Bachelor of Science Education

The course information on this page is for new students commencing their degree in 2016 only. 

Students should follow the rules and requirements for the year that they commenced their course. The online course information for years prior to 2016 are available from the Archives link in the menu.

Students should also review current subject availabilities via the Subject Descriptions link in the menu.

Overview 

The Bachelor of Science Education qualifies students as secondary science teachers, with scientific knowledge in the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science and Physics. The degree focuses on developing teachers who can teach well: who have sound practical teaching skills and the ability to develop as professional teachers through reflection and action. The degree applies an innovative approach to provide students with training in both science and teaching in an integrated fashion.

Professional Experience is a compulsory component of the degree. Students have the opportunity to undertake some of their experiences overseas, and finish with a seven-week Professional Experience in the final year. 

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements and English requirements are available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Bachelor of Science Education will be able to:

1. Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge of educational principles within the context of secondary science teaching.
2. Demonstrate coherent core knowledge of the fundamentals of secondary science disciplines.
3. Demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge in one or more discipline areas of sciences.
4. Demonstrate their cognitive and technical skills to create teaching tools and critically review, analyse, synthesise and solve problems within a scientific field.
5. Demonstrate critical thinking and judgement when problem solving and identifying the complexities of their role as secondary science teachers.
6. Demonstrate the ability to clearly communicate educational knowledge and scientific principles and problem solving skills in the teaching environment.
7. Demonstrate autonomy and problem solving ability in professional practice, including differentiation of pedagogical strategies, planning teaching and learning activities and reflection on practice within secondary science education.
8. Demonstrate their capacity to be reflective practitioners with an evolving understanding of the multi-faceted role of the teacher within the learning environment. 

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Science Education requires the successful completion of at least 192 credit points. Students are required to select a first teaching area in one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science or Physics, and complete the subjects specified in the relevant table.

In additional to the course work requirements, students are required to complete the compulsory Professional Experience components embedded in the course.

Biology as First Teaching Area

In addition to qualifying for Biology as a first teaching area, students will satisfy the requirements for a second area in Chemistry by completing at least two of the core CHEM subjects listed in the table below.
For Earth and Environmental Science as a second teaching area, students will need to complete one EESC subject.
For Physics as a second teaching area, students will need to complete two PHYS subjects.  Note that PHYS subjects often have MATH pre-requisites.  This option will require students to exceed the minimum degree requirement of 192cp. 

Chemistry as First Teaching Area

In addition to qualifying for Chemistry as a first teaching area, students may choose to qualify for a second teaching area in Physics, Biology or Earth and Environmental Science.  Please note that qualifying for a second teaching area might require students to exceed the minimum degree requirement of 192cp. 
For Physics as a second teaching area, student need to complete MATH187 , MATH188 and two PHYS subjects.
For Biology as a second teaching area, students need to complete two BIOL subjects.
For Earth and Environmental Science as a second teaching area, students need to complete one BIOL subject and one EESC subject.

Earth and Environmental Science as First Teaching Area

In addition to qualifying for Earth and Environmental Science as a first teaching area, students may choose to qualify for a second teaching area in Physics, Biology or Chemistry.  Please note that this might require students to exceed the minimum degree requirement of 192cp. 
For Physics as a second teaching area, student need to complete two PHYS subjects.
For Chemistry as a second teaching area, students need to complete two CHEM subjects.
For Biology as a second teaching area, students need to complete two BIOL subjects and either two CHEM or two PHYS subjects.  At least two of these four subjects will need to be at 200 level or higher. Note that most 200 level Biology subjects will have pre-requisites.

Physics as First Teaching Area

In addition to qualifying for Physics as a first teaching area, students may choose to qualify for a second teaching area in Chemistry, Biology or Earth and Environmental Science.  Please note that qualifying for a second teaching area might require students to exceed the minimum degree requirement of 192cp. 
For Chemistry as a second teaching area, student need to complete two CHEM subjects.
For Biology as a second teaching area, students need to complete two BIOL subjects.
For Earth and Environmental Science as a second teaching area, students need to complete one BIOL subject and one EESC subject.

Dean's Scholar

A Dean's Scholar program is available for high achieving students.  For further information refer to the Bachelor of Science Education (Dean's Scholar).

Credit Arrangements

Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.

Professional Recognition/Accreditation

This degree is undergoing accreditation with the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES) as a national professional teaching qualification. Students seeking work outside NSW are advised to check with potential employers for any additional requirements.

From 2016, future teachers will need to meet the BOSTES increased academic standards. As a part of the increased standards, all students will be required to pass a national literacy and numeracy test before commencing the final professional experience placement.

Other Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: ssc@uow.edu.au