Undergraduate - Course1633 - Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education

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/2012handbooks/courses/0050.html

Students must complete teaching practice which consists of a minimum of 80 days of satisfactory supervised school experience, 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).

Placement is typically conducted in two blocks of five weeks, one each semester. 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.

Those students who are employed in schools must complete a minimum of 50 per cent of supervised placement in a setting other than the school in which they are employed. Students will only be permitted to complete a placement in their place of employment if they receive the required level of supervision. Students must be available to undertake placements on a full-time basis and attend their placement for full days at times determined by the faculty.

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

Students must complete 96 points of science units including:

(a.) a major sequence in a science area of study (48 points)

(b.) a minor sequence in a different science area of study (24 points)

(c.) at least one mathematics or statistics unit from the following (6 points):

• MTH1020 Analysis of change
• MTH1030 Techniques for modelling
• SCI1020 Introduction to statistical reasoning
• STA1010 Statistical methods for science

(d.) SCI2010 Scientific practice and communication (6 points)

(e.) science electives to complete a total of 96 points of science studies

Notes:

The Faculty of Science requires science studies to be chosen from the science units listed in the section 'Science areas of study and sequences' in this handbook available via http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2012handbooks/aos/index-byfaculty-sci.html.

Within the science component students must complete a minimum of four level-three science units (24 points), and a maximum of six level-one science units (36 points) can be taken overall.

The level one mathematics/statistics unit taken will depend on the mathematics background and interests as follows:

• The statistics units SCI1020 (Introduction to statistical reasoning) and STA1010 (Statistical methods for science) 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 the student to have studied VCE Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 (or equivalent)
• The mathematical methods unit MTH1030 is recommended for students with an interest in mathematics and/or physics. MTH1030 requires the student to have studied 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. Students will need to seek permission to enrol in these units at the Faculty of Science, Student Academic Services office (contact details at http://www.sci.monash.edu.au/contact/undergrad.html).

For course advice regarding the science component of the double degree contact the Faculty of Science at http://www.sci.monash.edu/contact/undergrad.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/2012handbooks/aos/education---secondary/.

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