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Dec 04, 2024
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Science Education B.S., with Physics Education Concentration
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 Return to: College of Education
TOTAL DEGREE HOURS: 120
Plans of Study
Science Education explores educational foundations and methods to prepare educators in middle and secondary schools. It also explores the theory and practice of teaching science education. The objective is to prepare reflective and caring educators for a career in middle and high schools.
Students seeking to graduate from a state-approved teacher preparation program with embedded Reading and ESOL endorsements must attain passing scores on all portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE).
Students who graduate prior to attaining passing scores on all portions of the FTCE will not receive the state-approved teacher preparation program with respective endorsements statement on their official transcript.
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University Admissions - College of Education
Admission to the University is based on the University’s Undergraduate Admission Requirements that may be found by clicking on the following URLs:
Admission Requirements - Educator Preparation Programs
Educator preparation programs are ideal for students who wish to become classroom teachers as these programs are designed to result in eligibility for teacher certification in the state of Florida. Students seeking admission are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor in the college on their home campus.
Effective July 1, 2021, the State of Florida changed college admission requirements regarding the General Knowledge Test (GKT). The GKT is no longer required for admission to an educator preparation program. However, the college advises students to prepare for and pass the GKT upon declaring their major in education.
Students seeking admission into any of our educator preparation programs must satisfy the following:
- Successful admission to the University of South Florida
- Complete the University of South Florida’s Enhanced General Education requirements (see General Education Information in the catalog)
- Students with an AA degree from a Florida public institution will meet all general education requirements. However, general education courses with a grade below C- will need to be repeated for a grade of C- or better to fulfill prerequisites for the College of Education.
- Earn a minimum overall GPA of 2.50 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Complete or be currently enrolled in appropriate prerequisite coursework for the student’s intended major.
- Submit a College of Education application.
For former students returning to the college after being inactive, please be aware of the Time Limit for Coursework policy under Additional Information.
Graduation Requirements - Educator Preparation Programs
The College of Education strives to ensure students graduate in a timely fashion and without incurring unnecessary debt. To graduate, students should take the following steps:
- Meet with your academic advisor each semester to review your progress toward degree
- Successfully complete all state, university, and program requirements
- Earn 120 credit hours
- Earn a minimum overall GPA of 2.5
- Complete any required certification exams*
- Apply to graduate
* Students seeking to graduate from a state-approved educator preparation program with embedded Reading and ESOL endorsements must attain passing scores on all portions of the FTCE.
Students who graduate prior to attaining passing scores on all portions of the FTCE will not receive the state-approved educator preparation program with respective endorsements statement on their official transcript.
Required Courses: (94 credit hours)
State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites - Science Education B.S., with Physics Concentration (31 credit hours)
Following Florida BOG Regulation 8.010, state mandated common course prerequisites are lower-division courses that are required for progression into the upper division of a particular baccalaureate degree program.
Transfer students should complete the State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at a Florida College System institution, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Successful completion of the common prerequisites alone does not guarantee a student admission into the degree program.
Unless stated otherwise, a grade of C- is the minimum acceptable grade in prerequisite courses.
- EDF X005 Introduction to Education and Field Experience - 3 credit hours
- MAC X311 Calculus I - 4 credit hours
- MAC X312 Calculus II - 4 credit hours
- MAC X313 Calculus III - 4 credit hours
- [(CHM X045 AND CHM X045L) AND (CHM X046 AND CHM X046L)] OR (CHM X045C AND CHM X046C) - 8 total credit hours
- [(PHY X048 AND PHY X048L) AND (PHY X049 AND PHYX049L)] OR (PHY X048C AND PHY X049C) - 8-10 total credit hours
State Mathematics Pathway – Science Education B.S. (7 Credit Hours)*
The Science Education B.S. uses the Algebra through Calculus Mathematics Pathway with the following requirements:
* Mathematics Pathway courses count towards the State Common Prerequisite math courses and are not additional credits.
