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Bachelor of Science in Physics, BS Secondary Education Emphasis

This is a sample curriculum plan for the Physics BS Secondary Education Emphasis within the College of Arts and Sciences at Boise State University.

If you are a prospective student viewing this document, please note curriculum is subject to change and specific per catalog year.

For current students, this plan is intended to be a glimpse at key sequencing within the major and includes some common/important advising notes. Sample plans are meant to provide aid in early, provisional planning. This plan does not replace the advice of academic advisors. Please refer to Advising Contacts for information about advising within the College of Arts and Sciences and how to contact advisors within each department.

First Year

First Semester

Subject/Area/CourseTitleCrs
PHYS 211Physics with Calculus I5
MATH 170Calculus I

4
ENGL 101Intro to College Writing3
UF 100Foundations of Intellectual Life3
STEM-ED 101Step 1: Inquiry Approaches to Teaching1
TOTAL16

Second Semester

Subject/Area/CourseTitleCrs
MATH 175Calculus II4
ENGL 102Writing and Rhetoric I3
PHYS 212Physics with Calculus II5
ED-CIFS 201Education, Schooling, and Society3
STEM-ED 102Step 2: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design1
TOTAL16

Second Year

First Semester

Subject/Area/CourseTitleCrs
MATH 275Multivariable Vector Calculus4
PHYS 309Introductory Quantum Physics with Applications3
PHYS 309LIntroductory Quantum Physics Lab1
STEM-ED 210Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science3
FCFoundations of Oral Communication*3
STEM-ED 220Philosophical Perspectives on Science and Mathematics3
TOTAL17

Second Semester

Subject/Area/CourseTitleCrs
MATH 333
Or
MATH 301
Differential Equations w/ Matrix Theory
Or
Introduction to Linear Algebra
4
PHYS 311Introductory Relativistic Physics with Applications4
CS 111
Or
CS 117
Introduction to Programming
Or
C++ for Engineers
3
PHYS 301Analog and Digital Electronics3
UF 200Foundations of Ethics and Diversity3
TOTAL17

Third Year

First Semester

Subject/Area/CourseTitleCrs
CHEM 111General Chemistry I3
CHEM 111LGeneral Chemistry I Lab1
FSFoundations of Social Sciences*3
PHYS 325Introduction to Computational Mathematics4
PHYS 381Electromagnetic Theory

4
TOTAL15

Second Semester

Subject/Area/CourseTitleCrs
PHYS 341Classical Mechanics4
PHYS 330 & 330LElectrodynamics
Or
Optics
5
STEM-ED 350Research Methods

4
STEM-ED 310

Classroom Interactions

3
TOTAL16

Fourth Year

First Semester

Subject/Area/CourseTitleCrs
STEM-ED 410

STEM Teaching Methods

3
PHYS 432Thermal Physics4
MATH 301Introduction to Linear Algebra
3
PHYS 104
Or
PHYS 105
Life in the Universe
Or
Stars and Cosmology
4
PHYS 412Intermediate Quantum Mechanics4
TOTAL17

Second Semester

Subject/Area/CourseTitleCrs
PHYS 499 (FF)Physics Senior Seminars1
FAFoundations of Arts3
STEM-ED 480Apprentice Teaching6
Physics Elective Pick One
PHYS307 – Introduction to Biophysics (3)
PHYS330 – Optics (3)
PHYS330L – Optics Lab (1)
PHYS405 – Astrophysics (3)
PHYS415 – Solid State Physics (3)
PHYS423 – Physical Methods of Materials Characterization (3)
3
TOTAL13

Comments/Notes

  • Courses listed may require prerequisites. Please view the Undergraduate catalog to view the prerequisites
  • The major’s curriculum starts at Math 170. Enrollment in a math course below Math 170 has the potential to extend date of graduation
  • Information Subject to Change.
  • This is not a contract.
  • *Foundational course offerings here.
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