We've created a simple worksheet you can use to map out your four year plan and share with your academic advisor.
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Use the four-year academic pathways for each UMBC major/program listed below as a resource for major exploration and development of an individualized degree plan.

Please note that these academic pathways are sample pathways. Students, in consultation with their academic advisor, will create an individualized degree plan, reflecting their academic preparation, interests and goals. Students are strongly encouraged to develop an individualized degree plan by no later than 45 credits earned and to update the plan regularly, in consultation with an academic advisor.

For complete information on degree requirements, reference the Undergraduate Course Catalog (catalog.umbc.edu).

Select a major/program to view its pathway:

Education - Physics Education - B.A.

Degree Requirements
Total Academic Credits:
125 - 126
Major Credits:
73-74
Min. Upper-Level Credits:
45
Min. Cumulative GPA:
2.0
§ indicates Benchmark requirements
‡ indicates Gateway courses
Curriculum Notes
  • This sample plan assumes no AP/IB/CLEP or transfer credit, foreign language proficiency up to the 201 level and a math placement level of MATH 151
  • All students must complete a credit-bearing English and Mathematics course in the first year of study
  • Minimum of C required for content courses
  • Minimum of B in 400 level required education courses
  • Minimum of 2.75 GPA is required for admission to the Phase 1 internship
Year One
Fall Semester Credits
PHYS 121 Mechanics (S non-lab GEP) 4
PHYS 190 Becoming a Physicist 1
MATH 151 Calc. & Analytic Geom. I (MATH GEP) 4
CMSC 104 or 201 3-4
PSYC 100 (SS GEP) 4
Total 16 - 17
Spring Semester Credits
PHYS 122 Electricity & Magnetism 4
PHYS 133L Experimental Physics I (S w/ lab GEP) 3
MATH 152 Calculus & Analytic Geometry II 4
ENGL 100 3
AH GEP 3
Total 17
Year Two
Fall Semester Credits
PHYS 211 Intro Physics III: Waves & Relativity 3
PHYS 233L Computational Physics I 4
MATH 251 Multivariable Calculus 4
AH GEP 3
C GEP 3
Total 17
Spring Semester Credits
PHYS 212 Intro Physics IV: Thermal & Quantum 3
MATH 221 Linear Algebra 3
MATH 225 Differential Equations 3
EDUC 310 Inquiry into Education (SS GEP) 3
Foreign Language 201 4
Total 16
Year Three
Fall Semester Credits
PHYS 311 Statistical Mechanics 3
CHEM 101 Principles of Chemistry I 4
EDUC 311 Psychological Foundations of Education (SS GEP) 3
EDUC 412 Analysis of Teaching & Learning 3
AH GEP 3
Total 16
Spring Semester Credits
PHYS 333L Experimental Physics II (WI) 3
PHYS 105 or 106 3
EDUC 410 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas: Part I 3
HIST 445 or 446 3
BIOL 141 Found. of Biology: Cells, Energy & Org 4
Total 16
Year Four
Fall Semester Credits
PHYS 411 Classical Mechanics 3
EDUC 427 Science in the Secondary School 3
EDUC 388 Inclusion & Instruction 3
EDUC 411 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas: Part II 3
C GEP 3
Total 15
Spring Semester Credits
EDUC 456 Student Teaching in Secondary Schools 10
EDUC 457 Secondary Internship Seminar 2
Total 12
Advising Coordinator:
CNMS Advising cnmsadvising@umbc.edu University Center, Room 205