PHY:BA - Bachelor of Arts in Physics

Academic Progression Requirements

Students admitted to the university are admitted directly to their chosen major. Students are expected to make satisfactory progress based on critical indicators, such as GPA in specific courses or credits earned. In cases where students are not making satisfactory progress, a change of major may be required. Advisors work to redirect students to more appropriate majors when critical indicators are not met.

Mathematics Progression Milestone Requirements

Students in the BA in Physics must meet the following mathematics progression milestone:

·        Students are required to enroll in a mathematics course in both the Fall and Spring terms and in the Summer term as needed to remain on track with program milestones.
·        Students admitted in the Fall or Summer terms must successfully complete MAC 1105 with a grade of C or better by the end of their first Spring term.
·        Students admitted in the Spring term must successfully complete MAC 1105 with a grade of C or better by the end of their first Fall term.
·        No more than two attempts in MAC 1105 is permitted.

Students who do not meet this mathematics progression milestone will be redirected to a more appropriate academic program

Common Prerequisite Courses

For information about state-approved common prerequisites and alternatives for other programs, visit https://cpm.flvc.org.

See below for the list of FIU courses which meet the common prerequisite requirements.

See general university admission requirements at admissions.fiu.edu

Physics Education Major (FIUteach)

This program prepares students interested in physics careers and certification to teach physics. Additional science and/or mathematic certifications at the secondary level may be added (below). Students are encouraged to contact the FIUteach program (FIUteach.fiu.edu) for opportunities to try out teaching at no cost. Interested students are encouraged to contact the department, the FIUteach program, or the secondary science advisor for additional details and certification requirements.

Additional coursework in science and/or mathematics is required to prepare for certification in additional subject areas.

Students in the Physics Education Major must complete all the Physics degree common prerequisites, and Degree Required Core Courses (16) in addition to the following courses:

Early Clinical Experiences (Field Hours)

Many courses offered by the Department of Teaching and Learning require completion of clinical experiences (field hours) in approved K–12 school settings under the supervision of a classroom teacher and FIU faculty member. See course descriptions for specific details. In accordance with the Jessica Lunsford Act, students completing clinical experiences must undergo fingerprinting and a background check at the students’ own expense. Students will not be allowed to enter a school campus without the necessary clearance. All clinical experiences and the Student Teaching internship must be completed at schools affiliated with FIU, including but not limited to Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Broward County Public Schools. Placements are coordinated through the FIU Office of Clinical Experiences. Students may not arrange placements independently.

Student Teaching

Student Teaching is the semester-long, full-time, culminating clinical experience for candidates in Initial Teacher Preparation Programs. Placements are made in the fall and spring semesters and are contingent upon successful completion of all required coursework and Florida Teacher Certification Examinations. More information about clinical experiences (field hours) and the Student Teaching application process, including deadlines and the online application, is available on the Clinical Experiences | FIU College of Arts, Sciences & Education website. Students must pass all four sections of the FTCE General Knowledge Test to be eligible to apply. The test may be waived if the student achieves qualifying scores, as set by the state, on approved alternative assessments (SAT, ACT, GRE, or CLT). Students should contact their academic advisor to verify their eligibility for a waiver.

For questions, contact the FIU Office of Clinical Experiences at 305-348-2082, email ClinicalExperiences@fiu.edu, or visit the Ziff Education

Students can choose to pursue the B.A. in Physics without selecting a concentration. The following concentration can be chosen in order to specialize in the specific field of study below:

Biophysics Concentration

This program prepares students interested in physics and planning to enter professional schools in medicine, biomedical engineering, and biomechanics as well as entry level biotechnology positions in industry and government. The flexible program offers the opportunity for parallel studies in another discipline. Students satisfying the degree requirements of this program will also have satisfied the course requirement for admission to medical schools. Interested students should consult the Pre-Health advisor https://case.fiu.edu/pre-health/index.html.

Students in the Biophysics Concentration must complete all the Physics degree common prerequisites, Additional Required Courses (4 credits), and Degree Required Core Courses (16 credits) in addition to the following courses.