BA in Physics Domains of Study

Areas of Study Within the
B.A. in Science (5-12, Physics) Degree

The content of the WGU Bachelor of Arts in Science (5–12, Physics) derives from research on effective instruction as well as national and state standards. It provides the knowledge and skills that enable teachers to perform effectively in diverse classrooms. The B.A. in Science (5–12 Physics) program content and training processes are consistent with the accountability intent of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The degree program is focused on the preparation of highly qualified teachers. As described in the federal legislation, a highly qualified teacher is one who not only possesses full state certification, but also has solid content knowledge of the subject(s) he or she teaches. The hallmarks of our program include: (a) appropriate and rigorous subject-matter preparation, (b) scientifically based pedagogical course preparation, and (c) clinical field experiences in which teacher candidates are supervised by trained coaches.

The following section includes the larger domains of knowledge, which are then followed by the subject-specific subdomains of knowledge.

Foundational Perspectives of Education Domain

This course provides an introduction to the historical, legal, and philosophical foundations of education, including special education. Current educational trends, reform movements, major federal and state laws, legal and ethical responsibilities, and an overview of standards-based curriculum are the focus of the course.

Foundations Domain

The Foundations domain focuses on basic subject matter knowledge that is typically required for baccalaureate level study, including application of grammatical standards, reading skills, basic numeracy and calculation skills, basic algebra skills, basic geometry principles, and basic data and probability skills.

General Education Domain

The general education domain focuses on basic subject matter knowledge that is typically included in baccalaureate-level programs. Evaluation of your previous college transcripts may clear assessment requirements for some areas of the liberal arts domain, which could shorten your program of study by removing assessments. To waive or clear a subdomain, the transcript must show that you have taken equivalent classes in the subdomain content areas and passed those classes with a C grade or higher at an accredited institution of higher education.

Natural Science
Content focuses on scientific concepts and inquiry as well as key concepts across and within disciplines of natural science.

Collegiate Level Reasoning and Problem Solving
Content includes problem identification and clarification, planning and information gathering, identifying assumptions and values, analysis and interpretation of information and data, reaching well-founded conclusions, and identifying the role of critical thinking in the disciplines and professions.

General Education Social Sciences
Content includes social science theory and method; human development and behavior; modern economic, social, and political institutions; and geography and human cultures.

Literature, Arts, and the Humanities
Content focuses on content, concepts, terminology, methodology, models, and issues within and across the disciplines of the humanities.

Themes in United States and World History/United States Government, Law and Constitution
Content includes major themes in world history and United States history; basic economic concepts; and the nature and development of American government.

Language and Communication
Content focuses on collegiate reading skills, basic information retrieval skills, writing skills, and speaking and writing skills.

General Science Content Domain

Below are all of the subdomains that make up this content domain. Each subdomain is made up of specific competencies, or performance descriptions, that correspond to the specific skills or knowledge areas you must master.

Pre-calculus
This sub-domain focuses on the complex number system and trigonometry.

Chemistry
The focus in this subdomain is on chemical structure, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, solutions, rates, and energy changes.

Calculus I
This sub-domain focuses on limits, derivatives, continuity, and applications of differential calculus to mathematics and the sciences.

Physics Content (Grades 5-12) Domain

This domain covers mechanics, waves and optics, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics.

Mechanics
This subdomain covers the following topics: describing motion; Newton’s laws of motion; gravitation and Newton’s synthesis; work and energy; momentum and collisions; rotational motion; static equilibrium; fluids; and oscillations.

Waves and Optics
This subdomain covers the following topics: wave motion, sound, temperature, thermal expansion, and the ideal gas law; kinetic theory and gases; laws of thermodynamics; light; lenses and optical instruments; the wave nature of light; and diffraction and polarization.

Electricity and Magnetism
This subdomain covers the following topics: electric charge and electric field; electric currents and resistance; magnetism; electromagnetic induction and faraday’s law; and Maxwell’s equation and electromagnetic waves.

Modern Physics
This subdomain covers the following topics: birth of modern physics; Quantum Theory and models of the atom; Special Theory of Rrelativity and quantum mechanics; molecules and solids; nuclear physics and radioactivity; elementary particles; astrophysics; cosmology; and general relativity.

Comprehensive Exam
The comprehensive exam will assess the student’s knowledge of the subdomains in the General Science Content and Physics Content domains.

Educational Psychology Domain

This course provides an introduction to principles that incorporate the major theories of typical and atypical physical, social, cognitive, and moral development of children and adolescents. Information processing, brain research, memory, and metacognition will also be covered.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Exceptional Learners Domain

This course helps candidates develop an understanding of the needs of exceptional learners and students representing diverse cultural, ethnic, and language backgrounds. Topics will focus on understanding and meeting the unique needs of learners representing a variety of ability levels, cultural backgrounds, and learning needs.

Classroom Management, Engagement, and Motivation Domain

This course provides a foundation for effective classroom management, student engagement, and motivation in order to create a safe, positive learning environment for all students. Major behavioral and motivation theories will be presented.

