Physics Education

This is an archived copy of the 2023-24 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.ndsu.edu.

Major Requirements

Major: Physics Education

Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 120

University Degree Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
  2. Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework.  Some academic programs exceed this minimum.
  3. Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specified by the university.
  4. A minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
  5. At least 30 credits must be NDSU resident credits.  Resident credits include credits registered and paid for at NDSU.
  6. At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses numbered 300 or higher.
  7. Students presenting transfer credit must meet the NDSU residence credits and the minimum upper level credit. Of the 30 credits earned in residence, a minimum of 15 semester credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above, and 15 semester credits must be in the student’s curricula for their declared major.

For complete information, please refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section of this Bulletin.

University General Education Requirements

Communication (C)12
College Composition I
College Composition II
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Upper Division Writing
Quantitative Reasoning (R) 3
Science and Technology (S) 10
Humanities and Fine Arts (A) 6
Social and Behavioral Sciences (B) 6
Wellness (W) 2
Cultural Diversity (D) *†
Global Perspectives (G) *†
Total Credits39
*

 May be satisfied by completing courses in another General Education category.

 General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable.  Students should carefully review major requirements to determine if specific courses can also satisfy these general education categories.

  •  A list of university approved general education courses and administrative policies are available here.

Major Requirements

Teaching Specialty Requirements
BIOL 150
150L
General Biology I
and General Biology I Laboratory
4
Pick an introductory chemistry sequence (A or B):8
Sequence A:
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Laboratory
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Laboratory
Sequence B:
Principles of Chemistry I
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I
Principles of Chemistry II
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory II
ENGL 324Writing in the Sciences3
Select one of the following geology courses and lab:4
Physical Geology
and Physical Geology Lab
The Earth Through Time
and The Earth Through Time Lab
Select one of the following algebra courses:3
Basic Linear Algebra
Intermediate Linear Algebra
MATH 165Calculus I4
MATH 166Calculus II4
MATH 265Calculus III4
MATH 266Introduction to Differential Equations3
PHYS 110Introductory Astronomy3
PHYS 171Introductory Projects in Physics1
PHYS 251
251L
University Physics I
and University Physics I Laboratory
5
PHYS 252
252L
University Physics II
and University Physics II Laboratory
5
PHYS 350Modern Physics3
PHYS 355Classical Mechanics (or PHYS 330: Intermediate Mechanics (MSUM))3
PHYS 361Electromagnetic Theory (or PHYS370: Electromagnetic Theory (MSUM))3
PHYS 411
411L
Optics for Scientists & Engineers
and Optics for Scientists and Engineers Lab
4
PHYS 462Thermal and Statistical Physics3
Professional Education Requirements
EDUC 321Introduction to Teaching3
EDUC 322Educational Psychology3
EDUC 451Instructional Planning, Methods and Assessment3
EDUC 475Reading in the Content Area2
EDUC 481Classroom Practice Methods of Teaching I: (Science)3
EDUC 482Classroom Practice/Methods of Teaching II: (Science)3
EDUC 485Student Teaching Seminar1
EDUC 486Classroom Management for Diverse Learners3
EDUC 487Student Teaching9
EDUC 488Applied Student Teaching3
EDUC 489Teaching Students of Diverse Backgrounds3
Total Credits103

Degree Requirements and Notes

  • See School of Education for admission requirements.
  • Courses taken P/F may not be used to satisfy any requirements.
  • A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in all professional education courses.
  • To be placed in student teaching, a 2.75 cumulative GPA and a 2.75 GPA in professional education coursework is required.
  • To exit the program, a 2.75 cumulative GPA and a 2.75 GPA in professional education coursework is required as well as completing the Praxis Subject test and the Principles of Learning and Teaching test.
  • Adding Mathematics as an additional teacher licensure area can be accomplished with 6 additional credit hours.  See your academic advisor for details.