Overview

NFQ Level 8, Major Award

Eligibility

Students who enter First Science through the Biological and Chemical Sciences (CK402) or Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (CK404) or the Chemical Sciences (CK406) or Physics and Astrophysics (CK408) Areas of Study, and who pass First Science, will be eligible for entry to the BSc (Hons) (Science Education) programme.

Students follow one of three routes, as outlined below. In each case, students take two 15 credit Education modules in both Second and Third Science and the full range of additional Education modules required for recognition by the Teaching Council in Fourth Science.

Note: Students who enter the Biological and Chemical Sciences (CK402) area of study may choose Route I (Chemistry) or Route III (Biology) as specified below. Students who enter the Chemical Sciences (CK406) area of study must choose Route I (Chemistry) as specified below. Students who enter the Physics and Astrophysics (CK408) area of study must choose Route II (Physics) as specified below. Students who enter the Biological, Earth and Environmental Science (CK404) area of study must choose Route III (Biology) as specified in the table below.

Second Year Entry Routes to BSc (Science Education)

CAO Code (First Year Entry Route): Route Available in Second Year

• CK402 (Biological and Chemical Sciences): Route I (Chemistry) or Route III (Biology)
• CK404 (Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences): Route III (Biology)
• CK406 (Chemical Sciences): Route I (Chemistry)
• CK408 (Physics and Astrophysics): Route II (Physics)

Students must pass ED2102 in order to be eligible to progress to Third Year of the programme. Students must pass ED3102 before proceeding to Fourth Year. There is no Autumn Supplemental Examination in either Second Year or Third Year for students failing ED2101 and ED2102, and ED3101 and ED3102.

Direct Entry into Third Year

This entry route is designed for graduates of Physics or Chemistry or Biology or Agricultural Science or Computer Studies who wish to teach their specialist subject(s) to the highest standard at secondary school level. Applicants who hold a degree (at least NFQ Level 7) in Physics or Chemistry or Biology or Agricultural Science or Computer Studies 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 Third Year and take ED2101, ED2102, ED3101 and ED3102 in Third Year before proceeding to Fourth Year. Students who enter the programme via this route must pass ED2101, ED2102, ED3101 and ED3102 in Third Year before proceeding to Fourth Year. To facilitate Direct Entry applications, all Education lectures are delivered in the evening.

Applications must be submitted to the Undergraduate Admissions Office, West Wing, UCC. All applications must be accompanied with written certification from the Teaching Council indicating that the degree held by the applicant satisfies the requirements of the Teaching Council for recognition to teach that subject. In cases where large numbers of applications are received, interviews may be used as part of the selection process.

Garda Vetting

Students, or applicants in receipt of an offer, on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting as relevant. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy.

Fitness to Practise

Commencing with the 2013/2014 intake of first year students (including repeats), this programme will be subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy - full details may be found here.

Second Year - Science Education

In Second Science, students take the prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits from one of following routes:

• Route 1 - Chemistry and Education
• Route 2 - Physics and Education
• Route 3 - Biology and Education

Third Year - Science Education

In Second Science, students take the prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits from one of following routes:

• Route 1 - Chemistry and Education
• Route 2 - Physics and Education
• Route 3 - Biology and Education

Fourth Year - Science Education

Students take modules to the value of 60 credits.

Tutorials and Microteaching

Students will be required to attend tutorials and microteaching sessions.

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
CK402
or
CK404
or
CK406
or
CK408
Year 2
Students take modules to the value of 60 credits in one of the following routes:		60
Route I
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Chemistry
CM2001	Main Group and Transition Element Chemistry (5)
CM2002	Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry (5)
CM2003	Energetics and Kinetics (5)
CM2006	Aromatics, Carbonyls and Alkenes (5)
CM2007	Spectroscopy (5)
CM2008	Structure, Bonding and Quantum Mechanics (5)
Education
ED2101	Science Education I (15)
ED2102	Teaching Practice Placement Science Education I (15)
Route II
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Physics
PY2101	Classical Mechanics (5)
PY2102	Introduction to Quantum Physics (5)
PY2103	Electrostatics and Magnetostatics (5)
PY2104	Introduction to Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics (5)
PY2106	Introduction to Astrophysics and Special Relativity (5)
PY2107	Experimental Physics I (5)
Education
ED2101	Science Education I (15)
ED2102	Teaching Practice Placement Science Education I (15)
Route III
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Biology
AE2001	Fundamentals of Ecology (5)
BC2001	Biomolecules (5)
MB2905	Fundamentals of Microbiology (5)
MB2906	Principles of Microbiology (5)
ML2901	Introductory Molecular Biology (5)
PY2009	Physics for the Environmental Sciences II (5) 1
or PS2001	Introduction to Plant Biotechnology ()
Education
ED2101	Science Education I (15)
ED2102	Teaching Practice Placement Science Education I (15)
Year 3
Students take modules to the value of 60 credits in one of the following routes:		60
Route I
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Chemistry
CM3001	Organic Synthesis, Intermediates and Heterocycles (5)
CM3004	Structure and Reactivity of Organic Compounds (5)
CM3016	Molecules and Radiation (5)
CM3017	Reaction Kinetics and Electrochemistry (5)
CM3021	Inorganic Chemistry (10)
Education
ED3101	Science Education II (15)
ED3102	Teaching Practice Placement Science Education II (15)
Route II
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Physics
PY3101	Optics (5)
PY3102	Quantum Mechanics (5)
PY3103	Electromagnetism (5)
PY3105	Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics (5)
PY3106	Nuclear and Particle Physics (5)
PY3107	Experimental Physics II (5)
Education
ED3101	Science Education II (15)
ED3102	Teaching Practice Placement Science Education II (15)
Route III
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
Biology
BL2001	Plant and Animal Genetics (5)
BL3003	Conservation Biology (5)
MB3001	Medical Microbiology (5)
MB3005	The role and ecology of microbes in the environment (5)
PS3008	Physiology of Plants in extreme Environments (5)
ZY3019	Adaptations to Extreme Environments (5)
Education
ED3101	Science Education II (15)
ED3102	Teaching Practice Placement Science Education II (15)
Year 4
Students take 60 credits as follows: 2
Core Modules
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 who enter through CK404 must take PY2009. Students who enter through CK402 must take PS2001.

²

Students will be required to attend tutorials and microteaching sessions.

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 BSc in Science Education (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)

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

• Recognise and apply the basic principles of classroom management and discipline;
  
• Identify the key characteristics of excellent teaching in science;
  
• Develop comprehensive portfolios of lesson plans 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 their teaching of science in the second-level school system;
  
• Display a willingness to co-operate with members of the teaching staff in their assigned school;
  
• Foster an interest in science and a sense of enthusiasm for science subjects in their pupils;
  
• Synthesise the key components of laboratory organisation and management and perform laboratory work in a safe and efficient manner;
  
• Communicate effectively with the school community and with society at large in the area of science education.