BS in Physics Teaching
(74.5–77.5 hours, including licensure requirements*)

Program Requirements    |    View MAP

1. No more than 3 hours of D credit is allowed in major courses.
2. Contact the Education Advisement and Certification Office for entrance requirements into the licensure program.
3. A teaching minor is not required for licensure. However, it is strongly recommended.
4. Complete the following:
   PHSCS 121 : Principles of Physics 1. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 121 : Principles of Physics 1. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring
   PREREQUISITE:	Calculus or concurrent enrollment.
   DESCRIPTION:	Newtonian mechanics. Weekly lab.
   
   
   PHSCS 123 : Principles of Physics 2. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 123 : Principles of Physics 2. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 121
   DESCRIPTION:	Waves, thermal physics, optics, special relativity, and introduction to modern physics. Weekly lab.
   
   
   PHSCS 127 : Descriptive Astronomy. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 127 : Descriptive Astronomy. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	Honors also.
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring
   DESCRIPTION:	Nonmathematical presentation of knowledge of the content and history of the cosmos, frequently using observatory and planetarium.
   
   
   PHSCS 140 : Electronics Lab. (1:1:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 140 : Electronics Lab. (1:1:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Spring
   DESCRIPTION:	Introduction to analog and digital circuits.
   
   
   PHSCS 145 : Experimental Methods in Physics. (1:0:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 145 : Experimental Methods in Physics. (1:0:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Winter; Summer
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 121 & PHSCS 140
   DESCRIPTION:	Introduction to physical measurement and analysis, optics, sensors, actuators, and computer-based data acquisition.
   
   
   PHSCS 191 : Introduction to Physics Careers and Research 1. (.5:1:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 191 : Introduction to Physics Careers and Research 1. (.5:1:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall Blk 1
   DESCRIPTION:	Survey of BYU undergraduate physics and astronomy programs, careers in physics and astronomy, and current physics and astronomy research.
   NOTE:	Take first semester after registered as physics major.
   
   
   PHSCS 220 : Principles of Physics 3. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 220 : Principles of Physics 3. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Summer
   PREREQUISITE:	Phscs 121 or equivalent; Math 113 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Electricity and magnetism. Weekly lab.
   
   
   PHSCS 222 : Modern Physics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 222 : Modern Physics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 121 & PHSCS 123 & PHSCS 220
   DESCRIPTION:	Quantum physics, atoms, molecules, condensed matter, nuclei, elementary particles, and selected topics in contemporary physics.
   
   
   PHSCS 240 : Design, Fabrication, and Use of Scientific Apparatus. (2:0:6)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 240 : Design, Fabrication, and Use of Scientific Apparatus. (2:0:6)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 123 & PHSCS 145
   DESCRIPTION:	Machining, computer interfacing, controls, and vacuum systems.
   
   
   
   
   Note: Phscs 191 should be taken the first semester.
5. Complete the following:
   Either
   MATH 112 : Calculus 1. (4:5:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 112 : Calculus 1. (4:5:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	Honors also.
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
   PREREQUISITE:	Math 110 and 111 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Differential and integral calculus: limits; continuity; the derivative and applications; extrema; the definite integral; fundamental theorem of calculus; L'Hopital's rule.
   
             : Honors Calculus 1.
   
   
   MATH 113 : Calculus 2. (4:5:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 113 : Calculus 2. (4:5:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	Honors also.
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
   PREREQUISITE:	Math 112 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Techniques and applications of integration; sequences, series, convergence tests, power series; parametric equations; polar coordinates.
   
   
   MATH 302 : Mathematics for Engineering 1. (4:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 302 : Mathematics for Engineering 1. (4:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter
   PREREQUISITE:	MATH 113; Passing grade on required preparatory exam taken during first week of class. (Practice exams available on class web site).
   DESCRIPTION:	Multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and numerical methods.
   
   
   Or
   MATH 112 : Calculus 1. (4:5:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 112 : Calculus 1. (4:5:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	Honors also.
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
   PREREQUISITE:	Math 110 and 111 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Differential and integral calculus: limits; continuity; the derivative and applications; extrema; the definite integral; fundamental theorem of calculus; L'Hopital's rule.
   
             : Honors Calculus 1.
   
   
   MATH 113 : Calculus 2. (4:5:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 113 : Calculus 2. (4:5:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	Honors also.
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
   PREREQUISITE:	Math 112 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Techniques and applications of integration; sequences, series, convergence tests, power series; parametric equations; polar coordinates.
   
