Why Teach?

Preparing to Teach

Cornell's Physics Department and Education Minor offer a series of opportunities for students interested in exploring physics teaching careers and earning teaching certification. 

For Undergraduate Students:

  1. Participate in our Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Program, and take the seminar course Physics 4484, Teaching and Learning Physics.
  2. Consider a minor or outside concentration in Education. 
  3. Obtain a Master of Arts in Teaching and certification in Physics teaching.
  4. Learn about grants and other sources of funding to support your training as a teacher.

For Graduate Students:

  1. Set up a meeting with Professor Robert Thorne (ret6@cornell.edu) to discuss your teaching interests.
  2. Take the seminar course Physics 7684, Teaching and Learning Physics.
  3. Obtain a Master of Arts in Teaching and certification in Physics teaching.
  4. Learn about grants and other sources of funding other than graduate teaching assistantships to support your training as a teacher.