Overview

This full-time degree programme is of four years duration and enables you to become a fully qualified science teacher of two specialist subjects within these four years. Training takes place in UCC's state-of-the-art Eureka Centre for Inquiry-Based Education in Science and Mathematics and also in the science laboratories of the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science.

The course is designed to ensure that it is compliant with all requirements of the Teaching Council as specified in the relevant Teaching Council documentation: https://www.teachingcouncil.ie/en/news-events/latest-news/curricular-subject-requirements.pdf

On completion of the programme you will be fully qualified to teach your two specialist subjects to Leaving Certificate standard.  The total number of credits studied in each subject area over the four years of the programme is summarised in the following table:

BEd Science Table

Science Subject 1	Science Subject 2	Education	Total
60 credits	60 credits	120 credits (inclusive of 60 credits of School Placement)	240 credits

On entering the programme, students choose one of the following five routes:

Route 1: Biology + Chemistry

Route 2: Physics + Mathematics

Route 3: Computer Science + Mathematics

Route 4: Chemistry + Mathematics

Route 5: Computer Science + Chemistry

In Year 1 all students study 10 credits of Education and a total of 50 credits of their two specialist subjects. In this year you will study the foundations of your two specialist science subjects and will receive an introduction to science teaching and science education.

In Year 2 all students study 20 credits of their first specialist science subject, 20 credits of their second specialist subject and 20 credits of Education. You will study your two specialist subjects in more details and will spend some time on School Placement (minimum of 3 hours per week over 10 weeks)  in a local secondary school. Your School Placement will be fitted in around your UCC lectures and laboratory practical sessions. 

In Year 3 all students study 30 credits of Education and a total of 30 credits of their specialist science subjects. You will continue studying your two specialist subjects in more details and will spend some time on School Placement (minimum of 3 hours per week over 10 weeks)  in a local secondary school. Your School Placement will be fitted in around your UCC lectures and laboratory practical sessions. 

In Year 4, all modules are education modules, with increased time spent on School Placement (minimum of 4 hours per week from August to May) and also time spent at lectures and laboratory practical sessions at UCC.

Course Practicalities

Year 1: A mixture of lectures, laboratory practical sessions, seminars and microteaching sessions.

Years 2, 3, & 4: 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 in UCC.

Assessment

Written exams take place before Christmas and in May. Not all modules will have formal examinations. 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, the assessment consists of written examinations, continuous assessments (including laboratory practical work and other means of assessment), 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.

Who teaches this course

Teaching is carried out by staff drawn from the following:

School of Education

Department of Physics

School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology

School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science (BEES)

