Diploma of Higher Education - 2019

The Diploma of Higher Education provides an alternative entry pathway to university study for selected undergraduate courses. If you have the drive and desire to study education or science at university but you don't quite meet the requirements for entry, have missed a prerequisite, particularly mathematics, have experienced educational disadvantage or are returning to study after some time away, the Diploma of Higher Education can help you achieve your academic goals.

The Diploma of Higher Education lets you begin studying towards your Monash degree from day one. When you apply for the Diploma of Higher Education, you will select a stream from education or science. These streams provide a direct pathway into the second year of specified Monash degree courses. If you are undertaking the Diploma of Higher Education will be able to access support from the relevant faculty.

Streams

Education

In education, you will be introduced to studies about learning, learners and teaching and build a foundation in the professional skills and knowledge required to practise as a teacher/educator in a range of educational and school settings.

Science

In science, you will be introduced to a broad range of science fields by completing a sequence of study in two of the following areas: biological science, chemistry, earth, atmosphere and environment, mathematics and physics. This will allow you to gain a foundation in key scientific principles while determining their future major area of study.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 5 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 5 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://monash.edu/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:

1. achieve success in their studies and proceed to a Monash University undergraduate degree course
2. achieve the understanding of mathematical principles required for future higher education study
3. achieve first-year equivalent standard in an area of study in order to gain entry to a relevant degree course
4. demonstrate the intellectual capabilities necessary for higher education study and scholarship
5. operate as a self-directed and independent tertiary learner through the development of positive learning habits including analytical, problem-solving, oral and writing skills.

This course consists of two parts, Part A. Foundation knowledge and Part B. Specialist discipline knowledge within the area of study corresponding to your chosen stream.

Part A. Foundation knowledge

The two foundation knowledge units will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to be an independent learner who can succeed at university studies. You will develop enhanced writing and critical reading skills and learn how to produce essays and reports that present a critical argument and adhere to the conventions of academic presentation. You will also learn how to get the most out of lectures, tutorials and learning materials and understand the expectations of university studies.

Part B. Specialist discipline knowledge

You will complete six specialist discipline knowledge units. These units will introduce you to foundation mathematical principles and applications (if required for your destination course), the fundamentals of your chosen stream and will ensure you have the knowledge and skills necessary to take the next step in your higher education studies.

You must complete 48 credit points comprising Part A. Foundation knowledge (12 points) for successful tertiary study and Part B. Specialist discipline knowledge (36 points) in your chosen area of study.

The units required for each field are detailed below.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/maps/map-d0501.pdf) provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Units are 6 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Foundation knowledge (12 points)

You must complete:

• EDF1010 Learning in a university context
• EDF1011 Knowledge and context or EDF1012 Mathematics for tertiary study *

* EDF1012 is available in the education stream only, and is compulsory if you do not already meet the mathematics prerequisite for entry to the destination degree course in education.

Part B. Specialist discipline knowledge (36 points)

You must complete the units listed in your chosen destination field.

Education

You must complete level 1 units and special requirements as follows:

a. Two education studies units (12 points):

• EDF1303 Understanding learning and learners
• EDF1304 Understanding teaching for learning

b. Four curriculum and/or discipline units and two fieldwork/professional experience units from one of the following destination specialisation options (24 points):

Primary and secondary education:

• EDF1101 Fieldwork experience 1A (0 pts)
• EDF1102 Fieldwork experience 1B (0 pts)
• EDF1205 English education 1
• EDF1206 Mathematics education 1
• two level-one discipline units (in sequence)*

* This pair of discipline units will determine the subject area you will go on to qualify in to teach at secondary school level once you are a registered teacher. Discipline studies are available in the following areas: accounting, biology, business management, chemistry, drama, economics, English as an additional Language, English, general science, geography, history, information and communication technology, languages other than English, legal studies, mathematics, media studies, music, physics, social education, and visual arts.

Primary education double degree courses:

• EDF1053 Primary professional experience 1A (0 pts)
• EDF1054 Primary professional experience 1B (0 pts)
• two units to commence a first discipline**
• two units to commence a second discipline**

** Major, minor and specialisation sequences of study are chosen from the partner degree course of the destination double degree, i.e. from arts, business, information technology or science.