Foundations of Teaching Domain

The Foundations of Teaching domain contains competencies underlying our knowledge about children, learning, and teaching. As you begin to work in the Foundations of Teaching domain, your mentor will assess your readiness to begin state-required content knowledge testing needed for certification. Your mentor will also assist you in beginning the process of application and acceptance into the two different components of WGU field experiences: the pre-clinical experiences (PCE) and demonstration teaching (DT). Video-based pre-clinical field experiences are embedded in the performance assessments of the Foundations of Teaching domain and require observation, analysis, and reflection based on real classroom situations (in-class PCE will take place in a school near you when you start work on the Effective Teaching Practices domain).

You may not transfer credits or prior years of teaching experience from other institutions to meet requirements of the Foundations of Teaching domain. In the first six months of working in the Foundation of Teaching domain, you must also register for and pass a Basic Skills Test. Many states require such a test for licensure, and you will need to take the one applicable to your state. For states with no specific Basic Skills Test, you will sign up for and take the Praxis 1 exam.

Testing
Content addresses evaluating, selecting, developing, and administering assessments; analyzing, diagnosing, and reporting assessment results; and using results to plan and improve instruction.

Comprehensive Exam
The FTC4 is a comprehensive exam assessing the student’s knowledge of the subdomains listed above. The student may participate in a comprehensive review session with a mentor and peers to prepare for the assessment.

Effective Teaching Practices Domain

The Effective Teaching Practices domain deals with knowledge and skills related to how to teach. All competencies in this domain are derived from research. While you are engaged in the learning opportunities of Effective Teaching Practices, you will also participate in pre-clinical experiences (PCE) that now go beyond the FOT video cases to actual teaching experiences in real classroom situations. You will apply for, and be given approval, by the Field Experiences Office to do your pre-clinical experiences in a school. PCE takes place prior to your actual demonstration teaching (DT) (student teaching) and will require you to spend time in a school completing various required tasks. While you are completing your Effective Teaching Practices domain, you will be assigned a placement specialist who will work to place you in an appropriate classroom for your demonstration teaching as you approach that point.

As you continue your work in this domain, you must pay careful attention to the cohort requirements and deadlines pertaining to your specified demonstration teaching entry date. Your final acceptance into your desired DT cohort will be approved only when you have met all the requirements. Your mentor and the Field Experiences Office will help you through this process. An additional fee is required prior to beginning demonstration teaching (the fee, except for the DT application fee, can be covered through the use of financial aid proceeds). This fee covers the cost of in-classroom clinical supervision. You may not transfer credits or prior years of teaching experience from other institutions to meet requirements of the Effective Teaching Practices domain.

Instructional Strategies and Approaches
Content refers to curriculum design and evaluation; lesson planning and materials development; and adapting instruction, accommodating diverse learners, and using technology to facilitate learning. Additional content deals with empirically based methods of teaching, both general case (e.g., learning strategies) and content specific (e.g., reading methods).

Instructional Presentation and Follow-Up
Content relates explicitly to teaching skills and information to children.

Comprehensive Exam
The comprehensive exam will assess the student’s knowledge of the subdomains listed above. The student may participate in a comprehensive review session with a mentor and peers to prepare for the assessment.

Science, Technology, and Society Domain

This course will help candidates develop an increased understanding and appreciation for the nature and process of science. Candidates will develop a high-level view of core themes in science and the importance of science and technology to their personal lives. Candidates will analyze the historical development of scientific theories and engage in science by using inquiry to solve open-ended problems and through the analysis of socio-scientific issues.

Science Teaching and Learning Domain

In this course candidates will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to be an effective practicing science educator. Candidates will learn principles and model of teaching for understanding, and gain familiarity with the standards and best practices of science education. Candidates will learn how to select appropriate resources, use multiple teaching strategies, use assessment to guide instruction, and plan for all students. Emphasis will be on strategies used for creating a safe and active community of learners that uses inquiry as the central teaching strategy to confront student misconceptions.

Demonstration Teaching Domain

The Demonstration Teaching Domain deals with the competencies a prospective teacher must demonstrate when teaching. Before you begin Demonstration Teaching, you must complete a number of requirements. These include a background check, standardized content examinations, and a dispositions inventory. Also, you must have completed all the above academic requirements before beginning Demonstration Teaching.

Demonstration Teaching is a full-time, in-classroom supervised experience required of all teacher candidates. The Demonstration Teaching phase of a teacher candidate’s program includes a series of classroom performance observations designed to gather data about your actual performance skills. A WGU clinical supervisor (an experienced educator who lives and works near your teaching location) will observe you on multiple occasions—at least six observations are required—and evaluate you in accordance with published checklists and observation rubrics. In addition, where authorized, principals may provide one or more independent observations of WGU candidates. The clinical supervisors submit the results to WGU for review and recording. During your time in Demonstration Teaching, you will participate in a weekly cohort session via conference call. Your cohort is led by a facilitator and is comprised of a group of students teaching at about the same grade level. Your cohort facilitator will guide and support you through the Demonstration Teaching processes.