Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Course

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 this 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.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that students will:

• have developed rich and integrated theoretical perspectives on teaching and learning as well as the culture and contexts of schooling
• have linked these theoretical perspectives to different educational contexts and be able to use these linkages to inform and develop their practice
• have developed a high level of competence as knowledgeable, reflective, research oriented and articulate practitioners
• be self-sufficient and independent as beginning teachers in a secondary context generally and in the specific areas of science education that they select for study in their Bachelor of Science.

For description and objectives of the Science component of this double degree visit http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2011handbooks/courses/0050.html

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 of placement are tied to the four 3-point professional experience units (Semester one: EDF4730, EDF4731: Semester two: EDF4733, EDF4734).

Students must be available to undertake these placements 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.

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.

Graduates are eligible for registration and employment as secondary school teachers in the government, Catholic and independent school systems in Victoria. For interstate and overseas positions, applicants are advised to check with local authorities.

This course comprises studies in science and studies in education incorporating compulsory and elective units, and teaching placements.

Science component

Studies in science (96 points) comprising:

• 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)
• two additional science units.

Students must also complete:

• SCI2010 The practice and application of science

plus one of*:

• MTH1020 Analysis of change
• 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 and 4 (or equivalent). The mathematical methods units MTH1020 and MTH1030 are recommended for students with an interest in mathematics and/or physics. MTH1030 requires VCE Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent) or MTH1020.

Students with a strong mathematics background and a keen interest in the subject could replace the units MTH1030 and MTH2010 with their advanced versions MTH1035 and MTH2015 respectively. Enrolment in these units is with permission from the Head of School of Mathematics.

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 sequences section' of this Handbook available from http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2011handbooks/undergrad/sci.html

Education component

Studies in education (108 points) comprising:

• a series of units relating to the theory and practice of education, teaching and curriculum
• professional placement units.

For full details on the education requirements refer to the 'Education - Secondary' 'area of study' at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2011handbooks/aos/ug-education---secondary.html.

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 adviser.

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.

Students may apply for admission to an honours program in science, following the completion of an approved combination of at least 144 points of units including all of the science requirements for the double degree course. Students who are considering doing honours in science prior to completing the double degree should consult with the Faculty of Science regarding their unit selection prior to re-enrolling for level three.

Students who wish to graduate with a Bachelor of Science prior to the completion of the double degree course must have completed at least 144 points of studies, including all of the science requirements for the double degree course.

Bachelor of Education

Bachelor of Science