Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Physics with Teaching, offered by the Department of Physics, is part of Temple's innovative "TUteach" teacher-training program. The BS in Physics with Teaching provides broad training in physics and prepares students for a career in secondary school teaching or an entry level position as a physicist. The education courses in major include supervised teaching in school district classrooms and emphasize inquiry-based approaches to learning. Students in the BS in Physics with Teaching degree program become eligible for a Pennsylvania teacher certification when they complete all the requirements for the degree that include theoretical and practical courses in education specifically designed for science and mathematics majors. In order to be recommended for Pennsylvania teacher certification, students must graduate with:
- a BS with Teaching degree and
- meet GPA and testing requirements of the state of Pennsylvania.
Students will be scheduled once each semester to meet with the TUteach advisor to ensure that students have knowledge of academic programming, internships opportunities and testing options that include test preparation. The state of Pennsylvania has specific candidacy requirements. The TUteach advisor will also help the students complete and submit the candidacy documents. All students joining the program in their freshman year must complete the PAPA examination or acquire the PAPA waiver within their first 72 credits. Transfer students, from within Temple and those from other institutions, will build a tailored program with the academic and testing benchmarks structured for efficient degree completion with the TUteach advisor. Students are encouraged to complete the appropriate PRAXIS II examination prior to student teaching. Students are encouraged to take internship courses to expand their teaching portfolio or select elective courses that will extend their knowledge of science and teaching practice.
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: ST-PHTC-BS
Distinction in Major
To graduate with distinction in this major, a student must satisfy the following criteria:
- achieve a minimum 3.5 major GPA
- achieve a minimum 3.5 GPA in all Physics courses required for the major
- achieve a minimum 3.9 GPA in the following courses:
- write a final research paper either in a topic combining both major content and pedagogy
- present at a departmental research poster session
Consult the undergraduate TUteach advisor for more details.
Undergraduate Contact Information
Susan Varnum, Program Director and Professor of Chemistry
Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs and Science Education
College of Science and Technology
Gladfelter Hall, Room 629
215-204-6390 or 215-204-4073
susan.varnum@temple.edu
George Mehler, TUteach Faculty Advisor
College of Science and Technology
Gladfelter Hall, Room 644
215-204-4074
george.mehler@temple.edu
Kenneth Ruff, TUteach Faculty Advisor
College of Science and Technology
Gladfelter Hall, Room 656
215-204-3628
kruff@temple.edu
Maria Iavarone, Physics Department Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 440
215-204-7634
Matthew Newby, Physics Department Faculty Advisor
Science Education and Research Center, Room 476
215-204-2642
matthew.newby@temple.edu
Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Physics with Teaching.
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2025-2026. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2025 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
Bachelor of Science Requirements
Summary of Requirements for the Degree
- University Requirements (124 total s.h.)
- Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.
- All undergraduate students must complete at least two writing-intensive courses for a total of at least six credits at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Climate Change: Oceans To Atmosphere Vertebrate Paleontology and Taphonomy Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines (grades 7-12) Introduction to Modern Physics Experimental Physics - Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
- See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.
- Students who complete TUteach majors receive a waiver for 1 Human Behavior (GB), 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.
- Students must satisfy general Temple University residency requirements.
- College Requirements
- A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
- A minimum of 45 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above).
- Complete a one-credit first-year or transfer seminar.
- A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
- Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (91 s.h.)1
At least 9 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 6 Physics courses and 3 Education courses must be completed at Temple. Though not required, students are strongly encouraged to increase training and field work experience by enrolling in SCTC 1385, SCTC 2385, or SCTC 2389. Students will also benefit from directed laboratory projects offered through SCTC 3185. These courses are offered every semester.Course List Code Title Credit Hours Mathematics MATH 1041 Calculus I 4 or MATH 1941 Honors Calculus I MATH 1042 Calculus II 4 or MATH 1942 Honors Calculus II MATH 2043 Calculus III 4 or MATH 2943 Honors Calculus III Physics PHYS 1008 Physics Seminar I 1 Select one of the following: 4 Elementary Classical Physics I or PHYS 1961Honors Elementary Classical Physics I General Physics I or PHYS 2921Honors General Physics I Select one of the following: 4 Elementary Classical Physics II or PHYS 1962Honors Elementary Classical Physics II General Physics II or PHYS 2922Honors General Physics II PHYS 2101 Classical Mechanics 3 PHYS 2502 Mathematical Physics 4 PHYS 2796 Introduction to Modern Physics (WI) 4 PHYS 3091 Research Methods 3 PHYS 3301 Electricity and Magnetism 4 PHYS 4796 Experimental Physics (WI, S) 3 Physics Electives - Select 9 credits from the following: 9 Introduction to Astronomy Scientific Computing I (S) Analytical Mechanics Classical Electromagnetism Introduction to Astrophysics (F, even years) Scientific Computing II (F) Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I (S) Optical and Electronic Properties of Materials (F) Quantum Materials: Properties, Characterization and Application (S) Thermal Physics (F) Electronics Optics Theoretical/Computational Materials Science (S) Scientific Computing III Introduction to Solid State Physics (S, even years) Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II (F) Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (S, odd years) Sequenced Science courses 2 Select one of the following sequences: 8 General Biology I
