Master of Arts in Physics Education (MAPE) at the University of Virginia

The University of Virginia Department of Physics and School of Continuing and Professional Studies are pleased to offer the Master of Arts in Physics Education program. Through distance learning and summer study at UVa, MAPE will provide middle school physical science and high school physics teachers with a stronger background in physics.

Tentative Plan of Study

Each year students will take two courses in the summer in residence at UVa and usually two distance-learning course during the academic year. In two and a half years, it is expected that the students as a cohort will complete their requirements of 30 hours for the MAPE. Advising will be available through the Department of Physics. Teachers can start at any time during the sequence of courses.

Summer 2006
 July 6 - July 28,

In the summer starting July 6, 2006, the teachers will take Physics 632 and Physics 636. Physics 632 is one of the three required calculus-based, comprehensive basic physics courses focusing on electricity, magnetism, and optics. It includes 2 hours of intensive physics lecture/discussion and 1 hour of problems each day for 4 weeks. Problem sets will continue through the Fall of 2006 by "distance learning" via the internet. Physics 636 focuses on labs designed to complement PHYS 632 and on exploration of labs/pedagogy for use in the classroom. It will meet 3 1/2 hours each day for 4 weeks. Both courses involve experiments integrated with computer systems, graphing calculators, and sensors. The laboratories utilize the best teaching practices and considerable hands-on experimentation in cooperative learning groups.

Fall 2005 /Spring 2006

In Fall 2005 teachers are expected to sign up for Phys 605, How Things Work I and/or for Phys 609, Galileo & Einstein, and in Spring 2006 teachers are expected to sign up for Phys 606, How Things Work II and /or Phys 641, Physics Pedagogy. These courses are designed for distance-learning. Physics lectures/demonstrations (RealMedia format on CDs) for the courses will be sent to the teachers to view at home. Conceptual problem sets and exams will be done over the internet, using a computer-based delivery system called WebAssign. Approved local proctors will administer the exams.

Required Courses:

Physics Electives:


Revised October 5, 2005 by RAL.