Valparaiso University Department of Physics and Astronomy Home Page

The Teacher Education Emphasis

Intended for students who are interested in teaching physics in high school after VU.

Includes the minimum number of elective courses in physics to complete the physics major.

Valparaiso University offers a major in physics which can provide a sound preparation for students interested in teaching high school physics. The requisite professional education courses are taken in the Department of Education at Valparaiso University during the four year program at VU -- or, in a fifth year either at VU or at another university after all of the physics major is completed and the B.S. degree earned at VU.

We have regularly graduated students who have found career fulfillment teaching high school physics, and often mathematics. Because there is preparation in mathematics for the physics major, getting the necessary courses to satisfy the certification requirements to teach mathematics as well as physics in high school is not difficult. This combination helps to make you more marketable when applying for high school teaching positions.

The elective courses within the physics major which are often most helpful in the teacher education emphasis are the following:

Course Title	Semester	Semester	Required
.	Suggested	hours	Elective

ASTR-101 Astronomy	5	3	Elective
ASTR-101L Astronomy Laboratory	6	1	Elective
ASTR-221 Observational Astronomy (Spring, odd years)	2 or 4 or 6	1	Elective

NOTES:

Catalog descriptions of the astronomy courses are avilable.
The total number of required hours in the major program is 25 s.h.
With these 5 s.h. one more elective course in physics or astronomy will complete the major.
You may elect more courses if your schedule permits.
Most of the upper level elective courses are taught in alternate years.
Specific courses of study are worked out with your department faculty academic advisor each semester.
You are advised to consult with the Department of Education soon to be informed about education courses.
You may puruse current information about these courses from the home page under courses.

You wlll find more details about options within the major program of study from the degree programs main page.

Return to Degree Programs main page

Please forward questions, comments, or suggestions to us at physics@valpo.edu .
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