traditional undergraduate on campus

Physics Education

Trevecca’s Bachelor of Science in physics education equips students with the foundation needed to become effective and engaging teachers in grades six through twelve. The program offers unique research and hands-on learning opportunities including near-space research, electron microscopy, digital electronics and solar telescope engagement.



Program Benefits

  • Benefit from our small professor-to-student ratio which allows for tailored and interactive instruction from faculty who possess high degrees in their fields, who have relevant and valuable real-world experience and who make an effort to know you personally.
  • Take advantage of incredible internships and job opportunities available in the exciting Nashville market.
  • Participate in exciting and unique research opportunities using state-of-the-art equipment and technology. 

 

What to Expect

Trevecca’s Bachelor of Science in physics education program is perfect if you want to intersect your love of physics with your desire to inspire and teach. This interdisciplinary program combines the best of our physics department and our NCATE-accredited School of Education, giving you a strong and well-balanced foundation that prepares you to teach grades six through twelve.

Our small class sizes allow you to engage on a deeper level with your professors, classmates, content, projects and research. You’ll work closely with dedicated faculty who actively collaborate with other universities and corporations to offer exciting laboratory and research opportunities which include, but are not limited to, near-space research, electron microscopy, digital electronics and solar telescope engagement. 



Why Choose Trevecca?

Founded in 1901 and a leader in online education for more than two decades, Trevecca helps students discover and pursue an individual calling by providing innovative instruction; cultivating a supportive, Christ-centered community; and establishing relationships that open doors.

Recognized nationally and locally for academic quality, Trevecca has earned a reputation for providing the world with servant leaders, problem solvers and difference makers. Trevecca’s holistic approach to education encompasses intellectual, social, emotional, physical and spiritual growth.

As a Christian university, we offer programs that explore the ways faith intersects with your field of study. This means you can gain your physics education degree in a supportive, Christian community with small classroom sizes and engaged faculty members who care about you, your faith and your goals.



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Course Descriptions

Get details on all the courses you’ll complete as you work toward this degree at Trevecca.

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Financial Aid & Costs

Financial Aid & Costs

Nearly every student at Trevecca receives some form of assistance in paying for college. Learn all about the affordability of a TNU education and options for receiving aid.

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Career Opportunities

Teachers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields are in high demand. Your degree positions you to help meet that need. You’ll have the educational foundation you need to pursue graduate studies or to begin your career in physics education. 




Faculty

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Course Descriptions

Get details on all the courses you’ll complete as you work toward this degree at Trevecca.*


Life, Calling, and Purpose
INT 1100
Students will begin a journey of self-awareness where they can identify their individual gifts and talents while considering how God can use their uniqueness within their field of interest. Goals of the course include building community, understanding leadership and service, and evaluating God's calling. Required of all first-time freshmen (those enrolling with less than 24 hours) who are younger than 24 years of age and have not taken a similar course at another accredited institution.
English Composition I
ENG 1020

Emphasizes the recursive writing process through appropriate determination of subject, audience, purpose, and style, with correct usage of grammar, punctuation, and logical organization. Students will use appropriate technologies for writing and learning.

English Composition II: Critical Reading, Writing, and Thinking
ENG 1080

Emphasizes intellectual and analytical reasoning through reading and writing assignments. Includes instruction in library and research technologies and the writing of a research project.

Speech Communication
COM 1010

A study of the principles and practices of effective human communication, with emphasis placed on public speaking. The course emphasizes the critical thinking and skill development necessary for effective speech. Listening skills are included in the study.

Financial Stewardship
BUS 2010

Provides the student with a basic understanding of his or her economic environment and the basic principles and tools of personal financial management. Emphasis will be placed on personal financial planning, including budgeting, managing personal debt, insurance, taxes, investments, and real estate. When possible, topics will be analyzed and discussed from a Christian perspective.

Introduction to Health and Wellness
HPE 1500

Designed to assist the student in their understanding and development of a healthy lifestyle. Emphasis is placed on the components and behaviors that promote lifelong, positive outcomes in the five dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual. Includes a fitness laboratory component. Fee charged.

General Psychology
PSY 2010

General introduction to major areas of psychology with emphasis on the psychological bases for understanding human behavior. A recommended prerequisite to other psychology courses except PSY 2175.

