Wellesley-MIT
Teacher Education
Additional Information on Subject Matter Knowledge and Subject
Advising
for the Physics Teaching Programs
Subject
Matter Knowledge Requirements.
Massachusetts
regulations specify the following subject matter knowledge requirements
for Physics teachers. To understand
more about what is intended in each area, please study the Massachusetts
Curriculum Frameworks for Science, which we can give you
a copy
of and which can be found on line at www.doe.mass.edu You
can also examine the test objectives for the Massachusetts
subject
test in this area. (This test is required only for licensure
in Massachusetts.) To see these objectives, go to doe.mass.edu,
and select Educator Licensure Tests.
Areas
of subject matter knowledge for Physics:
Physics
(grades 5-8; 8-12)
(a) Mechanics (including fluid mechanics)
(b) Heat, heat transfer, and thermodynamics
(c) Kinetic theory of gases
(d) Light and geometric optics
(e) Electricity and magnetism
(f) Waves (sound and light)
(g) The atom: its structure and the nucleus (including nuclear
reactions)
(h) Quantum theory of the atom
(i) Quantum theory of light
(j) Engineering and technical application of physics
(k) Related aspects of biology, chemistry, earth science
and mathematics, such as trigonometry, vector analysis,
and calculus
(l) History and philosophy of science
(m) Methods of research in the sciences, including
laboratory techniques and theuse of computers
You
would meet the requirements, first, by completing the set of courses
described below; second, by doing
additional
study
in areas where you have not taken courses; and, third,
by demonstrating your knowledge via student teaching
and the
MTEL subject test.
(MTEL stands for Massachusetts Tests for Educator
Licensure.) Or if you do not plan to take the MTEL subject
test
because you do not intend to teach in Massachusetts,
you can
alternatively do a portfolio review process.
Planning
required subject matter courses and study.
It
will be easiest to complete the required courses while doing a major
in physics or astrophysics,
but other majors
are acceptable
as long as they provide a way of gaining deep
insight into the overall area of knowledge outlined above.
Please consult
with
our physics subject matter advisors, Prof. Ted
Ducas at Wellesley or Prof. John Belcher at MIT, about
how you will
plan to
address all areas of required knowledge.
In conjunction with these
discussions, please fill out the Teaching Program
Plan form and have it approved.
Required
courses:
Courses
to complete a major in physics, astrophysics, or in a field of engineering
for which physics
is the main
knowledge base, such as electrical or mechanical
engineering.
The
courses required for a physics or astrophysics major will enable
a student to learn the
required knowledge. Engineering majors
at MIT, who must
also fulfill the
General Institute
Requirements, will also be adequately prepared,
though some additional quantum
theory (such as in 8.04) may need to be
added to their program. Engineering majors should
also include
study
of thermodynamics,
for example through 8.044 or 2.005.
Additional
study
For
the required areas of subject matter knowledge listed that are not
covered
by your required
or other courses,
additional study will be needed. This
study provides a wonderful opportunity
for valuable, stimulating learning.
Please discuss your plan of study with our physics
subject matter
advisors,
with your
major advisor, and with Ken Hawes or Eric
Klopfer.
