Physics

Welcome to ESU's Physics Department!

Student who complete the secondary education programs obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree in the content area (e.g., physics) and are then eligible for grades 7-12 teacher certification in Pennsylvania (for their content area). ESU's Secondary Education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

Four baccalaureate degree programs are offered (click on "Undergraduate Programs" to your left for information on each program):

• A Bachelor of Science with a Physics major is designed for students who seek a strong background in physics. Students can choose between three concentrations:
  • The Professional concentration provides the foundation for graduate student in physics.
  • The Industrial Physics concentration prepares students for careers in industry that require a strong background in physics. The first three years of the industrial physics concentration mirrors the first three years of the Engineering Transfer program within the Bachelor of Arts in Physics.
  • The Earth and Space Science concentration provides a strong base for future study in one or more of the Earth and Space Sciences (i.e., Astronomy, Geology, Meteorology and Oceanography).
• A Bachelor of Arts with a Physics major is designed for students who seek a broad background in physics. Students can choose between three concentrations:
  • The General concentration provides a broad background in physics along with a few courses that examine areas of interest to the student. Typically, this concentration is chosen in coordination with a major in a related field.
  • The Secondary Education concentration mirrors the general concentration but also includes seven additional courses in education. A graduate of this program will be eligible for Pennsylvania teacher certification in physics for grades 7-12 (dependent on grade point average and qualifying score on teacher examination).
  • With the dual-degree Engineering Transfer Program, students transfer to an ABET-accredited engineering school and, at the completion of the degree there, are eligible for the ESU degree (contingent upon certain requirements; engineering technology degrees are excluded). In addition, under our agreement with Penn State University, students in certain programs who meet additional requirements are guaranteed acceptance to Penn State University after three years at ESU. See the Engineering FAQ page for more information.
• A Bachelor of Arts with an Earth and Space Science major is designed for students who seek a broad background in the earth and space sciences, including astronomy, geology, meteorology and oceanography. Students can choose between two concentrations:
  • The General concentration provides a broad background in all four areas along with a few courses that examine areas of interest to the student. Typically, this concentration is chosen in coordination with a major in a related field.
  • The Secondary Education concentration mirrors the general concentration but also includes seven additional courses in education. A graduate of this program will be eligible for Pennsylvania teacher certification in earth and space science for grades 7-12 (dependent on grade point average and qualifying score on teacher examination).
• A Bachelor of Arts with a General Science major is designed for students who seek a broad background in all four areas of science (biology, chemistry, earth and space science, and physics). Students can choose between two concentrations.
  • The General concentration provides a broad background in science along with a few courses that examine areas of interest to the student. Typically, this concentration is chosen in coordination with a major in a related field.
  • The Secondary Education concentration mirrors the general concentration but also includes seven additional courses in education. A graduate of this program will be eligible for Pennsylvania teacher certification in general science for grades 7-12 (dependent on grade point average and qualifying score on teacher examination). Typically, teachers with this certification teach grades 7-9 (either general science, life science, physical science or earth science).

Graduate Programs