USC Department of Physics and Astronomy: IMA Physics

INTERDISCIPLINARY MASTER OF ARTS

NATURAL SCIENCE

I. Purpose

This program is designed for applicants who are certified or qualified for certification as secondary school teachers, and who wish to pursue careers in teaching in secondary school in areas of natural science. Programs will be individually structured in consultation with an advisory committee in order to accommodate students with diverse needs and backgrounds. Provision will be made for students who have not completed all of the undergraduate prerequisites for the program.

II. Admission

A. The applicant must meet the following general requirements for admission to the IMA program in physics:

1. Submission of a complete application to the University of South Carolina Graduate School.

2. Admission to the graduate school on the basis of satisfactory Graduate Record Examination scores.

3. Graduation from an accredited college.

4. Certification or qualification for certification as a secondary school teacher.

5. Acceptance by the Department in the College of Arts and Sciences that the major involvement in the student's program, and by the College of Education.

B. Undergraduate prerequisites for the program are:

1. Introductory Biology (one year).

2. Introductory Chemistry (one year).

3. Introductory Physics (one year).

4. Introductory Physical Geology or Physical Geography (one year in one or one-half year in each).

A student lacking prerequisites must arrange to complete them, before proceeding to advanced work in these areas.

III.Graduation Requirement

Before the I.M.A. degree is awarded, the student must have 12 hours of undergraduate credit beyond the introductry level in one of the four natural sciences comprising the content area for the degree. If these hours are not already part of the student's undergraduate record, they may be earned during the course of study leading to the degree.

IV.Degree Requirements

A. The student must meet the following basic requirements for the IMA degree in Natural Science:

1. Completion of at least 33 hours of graduate credits distributed as follows:

a. Professional Education Component (12 credits)

i. Research: EDRM 700,
ii. Psychological Foundations (3 credits):

EDPY 701, 705, 706, or 707,

iii. Teaching of Science in Secondary School:

EDSE 732,

iv. Elective:

A course that addresses current issues of concern to teachers.

b. Content Area Component (7 courses, 21 or more credits), including work in at least three of the following areas:

i. Biology (including Marine Science)
ii. Chemistry
iii. Geology/Geography (listed as Natural Science)
iv. Physics

2. The program for each candidate will be planned in consultation with an advisory committee appointed at the time of admission, and composed of one faculty member from the College of Education and one from the College of Arts and Sciences. The committee will give final approval to the program.

3. Half of the credit hours earned must be at the 700 level or above. A thesis may be submitted in lieu of six hours of content area courses.

4. An oral comprehensive examination will be conducted during the final semester of the program by the advisory committee augmented by one additional member.

B. In structuring the program, the student and his/her advisory committee will give careful consideration to

1. The overall coherence of the program and the desired balance in teaching areas,

2. The academic background and related teaching experience of the candidate,

3. The candidate's professional needs as a classroom teacher, and

4. Undergraduate deficiencies.

V.Teaching Content Area Courses Available

Courses may be chosen from offerings avaliable in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Marine Science, Physics, and Science and Math Education.

For further information, please contact

Professor Jeff Wilson, Department of Physics and Astronomy,
Telephone (803) 777-4650 or FAX (803) 777-3065,
or e-mail jwilson@sc.edu

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Last modified: 07/20/05