School of Chemistry

School of Computer Science and Information Technology

School of Mathematical Sciences

School of Microbiology

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Year 1		60
Students take modules to the value of 60 credits in one of the following routes:
Route 1 (Biology and Chemistry)
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Biology
BC1001	Introduction to Biochemistry and the Biological Basis of Disease (5)
BL1002	Cells, Biomolecules, Genetics and Evolution (5)
BL1004	Physiology and Structure of Plants and Animals (5)
BL1006	Habitats and Ecosystems (5)
MB1003	Microbiology in Society (5)
Chemistry
CM1200	Fundamentals of Modern Chemistry Part 1 (10)
CM1201	Fundamentals of Modern Chemistry Part 2a (10)
CM1203	Teaching Chemistry Concepts (5)
Education
ED1101	Introduction to Science Education (5)
ED1102	Introductory Teaching Practice Placement Science Education (5)
Route 2 (Physics and Mathematics) 1
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Physics
PY1052	Introductory Physics I (10)
PY1053	Introductory Physics II (10)
Mathematics
AM1052	Introduction to Mechanics (5)
AM1053	Introduction to Mathematical Modelling (5)
MA1058	Introduction to Linear Algebra (5)
MA1059	Calculus (5)
MS2013	Geometry (5)
ST1051	Introduction to Probability and Statistics (5)
Education
ED1101	Introduction to Science Education (5)
ED1102	Introductory Teaching Practice Placement Science Education (5)
Route 3 (Computer Science and Mathematics) 1
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Computer Science
CS1115	Web Development 1 (5)
CS1117	Introduction to Programming (15)
Mathematics
AM1052	Introduction to Mechanics (5)
AM1053	Introduction to Mathematical Modelling (5)
MA1058	Introduction to Linear Algebra (5)
MA1059	Calculus (5)
MS2013	Geometry (5)
ST1051	Introduction to Probability and Statistics (5)
Education
ED1101	Introduction to Science Education (5)
ED1102	Introductory Teaching Practice Placement Science Education (5)
Route 4 (Chemistry and Mathematics) 1
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Chemistry
CM1200	Fundamentals of Modern Chemistry Part 1 (10)
CM1201	Fundamentals of Modern Chemistry Part 2a (10)
CM1203	Teaching Chemistry Concepts (5)
Mathematics
AM1052	Introduction to Mechanics (5)
MA1058	Introduction to Linear Algebra (5)
MA1059	Calculus (5)
MS2013	Geometry (5)
ST1051	Introduction to Probability and Statistics (5)
Education
ED1101	Introduction to Science Education (5)
ED1102	Introductory Teaching Practice Placement Science Education (5)
Route 5 (Computer Science and Chemistry)
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Computer Science
CS1021	Relational Databases I (5)
CS1115	Web Development 1 (5)
CS1117	Introduction to Programming (15)
Chemistry
CM1200	Fundamentals of Modern Chemistry Part 1 (10)
CM1201	Fundamentals of Modern Chemistry Part 2a (10)
CM1203	Teaching Chemistry Concepts (5)
Education
ED1101	Introduction to Science Education (5)
ED1102	Introductory Teaching Practice Placement Science Education (5)
Year 2		60
Students take modules to the value of 60 credits in one of the following routes:
Route 1 (Biology and Chemistry)
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Biology
AE2001	Fundamentals of Ecology (5)
MB2905	Fundamentals of Microbiology (5)
ML2901	Introductory Molecular Biology (5)
PS2001	Introduction to Plant Biotechnology (5)
Chemistry
CM2001	Main Group and Transition Element Chemistry (5)
CM2002	Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry (5)
CM2005	Structures and Reactions of Main Group Compounds (5)
CM2008	Structure, Bonding and Quantum Mechanics (5)
Education
ED2103	Fundamental Principles of Science Education (10)
ED2104	Introduction to Science Education Teaching Placement (10)
Route 2 (Physics and Mathematics)
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Physics
PY2101	Classical Mechanics (5)
PY2102	Introduction to Quantum Physics (5)
PY2103	Electrostatics and Magnetostatics (5)
PY2108	Experimental Methods I (5)
Mathematics
AM2071	Transform and Variational Methods (5)
MA2071	Multivariable Calculus (5)
MS2005	Discrete Mathematics (5)
MS3001	Introduction to Abstract Algebra (5)
Education
ED2103	Fundamental Principles of Science Education (10)
ED2104	Introduction to Science Education Teaching Placement (10)
Route 3 (Computer Science and Mathematics)
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Computer Science
CS1110	Computer Hardware Organization (5)
CS1111	Systems Organisation (5)
CS2214	Multimedia (5)
CS2513	Intermediate Programming (5)
Mathematics
AM2071	Transform and Variational Methods (5)
MA2071	Multivariable Calculus (5)
MS2005	Discrete Mathematics (5)
MS3001	Introduction to Abstract Algebra (5)
Education
ED2103	Fundamental Principles of Science Education (10)
ED2104	Introduction to Science Education Teaching Placement (10)
Route 4 (Chemistry and Mathematics)
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Chemistry
CM2001	Main Group and Transition Element Chemistry (5)
CM2002	Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry (5)
CM2005	Structures and Reactions of Main Group Compounds (5)
CM2008	Structure, Bonding and Quantum Mechanics (5)
Mathematics
AM2071	Transform and Variational Methods (5)
MA2071	Multivariable Calculus (5)
MS2005	Discrete Mathematics (5)
MS3001	Introduction to Abstract Algebra (5)
Education
ED2103	Fundamental Principles of Science Education (10)
ED2104	Introduction to Science Education Teaching Placement (10)
Route 5 (Computer Science and Chemistry)
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Computer Science
CS1110	Computer Hardware Organization (5)
CS1111	Systems Organisation (5)
CS2214	Multimedia (5)
CS2513	Intermediate Programming (5)
Chemistry
CM2001	Main Group and Transition Element Chemistry (5)
CM2002	Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry (5)
CM2005	Structures and Reactions of Main Group Compounds (5)
CM2008	Structure, Bonding and Quantum Mechanics (5)
Education
ED2103	Fundamental Principles of Science Education (10)
ED2104	Introduction to Science Education Teaching Placement (10)
Year 3		60
Students take modules to the value of 60 credits in one of the following routes:
Route 1 (Biology and Chemistry)
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Biology
BL2001	Plant and Animal Genetics (5)
BC2001	Biomolecules (5)