General Biology I
BIO 1510

An introduction to fundamental concepts in the biological sciences including the organization of living matter, cellular structure and function, food production by photosynthesis, energy harvest, mechanisms of cellular reproduction, genetics, and evolution. Discussions of current scientific issues will also be included. Lecture and lab. Fee charged.

Earth and Space Science
SCI 2510
General Chemistry I
CHE 1040

The first course in a one-year sequence for students planning further work in chemistry. Topics discussed include atomic structure, periodic relationships, bonding, molecular structure, chemical reactions, thermochemistry, solids, liquids, and gases. Lecture and lab. Fee charged.

General Physics I
PHY 2110
For students with an interest in science, engineering, and medicine. Includes mechanics, heat, sound, electricity and magnetism, light, and modern physics. Lecture and lab. Fee charged.
World Literature
ENG 2000

Designed to engage students in dialogue with a variety of Western and Non-Western world literature, past and present. ENG 2000 is a recommended prerequisite for all upper-level literature courses.

Introduction to Biblical Faith
REL 2000

An introduction to Biblical faith and literature designed to help the student acquire a knowledge of the basic content of Scripture as well as be able to employ basic Bible study skills.

Christian Tradition
REL 3000

An introduction to theology as it has developed in the history of the church with a view to understanding the relation between faith and life. Special attention is given to understanding the doctrine of holiness.

Christian Life and Ministry
REL 4000

An integration of Christian spirituality, life, and ministry. Through a wide variety of readings and experiences, care is given to evaluate the spiritual structure of the student and to understand spiritual gifts, disciplines, and what it means for each individual to be a constructive influence in the Church and society.

Fine Arts
MUS 1500

Designed to give students a historical perspective of music, art, sculpture, and architecture from ancient times to modern times.

English Acquisition (FE-10)
ESL 3150

Current approaches, methodologies, techniques, and materials for teaching English language learners primarily in K-12 setting. Designed to provide theoretical and practical experience in language acquisition. Fee charged. Course includes 10 hours of field experience in ESL classrooms, which must include a 6-12 setting.

General Physics II
PHY 2120
For students with an interest in science, engineering, and medicine. Includes mechanics, heat, sound, electricity and magnetism, light, and modern physics. Lecture and lab. Fee charged.
Modern Physics
PHY 3140

A course that explores some of the concepts that revolutionized physics in the early 20th century. Topics include relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic phenomena, and spectroscopy. Lecture and lab. Fee charged.

Junior Seminar in Biology/Chemistry/Physics
PHY 3335/BIO 3335/ CHE 3335

Requires students to participate in professional development activities designed to prepare them to apply for summer research/externship positions, graduate school, medical programs, and/or jobs in scientific or technical fields. In addition, students will explore the integration of faith with their desired profession.

Senior Seminar in Biology/Chemistry/Physics
PHY 4335/BIO 4335/CHE 4335

Culminating seminar for biology majors and an opportunity to engage in the preparation of a literature review, present scientific data in the form of oral and poster presentations, and demonstrate content knowledge by means of an external assessment. In addition, students will draw upon their experience within the program of study to articulate the relationship between faith and science.

Electromagnetics I
PHY 3200/EEC 3200

This course covers applied electrostatics and electrodynamics. Topics include boundary value problems, Maxwell's equations, and electromagnetic waves. Static fields and waves will be analyzed under various boundary conditions in vacuum and in linear media.

Intermediate Mechanics
PHY 3300

A study of the states of systems of particles and of rigid bodies using Newton's Laws and conservation principles. Covering topics such as kinematics and dynamics of system particles, rotation proportions of rigid bodies, and motion under a central force. Lecture and lab. Fee charged.

Thermodynamics
PHY 4010

A study of the first, second, and third laws of thermodynamics, phase equilibria, and reaction equilibria. Lecture and lab. Fee charged.

Calculus I
MAT 1510

A study of Cartesian and polar coordinates, parametric equations, vectors and vector-valued functions in 2 and 3 dimensions, limits, differentiation of functions with applications, integration of functions with applications, Taylor polynomials, and series. It is strongly recommended that students take PHY 2110 and PHY 2120 concurrently with MAT 1510 and MAT 1520, respectively.

