Web-based Instruction for Physics Certification

Department of Physics

Indiana University of Pennsylvania


Program

The Web-based Instruction for Physics Certification (WINPC) program, offered by Indiana University of Pennsylvania, is designed to satisfy the certification requirements made by the state. This is a physics certification program for science and mathematics teachers and replaces the External Studies for Physics Certification (ESPyC) Program that was offered by Indiana University of Pennsylvania for the past several years. This unique 23-credit program is available to all school districts in the commonwealth and the first cycle started on September 1, 1998. The second cycle for certification courses started on August 30, 2000. The third cycle for certification courses started on August 26, 2002. Due to the changes in the Pennsylvania secondary school certification requirements, our enrollment did not meet the minimum number to offer the courses in 2004 academic year.  However with the expected addition of two new programs in Science for Disaster Response (B.S and M.S.) in 2005 academic year, we do plan to offer two online courses for 2005/2006 year (after Fall 2005). The two online courses are Modern Physics and Analytical Mechanics.  We also offer a number of introductory level physics courses (click this link to check the schedule) as distance education courses throughout the year including summer sessions.  Please click the link below to check the schedule for any classes at IUP and to contact the School of Continuing Education.

https://www.banner.iup.edu/pls/production/szkschd.p_get_category_and_term

http://www.iup.edu/distance/


Program Features

  • Provides school districts with state-certified physics teachers.
  • Provides science and math teachers with the necessary coursework to enable them to achieve physics certification.
  • Provides teachers with graduate instruction with minimal disruption to their classroom and personal time.

Pennsylvania School Districts need WINPC because

  • It prepares qualified physics teachers who will be able to meet the high demand in physics.
  • It provides qualified teachers for many rural school districts enabling them to offer high school physics.
  • It strengthens the high school curriculum.
  • It gives high school students the opportunity to study physics so that they can adequately prepare for college.
  • It permits the school districts to meet the state's expectations concerning curriculum.

Program Format

The WINPC Program is designed to be completed in two years without career interruption. During the academic year, one course will be offered each semester on the World Wide Web. Participants will study at their own convenience using the course materials on the Web. It is expected that each participant has a PC with a Web access. They will be able to communicate with each other and the faculty member assigned to the course by e-mail and Web as well as by telephone. They will be given assignments and quizzes on a weekly basis. Two courses also will be offered each summer. These summer laboratory courses will be taught on campus during the Summer I Sessions of 2003 and 2004. Students can either commute or reside on campus during the five-week summer sessions.


Course Sequence

Third Cycle

COURSE  

(Number Of Credits)

SEMESTER

METHOD OF  

DELIVERY

PY 531 Modern Physics (3)

Fall 2002

Web-based

PY 545 Optics (3)

Spring 2003

Web-based

PY 535 Electronics (4)

Summer 2003*

On Campus

PY 511 Secondary School Physics Laboratory Practice (3)

Summer 2003*

On Campus

PY 541 Analytical Mechanics (2)

Fall 2003

Web-based

PY 533 Thermal & Statistical Physics (3)

Spring 2004

Web-based

PY 520 Advanced Laboratory Practice (3)

Summer 2004*

On Campus

PY 551 Electricity and Magnetism (2)

Summer 2004*

On Campus

* Summer 2003 and 2004 Class Dates:

Classes Start: Two weeks from the beginning of Summer Session I.

Classes Finish: Two weeks after the end of Summer Session I.


Admissions Criteria

Teachers seeking admission to the WINPC program must have:

  • State certification in science or math
  • Eight credits of physics at the introductory college level
  • A math background that includes calculus

Note: In addition to the physics coursework, present state requirements include one course in biology, two courses in chemistry, one course in geoscience, and mathematics including introductory calculus and differential equations. These courses are not prerequisites to the courses listed above but must be completed before the end of the course sequence to obtain the State teacher certification. Most of these courses are offered at IUP during Summer Sessions.

Please also check this link for Graduate School Admission Requirements.

There are two ways to get admission to the WINPC program:

  1. You can use the Non-Degree Credit application form in this location. Please use this form if you are only interested in a second certification in physics. Please check the graduate school admission requirements' link for the limits on credits transfer to a degree program when you are enrolled through this application process.
  2. You can use the standard graduate application process through Graduate School for a M.A in physics and a second certification in physics. Please use this form if you plan to get a M.A in physics also after completing your course work for physics certification.

