Apr 18, 2024

2011-2012 General Catalog

2011-2012 General Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Physical Science (Composite Teaching)(Physics), BS

College of Science

Department of Physics

College of Science Requirements

The College of Science requires a year of mathematics (8 credits) and a year sequence in science (7-8 credits) for all of its majors. For Physics majors, the College of Science requirements are:

Choose one of the following pairs of courses:

BIOL 1610 - Biology I 4 and
BIOL 1620 - Biology II (BLS) 4
Or
CHEM 1210 - Principles of Chemistry I 4 and
CHEM 1220 - Principles of Chemistry II (BPS) 4
Or
GEO 1110 - Physical Geology (BPS) 3 and
GEO 3200 - The Earth Through Time (DSC) 4

Bachelor’s Degrees and Core Requirements

The Physics Department awards the following degrees: BS in Physics, BA in Physics, BS in Physics with a Professional Emphasis, BS in Physics with an Applied Emphasis, BS in Mathematics and Physics Dual Major Option, BS in Physics Teaching, and BS in Composite Teaching—Physical Science.

Except for the two Teaching Majors, all degrees require a common core (48 credits):

A. College of Science Requirements (15-16 credits)

B. Required Physics Courses (23 credits)

C. Elective Physics Courses (5 credits)

Select 5 additional credits from PHYS courses at the 3000 level and above. USU Depth courses, as well as research in physics education may be included.

D. Required Mathematics and Statistics Courses (15 credits)

E. General Science Requirements (2 credits)

SCI 4300 - Science in Society 2

Students with a Teaching Major in Physics must complete the requirements for the STEP.

Admission to the STEP with this major requires a minimum GPA of 2.75 in PHYS 2210 , PHYS 2215 , PHYS 2220 and PHYS 2225 , in addition to requirements of the Secondary Education Program, School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL).

Courses required for the Bachelor of Science in Composite Teaching— Physical Science include the following:

PHYS 1040 - Introductory Astronomy (BPS) 3
PHYS 1080 - Intelligent Life in the Universe (BPS) 3 (sometimes listed as USU 1360 , IPS: Intelligent Life in the Universe)
Elective courses in Physics from PHYS 2500 , PHYS 2710 , and/or PHYS courses at the 3000 level and above (including USU Depth courses) 5
CHEM 1210 - Principles of Chemistry I 4
CHEM 1215 - Chemical Principles Laboratory I 1
CHEM 1220 - Principles of Chemistry II (BPS) 4
CHEM 1225 - Chemical Principles Laboratory II 1
CHEM 2300 - Principles of Organic Chemistry 3 or
CHEM 2310 - Organic Chemistry I 4
CHEM 2315 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 1
BIOL 1010 - Biology and the Citizen (BLS) 3
GEO 1110 - Physical Geology (BPS) 3
PSC 2000 - The Atmosphere and Weather (BPS) 3
SCI 4300 - Science in Society 2

Note:

Students seeking this degree must complete the requirements for the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP). Admission to the STEP with this major requires a minimum GPA of 2.75 in PHYS 2210 , PHYS 2215 , PHYS 2220 and PHYS 2225 , in addition to Secondary Education Program requirements.

All USU teacher education candidates will be required to take and pass the content exam approved by the Utah State Office of Education in their major content area prior to student teaching.

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits	120
Grade Point Average (most majors require higher GPA)	2.00 GPA
Credits of C- or better	100
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above)	40
USU Credits (10 of last 40 must be USU credits)	30
Completion of approved major program of study	See college advisor
Credits in minor (if required)	12
Credits in American Institutions (ECN 1500 ;HIST 1700 , HIST 2700 or HIST 2710 ; HONR 1300 ; POLS 1100 ; or USU 1300	3
General Education Requirements and University Studies Depth Requirements