KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE COURSE PROPOSAL OR REVISION,
Cover Sheet
(10/02/2002)
Course Number/Program Name PHED 5400 – MAT in Physics
Department Biology/Physics
Degree Title (if applicable) MAT in Physics
Proposed Effective Date Fall 2010
Check one or more of the following and complete the appropriate sections:
X New Course Proposal
Course Title Change
Course Number Change
Course Credit Change
Course Prerequisite Change
Course Description Change
Sections to be Completed
II, III, IV, V, VII
I, II, III
I, II, III
I, II, III
I, II, III
I, II, III
Notes:
If proposed changes to an existing course are substantial (credit hours, title, and description), a new course with a new number should be proposed.
A new Course Proposal (Sections II, III, IV, V, VII) is required for each new course proposed as part of a new program. Current catalog information (Section I) is required for each existing course incorporated into the program.
Minor changes to a course can use the simplified E-Z Course Change Form.
Submitted by:
Faculty Member
_____
Date
Not Approved Approved
Approved Not Approved
Department Curriculum Committee Date
Department Chair Date
Not Approved Approved
Approved
Approved
Approved
Not Approved
Not Approved
Not Approved
College Curriculum Committee Date
College Dean Date
GPCC Chair
Dean, Graduate College
Date
Date
Approved
Approved
Not Approved
Not Approved
Vice President for Academic Affairs Date
President Date

KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE COURSE / CONCENTRATION/PROGRAM CHANGE
I. Current Information (Fill in for changes)
Page Number in Current Catalog
Course Prefix and Number
Course Title
Credit Hours
Prerequisites ..
Description (or Current Degree Requirements)
Full-time teaching experience in science under the supervision of a middle or high school mentor teacher and a college science education supervisor. Includes regularly scheduled seminars. Proof of professional liability insurance is required prior to receiving a school placement
II. Proposed Information (Fill in for changes and new courses)
Course Prefix and Number ____ PHED 5400 ___ _________________________
Course Title ______ The Teaching and Learning of Physics _ __
Credit Hours
2-2-3
Prerequisites Acceptance in the MAT physics program or any other graduate education program.
Description (or Proposed Degree Requirements)
This course will deepen and broaden the graduate students’ understanding of the content taught at the high school level and will expose them to a variety of educational resources and tools that facilitate students’ learning. Current physics education research literature on topics such as active learning strategies, misconceptions, laboratory design, demonstrations, and assessment will be examined. Primary focus of the course is the application of content and pedagogical knowledge to the practice of teaching physics.
III. Justification
This course is needed for the MAT in Science (Physics concentration) program. One of the primary objectives of the MAT program is to provide prospective teachers with the appropriate experience teaching and designing curricula for high school physics. This course will deepen and broaden the graduate students’ understanding of the content taught at the high school level and will expose them to a variety of educational resources and tools that facilitate students’ learning. Resources include laboratory procedures, lecture demonstrations, hands-on activities, assignments, multimedia tools, and other teaching strategies.

IV. Additional Information (for New Courses only)
Instructor: Taha Mzoughi
Text: Five Easy Lessons: Strategies for Successful Physics Teaching, by Randall D. Knight, Publisher: Addison Wesley (September 29, 2002),
ISBN-13: 978-0805387025
Prerequisites: Acceptance in the MAT physics program or any other graduate education program.
Objectives:


Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols
Design and appropriate use of laboratory investigations, classroom activities, and demonstrations

Master appropriate physics content to be prepared to teach accurate science
 content to a diverse student population in a secondary school setting
Develop teaching strategies to effectively communicate abstract and complex

 physics concepts to a diverse student population
Learn and apply current instructional technologies to the teaching of physics
Incorporate historical and philosophical perspectives on the development of fundamental physics principles into the teaching of those topics at the introductory level
Instructional Method
Lecture & Lab
Method of Evaluation
Weekly Homework (15%), Weekly Content Quizzes (5%), Class Presentations (30%),
Two Exams (30%), and Final Exam (20%)
Final grade: A > 89.99, B >79.99, C > 69.99, D >49.99, F otherwise
V. Resources and Funding Required (New Courses only)
Faculty Initially none. A new faculty line might be needed if enrollment will result in current and proposed courses reaching capacity.
Other Personnel
Equipment
None
None
Supplies
Travel
New Books
New Journals
None
None
Other (Specify)
TOTAL
Funding Required Beyond
Normal Departmental Growth None

VI. COURSE MASTER FORM
This form will be completed by the requesting department and will be sent to the Office of the
Registrar once the course has been approved by the Office of the President.
The form is required for all new courses.
DISCIPLINE
COURSE NUMBER
Physics Education
PHED 5400
The Teaching and Learning of Physics COURSE TITLE FOR LABEL
(Note: Limit 30 spaces)
CLASS-LAB-CREDIT HOURS
Approval, Effective Term
Grades Allowed (Regular or S/U)
If course used to satisfy CPC, what areas?
2-2-3
Fall 2010
Regular
NA
Learning Support Programs courses which are
required as prerequisites All
APPROVED:
________________________________________________
Vice President for Academic Affairs or Designee __

