Bachelor of Education (Secondary) / Bachelor of Science | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Education (Secondary) / Bachelor of Science

Inspire a new generation to discover science.

This double degree gives you the opportunity to combine your scientific knowledge with teaching skills. Gain an edge and increase your career options with two degrees in four years of study. Choose to specialise in two teaching areas such as biology, chemistry, mathematics or geography.

Limited first year course offerings available at Fraser Coast from Semester 1, 2018

Study location
  • Sippy Downs
Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code
082694G
Commence
Semester 1 or 2
Program length (full-time)
4 years
Semester tuition fee 2017
A$12,100
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$96,800
Footnotes
  • Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
  • * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2023 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
  • Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
  • *Only first-year courses are offered at Fraser Coast in 2018 for the Mathematical Sciences Major and Biological Sciences minor. The remainder of the program must be completed at Sippy Downs campus.
Study locations QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 017231
  • Fraser Coast * 019231
Refer to the program footnotes
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 15 Rank - 67
UniSC program code
SE303
Commence
Semester 1 or 2
Duration
4 years full time or equivalent part time
Study mode
on campus
Prerequisites
English (4,SA); Maths A, B or C (4,SA) 
Recommended prior study
A science subject (preferably Chemistry)
Other requirements
Applicants from a non-English speaking background must attain an IELTS score of at least 7.5 with a minimum of 8.0 in speaking and listening and 7.0 in all other subtests - refer to English language requirements.
Fee type 2017
  • What will I pay?
Total courses
32
Total units
384
Footnotes
  • *Only first-year courses are offered at Fraser Coast in 2018 for the Mathematical Sciences Major and Biological Sciences minor. The remainder of the program must be completed at Sippy Downs campus.

This double degree gives you the opportunity to combine your scientific knowledge with teaching skills. Gain an edge and increase your career options with two degrees in four years of study. Choose to specialise in two teaching areas such as biology, chemistry, mathematics or geography.

You’ll study how students in Years 7-12 learn, how to plan, teach and assess, and develop curriculum content knowledge. You’ll complete 80 days of supervised professional experience in Queensland schools to link theory and practice. Gain valuable and rewarding wider field experience where you engage with community projects and work with children, families and communities.

Our program has been developed in partnership with leading educational bodies, and as you graduate you’ll be eligible to register with the Queensland College of Teachers.

Admission requirements

Applicants must write a 1000-word written statement that describes their non-academic capabilities. Effective teachers possess both academic and non-academic capabilities. Research has shown that the best teachers are those who have academic capability, literacy and numeracy skills and personal characteristics (non-academic capabilities). Non-academic capabilities include motivation to teach, self-efficacy, willingness to learn, conscientiousness, engagement with learning, resilience, interpersonal and communication skills, organisational and planning skills, and written communication skills. Research has also shown that a personal written statement describing self-assessment of non-academic capabilities is a suitable means for assessing non-academic capabilities for teaching.

Entry to this program requires applicants to meet academic and non-academic criteria.

Full details of entry to this program are on the QTAC website.

Post-admission requirements

Students complete 80 days of Supervised Professional Experience (SPE), completed as full-time blocks, and 15 days of Wider Field Experience. The majority of Supervised Professional Experience must be completed in Queensland schools. Students must obtain a Blue Card (or link your existing Blue Card to USC) prior to commencing supervised professional experience. Applications should be submitted at least 12 weeks prior to the SPE start date. View the Blue Card Fact Sheet for further information. Blue Cards are free-of-charge for Education students when applying through the School of Education at USC.

Students will also need to successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education students. For more information on this Government initiative please visit the Students First website. Further information on the test, including sample test questions and registration information, please visit the Australian Council of Educational Research website.

Career opportunities

Teacher in secondary schools, private practice, community education centres, private colleges, universities, or careers in related discipline areas.

Registration

Graduates may apply for registration with the Queensland College of Teachers.

Program structure

Required courses (14)

COR109 Communication and Thought
EDU114 Professional Experience: Orientation to the Profession
EDU202 Individual Learner Needs
EDU328 Professional Experience: Managing Learning Environments
EDU410 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching
EDU412 Diversity and Inclusion
EDU417 Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum
EDU418 Secondary Assessment and Reporting
EDU419 Professional Experience: Individual Learner Needs
EDU420 The Psychology of Learning
EDU421 Using Data for Learning
EDU422 Secondary Professional Learning: The Professional Empowered and Engaged
SCS203 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
SCI113 Discovering Science

Required curriculum and pedagogy courses (4)

Select 4 curriculum and pedagogy courses associated with your teaching areas (major and minor courses) from:

EDU352 Teaching Junior Secondary Science 1
EDU353 Teaching Senior Secondary Science 1
EDU354 Teaching Junior Secondary Science 2
EDU355 Teaching Senior Secondary Science 2
EDU356 Teaching Junior Secondary Geography
EDU357 Teaching Senior Secondary Geography
EDU363 Teaching Junior Secondary Mathematics
EDU364 Teaching Senior Secondary Mathematics

Major courses (8)

Biological Sciences
Chemical Sciences
Mathematical Sciences

Minor courses (4)*

Biological Sciences
Chemical Sciences
Geographical Sciences
Mathematical Sciences

* Note: Students must undertake a minor from a different discipline area to their major

Discipline specific courses relating to chosen minor (2)

Select 2 discipline specific courses from:

Biological Sciences

LFS100 Cell Biology
SCI102 Biodiversity and Ecology

Chemical Sciences

CHM202 Organic Chemistry
SCI105 Chemistry

Geographical Sciences

GEO100 Changing Planet Earth
GEO201 Hydrology and Geomorphology

Mathematical Sciences

MTH102 Mathematics Foundations
SCI110 Science Research Methods

Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.

Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences

Program requirements and notes

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

  • Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
  • Complete no more than 15 introductory level (100 coded) courses, including the core course
  • Complete a minimum of  80 days Supervised Professional Experience, completed as full-time blocks
  • Complete 15 days of Wider Field Experience
  • Successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education students. For more information on this Government initiative please visit the Students First website. Further information on the test, including sample test questions and registration information, please visit the Australian Council of Educational Research website
  • You must select and register your compulsory major(s)/minor(s) as soon as possible
In order to commence Supervised Professional Experience (SPE) placement you must:
  • Obtain a Blue Card (or link your existing Blue Card to USC) prior to commencing supervised professional experience. Applications should be submitted at least 12 weeks prior to the SPE start date. View the Blue Card Fact Sheet for further information
  • Complete PrePlace and a Student Placement Agreement (further information will be provided by the placement office upon enrolment)
  • Be willing to travel to attend supervised professional experience placements
  • Visit Education - Supervised Professional Experience (SPE) for more information on requirements for placement.
Program notes
  • Cross-institutional study is not permitted for the education (EDU) coded courses and SCS203 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) / Bachelor of Science
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
  • As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
  • Refer to the Planning your study page to manage your progression
  • You may wish to use electives to complete an additional major or minor
  • Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)