and General Biology IIIntroduction to Organismal Biology
and Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and GenomesIntroduction to Organismal Biology
and Introduction to Cellular and Molecular BiologyGeneral Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Laboratory I
and General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Laboratory IIPhysical Geology (and an Earth & Environmental Science 2002+ Elective) College of Science & Technology SCTC 1013 Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences 3 SCTC 1389 Step 1 and 2: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design in Science and Mathematics Modified for English Learners 2 SCTC 2021 Quantitative Modeling and Problem Solving in STEM 1 SCTC 3001 History of Science 3 SCTC 3312 Coding STEM Lessons 3 1 Education EDUC 2179 Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science 3 EDUC 4388 TUteach Apprentice Teaching 4 EDUC 4802 TUteach Apprentice Teaching Seminar 3 MGSE 2189 Classroom Interactions (F) 3 or SCTC 3485 Science and Mathematics in the Classroom MGSE 3796 Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines (grades 7-12) (WI) 3 MGSE 4189 Project-Based Instruction (S) 3 or SCTC 4485 Integrating STEM Practice in Diverse Teaching Environments SPED 2231 Introduction to Special Education 3 Total Credit Hours 91 - 1
The certification requirements need to meet Pennsylvania Department of Education standards and are subject to change. All students are strongly recommended to check with the TUteach Advisor in the College of Science and Technology to affirm the requirements that pertain to their specific major. In addition, students should check the Undergraduate Bulletin web site for the most current information about these programs, or the TUteach web site. It is also recommended that all students meet with an advisor before enrolling in classes specific to these majors and leading to certification as a teacher. This is to assure that a candidate's intended program of study will be compatible with the new requirements.
- 2
Students are required to take a two-semester sequence of laboratory science electives not within physics. The science courses can be chosen from Biology, Chemistry or Earth & Environmental Science.
- 3
All students are required to take a minimum of one credit.
Suggested Academic Plan
Bachelor of Science in Physics with Teaching
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2025-2026 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MATH 1041 or MATH 1941 | Calculus I or Honors Calculus I | 4 |
| PHYS 1008 | Physics Seminar I | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Elementary Classical Physics I (F) or Honors Elementary Classical Physics I | ||
| General Physics I (F) or Honors General Physics I | ||
| SCTC 1001 | CST First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| SCTC 1013 | Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences | 3 |
| SCTC 1389 | Step 1 and 2: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design in Science and Mathematics Modified for English Learners | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 1042 or MATH 1942 | Calculus II or Honors Calculus II | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Elementary Classical Physics II (S) or Honors Elementary Classical Physics II | ||
| General Physics II (S) or Honors General Physics II | ||
| ENG 0802 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW] or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 1-0 | |
| Credit Hours | 16-15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| MATH 2043 or MATH 2943 | Calculus III or Honors Calculus III | 4 |
| EDUC 2179 | Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science | 3 |
| SPED 2231 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| IH 0851 or IH 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 2101 | Classical Mechanics (S) | 3 |
| PHYS 2502 | Mathematical Physics (S) | 4 |
| PHYS 2796 | Introduction to Modern Physics [WI] | 4 |
| SCTC 2021 | Quantitative Modeling and Problem Solving in STEM | 1 |
| IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 3301 | Electricity and Magnetism (F) | 4 |
| Physics Elective (see approved list) 1 | 1.5-4 | |
| SCTC 3001 | History of Science | 3 |
| Sequenced Science Part 1 (see approved list) 2 | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Classroom Interactions (F) | ||
| Science and Mathematics in the Classroom | ||
| Credit Hours | 15.5-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 3091 | Research Methods (S) | 3 |
| PHYS 4796 | Experimental Physics [WI] (S) | 3 |
| Physics Elective (see approved list) 1 | 1.5-4 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Project-Based Instruction (S) | ||
| Integrating STEM Practice in Diverse Teaching Environments | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
Physics Elective (see approved list) 1 | ||
Elective | ||
| Elective | 2.5-0 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Physics Elective (see approved list) 1 | 1.5-4 | |
| Sequenced Science Part 2 (see approved list) 2 | 4 | |
| SCTC 3312 | Coding STEM Lessons 3 | 1 |
| MGSE 3796 | Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines (grades 7-12) [WI] | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Physics Elective (see approved list) 1 | ||
Elective | ||
| GenEd Breadth Course | 4-3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16.5-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 4388 | TUteach Apprentice Teaching | 4 |
| EDUC 4802 | TUteach Apprentice Teaching Seminar | 3 |
| Elective | 3-0 | |
| Credit Hours | 10-7 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 124 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| (F) - Fall only course | ||
| (S) - Spring only course | ||
- 1
Students are required to take nine credits of physics electives selected from the list in the requirements section.
- 2
Students are required to take a two-semester sequence of laboratory science electives not within physics. The science courses can be chosen from Biology, Chemistry or Earth & Environmental Science from the list in the requirements section.
- 3
All students are required to take a minimum of one credit.