VII Attach Syllabus
Instructor: Taha Mzoughi
Office: SC 316
Phone: (678) 797-2046
Email: tmzoughi@kennesaw.edu
Office Hours: Send an email to make an appointment.
Course Summary :
An introduction to effective teaching methods in the physics classroom and laboratory. Current physics education research literature on topics such as active learning strategies, misconceptions, laboratory design, demonstrations, and assessment will be examined. Primary focus of the course is the application of content and pedagogical knowledge to the practice of teaching physics.
Course Objectives:
A.
Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols
B.
Design and appropriate use of laboratory investigations, classroom activities, and demonstrations
C.
Master appropriate physics content to be prepared to teach accurate science content to a diverse student population in a secondary school setting
D.
Develop teaching strategies to effectively communicate abstract and complex physics concepts to a diverse student population
E.
Learn and apply current instructional technologies to the teaching of physics
F.
Incorporate historical and philosophical perspectives on the development of fundamental physics principles into the teaching of those topics at the introductory level
Description of Activities:
1) Locate, read, discuss, and reflect upon relevant content and pedagogical content knowledge relevant to physics as taught at K12 settings. [Objectives C, E, F]
2) Develop and enact multiple pedagogically sound, standards-based lessons appropriate for secondary level students. [Objectives B, D, E, F]
3) Improve content and content pedagogical knowledge of the physics topics taught in high school.
[Objectives A, B, C, D, E, F]
4) Develop and conduct laboratory activities including a focus of the laboratory safety protocols.
[Objectives A, B, E]
5) Develop/identify and conduct classroom demonstrations including a focus of the laboratory safety protocols. [Objectives A, B, E]

Prerequisite: Acceptance in the MAT physics program or any other graduate education program.
Course Calendar (tentative): see attached
Course Assignments:
1.
Weekly Homework (15%) These include analysis of labs, and demonstrations as well as typical end of the chapter problems.
2.
Weekly Content Quizzes (5%): A brief (5-10 min) quiz over the main pedagogical and content ideas of the week will be administered once to assess the progress you are making towards the course goals.
3.
Class Presentations (30%): You will be expected to complete three types of classroom presentations:
 teach a physics content lesson to your peers (or other audiences) lasting between 20-30 minutes and reflecting upon the videotaped footage we will collect for you.

Develop and test a lab activity

Develop and test a classroom demonstration
4.
Two Exams (30%): Mainly free response prompts covering the range of topics, including pedagogical, and content.
5.
Final Exam (20%): Comprehensive written exam
Attendance: Mandatory due to the interactive and discussion-based format.
Grading Scale:
Final grade: A > 89.99, B >79.99, C > 69.99, D >49.99, F otherwise ( There is no roundup )
Required Texts and Readings:
1.
Five Easy Lessons: Strategies for Successful Physics Teaching, by Randall D. Knight , Publisher: Addison
Wesley (September 29, 2002), ISBN-13: 978-0805387025
2.
Reading Material will be provided online on the class web site.
Course Highlights:
This course is directed towards those students who have a career interest in teaching physics after graduating from KSU. Class meetings will include hands-on activities where demonstrations and laboratory investigations are designed, enacted, and assessed as well as discussions about research-based best practices in the presentation of physics concepts to diverse student populations.
Special Needs Students:
If you are a student with special needs as approved by the disAbled Student Support Services office, you must indicate this to the instructor with the letter from the disAbled Student Support Services office within the first two weeks of classes. After private consultation with the instructor special testing will be provided.
University Policies

Late Registration : A $30.00 transaction fee will be charged for permission for late registration after the regular drop/add has ended. If you wish to be added to a course that is full, there may be an opening after the last drop date.
In such a case, you have 2 days to “late register” in order to get into the course. A $30.00 transaction fee will be charged.
Integrity: Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate Catalog. Section II of the Student Code of Conduct addresses the University’s policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to
University materials, misrepresentation / falsification of University records or academic work, malicious removal, retention, or destruction of library materials, malicious / intentional misuse of computer facilities and / or services, and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the University Judiciary Program, which includes either an “informal” resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the
Code of Conduct’s minimum one semester suspension requirement.
Behavior: It is the purpose of the institution to provide a campus environment, which encourages academic accomplishment, personal growth, and a spirit of understanding and cooperation. An important part of maintaining such an environment is the commitment to protect the health and safety of every member of the campus community.
Belligerent, abusive, profane, threatening and/or inappropriate behavior on the part of students is a violation of the
Kennesaw State University Student Conduct Regulations. Students who are found guilty of such misconduct may be subject to immediate dismissal from the institution. In addition, these violations of state law may also be subject to criminal action beyond the University disciplinary process.