Aug 24, 2025  
Undergraduate Catalog 2025-2026 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2025-2026

Physics : Secondary Teaching Option, BS


The PHYT program leads to a Professional Educator Licence (PEL) in physics in the State of Illinois.  Initial admission to the program is contingent upon good academic standing and acceptance by the department. A grade of C or above is required in transfer credit in all biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics courses.   Prior to enrollment in upper level professional education courses, students must be admitted to the College of Education. For admission to the CSU College of Education, please review the college's catalog entry.  Licensure is dependent on completing all state requirements for licensure. 

Requirements of this program include a completion of 120 semester hours: 36 hours in general education (of which 9 hrs are embedded in the program); 3 hr in a foreign language; 59 hr in physics and supposting courses (50 hrs and 9 hrs general education); 24 hrs in professional education, 6 hrs of student teaching, and electives to reach 120 hrs. 

General Education Requirements (36 credit hours)


Core Requirements (12 credit hrs) 

  • English composition (6 hrs)
  • Oral communication (3 hrs)
  • Mathematics (3 hrs)

General Requirements (24 credit hrs)

  • Humanities/Fine Arts (9 hrs); at least 3 hrs Humanities and 3 hrs Fine Arts
  • Social Sciences (9 hrs); in at least two different disciplines
  • Natural Sciences (6 hrs); 3 hrs Physical Science and 3 hrs Life Sciences, one of which must be a lab course

College of Arts and Sciences General Education Requirements (3 credit hrs)


  • General Education  
  • One course in a World Language (3 hrs)
  • One general education or major course carrying the diversity designation (embedded)  

Program / Major Requirements


  • Prior to recommendation for licensure, pass an oral interview including, but not limited to, a “practice lesson”; prepare a teaching portfolio; and present proof that all admission requirements have been fulfilled as determined by the College of Education and the Department of Chemistry and Physics.

Required Supportive Courses (33-35 credit hrs: 27-29 with 6 hrs of gen ed )


Required Courses in Professional Education ( 30-33 credit hrs )


These courses must be passed with at least a grade of C.

Sample Four Year Degree Plan


Fall Year 1

CHEM 1400 - General Chemistry I Lecture

CHEM 1410 - General Chemistry II Lab

ENG 1230/1270 - Composition I

MATH 1410 - Calculus I

Humanities Elective

Foreign Language

Credit hours

3

1

3

4

3

3

Spring Year 1

CHEM 1450 - General Chemistry II Lecture

CHEM 1460 - General Chemistry II Lab

MATH 1420 - Calculus II

ENG 1240/1280 - Composition Il

Humanities or Fine Arts Elective

CMAT 1130 -Communication for Professionals

Credit hours

3

1

4

3

3

3

Total

17

Total  

17

Fall Year 2

MATH 2430 - Calculus III

PHYS 2110 - Calculus-based Physics I

PHYS 4710 - Readings in Science Education

HIST 1300/1310 - US History

PSYC 1100 - Introduction to Psychology

 

4

4

1

3

3

Spring Year 2

PHYS 2220 - Calculus-based Physics II

PH S 1140 - Practical Earth/Space Science

ED 2020 Cultural Issues in Urban Ed

Fine Arts Elective

PSYC 2040 - Psyc Childhd & Adol

 

4

3

3

3

3

Total

15

Total  

16

Fall Year 3

BIOL 1701  - Introduction to Biology

PHYS 2330 - Calculus based Physics III

PHYS 2700 - Electronics I

ENG 4366 or ESL 2120

ED 2000 - Soc Cultural Ed

PHYS 3500 - Teacher Immersion Institute

 

4

4

4

3

3

2

Spring Year 3

PHYS 3450 - Mathematical Methods of Physics I

PHYS 3110 - Classical Mechanics I

MATH 2550 - Differential Equations

SPED 4300 - CHAR Except Children

PHYS 4850 - Adv. Undergrad Lab I

PHYS 3092 - Cert Test Rev

 

3

3

4

3

3

0

Total

20

Total  

16

Fall Year 4

PHYS 3250 - Quantum Mechanics I

PHYS 3150 - Electricity and Magnetism I

READ 4100 - Content Reading Middle School

ED 4200 - Principles/Practice Secondary Ed

PHYS 4630 - TCH Sci Sec

ED 4474 - Restorative Justice Action Rsrch in Ed

 

3

3

2

3

3

4

Spring Year 4

PHYS 4750 - Student Teaching (must be taken alone)

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

Total

18

Total  

3

 

Total Degree Credit Hours

122

  • At least 120 credit hours are required from the University to receive an undergraduate degree.
  • Students must fulfill all Department requirements and University requirements to complete their degree.
  • Research Requirements may be met through paid opportunities.