COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts in Physics at San José State University, designed for students preparing for a career in science education, is a 120-unit program offered through the Department of Physics and Astronomy in collaboration with education-focused coursework. The program is intended to prepare students for teaching physics and related sciences at the middle school or high school level while also allowing them to complete coursework that contributes toward a future single-subject teaching credential. Students must maintain a minimum GPA in some cases to demonstrate subject matter competency, and completion of the degree alone does not guarantee admission into a credential program, which has separate application and screening requirements.The degree includes 18 units of Core Lower Division General Education, with up to 10 units potentially satisfied through major coursework in science, mathematics, and quantitative reasoning, along with 6 units of American Institutions requirements. Students also complete 9 units of Upper Division General Education, 2 units of Physical Education, and a 3-unit Written Communication requirement (GWAR/WID). Major preparation consists of 21 units, including foundational coursework in general chemistry (CHEM 1A), a full calculus sequence (MATH 30, 31, and 32), differential equations (MATH 33A), and linear algebra (MATH 39), which provide the mathematical and scientific basis for advanced physics study.The major requirements total 56 units and integrate advanced physics coursework with education-focused training. Core physics courses include introductory and advanced sequences in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, waves, modern physics, computational physics, and experimental methods. Students also complete specialized education courses such as seminar work in educational psychology, language and literacy development for second-language learners, and research and practices in health and special education. In addition, science education courses like secondary school science methods and classroom field experiences provide practical teaching preparation.The program includes 9 additional upper-division physics units for specialization and 5 units of university electives. Overall, the BA in Physics for education combines rigorous physics training with pedagogical preparation, equipping students with both subject mastery and foundational teaching skills for careers in science education.