ZY2000	Vertebrate Diversity (5)
Chemistry
CM2003	Energetics and Kinetics (5)
CM2004	States of Matter (5)
CM2007	Spectroscopy (5)
Education
ED3101	Science Education II (15)
ED3102	Teaching Practice Placement Science Education II (15)
Route 2 (Physics and Mathematics)
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Physics
PY2107	Experimental Physics I (5)
PY3101	Optics (5)
PY3103	Electromagnetism (5)
PY3107	Experimental Physics II (5)
Mathematics
AM3051	Vector and Tensor Methods (5)
Plus one module from the following:
MS3016	Introduction to Analysis and Metric Spaces (5)
MS3017	Vector Spaces and Linear Algebra (5)
MA4403	Discrete Time Financial Models (5)
MS3020	Linear Predictive Modelling (5)
MS3021	Computational Data Analytics (5)
MS3022	Operations Research (5)
MS3023	Stochastic Decision Science (5)
Education
ED3101	Science Education II (15)
ED3102	Teaching Practice Placement Science Education II (15)
Route 3 (Computer Science and Mathematics)
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Computer Science
CS3500	Software Engineering (5)
Plus three modules from the following:
CS1021	Relational Databases I (5)
CS1116	Web Development 2 (5)
CS1069	Network and Internet Technologies (5)
CS2213	Data Analytics for Digital Humanities I (5)
CS2515	Algorithms and Data Structures I (5)
CS3062	Computing in Society (5)
Mathematics
AM3051	Vector and Tensor Methods (5)
Plus one module from the following:
MS3016	Introduction to Analysis and Metric Spaces (5)
MS3017	Vector Spaces and Linear Algebra (5)
MA4403	Discrete Time Financial Models (5)
MS3020	Linear Predictive Modelling (5)
MS3021	Computational Data Analytics (5)
MS3022	Operations Research (5)
MS3023	Stochastic Decision Science (5)
Education
ED3101	Science Education II (15)
ED3102	Teaching Practice Placement Science Education II (15)
Route 4 (Chemistry and Mathematics)
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Chemistry
CM2003	Energetics and Kinetics (5)
CM2004	States of Matter (5)
CM2007	Spectroscopy (5)
Mathematics
AM1053	Introduction to Mathematical Modelling (5)
AM3051	Vector and Tensor Methods (5)
Plus one module from the following:
MS3016	Introduction to Analysis and Metric Spaces (5)
MS3017	Vector Spaces and Linear Algebra (5)
MA4403	Discrete Time Financial Models (5)
MS3020	Linear Predictive Modelling (5)
MS3021	Computational Data Analytics (5)
MS3022	Operations Research (5)
MS3023	Stochastic Decision Science (5)
Education
ED3101	Science Education II (15)
ED3102	Teaching Practice Placement Science Education II (15)
Route 5 (Computer Science and Chemistry)
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Computer Science
CS3500	Software Engineering (5)
Plus two modules from the following:
CS1069	Network and Internet Technologies (5)
CS1116	Web Development 2 (5)
CS2213	Data Analytics for Digital Humanities I (5)
CS2515	Algorithms and Data Structures I (5)
CS3062	Computing in Society (5)
Chemistry
CM2003	Energetics and Kinetics (5)
CM2004	States of Matter (5)
CM2007	Spectroscopy (5)
Education
ED3101	Science Education II (15)
ED3102	Teaching Practice Placement Science Education II (15)
Year 4		60
Students take modules to the value of 60 credits in one of the following routes:
Route 1 (Biology and Chemistry)
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Education
ED4101	Science Education III (10)
ED4102	Teaching Practice Placement Science Education III (20)
ED4103	Conceptual Foundations in School Placement Research Portfolio A (5)
ED4104	Conceptual Foundations in the Philosophy and History of Education (5)
ED4105	Conceptual Foundations in the Psychology and Sociology of Education (5)
ED4106	Conceptual Foundations in Curriculum and Assessment (5)
ED4107	Conceptual Foundations in Inclusive Education (5)
ED4108	Conceptual Foundations in School Placement Research Portfolio B (5)
Route 2 (Physics and Mathematics)
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Education
ED4101	Science Education III (10)
ED4102	Teaching Practice Placement Science Education III (20)
ED4103	Conceptual Foundations in School Placement Research Portfolio A (5)
ED4104	Conceptual Foundations in the Philosophy and History of Education (5)
ED4105	Conceptual Foundations in the Psychology and Sociology of Education (5)
ED4106	Conceptual Foundations in Curriculum and Assessment (5)
ED4107	Conceptual Foundations in Inclusive Education (5)
ED4108	Conceptual Foundations in School Placement Research Portfolio B (5)
Route 3 (Computer Science and Mathematics)
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Education
ED4101	Science Education III (10)
ED4102	Teaching Practice Placement Science Education III (20)
ED4103	Conceptual Foundations in School Placement Research Portfolio A (5)
ED4104	Conceptual Foundations in the Philosophy and History of Education (5)
ED4105	Conceptual Foundations in the Psychology and Sociology of Education (5)
ED4106	Conceptual Foundations in Curriculum and Assessment (5)
ED4107	Conceptual Foundations in Inclusive Education (5)
ED4108	Conceptual Foundations in School Placement Research Portfolio B (5)
Route 4 (Chemistry and Mathematics)
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Education
ED4101	Science Education III (10)
ED4102	Teaching Practice Placement Science Education III (20)
ED4103	Conceptual Foundations in School Placement Research Portfolio A (5)
ED4104	Conceptual Foundations in the Philosophy and History of Education (5)
ED4105	Conceptual Foundations in the Psychology and Sociology of Education (5)
ED4106	Conceptual Foundations in Curriculum and Assessment (5)
ED4107	Conceptual Foundations in Inclusive Education (5)
ED4108	Conceptual Foundations in School Placement Research Portfolio B (5)
Route 5 (Computer Science and Chemistry)
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Education
ED4101	Science Education III (10)
ED4102	Teaching Practice Placement Science Education III (20)
ED4103	Conceptual Foundations in School Placement Research Portfolio A (5)
ED4104	Conceptual Foundations in the Philosophy and History of Education (5)
ED4105	Conceptual Foundations in the Psychology and Sociology of Education (5)
ED4106	Conceptual Foundations in Curriculum and Assessment (5)
ED4107	Conceptual Foundations in Inclusive Education (5)
ED4108	Conceptual Foundations in School Placement Research Portfolio B (5)
Total Credits		240