Secondary education double degree courses:

• EDF1055 Secondary professional experience 1A (0 pts)
• EDF1056 Secondary professional experience 1B (0 pts)
• two units to commence a first discipline***
• two units to commence a second discipline***

*** These two pairs of discipline units will determine the two subject areas students will go on to qualify in to teach at secondary school level once they are a registered teacher. Discipline sequences of study are chosen from the partner degree course of the destination double degree from the following areas: accounting, biology, business management, chemistry, drama, economics, English as an additional language, English, general science, geography, history, information and communication technology, languages other than English, legal studies, mathematics, media studies, music, physics, social education, and visual arts.

c. Special course requirements:

Before participating in professional experience in any education setting, you must:

• meet specific security clearancessecurity clearances (http://www.monash.edu/education/current-students/professional-experience/teacher-placements/clearances) that apply in the state/territory/country where the placement is being undertaken
• complete professional experience orientation provided by the faculty.

For advice on professional experience intervention, support and unsatisfactory progress refer to the Professional experience intervention and support policyProfessional experience intervention and support policy (http://www.monash.edu/education/current-students/policies-and-procedures/professional-experience-intervention-and-support-policy).

Science

You must complete six level 1 science units as follows:

a. One of the following mathematics units (6 points):

• MTH1010 Functions and their applications
• MTH1020 Analysis of change
• MTH1030 Techniques for modelling
• SCI1020 Introduction to statistical reasoning
• STA1010 Statistical methods for science

Note: Refer to the information about mathematics and statistics units on the Faculty of Science's Level one science unitsLevel one science units (http://www.monash.edu/science/current-students/manage-your-science-studies/level-one-units) page. You should consider the strength of your mathematical background before selecting mathematics units, e.g. if you have done VCE Specialist Mathematics Units 3 and 4 with a score above 30, you would be considered to have a strong mathematical ability. If you did not complete Specialist Mathematics you may need to undertake additional private study beyond the normal workload requirements to successfully complete the mathematics units. You are advised to discuss your mathematics options with the course leader or program director.

b. Any additional level 1 unit required to take the total level 1 science listed units to 36 credit points. Level 1 science listed units are chosen from units listed under any major, extended major or minor offered in the Bachelor of Science or from the following:

• SCI1200 Humans, evolution and modern society
• SCI1300 Climate change: From science to society

c. Two level 1 approved science sequences (24 points), from the following list:*

* Usually, the units in a level 1 sequence are required for the completion of a related minor or major. The choice of level 1 sequences will influence the choice of level two and level three units and will lay the foundation for the chosen major in the Bachelor of Science.

Biological sciences:

One pair of:

• BIO1011 Blueprints for life and BIO1022 Life on Earth
• BIO1011 Blueprints for life and BIO1042 Life in the environment

Chemistry:

• CHM1011 Chemistry 1 and CHM1022 Chemistry 2 **

** Students who have achieved excellent results in Units 3 and 4 VCE Chemistry can enquire about advanced options.

Computational science:

• FIT1045 Algorithms and programming fundamentals in python and FIT1008 Introduction to computer science

Earth, atmosphere and environment:

• EAE1011 Earth, atmosphere and environment 1 and EAE1022 Earth, atmosphere and environment 2

Physics:*

• PHS1001 Foundation physics and PHS1002 Physics for engineering

* If you are considering completing physics in your destination degree you should complete MTH1030 (Techniques for modelling). If you have not met the VCE entry requirements for MTH1030 must also complete MTH1020 (Analysis of change).

This diploma leads to the destination degree courses listed below. To be eligible to apply for an internal course transfer to gain direct admission into the second year of a destination course, you must:

• pass each unit in the diploma on the first attempt
• achieve the average mark required for the destination course.

If you do not meet these two requirements you are encouraged to apply for admission through VTAC. Should you gain successful admission through VTAC you will receive credit towards the degree for the units you have passed in the diploma.

You are required to achieve the standard in the CASPer testCASPer test (https://takecasper.com/) prior to gaining admission to the Bachelor of Education (Honours). Once enrolled in the BEd(Hons), you will be required to achieve the standard in the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students. See D3001 for more information.

Education

Single degree:

• D3001 Bachelor of Education (Honours)*

* Specialising in combined primary and secondary education.

Double degree:

• D3002 Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts*
• D3007 Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Business*
• D3005 Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Science*

* You will specialise in either primary education or secondary education.

Science

Single degree:

• S2000 Bachelor of Science

Double degree:

• D3005 Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Science*

* You will specialise in either primary education or secondary education.

Graduates of the Diploma of Higher Education who achieve a minimum average grade are eligible for articulation into either the Bachelor of Science course or the Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Science double degree course.

The Diploma of Higher Education can also provide a pathway into other Monash degree courses that are not destination degrees. You can apply for other courses through VTAC and you will need to make sure that the prerequisites are met for those courses.