The graduate courses offered by Improving the Teaching of Physics (ITOP) is a collaborative effort by the School of Education and the Department of Physics of Boston University, and the Center of Science and Mathematics in Context  at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. Project ITOP was created to give teachers the opportunity to become more proficient in physics concepts and teaching strategies. Frequently, science teachers are required to teach out of their content area. The content covered in the Project ITOP courses prepares teachers for the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) in Physics.

Project ITOP will be starting its fifth cohort of teachers with the first course in the sequence the second week of September, 2008. Exact dates will be announced later this summer.

Beginning in September, 2008, Project ITOP courses will be offered at two venues. For participants from eastern Massachusetts, ITOP courses will meet at Boston University. For participants from western Massachusetts, ITOP courses will meet at Chicopee Comprehensive High School.

ITOP participants earn graduate credits for professional advancement. The courses are offered for non-degree study, but may be used by degree students in the School of Education to satisfy requirements for the Master’s or Doctoral Degrees.

For teachers with initial licensure in physics, the School of Education offers a Professional Licensure Program in Physics with a Masters Degree. For professionals in science, technology, engineering or mathematics considering a career change and interested in teaching physics, the School of Education also offers a Masters of Arts in Teaching Degree with Initial Licensure in Physics.

Partial tuition support for in-service teachers is provided for Project ITOP by a grant from the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.

For more information please contact one of the following individuals:

• Peter Garik at the School of Education at garik@bu.edu or 617-353-4735
• Andrew Duffy in the Department of Physics at aduffy@bu.edu or 617-353-9089.