¹

Students must have a minimum grade of H3 in Leaving Certificate Mathematics to enter this route.

Examinations

Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes for BEd (Hons) Science Education (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

1
1-1
Identify the key characteristics of excellent teaching in science as related to subject knowledge and pedagogy and engage in research of these areas.
1-2
2
Apply the scientific knowledge and pedagogical skills gained in the programme to prepare lesson plans and schemes of work of the highest standard.
1-3
3
Recognise and apply the basic principles of managing a learning environment.
1-4
4
Develop comprehensive portfolios of teaching, learning and assessment that are relevant to the science curricula in schools.
1-5
5
Evaluate the various theories of Teaching and Learning and apply these theories to assist in the creation of effective and inspiring science lessons.
1-6
6
Critically evaluate the effectiveness of their teaching of science subjects in the second-level school system.
1-7
7
Display a willingness to co-operate with members of the teaching staff in their assigned school.
1-8
8
Foster an interest in science and a sense of enthusiasm for science subjects in their pupils.
1-9
9
Synthesise the key components of laboratory organisation and management and perform laboratory work in a safe and efficient manner.
10
4-1
Communicate effectively with the school community and with society at large in the area of science education.

*** Only for Incoming First Years and Repeat First Years 2024/2025 ***
*** Click here for Marks and Standards for all other years ***

Marks and Standards

These Marks and Standards should be read in conjunction with the Programme Requirements and the Book of Modules.

Fitness to Practise

All students on programmes subject to Fitness to Practise in UCC will be required to comply with the Fitness to Practise Policy and meet the relevant Fitness to Practise standards, in order to progress to the next year of his/her/their programme. Click here for a list of programmes subject to the Fitness to Practise Policy.

Marks and Credits

Students are required to take modules to the value of 60 credits.
Total Marks for year: 1200.

First Year - Pass and Progression Criteria

To pass first year and progress to second year, students must have satisfied the Fitness to Practise requirements and must achieve:

1. An aggregate mark of 40% across all modules, and
2. A pass mark in modules to the value of 60 credits.

Award of Honours in the Degree Award

An honours classification is awarded for the final degree using the final year examination results and marks carried forward from first, second and third year.

Honours will be awarded as follows:

1. First Class Honours: ≥ 70%
2. Second Class Honours, Grade I: ≥ 60% and <70%
3. Second Class Honours, Grade II: ≥ 50% and <60%
4. Pass: ≥ 40% and <50%

Award of Honours when a student undertakes Study Abroad
When students study abroad as part of his/her/their degree programme, the calculation of the final degree award is based on modules in the Book of Modules only.

