1633 - Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Education - Secondary

The course design draws on important traditional approaches to teaching and learning, and brings together the latest theory, practice and research. There is an emphasis on ethical reflexive practices and the development of an engaged professional identity. Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Education (secondary) program of studies, graduates will have a sound preparation for entry into the science and/or education and training professions, in a range of science education contexts, including schools, industry and community-based settings.

The course includes a minimum of 80 days of placement, with some placement being undertaken in each year of the course.

First, second and third year: Placements are tied to education units offered.

Fourth year: 50 days placement are tied to the four Professional experience units.

Students must be available to undertake these on a full-time basis for several weeks at a time. For full time students placement is typically conducted in two blocks of five weeks, one each semester. For part time students it is typically conducted in four blocks of two to three weeks, one block in each of four semesters. These placement units are taken concurrently with enrolment in the core curriculum units and the curriculum specialism units. They provide supervised teaching practice in the teaching area of the student's curriculum units while on school placement.

Semester one

EDF4730 - Professional experience 1A (3 credit points) / EDF4731 - Professional experience 1B (3 credit points)

Semester two

EDF4732 - Professional experience 2A (3 credit points) / EDF4733 - Professional experience 2B (3 credit points)

Students who are employed in schools must complete at least 25 days of supervised school placement in a setting other than the school at which they are employed.

This double-degree course provides a sound preparation for entry into the teaching profession in areas associated with science education. Students develop a wide range of professional knowledge, understanding and skills, and there is a high level of flexibility in the pathways offered for students to link with their discipline-based studies in the sciences.

To receive the awards of Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education, a student must successfully complete units totalling 204 points consisting of:

(a.) studies in science (96 points). Students must complete a major sequence in a science discipline (48 credit points - normally 12 points at level one, 12 points at level two and 24 points at level three), a minor sequence in a different science discipline (24 credit points - 12 points at level one and 12 points at level two), and two additional science units.

Students must also complete:

• SCI2010 The practice and application of science

plus one of*:

• MTH1030 Techniques for modelling
• SCI1020 Introduction to statistical reasoning
• STA1010 Statistical methods for science

* The unit(s) taken will depend on the student's mathematics background and interests. The statistics units SCI1020 and STA1010 are normally recommended for students planning to study areas where experimental design and data analysis skills are particularly important, such as the life sciences. SCI1020 is for students without a strong mathematics background, while STA1010 requires Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) Mathematical Methods 3 & 4 (or equivalent). The mathematical methods unit MTH1030 is recommended for students with an interest in mathematics and/or physics. MTH1030 requires VCE Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent) or MTH1020.

Within the science component of the double degree, students cannot include more than 36 points of level-one science units and no less than 24 points of level-three science units overall. The science studies must be chosen from the approved science units and sequences for the relevant campus of study listed in the Science areas of study and sequence's section of this Handbook.

(b.) Studies in education (108 points). Students must complete a series of units relating to the theory and practice of education, teaching and curriculum. Professional placement units are also included.

Students need to be aware that their major and minor studies in science must satisfy the requirements for the study of two curriculum specialism units in their fourth year and the requirements for employment laid down by the Victorian Institute of Teaching. Students are advised to consult the VIT website at http://www.vit.vic.edu.au in consultation with their course advisor.

Generally, to qualify for a secondary teaching discipline, a candidate will require a minimum of two years of full-time academic study in that discipline. There are additional requirements for some disciplines.

Progressively over the course, students will complete more of the education component, until the final year, which is composed entirely of education studies, including professional placements.

First year

• EDF1303 Learning and educational inquiry 1
• EDF1304 Learning and educational inquiry 2
• 36 points of science studies

Second year

• EDF2004 Issues in classroom environments
• EDF2005 Professional responsibilities, practice and relationships
• 36 points of science studies

Third year

• EDF3006 Adolescent development and learning
• EDF3007 Mediating the world of learning
• EDF3008 Researching educational practices
• EDF3009 Schooling: local - global
• 24 points of science studies

Fourth year

• EDF4004 Assessing learning (core education unit)
• EDF4006 Professional engagement (core education unit)
• EDF41xx Core curriculum unit
• EDF41xx Core curriculum unit, or EDF45xx Curriculum elective unit
• EDF44xx Curriculum specialism unit 1
• EDF44xx Curriculum specialism unit 2
• EDF4730 Professional experience 1A and EDF4731 Professional experience 1B
• EDF4733 Professional experience 2A and EDF4734 Professional experience 2B
• two general electives (EDFxxxx) from an existing suite of units

Graduates will be eligible for registration and employment as teachers in Victoria. For interstate and overseas positions, applicants are advised to check with local authorities.

Bachelor of Education

Bachelor of Science