Calculus II
MAT 1520

A study of Cartesian and polar coordinates, parametric equations, vectors and vector-valued functions in 2 and 3 dimensions, limits, differentiation of functions with applications, integration of functions with applications, Taylor polynomials, and series. It is strongly recommended that students take PHY 2110 and PHY 2120 concurrently with MAT 1510 and MAT 1520, respectively.

Calculus III
MAT 2510

A study of partial derivatives and multiple integrals and additional topics in vector-valued functions.

Introduction to Computer Technology for the Sciences
SCI 2150

A hands-on introduction to computer-based measurements, automation, and graphical programming for the sciences. The LabVIEW graphical programming environment will be introduced and used to write software applications that collect, display and analyze experimental data. Automated experiments in the areas of biology, chemistry and physics will be designed and implemented. Topics such as sensors, signals, data acquisition, error analysis, and noise will be explored. The use of standard office spreadsheet, word-processing, and presentation software for scientific data analysis and reporting will also be emphasized. Lecture and Lab. Fee charged.

Human Growth and Cognition
PSY 2500

Explores human growth and development over the life span to understand the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental levels: physically, emotionally, cognitively, and behaviorally. Designed to provide the developmental approach to cognition in children and adolescents within the context of major learning theories. Brain research, learning modalities, and metacognition are also examined.

Introduction to the Exceptional Learner
PSY 3411

An overview of the issues related to the characteristics of the exceptional learner. Concepts of learning and classroom management in the public school are considered.

Student Teaching Seminar
EDU 4600

Focuses on the application and analysis of knowledge and teaching skills in the classroom, lesson and unit planning, classroom management, discipline models, and current professional issues. Taken in conjunction with enhanced student teaching. Permission required.

Enhanced Student Teaching Secondary School
EDU 4670

Provides the culminating fifteen-week, semester-long experience for all who are seeking a secondary license. Consists of full-day classroom observation and practice teaching in the major curricular area in two different school settings: one 7 1/2-week placement in a middle school in grades 6-8 and one 7 1/2-week placement in a secondary school in grades 9-12. Physical Education majors seeking a K-12 license will have placements in early elementary grades K-4 and middle/secondary grades 5-12. Music majors seeking a K-12 license will have placements in elementary grades K-5 and secondary grades 6-12. Graded S-U. Permission required.

edTPA Seminar
EDU 4730

A prerequisite for Enhanced Student Teaching. This course provides the candidate with experiences in preparation, procedures, implementation, and submittal of required edTPA documentation for initial licensure. Permission required. Graded S/U.

HISTORY (CHOOSE ONE)
World Civilizations: Ancient and Medieval World
HIS 1400

A course of study from ancient times to the 1500s dealing with persistent and recurring political, social, and economic issues in history that thinking people have examined and that have shaped our contemporary world. This course covers Western and non-Western cultures. Offered every semester.

World Civilizations: Early Modern and Modern World
HIS 1450

A course of study from the 1500s to the present dealing with persistent and recurring political, social, and economic issues in history that thinking people have examined and that have shaped our contemporary world. This course covers Western and non-Western cultures. Offered every semester.

 
PHILOSOPHY (CHOOSE ONE)
Introduction to Philosophy
PHL 2010

A general introduction to the study of philosophy, both Western and non-Western. The course is organized around three domains of philosophical reflection: metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. Representative philosophers from Socrates to Confucius will be used to illuminate the philosophical task. The course also includes discussion of world religions as representatives of non-Western philosophy.

Ethics
PHL 3070

A philosophical analysis of the narratives and principles that have contributed to moral and ethical norms for human action.

 
SOCIOLOGY (CHOOSE ONE)
The Family in Society
SOC 2500

A study of the functions of the institution of family and the inter-relationship of family and other major institutions in society including the ways in which current social conditions and cultural, ethnic, and economic diversity influence this relationship. Current sociological research on family behavior will be examined and a Christian perspective on family emphasized.

Social Problems
SOC 3200

A sociological description and analysis of some of the contemporary social problems in American Society with an emphasis on programs designed to help remedy these problems.

Urban Sociology
SOC 3300

An examination of urban lifestyles, problems, development, and change from a historical perspective, providing both theoretical and practical background for analysis of various urban conditions, and seeking to identify and apply practical solutions to these problems. A major experiential learning component is field work and ethnographic research in core urban Nashville neighborhoods. A section on urban planning and urban ministry is included.

*For a complete list of courses, tracks and other relevant information, view the program's course catalog.