Program: Physics: Secondary Education Certification, BS - Widener University

Apr 02, 2025

2022 - 2023 Undergraduate Catalog

Curriculum Sequence

Students majoring in physics can obtain secondary certification in physics by completing the secondary education track. Students must also follow the instructions and requirements in the Center for Education section. Students may seek certification in more than one field; however, this usually requires more than eight semesters. Students who wish to become certified in more than one area should work closely with their faculty advisor when planning course schedules.

Curriculum Sequence

Changes may occur via the Pennsylvania Department of Education and will be communicated to students through their advisors. Education students must receive a grade of B (3.0) or better in the majority of education classes. Students must have a 2.9 overall GPA and pass PAPA, CORE, or have SAT or ACT scores that are high enough to offer exemption from these assessments to be admitted to teacher candidacy. Please see the Office of Certification for more information on testing. Students must have current criminal record checks, FBI clearances, and child abuse clearances.

Freshman

Fall (14.5 Credits)

ENGL 101 - Reading, Thinking and Writing 3 Credit(s)
MATH 141 - Calculus I 4 Credit(s)
PHYS 161 - Physics I 3 Credit(s)
PHYS 163 - Physics I Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
ED 100 - Introduction to Education 3 Credit(s)
Physical Education Elective 0.5 Credit(s)

Spring (15.5 Credits)

PSY 105 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 102 - Literature and Critical Writing (W) 3 Credit(s)
MATH 142 - Calculus II 4 Credit(s)
PHYS 162 - Physics II 3 Credit(s)
PHYS 164 - Physics II Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
Physical Education Elective 0.5 Credit(s)
Portfolio Requirement – Transition Point I

Sophomore

Fall (17 Credits)

ASTR 200 - Astronomy and Astrophysics 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 145 - General Chemistry I 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 147 - General Chemistry Lab I 1 Credit(s)
ED 107 - Introduction to Special Education 3 Credit(s)
MATH 241 - Multivariable Calculus 4 Credit(s)
HUM Elective 3 Credit(s)

Spring (17 Credits)

CHEM 146 - General Chemistry II 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 148 - General Chemistry Lab II 1 Credit(s)
ED 200 - Classroom Management (W) 3 Credit(s)
PSY 202 - Educational Psychology (S) 3 Credit(s)
MATH 242 - Elementary Differential Equations 3 Credit(s)
PHYS 261 - Modern Physics With Applications 3 Credit(s)
PHYS 263 - Physics III Lab 1 Credit(s)
Apply for teacher candidacy.
Portfolio Requirement – Transition Point II

Junior

Fall (17 Credits)

BIOL 101 - Principles of Biological Systems 4 Credit(s)
ED 330 - English Language Learners PK-12 3 Credit(s)
PHYS 271 - Computational Methods in Physics 1 Credit(s)
PHYS 309 - Mathematical Methods of Physics 3 Credit(s) *
PHYS 315 - Electromagnetic Theory 3 Credit(s) *
English Literature Elective 3 Credit(s) **
Apply for student teaching.

Spring (15 Credits)

ASTR 210 - Astronomy and Astrophysics Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
ED 421 - Intervention in the Content Areas 3 Credit(s)
PHYS 272 - Experimental Methods of Physics 1 Credit(s)
PHYS 314 - Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics 3 Credit(s) ***
or
PHYS 316 - Optics and Wave Motion 3 Credit(s) ***
PHYS 413 - Quantum Mechanics 4 Credit(s) ***
HUM Elective 3 Credit(s)

Senior

Fall (15.5 Credits)

ASC 400 - Values Seminar 3 Credit(s)
ED 309 - Methods—Secondary Science 3 Credit(s)
PHYS 313 - Classical Mechanics 3 Credit(s) *
PHYS 281 - Physics Seminar 0.5 Credit(s)
SSCI Electives 6 Credit(s)
Portfolio Requirement – Transition Point III

Spring (15 Credits)

ED 411 - Student Teaching and Seminar, PK-4 and SPED PK-12 12 Credit(s)
ED 415 - Collaboration and Inclusion (W) 3 Credit(s)
Portfolio Requirement – Transition Point IV

Total Credits: 126.5

*PHYS 309 , PHYS 315 and PHYS 313 , PHYS 323 are taught in the fall semester alternate years.

**Any of these will fulfill the PDE literature requirement: ENGL 131 , ENGL 132 , ENGL 133 , ENGL 134 , ENGL 135 —literary history surveys. ENGL 335 –ENGL 363 —upper-level British literature courses. ENGL 365 -ENGL 376 —upper-level American literature courses.

*** PHYS 316 , PHYS 326 , PHYS 413 , and PHYS 314 , PHYS 492 are taught in the spring semester alternate years.

The program of study that appears here applies to students who were admitted for the summer session of this catalog year and later. Students admitted prior to that term should select the appropriate catalog year of their admission. Choose previous catalogs from the Home, Graduate, or Undergraduate Catalog Page at http://Catalog.widener.edu.