Tuition (2004/2005 Academic Year)

Please click on the following link for the latest information about the tuition fees:

http://www.iup.edu/bursar/tuitionfees/

Tuition -- 2004/2005

 

Pennsylvania Residents


*Non-Pennsylvania Residents
 

 

Fall

Spring

Summer

Fall

Spring


Summer
 


Full-time Undergraduate
 

$2,405
per semester

$2,405
per semester

$200
per
credit

$6,013
per semester

$6,013
per semester

$501
per credit


Part-time Undergraduate
 

$200
per
credit

$200
per
credit

$501
per credit

$501
per credit


Full-time Graduate
 

$2,886
per semester

$2,886
per semester

$321
per
credit

$4,618
per semester

$4,618
per semester

$513
per
credit


Part-time Graduate
 

$321
per
credit

$321
per
credit

$513
per credit

$513
per credit

* Residents of the states of Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia attending the main campus, or any non-Pennsylvania residents attending the branch campuses who are undergraduate students are charged a full-time rate of $3,608 or a per credit charge of $301.  Any non-Pennsylvania resident enrolled in a Distance Education course is assessed a tuition charge of $204 per credit (undergraduate) or $327 per credit (graduate).

** A full-time undergraduate student, for fee purposes, is defined as any student enrolled in twelve (12) or more credits per semester.  A undergraduate student will be charged for each credit in excess of eighteen (18) credit hours per semester, in addition to the flat fee.  A full-time graduate student, for fee purposes, is defined as any graduate student taking nine (9) or more credits per semester.  A graduate student will be charged for each credit in excess of fifteen (15) credit hours per semester in addition to the flat fee.  During the summer, all students, graduate and undergraduate, are charged per credit regardless of the number of credits registered.

Residency reclassification questions should be directed to the Residency Reclassification Office, Clark Hall, (724)357-2217.

Please click on the following link for the latest information about the tuition fees:

 http://www.iup.edu/bursar/tuitionfees/


Science and Math teachers need WINPC because

  • It develops mathematical concepts gradually throughout the program to reintroduce the classroom teacher to physics.
  • It provides a solid content base and exciting laboratory experiences that are easily transferable to the classroom.
  • It is a flexible program that allows the teacher to balance work, family and graduate study.
  • It utilizes computer application in classroom study.
  • It provides a second certification that enhances a teacher's employment prospects.

IUP's Qualifications

As of July 2004, approximately 100 teachers have completed qualifications for physics certification through the External Studies in Physics Certification (ESPyC) program and the Web-based Instruction for Physics Certification (WINPC) program at IUP. For the past forty-five years, IUP has been the largest source of certified physics teachers in Pennsylvania. In addition, IUP has accounted for up to one half of the certifications in the state, comparing favorably with any institution in the nation.


The University

With its original 1875 building still standing at the heart of its campus, Indiana University of Pennsylvania has a long tradition of academic excellence. The university is recognized as a "Public Ivy" in company with other public colleges and universities that offer academic environments comparable to those at Ivy League schools but at affordable prices. IUP provides an intellectually challenging experience to more than thirteen thousand students at the university's three campuses, all easily accessible from Pittsburgh and the Middle Atlantic region. IUP is the largest member of the State System of Higher Education and the only one authorized to confer doctoral degrees.

Academic offerings include more than a hundred undergraduate majors with a variety of internship and study abroad programs, more than forty master's degree programs, and eight doctoral degrees. Unusual opportunities for research at all levels and the Robert E. Cook Honors College provide special challenges for academic growth. The variety and quality of instruction are characteristic of a big university, yet at IUP, close, one-to-one relationships develop within the teaching framework, and a strong sense of community prevails.

The following publications have all recognized IUP for its high academic standards and competitive costs:

  • Arco's Dollarwise Guide to American Colleges
  • Barron's 300: Best Buys in College Education
  • The Best Buys in College Education by Edward Fiske, education editor of the New York Times Changing Times
  • How to Get an Ivy League Education at a State University by Martin Nemko
  • Money magazine's Money Guide
  • Two Hundred Most Selective Colleges: The Definitive Guide to America's First-Choice Schools
  • U.S. News and World Report

For More Information about WINPC

Please check out our web site at www.py.iup.edu/dist-learn/winpc.html or email vjwije@iup.edu for the latest information about this program. You can also call 724-357-2370/4588 or complete the attached form and send it to:
 

Dr. Kenneth Hershman, Director 

Physics Certification Program 

Physics Department 

Indiana University of Pennsylvania 

Indiana, PA 15705

OR

Dr. V. Wijekumar, Coordinator 

Distance Education Program 

Physics Department 

Indiana University of Pennsylvania 

Indiana, PA 15705


Department of Physics

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Indiana, PA 15705



Please send your comments about the program to Dr. V. Wijekumar.

Last Modified: 4/8/05