This major is designed for students interested in teaching science in high school or middle school. Students enrolled in this program will earn units towards their single subject credential as an undergraduate. The following course work satisfies San José State University’s requirements for a BA in Physics, offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy . A minimum grade point average (GPA) criterion may be required for verification of subject matter competency. Completion of the program will not guarantee admission to the credential program. Like all other applicants, students must meet credential program standards and undergo screening for admission. See “Teaching: How to Become a Teacher in California” (see Teaching) for information on application and admission to credential programs.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Students must satisfy the specific degree requirements for their undergraduate major and fulfill the following University degree requirements:

Academic (program total units with an average 2.0 GPA - “C” or better)
General Education (GE) (34 Lower Division + 9 Upper Division)
American Institutions (AI) (0-6 units) (may be satisfied in GE Areas 3B, 4, UD 3, UD 4)
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) (3 units)
Physical Education (PE) (0-2 units)
Units in Residence (30 units, including 24 upper division and 12 in major)
Upper Division Units (40 units, including 12 upper div in major for BA, 18 upper div in major for BS)
Undergraduate Policies & Procedures
Apply for Graduation
Information about the Commencement Ceremony and Conferral of the Degree

Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements including exemptions and waivers, are approved for specific majors and on a case-by-case evaluation only.

Summary of Degree Units

Core Lower Division GE: 18 (7 units may be satisfied by major coursework: Areas 5A, 5C, 2; 3 units of 5B waived)

6 required units of American Institutions/US123 may be satisfied by selecting applicable GE courses in Areas 3B and/or 4

Upper Division GE: 9

Physical Education: 2

GWAR / WID: 3

Major Preparation: 21

Major Requirements: 56

University Electives: 5

Total: 120

2. Major Preparation (21 units)

CHEM 1A - General Chemistry 5 unit(s) (GE Area 5A and 5C / Formerly Area B1 and B3)
MATH 30 - Calculus I 3 unit(s) (GE Area 2 / Formerly Area B4)
MATH 31 - Calculus II 4 unit(s) (GE Area 2 / Formerly Area B4)
MATH 32 - Calculus III 3 unit(s) (GE Area 2 / Formerly Area B4)
MATH 33A - Ordinary Differential Equations for SCI & ENGR 3 unit(s)
MATH 39 - Linear Algebra I 3 unit(s)

3. Major Requirements (56 units)

Core Courses

EDTE 294 - Research/Practices in Health and Special Education 3 unit(s)
EDSC 162 - Language/Literacy Development of L2 Learners 3 unit(s)
PHYS 20 - Invitation to Physics and Astronomy 1 unit(s)
PHYS 40 - Introduction to Computational Physics 3 unit(s)
PHYS 50 - General Physics I: Mechanics 4 unit(s) (GE Area 5A and 5C / Formerly Area B1 and B3)
PHYS 51 - General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism 4 unit(s) (GE Area 5A and 5C / Formerly Area B1 and B3)
PHYS 52 - General Physics III: Waves, Light, Heat 4 unit(s) (GE Area 5A and 5C / Formerly Area B1 and B3)
PHYS 105A - Advanced Mechanics I 4 unit(s)
PHYS 110A - Electricity and Magnetism I 4 unit(s)
PHYS 120A - Electronics, Data Acquisition & Analysis 3 unit(s)
PHYS 122 - Modern Physics 4 unit(s)
PHYS 130 - Mathematical Methods in Physics 3 unit(s)
SCED 273 - Secondary School Science 3 unit(s)
SCED 175 - Classroom Experiences in Science Teaching 1 unit(s)
Additional units of upper division physics 9 unit(s)

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