Physics Education Track
The field of physics education research aims to understand the processes involved in teaching and learning physics through rigorous scientific investigations. This track is designed for students interested in teaching and education research.
Students should complete the physics gateway, core, and lab requirements as described in the physics track.
Electives:
Up to 2 elective credits can come from outside Physics. Suggested electives are listed below. Due to yearly changes in course availability, there may be courses not listed below that are appropriate as an elective. Consult with your Physics advisor if you wish to consider other non-physics courses as an elective.
Suggested Physics Electives:
| PHYS 215/219 | Special Relativity / Contemporary Physics (each 0.5 credit) |
| PHYS 217 | Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos |
| PHYS 313 | Classical Dynamics |
| PHYS 320 | General Relativity |
| PHYS 34(0,2,5) | Physics lab, if lab requirements are separately fulfilled |
Suggested Non-Physics Electives:
If using two non-physics electives, it is preferred that the courses come from different departments to develop breadth.
| ASTR 231 | Stellar Structure and Evolution |
| ASTR 232 | Galaxies, Quasars, and Cosmology |
| HIST 254 | Science In Western Culture 1650-1900 |
| HIST 287 | Science in Modernity and After |
| STS 202 | Philosophy of Science |
| STS 250 | Sociology of Knowledge |
| EDST 210 | Educational Gaming Lab: Project-Based, Game-Based Pedagogy Approaches |
| QAC 301 | Statistics Education Practicum |
| PSYC 220 | Cognitive Psychology |
In addition to elective courses, teaching experiences are highly recommended, such as taking a tutorial course through the Teaching Apprentice Program and CHEM 241/242 Informal Science Education for Elementary School Students. If the teaching apprentice program involves course content development, students, with approval from their major advisor and course instructor, may count the credit toward a laboratory course requirement.