Advising

Advising

The Commission on Teacher Credentialing officially approved these programs in March 2008. Students will not have to pass the CSET exam, provided they complete all the program requirements and a successful assessment portfolio. Students must work with the single subject adviser during their senior year to make sure they complete all the steps required to receive the subject matter program completion letter and enter the credential program.

Students should meet with the single subject adviser once each year for helpful advice and to check on progress. They are also encouraged to send e-mail messages. See information below. The regular physics, chemistry, or geology adviser can give general advice especially on preparation for the major and the major; however, the single subject adviser needs to help students deal with the special core requirements and moving on to the credential program. Below are some updates on these crucial courses:

• Teacher Education 211, Field Experience in Mathematics and Science: This course provides an opportunity to work with middle school and high school youth and to explore the field of teaching. This course is offered only during fall semester. Students should consider taking it during the fall of their sophomore year.
• Natural Science 315, History of Science and Technology: This course satisfies the integrative component of the program, allowing students to see connections between the different sciences. It currently is being offered very sporatically. Students should contact the single subject adviser when they are juniors to discuss timing.
• Geology 412, Processes and Inquiry in the Earth Science: This course satisfies the earth systems requirement and provides an example of how young people should develop their own understanding of science ideas via prediction, hands-on observation, and inference. It is offered only on Tues-Thurs mornings and soon may be offered only once a year. Students should contact the single subject adviser for up-to-date information.
• For students in the Physical Science Program only, the Physics Department has created a new course-- Physics 242 Introduction to Mathematical Physics--which will help students learn to use more effectively all the math skills and physics content they have been studying during lower division. This course will only be offered in the spring. Ideally, it should be taken during the second semester of the sophomore year after completing Physics 196. If this is not possible, it must be taken before Physics 350 and, if at all possible, should be taken before Physic 354 as well. See the physical science program course sequence.