Physics Adolescence Education Major

Main Page Content

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

Program Eligibility

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

General Education Requirements (28 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.

  • GEP 100 Academic Planning Seminar (1 credit)
  • ENG 112 (gen ed code Q) College Composition (3 credits)

Physics Content and Co-Requisites (57 credits)

Core Courses (31 credits)

  • PHS 235 Physics I (4 credits)
  • PHS 240 Physics II (4 credits)
  • PHS 307 Physics III (3 credits)
  • PHS 325 Optics and Electronics Laboratory (2 credits)
  • PHS 328 Modern Physics (3 credits)
  • PHS 332 Intermediate Mechanics & Math Methods (3 credits)
  • PHS 345 Advanced Physics Laboratory I (1 credit)
  • PHS 350 Advanced Physics Laboratory II (1 credit)
  • PHS 403 Physics Project Seminar I (1 credit)
  • PHS 411 Quantum Mechanics (3 credits)
  • PHS 419 Electricity and Magnetism (3 credits)
  • PHS 423 Advanced Mechanics (3 credits)

Additional Requirements (26 credits)

  • MTH 201 Calculus I (4 credits)
  • MTH 202 Calculus II (4 credits)
  • MTH 203 Calculus III (4 credits)
  • MTH 255 Ordinary Differential Equations (3 credits)
  • CHM 205 College Chemistry I (4 credits)
  • CHM 206 College Chemistry II (4 credits)
  • ESC 251 Scientific Computing (3 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

  • EDI 409 Teaching Students with Special Needs Across the Curriculum (3 credits)
  • EDI 430 Education and Society (3 credits)
  • EDI 459 Adolescent Development and Learning (3 credits)

Phase I

  • EDI 431 Teaching Literacy in Middle & High School Content Areas I (3 credits)
  • EDI 447 Inclusive Middle Level Teaching in Science (Fall only) (3 credits)
  • PRO 430 EHD Adolescence Field Experience (1 credit)

Phase II

  • EDI 331 Adolescence Classroom Management (co-requisite EDI 467) (1 credit)
  • EDI 432 Teaching Literacy in Middle & High School Content Areas II (3 credits)
  • EDI 467 Teaching Science Inclusively (Spring only, prerequisite EDI 447) (3 credits)
  • PRO 431 EHD Adolescence Field Experience II (1 credit)

Phase III Student Teaching

  • EDI 464 Seminar in Adolescence Inclusive Education (co-requisite 433) (3 credits)
  • PRO 433 EHD Practicum in Adolescence Inclusive Education (co-requisite 464) (9 credits)

Total Credits (121)

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

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.

Certification

College Endorsement

Students must complete this program and submit the recommendation form to be eligible for the College's recommendation for New York State certification. Students should consult the Brockport Certification Office for 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
 
Peter Veronesi, Ph.D.
Professor of Education
(585) 395-5544
pveronesi@brockport.edu