About This Course
Fact File
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Title
Science Education
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Code
CK413
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College
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Duration
4 Years
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Teaching Mode
Full-time
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Qualifications
BEd (Hons)
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Fees
See Fees and Costs for full details.
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Entry Requirements
See Requirements for full details.
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Start Date
September 2023
Course Outline
Our Science Education degree involves the study of both science and education over a four-year period after which you will be a fully qualified science teacher. UCC’s Science Education programme is an example of the concurrent model of teacher training which means that you study both science and education over the duration of the programme. On graduation, you will be fully qualified to teach two specialist science subjects to Leaving Certificate standard.
This four-year science teacher training course is a collaboration between the School of Education at the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences (CACSSS) together with the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science (SEFS). Most of our teaching takes place in UCC's state-of-the-art Eureka Centre for Inquiry-Based Education in Science and Mathematics and in the SEFS laboratories.
This newly reconfigured programme is designed to meet all the Teaching Council curricular subject (post-primary) requirements and to that end we have designed the programme to cover the demand for science subjects in the following areas:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Physics
On graduation, you will be eligible to register with the Teaching Council as a fully qualified science teacher. Throughout the BEd programme you will participate in Teaching Practice Placement where you will gain experience in science teaching in the secondary school classroom and school science laboratories.
Course Structure
At the start of this BEd programme you choose one of the following five Science Education routes and study these specialist science subjects, along with education modules, for the duration of the programme.
| Science Education Route | Subjects |
|---|---|
| Route 1 | Biology + Chemistry |
| Route 2* | Physics + Mathematics |
| Route 3* | Computer Science + Mathematics |
| Route 4* | Chemistry + Mathematics |
| Route 5 | Computer Science + Chemistry |
*Note Students must have a minimum grade H3 in LC Mathematics to enter this route.
In Year 1 you will study 10 credits of Education modules and 50 credits of your chosen two specialist subjects. Year 1 allows you to study the foundations of your two specialist science subjects and introduces you to science teaching and science education.
In the following years, you will study your two specialist science subjects and science education in further detail and spend some time on School Placement in a local secondary school. Your School Placement is organised around your UCC lectures and laboratory practical sessions.
In Year 4 all your modules are education-based, with increased time spent on School Placement (minimum of 4 hours per week from August to May) as well as time spent in lectures and laboratory practical sessions at UCC.
Year 1 Modules
Depending on your Science Education route you will take modules in two of the following science subjects together with 10 credits of Education modules.
| Subjects | Modules |
|---|---|
| Biology | |
| Chemistry | |
| Computer Science | |
| Mathematics | |
| Physics | |
| Education |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this programme you will be able to:
- Identify the key characteristics of excellent teaching in science as related to subject knowledge and pedagogy and engage in research in these areas.
- Apply the scientific knowledge and pedagogical skills gained in the programme to prepare your lesson plans and schemes of work to the highest standards.
- Recognise and apply the basic principles of managing a learning environment.
- Develop comprehensive portfolios of teaching, learning and assessment that are relevant to the science curricula in schools.
- Evaluate the various theories of Teaching and Learning and apply these theories to assist in the creation of effective and inspiring science lessons.
- Critically evaluate the effectiveness of your teaching of science subjects in the second-level school system.
- Display a willingness to co-operate with members of the teaching staff in your assigned school.
- Foster an interest in science and a sense of enthusiasm for science subjects in your pupils.
- Synthesise the key components of laboratory organisation and management and perform laboratory work in a safe and efficient manner.
- Communicate effectively with your school community and with society at large in science education.
See the Book of Modules for further information on module content.
Course Practicalities
The programme is delivered via a combination of lectures, lab work, and a teaching placement.
In Year 1 the programme comprises a mixture of lectures, laboratory practical sessions, seminars, and microteaching sessions.
In Years 2, 3, & 4 we use a mixture of lectures, laboratory practical sessions, and School Placement in local secondary schools. Your workload will consist of studying lecture notes, writing up practical laboratory notes, and preparing lesson plans for the lessons that you teach in school. Your School Placement is fitted in around your normal lectures at UCC.
Assessment
Written exams take place before Christmas and in May. Not all modules will have formal examinations and many modules use other types of assessment.
- In Year 1, the assessment methods consist mainly of written examinations and continuous assessment of laboratory practical work.
- In Years 2 and 3, assessment consists of written examinations, continuous assessment of laboratory practical work, and School Placement. Your School Placement will be supervised by a member of staff of UCC's School of Education.
- In Year 4, the entire year is assessed mainly by means of continuous assessment involving project work, laboratory practical work, and supervision of School Placement.
Why Choose This Course
I found it to be a great advantage to be a fully qualified science teacher in four years...
