Physical Science Composite - Teacher Education Emphasis, B.A.

Website: http://www.suu.edu/cose/physci/

The mission and role of the Physical Science Teacher Education degree is to provide an environment that fosters academic breadth in the disciplines of chemistry, geography, geology, physics and education in order to obtain the competencies required to teach physical science in a secondary school.

Physical Science Teacher Education Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Scientific Knowledge: Students should demonstrate knowledge of the major facts, theories, and models in the physical sciences.
2. Problem Solving Skills: Students should be able to define problems clearly, develop testable hypotheses, design and execute experiments, analyze data using appropriate statistical methods, and draw appropriate conclusions.
3. Field and Laboratory Skills: Students should understand responsible disposal techniques, understand and comply with safety regulations, understand and use material safety data sheets (MSDS), recognize and minimize potential chemical and physical hazards in the laboratory, and know how to handle laboratory emergencies effectively.
4. Communication Skills: Students should be able to present information in a clear and organized manner, write well-organized and concise reports in a scientifically appropriate style, and use technology such as poster preparation software, word-processing, chemical structure drawing programs, and computerized presentations in their communication.

All teacher candidates are required to complete an appropriate PRAXIS II Subject Assessment and the PRAXIS II PLT (Principles of Learning and Teaching) Assessment adopted by the Utah State Office of Education (USOE). The Physical Science PRAXIS Subject Assessment content knowledge test measures fundamental knowledge common to physics and chemistry, and competencies necessary for a beginning teacher of one of the physical sciences in a secondary school.