Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Computer Science

If you are eager to inspire young people and build their understanding of how computers work, then this double degree is for you. With a shortage of qualified staff in this area, schools need expert and enthusiastic teachers, at both primary and secondary levels, who can influence Australia's future position as a player in the knowledge economy.

The course will prepare you either for primary or secondary school teaching. Secondary students will qualify as specialist teachers in ICT and mathematics, while primary students will be qualified to teach across the school curriculum but with specialist expertise in these teaching areas.

Double degree courses include the features of the component degree courses, except that electives may be reduced.

Education

D3001 Bachelor of Education (Honours) is a specialist course that develops through the four themes of education studies, curriculum studies, discipline studies and professional studies. The nature and balance of units required among these themes will differ depending upon your specialisation.

Part A. Education studies

These studies provide the theoretical foundations of education that underpin the teaching and learning of children and young people in varied education settings. You will study contemporary theories of child or adolescent development, focusing on the age range relevant to your specialisation. You will also study sociology, psychology, diversity and inclusion, the broad principles of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment, and develop an understanding of the relationship between education and society at local, national and global levels. These studies emphasise educational inquiry and will ensure that your teaching is informed by current research and practice. You will acquire the foundation to move into leadership roles as your career progresses.

Part B. Curriculum studies

These studies develop the knowledge and skills you will need to become a skilled and effective educator who is able to draw on an ever-growing and flexible repertoire of strategies to suit particular children, educational contexts and learning outcomes. You will learn how to design, plan and implement engaging, innovative and productive learning experiences in order to meet diverse learners' needs.

For students specialising in primary education, the focus of curriculum studies is on how primary school aged children learn and how you can effectively and creatively teach them in the key learning areas including English and literacies, mathematics, creative arts, technology, science, health and physical education, social education and studies of the environment and sustainability.

For students specialising in secondary education, the focus is on deepening your understanding of teaching and learning strategies, theories and practice related to your discipline, preparing you to engage secondary students in purposeful learning.

Part C. Discipline studies

These studies will develop your content knowledge in the subjects you will be teaching in schools or other education settings.

In primary education you will take discipline studies in a range of areas to complement teaching in the primary years. In this double degree course, you will take these studies within the partner degree course in disciplines of your choice.

In secondary education you will typically take discipline studies to teach two learning areas from a range of subjects. You will take these studies within the partner degree course in disciplines of your choice from the available specialist teaching areas.

Part D. Professional studies

These studies will provide you with an understanding of professional identity and leadership as well as professional experience through the completion of supervised placement in settings relevant to your teaching specialisation. Professional experience connects the theoretical components of the other themes with practical aspects of teaching and learning. The number of days of professional experience required for professional registration will depend upon your specialisation. You will also undertake research units to develop your understanding of research principles and methods and the skills and capacities to design and conduct research with some independence.

Computer Science

C2001 Bachelor of Computer Science is a specialist course that develops through the themes of computer science foundation study, professional skills study, specialist discipline knowledge, problem solving and analytic skills study, and professional skills study which come together in applied practice.

Part A. Computer science foundation study

This study will develop your understanding of the role and theoretical basis of computer science and computational methods.

Part B. Professional skills study

This study develops professional skills by providing an understanding and appreciation of the ethical and professional guidelines applicable to computer science; developing the ability to work as an effective team member; developing the ability to communicate proficiently and appropriately for professional practice; and developing formal project management skills.

Part C. Specialist discipline knowledge

This study will develop your in-depth knowledge of the specific computer science methods of your specialised field within computer science.

Part D. Problem solving and analytical skills study

This study will develop your ability to apply appropriate methodologies in computer science and develop efficient computational solutions. It develops strong problem solving skills and the ability to apply analytical thinking.

Part E. Applied practice

The above knowledge and skills are integrated and consolidated in applied practice as demonstrated in a computer or data science project, and in some cases in an industry-based learning placement.

Students must complete 204 points, of which 108 points are from the Bachelor of Education (Honours) (including all of the requirements in Part A, B and D for the single degree) and 96 points from the Bachelor of Computer Science (including all of the requirements for Parts A, B, C, D and E for the single degree).

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2016handbooks/maps/map-d3008.pdf) will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Units are six credit points unless otherwise stated.

Students may exit this course early and apply to graduate with either of the following, provided they have satisfied the requirements for that award:

• Bachelor of Education Studies after successful completion of 144 credit points of study (a minimum of 48 credit points must be at level 3 or higher). Note: This exit award does not qualify graduates to be registered or employed as teachers.
• Bachelor of Computer Science after completion of at least 144 points of studies, including all of the requirements in Part A, B, C D and E for the Bachelor of Computer Science.

Note: Students cannot exit with a Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Primary Education or Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Secondary Education.