** Students may place out of MAC 1105 and begin at a higher-level math course.
Science Education B.S. Major (Restricted) Electives
Students complete the general Science Education program of study and one of the following three concentrations:
Major Core Courses: 10 courses; 35 credit hours
Professional Education Core for all Science Education Concentrations:
Physics Education Concentration
Concentration Required Courses: (28 credit hours)
Concentration Core Courses: 9 courses; 28 credit hours
Specialization Courses: 5 courses; 16 credit hours
Teaching Methods Courses: 4 courses; 12 credit hours
Additional Information - Science Education B.S.
GPA Requirements
Once admitted, students must maintain a 2.5 or higher overall GPA and earn a 2.5 or higher in all upper-level coursework in the major including Core and Specialization courses. If a student falls below 2.50 GPA they may be dismissed and/or may be required to meet with the departmental Professional Standards Committee.
Grading Requirements
Students must earn a grade of C- or higher in all required courses to progress to the following semester or they may be dismissed and/or required to meet with departmental Professional Standards Committee.
Residency Requirements
A student must complete 32 hours of major coursework at USF to meet residency requirements.
Time Limit for Coursework
The College of Education reserves the right to determine whether courses five years or older can be applied toward a degree based on the following guidelines:
- Courses completed within the last five years may be accepted toward graduation.
- Courses completed over five years but less than ten years ago must have the approval of the chairperson from the department in which the equivalent course is taught.
- Courses completed ten years ago or longer will count as elective credit only toward graduation.
Other Information
Please be advised that program and/or course requirements are subject to change, per state legislative mandates, Florida State Department of Education program approval standards, and accreditation criteria.
Students will be required to pay for costs in addition to tuition, fees, and books such as:
- Transportation to and from school sites required in courses and internships
- Criminal background checks and fingerprinting for internships
- Assignments in some classes (e.g., printing/binding of group project reports, academic and professional portfolio, digital recording equipment, etc.)
Clinical Education
All educator preparation programs include required clinical education. Clinical experiences allow teacher candidates to put theory into practice as they learn to teach within partnership schools in our local school districts.
Background Check and Fingerprinting
All students seeking admission to educator preparation programs will be required to undergo a background check and fingerprinting during the admission process. Visit this site for additional information: Fingerprinting Instructions (usf.edu) International students should be mindful that fingerprinting requires a social security number. Depending upon the outcome of the background check, students may be informed they cannot be placed in a particular school district. As each program determines the school district(s) in which to place their students, past legal history may impact a student’s ability to enter field experience and continue in an educator preparation program. Please be advised that program and/or course requirements and fingerprinting/background check procedures are subject to change per state legislative mandates, Florida State Department of Education program approval standards, accreditation criteria, and school district policy and procedures. Students can learn more about fingerprinting from Student Academic Services.
Repeating a Clinical Experience
A candidate who receives an unsatisfactory grade or withdraws when performing unsatisfactorily in any clinical experience may be allowed by the program to re-enroll in that course one additional time for a total of two attempts. In the event that a candidate needs to repeat the clinical experience, the candidate must request permission to do so by completing a written appeal to the appropriate department or program. If permission is granted, the candidate must meet with designated College of Education personnel to develop an action plan for the experience that may include enrollment in a course(s). There is no guarantee that the request will be approved for the semester for which the request/appeal is made.
If a candidate receives an unsatisfactory grade or withdraws when performing unsatisfactorily in any field experience two times in the same experience, the candidate will be removed from the College of Education. If a candidate re-applies for admission to the College of Education they must indicate they were once in the College and dismissed. If the candidate is admitted and it is determined that they did not disclose the dismissal the student will be dismissed immediately.
Research Opportunities - College of Education
Undergraduate students in any degree program are able to participate in undergraduate research. Several options exist to show mentored undergraduate research activity on a student’s official transcript. Those who wish to enroll in an undergraduate research course should consult with their academic advisor to understand how the credit will apply towards the degree requirements. If no credit is needed, students may be eligible to enroll in the 0-credit IDS 4914 - Advanced Undergraduate Research Experience course. This course will not impact degree credits or GPA but will show on an official transcript and document the experience. The Office of High Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research is able to assist with further inquiries.
Plans of Study - Science Education B.S., with Physics Education Concentration
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Return to: College of Education
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