Science Teaching, Physics Emphasis Comprehensive Major

Science Teaching, Physics Emphasis Comprehensive Major (B.S.)

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the 2024-2025 catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year. 

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core.  LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work.  Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements.  Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.

FIRST YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
MATH 114Calculus I (LE-S2)4
PHYS 231University Physics I (LE-K1)5
Writing Requirement:
Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)
or
Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)
LE Core Elective: Knowledge 4 (LE-K4) Fine Arts3
TOTAL17
SECOND SEMESTER
LE Core Elective: Knowledge 2 (LE-K2) Social Sciences3
MATH 215Calculus II4
PHYS 232University Physics II (LE-K1)5
CHEM 105General Chemistry I Lecture c3
CHEM 106General Chemistry I Laboratory (LE-K1)2
TOTAL17
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
CHEM 109General Chemistry II with Lab4
PHYS 332University Physics III (LE-I1)3
PHYS 226Astronomy-Solar System a4
LE Core Elective: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities and LE Option: Responsibility 2 (LE-R2) Global Perspectives3
LE Core Elective: Responsibility 1 (LE-R1) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity3
TOTAL17
SECOND SEMESTER
BIOL 105General Biology d3
PHYS 340Optics b4
ES 212Exploring Schooling K-122-3
PSYC 260Educational Psychology (LE-K2)3
Communication LE Core Elective Elective: (LE-S1)3
Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
or
Fundamentals of Speech
or
Fundamentals of Human Communication
TOTAL15-16
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER - Apply for Admission to Major
PHYS 350Electric and Electronic Circuits a4
BIOL 106Exploring the Living World2
Conservation of the Environment (R3,I1):3
Environmental Biology and Conservation
or
Planet Earth: Conservation of the Environment (LE-R3, LE-I1)
Geology Core Course:
Earth Science
or
Physical Geology
or
Environmental Geology
or
Societal Issues in Earth Science
PHYS 315The Mysterious Universe3
TOTAL16
SECOND SEMESTER
BIOL 151Biology of Humans4
Geology Core Course:3
Earth Resources and Sustainability
or
Global Environmental Change
or
Water Resources
ES 385Social Foundations: Human Relations (LE-R1 DDIV, LE-SL)3
LE Core Elective: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities3
TOTAL13
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
ES 490Historical, Legal, and Philosophical Foundations of Education3
ES 313Curriculum, Instructional Methods, and Disciplinary Literacies in Grades K-123
ES 314Collaboration, Engagement, and Assessment in Grades K-123
ES 360Teaching Science in Grades 4-123
SEIP 300Inclusive Practices for Secondary Educators3
TOTAL15
SECOND SEMESTER
ES 497Field Experience Seminar (LE-S3)2
Student Teaching10
Student Teaching in Middle Level Education
and Student Teaching in Secondary Education (5 credits)
or
Internship Teaching in Middle Level Education
and Internship Teaching in Secondary Education
TOTAL12

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

a

Offered only in fall semesters

b

Offered only in spring semesters

c

Can replace CHEM 105/106/109 with CHEM 115

d

Can replace BIOL 105/106/151 with BIOL 221/222/223

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs)
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices.  The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study AbroadIntercultural ImmersionInternship, and/or Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire.

Liberal Education (LE) Core Guidance

Liberal Education Core (LE Core) 

The LE Core comprises 17 learning experiences across 11 learning outcomes. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits in courses approved for the LE Core. 

  • K1 – Natural Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K2 – Social Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K3 – Humanities; two experiences. 

  • K4 – Fine Arts; one experience. 

  • S1 – Written and Oral Communication; two experiences (one experience must satisfy the University writing requirement). 

  • S2 – Mathematics; one experience (must satisfy the University math competency requirement). 

  • S3 – Creativity; one experience (can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • R1 – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity; two experiences (one experience must meet the UW System Design for Diversity (DD) requirement). 

  • R2 – Global Perspectives; one experience. 

  • R3 – Civic and Environmental Issues; one experience. 

  • I1 – Integration; two experiences (one experience can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • SL—Service Learning; 30 hours 

Additional LE Core Information 

  • Most LE Core learning experiences are course based, and many courses meet more than one learning outcome (e.g., K3 and R2 or K1 and R3). 

  • Some learning experiences can also be met outside of a traditional course (e.g., undergraduate research (S3), study abroad (I1)). 

  • S1 – An English placement score that fulfills the University writing requirement fulfills one S1 experience. 

  • S1 – A foreign Language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 102 level satisfies one S1 experience. 

  • S1, R2 – A foreign language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 202 level satisfies one experience in S1 and the R2 experience. 

  • S2 – A math placement score that qualifies the student to enter Math 111, 112, 113 or 114 fulfills the S2 experience. 

  • S3 – Completion of two credits from any approved music ensemble fulfills the S3 experience. 

  • I1 – Any semester long study abroad program can fulfill one I1 experience.