David O'Connell, UCC Science Education Graduate
Find Out More
At UCC we have outstanding facilities for training Science teachers in our state-of-the-art Eureka Centre for Inquiry-Based Education, located in the Kane (Science) Building on the main campus. The centre consists of two state-of-the-art science education laboratories, a Science Education Resource Centre, and a conference room that is fully equipped with all the latest video-conferencing technology. In addition, we have gifted teachers in all the science areas as well as outstanding laboratory facilities. You will be assisted in your teaching placement by highly experienced science teachers and mentor teachers in your placement schools.
Placement or Study Abroad Information
Teaching Placement will take place in secondary schools that work in partnership with UCC. Teaching placement fits in around your normal timetable of lectures, laboratory practical sessions, tutorials, seminars, and workshops that take place at UCC. As you progress through the programme, the number of hours that you spend on teaching placement gradually increases.
By the time you graduate, you will have accumulated considerable teaching experience and this makes our graduates very attractive to schools seeking inspirational science teachers.
Skills and Careers Information
Our graduates are in high demand from schools in Ireland and abroad. The fact that you have accumulated both subject knowledge and teaching skills over the four years of the programme is of enormous help in your teaching career.
This programme gives graduates the opportunity to take up an exciting career in which they can inspire young people with their teaching of science. Some of our graduates have also moved into research and postgraduate study. Recent graduates have taken up careers including science teachers at secondary school level, members of the science inspectorate of the Department of Education, researchers in science and science education, and lecturers in science education.
Requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements
At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H4* in one subject, minimum grade H5 in one subject and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.
The following are considered Lab Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry and Agricultural Science.
Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
| English | Irish | Maths | Lab Science | Note: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O6/H7 | O6/H7 | O6/H7 or H4* | O6/H7 or H4* | H4 in either a Lab Science subject, Maths or Applied Maths or Computer Science* |
* If the H4 is in Maths, Applied Maths or Computer Science an 06/H7 in a Lab Science subject is also required.
- Note: Students choosing a Science Education route involving Mathematics require an H3 Leaving Certificate grade in Mathematics.
Other qualifications: EU/EFTA/UK students presenting an alternative school-leaving qualification (e.g. A-levels or International Baccalaureate) or QQI/FE course should visit our pages for further information.
Direct Entry Applicants
Applications are welcome from graduates with a science or engineering degree via the Direct Entry route.
Applicants who hold a degree (at least NFQ Level 7) in Physics or Chemistry or Biology or Agricultural Science or Computer Studies or Mathematics which satisfies the requirements of the Teaching Council for recognition to teach the subject to the highest level in secondary school or an equivalent qualification may enter this programme in Year 3 and undertake Education modules in Years 3 & 4 to satisfy the requirements of the Teaching Council. Applications for this route should be made directly to the Admissions Office of UCC.
Garda Vetting and Fitness to Practise
Students undertaking this degree are subject to Garda Vetting and Fitness to Practise requirements.
All students on this programme will come into contact with the public and assume positions of trust through educational and training opportunities. To ensure the protection of the public, and to justify public trust and confidence, UCC is committed to ensuring only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake this programme.
Garda vetting is carried out by the Admissions Office in UCC once a student has accepted their place on the programme. It involves a police check to establish whether the individual being vetted has had criminal convictions in the past or whether there are any criminal proceedings pending. The Garda Síochána provides this information for students who have resided in Ireland for a period of six months or more (including permanent residence).
All students who have resided outside Ireland for a period of six months or more must furnish a Police Clearance Certificate from their country or countries of residence. This certificate should state that the student has no convictions recorded against them while residing there.
Non-EU Candidates
Non-EU candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.
To verify if you meet the minimum academic and language requirements visit our qualification comparison page.
Refer to our International Office page for more information on how to apply to UCC.
Fees and Costs
EU fees include a tuition fee, student contribution fee, and capitation fee. The state will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student Contribution and Capitation Fees are payable by the student.
For International Fees see our Fees Schedule page.
How Do I Apply
EU Applicants: The Central Applications Office (CAO) processes applications for undergraduate courses in Irish Higher Education Institutions. Refer to the CAO page for further information.
Mature Applicants (age 23 or over): See the CAO Mature Applicants page and the Mature Students Admissions Pathway (MSAP) page for essential information on the application process for mature students.
QQI FET: See our QQI FET Applicants page.
Non-EU Applicants: Non-EU applicants apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page.
All Applicants: Please note that the modules listed are indicative of the current set of modules for this course and are subject to change from year to year. Please check the College Calendar for the full academic content of any given course for the current year.
- In UCC, we use the terms programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.