Examination Boards

• Provisional marks for Semester 1 examinations are released in January/February of each year. These marks are subject to approval at the University Examination Board.
• Marks for all modules taken in Semester 1 and 2, including those wholly assessed by Continuous Assessment, will be presented to the University Examination Board at the end of Semester 2.

Supplemental Examinations and Assessment

• Students who fail to achieve the progression standard for the year at the Summer Examination Board must complete Supplemental Examinations and/or Continuous Assessment for those specific module(s), where there is provision to do so.
• Please refer to the Book of Modules for requirements governing the Supplemental Examination and Assessment for individual modules. Note: For some modules there is no Supplemental Examination and Assessment.
• The marks achieved in the Supplemental Examinations and/or Continuous Assessment of a repeat module are considered at the Autumn Examination Board.
• The actual mark achieved by the candidate in the Supplemental or Repeat Year Examination will be recorded on the student record (Academic Transcript).
• The maximum mark that will be taken into account for aggregation and progression purposes is a pass level, unless the student has been granted a cap waiver or deferral by the University Mitigation Committee, or a University Examination Board, or has been approved to defer the previous attempt by the University Mitigation Committee.
• At the Autumn Examination Board, marks from all passed modules approved at the Summer Examination Board are carried forward and are combined with the marks achieved in Supplemental Examinations and/or Assessments. The pass and progression criteria are applied to the aggregate mark achieved.

Note: The mark achieved at the last examination/assessment attempt is the mark that is included in the calculation of the aggregate mark for pass and progression purposes.

Study Abroad

• When students study abroad as part of his/her/their degree programme, they will be assessed by his/her/their host university.
• To pass the study abroad period and progress to the subsequent year, a student must achieve a pass standard as applied by the host institution.
• A Pass/Fail judgement will be presented to the UCC Examination Boards:
  • At the Summer Examination Board for students spending Semester 1 abroad.
  • At the Autumn/Winter Examination Board for students spending the full academic year abroad or Semester 2 only.
• For students failing to achieve a pass mark, Supplemental Assessment will be prescribed by the School in UCC, and these results will be presented at a Winter Examination Board.

Exemptions

All passed modules carry an exemption, which is limited to a period of five academic years (or two in the case of Computer Science modules) subsequent to the award of the exemption.

Repeat Year Examinations

Students repeating the year may do so choosing one of the following mechanisms:

1. Students retain module exemptions, if any, and must repeat all failed/absent modules, including those modules where the failing mark previously achieved was greater than the level of compensation (≥ 30%) but who failed to achieve the progression standard for the year (see above). The pass and progression criteria are then applied to the combination of full marks achieved in modules passed at the first attempt, plus capped marks achieved in modules in the Repeat Year Examinations.​

Note: For students selecting different modules not previously taken, there are no restrictions on the marks awarded for those modules at the first attempt in a repeat year. The selection of different modules by the student means that the student foregoes any previous marks achieved in the original modules (including previously passed modules).

2. Students may forego all module exemptions achieved and repeat the year choosing modules to the value of the full 60 credits. In determining pass and progression, there is no restriction on the marks awarded for modules taken at the first attempt of the Repeat Year. Modules taken at the subsequent Supplemental Examination and Assessment are capped at the pass mark.

Subject to capacity, all students - whether they have failed or passed - are allowed to choose this second option, in an attempt to improve his/her/their grade.

Students repeating the final year are eligible for the award of Honours in the first Repeat Year only. Final year students wishing to repeat the year with a view to improving his/her/their degree result may do so only if they have not been conferred.

Three Year Rule

Students must pass/progress within three academic years of the date of first registration for a year, otherwise they cannot continue in the programme.

Terms and Definitions

Programme Description

• The programme description is outlined in the Programme Requirements tab.

Module Descriptions/Assessment

• Module descriptions, including the pass standard for a module, special requirements to pass a module, and assessment elements and their weightings, are contained in the Book of Modules.

Marks and Credits

• A maximum of 100 marks may be awarded for every five credits of a programme.
• Some modules are assessed on a Pass/Fail basis only, i.e. marks are not awarded.

Pass and Progression

• Progression is defined as the permission granted to a student to register in the subsequent academic year for the next set of modules within his/her/their programme of study.
• Compensation is defined as the process by which a student, who fails to satisfy some of the regulations for credit in a specific module, is nevertheless recommended for credit to be awarded on the grounds that the failure is offset by his/her/their performance in the other modules on his/her/their programme of study.