   
   MATH 313 : Elementary Linear Algebra. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 313 : Elementary Linear Algebra. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	Honors also.
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
   PREREQUISITE:	MATH 112; or MATH 119
   DESCRIPTION:	Linear systems, matrices, vectors and vector spaces, linear transformations, determinants, inner product spaces, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors.
   
             : Honors Elementary Linear Algebra. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   
   MATH 314 : Calculus of Several Variables. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 314 : Calculus of Several Variables. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
   PREREQUISITE:	MATH 313
   DESCRIPTION:	Partial differentiation, the Jacobian matrix, and integral theorems of vector calculus.
   
   
6. Complete one course from the following:
   MATH 303 : Mathematics for Engineering 2. (4:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 303 : Mathematics for Engineering 2. (4:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter
   PREREQUISITE:	MATH 302; or MATH 314
   DESCRIPTION:	ODEs, Laplace transforms, Fourier series, PDEs.
   
   
   MATH 334 : Ordinary Differential Equations. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 334 : Ordinary Differential Equations. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
   PREREQUISITE:	MATH 113 & MATH 313
   DESCRIPTION:	Methods and theory of ordinary differential equations.
   
   
7. Complete an additional twelve hours from the following:
   • Complete up to 6 hours from the following:
     HIST 291 : History of Science. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     HIST 291 : History of Science. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     WHEN TAUGHT:	Winter Even Yrs.
     DESCRIPTION:	Graeco-Islamic scientific tradition. Ideas, practice, and social impact from Greek, Islamic, and Medieval European civilizations and science to eve of Scientific Revolution. Examines cross-cultural exchange, transformation of ideas.
     
     
     PHIL 423 : History and Philosophy of Science. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     PHIL 423 : History and Philosophy of Science. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     PREREQUISITE:	PHIL 300; Phy S 100 or instructor's consent.
     DESCRIPTION:	Scientific explanation, concepts, and models. Philosophical assumptions and criteria for theory selection, as exemplified by historical development of basic ideas in science.
     
     
     PHSCS 137 : Introduction to the Atmosphere and Weather. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     PHSCS 137 : Introduction to the Atmosphere and Weather. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter
     PREREQUISITE:	Phy S 100 or equivalent.
     DESCRIPTION:	Nonmathematical introduction to characteristics of the atmosphere, emphasizing structure and dynamic behavior, including the environmental impact of man.
     
     
     PHSCS 167 : Descriptive Acoustics of Music and Speech. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     PHSCS 167 : Descriptive Acoustics of Music and Speech. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter
     DESCRIPTION:	Introductory acoustics course, emphasizing physical principles underlying production and perception of music and speech.
     NOTE:	This course is part of a GE Mosaic. See ge.byu.edu/mosaic-list for more information.
     
     
     PHSCS 281 : Principles of Solid State Physics. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     PHSCS 281 : Principles of Solid State Physics. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall
     PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 121 & PHSCS 220
     DESCRIPTION:	Introduction to physics of solids, including laboratory experience.
     NOTE:	For students in science, computer science, technology, and engineering.
     
     
     PHSCS 310 : Physics By Inquiry: Mechanics. (3:2:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     PHSCS 310 : Physics By Inquiry: Mechanics. (3:2:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     WHEN TAUGHT:	Winter
     PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 105; or PHSCS 121
     DESCRIPTION:	Exploring principles of mechanics through scripted inquiry resulting in personal discovery of key principles and learning to teach through inquiry methods.
     
     
     PHSCS 311 : Physics By Inquiry: Electricity. (3:2:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     PHSCS 311 : Physics By Inquiry: Electricity. (3:2:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     WHEN TAUGHT:	Winter
     PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 106; or PHSCS 220
     DESCRIPTION:	Exploring principles of electricity through scripted inquiry resulting in personal discovery of key principles and learning to teach through inquiry methods.
     
     
     PHSCS 313R : Special Topics in Physics. (.5-3:ARR:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     PHSCS 313R : Special Topics in Physics. (.5-3:ARR:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     WHEN TAUGHT:	On Demand
     DESCRIPTION:	Special topics in physics for undergraduate physics majors.
     
     
   • Complete at least 6 hours from 300-, 400-, or 550-level physics courses, not including 310 or 311 (Phscs 321, 461, and 471 are highly recommended).

8. Complete the Professional Education Component:
   • Complete the following:
     CPSE 402 : Educating Students with Disabilities in Secondary Classrooms. (2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     CPSE 402 : Educating Students with Disabilities in Secondary Classrooms. (2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring
     PREREQUISITE:	Sc Ed 350 or concurrent enrollment; Sc Ed 276R or comparable major course.
     DESCRIPTION:	Issues, policies, and methods in teaching secondary students with disabilities in general education classrooms. Lab.
     
