Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physics, Multidisciplinary Concentration: Secondary Education Track, B.S.


Dr. W. Christopher Hughes, Department Head
Phone: (540) 568-6109                                                                 
Email:  physics@jmu.edu
Location: Physics/Chemistry Building, Suite 2186                         
Website: http://csma31.csm.jmu.edu/physics

Professors
K. Giovanetti, W. C. Hughes, B. Newcomer, G. Niculescu, I. Niculescu, S. Scully

Associate Professors
A. Banu, H. Butner, A. Constantin, C. Constantin, K. Feitosa, M. Mattson, S. Paulson, G. Scarel

Assistant Professors
G. Albright, T. Finch, K. Fukumura, M. Kaveh-Baghbadorani, I. Melnikov, S. Virani

Instructors
L. Lucatorto, J. Sterlace

Mission

The mission of the Department of Physics and Astronomy is the preparation of scientifically enlightened citizens. Science literacy is promoted by the production of teachers, researchers, technical professionals and knowledgeable individuals through the integration of classroom and experiential learning.

Vision

We strive to be a leading undergraduate physics and astronomy department by building a research-active, student-centered community.

Values

Excellence, integrity and mutual respect are the core values that define our department. The vigorous pursuit of research with undergraduates is central to extending our understanding of nature and the engagement of students directly in the practice of physics and astronomy.

Service to the university, the public and the profession is essential for continued vitality of science education and research.

Goals

To help students:

  • Develop competence in using computers for computation, data acquisition, numerical control, device development, and information acquisition and processing.
  • Appreciate the role of science in society and the historical development of physics in the ongoing quest to discover the structure of the universe.
  • Gain an understanding of the basic principles and the experimental basis of the various fields of physics and the logical relationships of the various fields.
  • Become capable problem solvers using techniques that require mathematical skills, conceptual and mathematical models, order-of-magnitude estimates, and an understanding of limiting cases.
  • Develop competence in designing, constructing, and using laboratory instruments, and to draw valid conclusions from experimental data.
  • Improve written and oral technical communication skills.

Co-Curricular and Organizations

  • Society of Physics Students

Degree and Major Requirements


Degree Requirements


Required Courses


  • General Education  41 Credit Hours 1
  • Quantitative requirement (in addition to General Education ) 3 Credit Hours
  • Scientific Literacy requirement (in addition to General Education ) 3-4 Credit Hours
  • University electives 2-8 Credit Hours
  • Major core requirements (listed below) 41 Credit Hours
  • Major program concentration requirements 25-31 Credit Hours
Total: 120 Credit Hours

Footnote

1 The General Education  program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.

Major Core Requirements


Multidisciplinary Concentration


The multidisciplinary concentration is designed to provide a solid foundation in physics for students whose interests extend beyond traditional physics fields. The four tracks of business, technical and scientific communication, biophysics, and secondary education open doors to the pursuit of graduate degrees in law, the medical sciences, business and education, and other career paths requiring a technical background. Also, the concentrations in business and technical and scientific communication concentrations are excellent preparation for jobs in industry.

The following are also required for all tracks in the multidisciplinary concentration:

Two credits from the following: 2 Credit Hours


Total: 24 Credit Hours


Total Credits before Tracks 91-95 Credit Hours


Secondary Education Track


Students must be fully admitted into pre-professional teacher education prior to enrolling in these courses:


Total: 28 Credit Hours


Total Credits w/SEED 116-120 Credit Hours


Additional Information


Students interested in becoming teachers must meet specific curriculum requirements in their major as part of the undergraduate academic degree.

In addition to the General Education  and academic major requirements, physics majors desiring secondary teacher licensure must be admitted to teacher education, complete the pre-professional program in secondary education at the undergraduate level and complete the graduate level Master of Arts in Teaching degree.

It is critical that students seeking licensure consult regularly with both their education adviser and their major adviser to support their progression through the programs. For a full description of the program in secondary teaching, refer to the Department of Middle, Secondary and Mathematics Education , in addition to the College of Education .