Natural Science: Physics
Completion of all program requirements, including passing state tests, qualifies you to teach the science of your major (biology or physics) at all levels in grades 9-12, including honors and AP courses. All science candidates, regardless of major, are required to complete 6 semester hours or 1.5 IWU units of additional coursework in at least one other science area including life sciences (Biology & Environmental Sciences). To qualify for teaching honors and AP courses in areas of science other than your major, plan on obtaining an additional science content specific endorsement by completing 12 semester hours (3 IWU units) or passing the content test.
The Teacher Education Program (TEP) Handbook provides detailed information about the TEP program, admission requirements, field requirements, and state and university licensure requirements.
Secondary Education Major/Professional Education (10.5 units)
Take the courses below in the sequence listed. Refer to the IWU catalog for course prerequisites and restrictions on concurrent enrollment. The professional education courses listed below are used to compute your professional education grade point average (GPA) for TEP and student teaching acceptance.
First Year
Fall/Spring
EDUC 225: Education and Social Justice (CSI) | |
EDUC 125: Schooling in Society , in most cases, concurrent with 225 | 20-25 hours field experience |
OR | |
EDUC 255: Child Study and Assessment (W) | |
EDUC 126: Teaching to the World of the Child , in most cases, concurrent with 255 | 20-25 hours field experience |
Sophomore Year
Fall/Spring
EDUC 225: Education and Social Justice (CSI) | |
EDUC 125: Schooling in Society , in most cases, concurrent with 225 | 20-25 hours field experience |
OR | |
EDUC 255: Child Study and Assessment (W) | |
EDUC 126: Teaching to the World of the Child , in most cases, concurrent with 255 | 20-25 hours field experience |
EDUC 257: Disability Rights(AV,U) |
Junior Year*
Fall/Spring
EDUC 257: Disability Rights(AV,U) , if still needed |
Fall
EDUC 320: Foundations of Literacy: Reading, Writing, and Oral Communication | 25 hours field experience |
OR
EDUC 365: Reading, Writing and Communication in the Content Areas |
Spring
EDUC 345: Instructional Planning, Assessment and Safe Learning Environments | 40-45 hours field experience |
EDUC 363: Seminar: Curriculum and Pedagogy in the Natural Sciences |
Senior Year
Fall
EDUC 490: Student Teaching Seminar | 15 week full time immersion in the field (continues from Jr. year Spring placement) |
EDUC 495: Student Teaching: Secondary Science |
Spring
EDUC 498: Educational Inquiry (W) |
Physics Major Requirements (10 units)
The required Physics courses listed below are used to compute your major grade point average for TEP and student teaching acceptance. Four courses in the major and a GPA of 2.75 is required for TEP admission; six courses and a GPA of 3.00 are required for student teaching acceptance. State law specifies a minimum grade of C- for any course required for licensure and endorsement, including major courses, regardless of GPA.
Physics 105 |
Physics I Mechanics |
Physics 106 |
Physics II: Electricity, Magnetism, Optics |
Physics 207 |
Physics III: Modern Physics and Thermodynamics |
Physics 304 |
Mathematical Methods of Physical Science |
Physics 405 or Physics 406 and Physics 407 or Physics 408. |
Theoretical Mechanics OR Electricity and Magnetism and Introduction to Quantum Mechanics or Statistical Physics |
Bio 101/102 |
General Biology ( 2 semesters or one full year) |
Chem 201/202 |
General Chemistry (2 semesters or one full year) |
Students must also take four additional courses in Physics selected in consultation with their advisor. Two of the courses must be at the upper level and have a laboratory component. These include: Physics 301 (Intermediate Experimental Methods), Physics 305 (Electronics), Physics 306 (Materials Physics), Physics 307 (Optical Physics), Physics 308 (Scientific Imaging), Physics 339 (Engineering Design), Physics 370 (An Exploration of Advanced Topics in Physics, when it has a lab component) and Physics 399 (Experimental Physics). |
Coursework in Environmental Science and Geology 101 is also recommended. Consult with your Physics major and Educational Studies advisors as to the best options. Chemistry, Biology and other science courses are not used to compute your major grade point average for TEP and student teaching acceptance; however you must earn a grade of C- or higher, per state licensure requirements.
IWU General Education
The IWU general education category requirements listed below are met with required major or licensure courses.
- Analysis of Values (AV): PHIL 214, Philosophy of Education (recommended but not required).
- Contemporary Social Institutions (CSI): EDUC 225 (required).
- Formal Reasoning (FR): Consult with your science major advisor regarding recommended mathematics courses for the major.
- Life and Physical Science Issues and Lab: Major and licensure requirements.
- Writing Intensive (W): EDUC 255 and 498 courses (required). Additional W requirements are in the major.
- U.S. Diversity flag (U): EDUC 257 (required).
Additional Content Specific Endorsements in Science
Science candidates may earn additional high school level content specific endorsements in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science, and/or Earth and Space Science by passing the applicable content test or completing 12 semester hours of coursework in the content area. This provision only applies if an educator already holds an issued designation science endorsement. For example, an educator would qualify for this provision with a Science-Physics endorsement. Alternatively, you may qualify by completing another major in the area of the endorsement. A content specific endorsement “highly qualifies” you to teach AP or Honors level courses in one of the above science disciplines.
The four year licensure program rarely allows completion of required endorsement coursework in additional areas such as social science, English, mathematics, or foreign language. (See those program handbook pages for specific endorsement requirements.) Please consult with your School of Educational Studies advisor, the Director of Teacher Education, or the Assistant Director for Teacher Licensure about pursuing additional endorsements.
The Assistant Director for Teacher Licensure verifies the completion of endorsement requirements during the entitlement process. You may add endorsements to your license after graduation and any time during your teaching career by completing state requirements (https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Subsequent-Teaching-Endorsements.aspx). Applicants apply for additional endorsements using the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS).
Fall Semester
- PHYS 105 (lecture and lab) Physics I - Mechanics (PSL)
- MATH 176 Calculus I (FR)**
- Gateway Colloquium
- Second Language Course
- Physical Education (PEX)
Spring Semester
- EDUC 225/EDUC 125 Education and Social Justice (CSI) OR
- EDUC 255/EDUC 126 Child Study and Assessment (W)
- PHYS 106 (lecture and lab) Physics II - Electricity, Magnetism and Optics
- MATH 177 Calculus II
- Second Language Course
- Physical Education (PEY)
Fall Semester
- EDUC 225/EDUC 125 Education and Social Justice (CSI) OR
- EDUC 255/EDUC 126 Child Study and Assessment (W)
- General Education Course
- PHYS 207 Physics III - Modern Physics and Thermodynamics
- Choose one of the following:
- BIOL (lecture & lab) 101 General Biology (LSL) or BIOL 107 (lecture & lab) Human Biology: Anatomy and Physiology (LSL)
- CHEM 201 (lecture and lab) General Chemistry I (PSL)
Leah Nillas - Chair and Associate Professor of Educational Studies
Department - School Of Educational Studies