     
     IP&T 286 : Instructional Technology in Teaching. (1:1:ARR)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     IP&T 286 : Instructional Technology in Teaching. (1:1:ARR)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring
     DESCRIPTION:	Using instructional design, visual design, and differentiated staffing principles along with multimedia authoring systems, telecommunication, and other computer-based tools in the development of educational applications for secondary education settings.
     
     
     PHY S 276 : Exploration of Teaching. (4:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     PHY S 276 : Exploration of Teaching. (4:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     PREREQUISITE:	FBI fingerprint and background clearance.
     DESCRIPTION:	Field-based initial teaching experience directed at helping prospective teachers experience demands and opportunities associated with teaching secondary students.
     
     
     PHY S 377 : Teaching Methods and Instruction. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     PHY S 377 : Teaching Methods and Instruction. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter
     PREREQUISITE:	PHY S 276
     DESCRIPTION:	Developing meaningful and engaging instruction for secondary students; developing critical thinking, problem solving, literacy, and democratic character; assessing learner performance.
     
     
     PHY S 378 : Practicum in Secondary Education. (1:0:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     PHY S 378 : Practicum in Secondary Education. (1:0:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter
     PREREQUISITE:	Concurrent enrollment in Phy S 377.
     DESCRIPTION:	Implementing meaningful and engaging instruction for secondary students; developing critical thinking, problem solving, literacy, and democratic character; assessing learner performance.
     
     
     SC ED 350 : Adolescent Development in an Education Context. (2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     SC ED 350 : Adolescent Development in an Education Context. (2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
     PREREQUISITE:	Sc Ed 276R or comparable major course.
     DESCRIPTION:	Adolescent development and its implications for integrated school culture, curriculum design, instructional practices, and assessment.
     
     
     SC ED 353 : Multicultural Education. (2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     SC ED 353 : Multicultural Education. (2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
     PREREQUISITE:	Sc Ed 350 or concurrent enrollment; Sc Ed 276R or comparable major course.
     DESCRIPTION:	Designing and adapting instruction for diverse learners; collaborating with families, cultures, and communities in promoting and sustaining learning.
     
     
     SC ED 379 : Classroom Management. (1:1:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     SC ED 379 : Classroom Management. (1:1:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
     PREREQUISITE:	Concurrent enrollment in Sc Ed 377R and 378, or equivalent major courses.
     DESCRIPTION:	Current theory, research, and application in classroom management; creating positive teacher-student and peer relationships; developing optimal learning environments.
     
     

     Note: FBI fingerprint and background clearance must be completed prior to enrollment in Phy S 276.

   • Complete 12 hours of one of the following:
     SC ED 476R : Secondary Student-Teaching. (12:ARR:ARR)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     SC ED 476R : Secondary Student-Teaching. (12:ARR:ARR)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter
     PREREQUISITE:	Completion of all course work or departmental approval; requires a major GPA of 2.85; at least a C- in Sc Ed 377.
     DESCRIPTION:	Capstone, field-based, semester-long experience in teaching secondary students; demonstrating proficiency in all program standards. Seminar required.
     
                 : Secondary Student Teaching - Art.
                 : Secondry Student Teaching - Dance.
                 : Secondary Student Teaching - Foreign Language.
                 : Secondary Student Teaching - French.
                 : Secondary Student Teaching - Consumer Science.
                 : Secondary Student Teaching - Mathematics.
                 : Secondary Student Teaching - Physical Education.
                 : Secondary Student Teaching - Physical Science.
                 : Secondary Student Teaching - Social Science.
                 : Secondary Student Teaching - Spanish.
     
     
     SC ED 496R : Academic Internship: Secondary Education. (12:ARR:ARR)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     SC ED 496R : Academic Internship: Secondary Education. (12:ARR:ARR)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
     
     WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall
     PREREQUISITE:	Completion of all course work or departmental approval; requires a major GPA of 2.85; at least a C- grade in Sc Ed 377.
     DESCRIPTION:	Capstone, field-based, year-long experience in teaching secondary students; demonstrating proficiency in all program standards. Seminar required.
     
                 : Academic Internship: Social Sciences.
                 : Academic Internship: English.
                 : Academic Internship: Mathematics.
                 : Academic Internship: Biological Sciences.
                 : Academic Internship: Physical Sciences.
     
     

9. Take a department exit examination in the senior year.

*Hours include courses that may fulfill university core requirements.

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