THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE

FACULTY SENATE

Senate Document Number 4611S

Date of Senate Approval 04/07/11

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Statement of Faculty Senate Action:

APC Document 33: Replace PHYS 402 with PHYS 310 in course requirement for Physics with Teacher Licensure

Effective Date: Fall 2011

1. Delete: On page 234, under Physics with Teacher Licensure, item I:

I. Required courses in the major—29 hours: PHYS 221, 222, 323, 325, 326, 331, 332, 401, 402, 414.

Add: On page 234, in place of deleted entry:

I. Required courses in the major—30 hours: PHYS 221, 222, 310, 323, 325, 326, 331, 332, 401, 414.

Impact:

Minimal. The number of physics majors in the teacher licensure program is typically small. Also, the increase in the total number of hours in the program from 112 to 113 should not present a hardship to students; the total will still be lower than 120 and also (for comparison) lower than that of any of the other science licensure areas.

Rationale:

Electronics (PHYS 310) is a more appropriate course than Electromagnetic Theory (PHYS 402) for preparing physics majors to teach physics classes and labs in a high school setting. In addition, PHYS 402 is only offered odd years spring. Students entering UNC Asheville in an odd year fall are not able to complete the physics with teacher licensure program in 4 years if they need PHYS 402. It would be offered spring of the sophomore year, when they would not yet have the pre-requisites completed, and spring of the senior year, when they would be student teaching.