Physics Department - Teacher Certification

Teacher Certification

Teaching certification in physics by the Pennsylvania Department of Education is available. A student must complete the bachelor's degree program in physics in conjunction with the education component offered by Lebanon Valley's education department which is composed of 21 credits.

BIO 103 Environmental Science

Designed for non-science majors, the course serves as an introduction to ecological principles and their applications to understanding the causes and current status of environmental problems. Options for dealing with these problems are evaluated. Possible topics for discussion are overpopulation, food and water resources, ozone depletion, global warming, deforestation, acid rain, biodiversity, erosion, loss of wetlands, energy sources, pollution, eutrophication and waste disposal. Laboratory exercises are designed to illustrate ecological concepts presented in lecture. 4 credits.

BIO 111 General Biology I

A rigorous study of basic biological principles, which is designed for science majors. Topics emphasized include cell biology, genetics, taxonomy, histology, and evolution. Must be taken concurrently with BIO 113. 3 credits.

†CHM 111 Principles of Chemistry I

An introduction to chemistry for the science major. First semester topics include atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions, calculations involving chemical concentrations, gas laws and bonding. Prerequisite: one year of high school chemistry of permission. 3 credits.

†CHM 113 Introductory Laboratory I

Laboratory course to accompany 111. Experiments cover stoichiometry, gas laws, quantitative analysis, equilibrium, electrochemistry, chemical synthesis and the use of computers for collecting data. Students are introduced to intrumentation including infrared, UV-visible, and atomic absorption spectrometers. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 111. 1 credit.

†EDU 110 Foundations of Education

A study of the legal, social, historical and philosophical foundations of American education correlated with a survey of the principles and theories of influential educators. Includes required weekly field practicum (two hours per week minimum). Limited to education majors or permission of instructor. 3 credits

†SED 280 Field Practicum in the Secondary School

Supervised field experiences in appropriate school settings. Designed to offer practical experiences for prospective secondary teachers. Prerequisite: permission. 0 credits.

†SED 430 Practicum and Methods I

A study of the basic principles and procedures for middle school and secondary classroom management and instruction. Prerequisite: EDU 110; secondary teacher certification candidate; junior status; approval of instructor; must be take prior to SED 431 or 440. 3 credits.

†SED 440 Student Teaching

Students spend an entire semester in an area school under the supervision of a cooperating teacher. Prerequisites: A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for admission to teacher candidacy is required; EDU 110; SED 430, 431; open to seniors or students seeking certification only; fulfillment of all Act 354 requirements as outlined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education; passing scores on the PPST Reading, Writing, and Mathematics PRAXIS exams; approval of the major subject area adviser and the Education Department faculty. 12 credits.

† indicates a required course

Note: Also required are courses in chemistry, biology, and computer science. (11 credits).