Eligibility
Students who enter First Science through the Biological and Chemical Sciences (CK402) or Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (CK404) or the Chemical Sciences (CK406) or Physics and Astrophysics (CK408) Areas of Study, and who pass First Science, will be eligible for entry to the BSc (Hons) (Science Education) programme.

Students follow one of three routes, as outlined below. In each case, students take two 15 credit Education modules in both Second and Third Science and the full range of additional Education modules required for recognition by the Teaching Council in Fourth Science.

Note: Students who enter the Biological and Chemical Sciences (CK402) area of study may choose Route I (Chemistry) or Route III (Biology) as specified below. Students who enter the Chemical Sciences (CK406) area of study must choose Route I (Chemistry) as specified below. Students who enter the Physics and Astrophysics (CK408) area of study must choose Route II (Physics) as specified below. Students who enter the Biological, Earth and Environmental Science (CK404) area of study must choose Route III (Biology) as specified in the table below.

Second Year Entry Routes to BSc (Science Education)

Students must pass ED2102 in order to be eligible to progress to Third Year of the programme. Students must pass ED3102 before proceeding to Fourth Year. There is no Autumn Supplemental Examination in either Second Year or Third Year for students failing ED2101 and ED2102, and ED3101 and ED3102.

Direct Entry into Third Year
This entry route is designed for graduates of Physics or Chemistry or Biology or Agricultural Science or Computer Studies who wish to teach their specialist subject(s) to the highest standard at secondary school level. Applicants who hold a degree (at least NFQ Level 7) in Physics or Chemistry or Biology or Agricultural Science or Computer Studies which satisfies the requirements of the Teaching Council for recognition to teach the subject to the highest level in secondary school or an equivalent qualification may enter this programme in Third Year and take ED2101, ED2102, ED3101 and ED3102 in Third Year before proceeding to Fourth Year. Students who enter the programme via this route must pass ED2101, ED2102, ED3101 and ED3102 in Third Year before proceeding to Fourth Year. To facilitate Direct Entry applications, all Education lectures are delivered in the evening.

Applications must be submitted to the Undergraduate Admissions Office, West Wing, UCC. All applications must be accompanied with written certification from the Teaching Council indicating that the degree held by the applicant satisfies the requirements of the Teaching Council for recognition to teach that subject. In cases where large numbers of applications are received, interviews may be used as part of the selection process.

Garda Vetting
Students, or applicants in receipt of an offer, on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting as relevant. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy.

Fitness to Practise
Commencing with the 2013/2014 intake of first year students (including repeats), this programme will be subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy - full details may be found here.

Programme Requirements

In Second Science, students take the prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits from one of the following routes:

Route I

Core Modules
Chemistry (30 credits)
CM2001 (5 credits)
CM2002 (5 credits)
CM2003 (5 credits)
CM2006 (5 credits)
CM2007 (5 credits)
CM2008 (5 credits)

Education (30 credits)
ED2101 (15 credits)
ED2102 (15 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

or

Route II

Core Modules
Physics (30 credits)
PY2101 (5 credits)
PY2102 (5 credits)
PY2103 (5 credits)
PY2104 (5 credits)
PY2106 (5 credits)
PY2107 (5 credits)

Education (30 credits)
ED2101 (15 credits)
ED2102 (15 credits)

or

Route III

Core Modules
Biology (30 credits)
AE2001 (5 credits)
BC2001 (5 credits)
MB2905 (5 credits)
MB2906 (5 credits)
ML2901 (5 credits)
PY2009* or PS2001* (5 credits)
*Students who enter through CK404 must take PY2009. Students who enter through CK402 must take PS2001.

Education (30 credits)
ED2101 (15 credits)
ED2102 (15 credits)

Examinations
Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2020/2021 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2020/2021.

Three Year Rule
Students must pass the Second University Examination in Science - Science Education within three academic years from the date of first registration for Second Year. Failure to comply with this rule would mean that the student would be ineligible to proceed further with his/her studies. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the College, only for very serious reasons.

Programme Requirements

In Third Science, students take the prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits from one of the following routes:

Route I

Core Modules
Chemistry (30 credits)
CM3001 (5 credits)
CM3004 (5 credits)
CM3016 (5 credits)
CM3017 (5 credits)
CM3021 (10 credits)

Education (30 credits)
ED3101 (15 credits)
ED3102 (15 credits)

or

Route II

Core Modules
Physics (30 credits)
PY3101 (5 credits)
PY3102 (5 credits)
PY3103 (5 credits)
PY3105 (5 credits)
PY3106 (5 credits)
PY3107 (5 credits)

Education (30 credits)
ED3101 (15 credits)
ED3102 (15 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

or

Route III

Core Modules
Biology (30 credits)
BL2001 (5 credits)
BL3003 (5 credits)
MB3001 (5 credits)
MB3005 (5 credits)
PS3008 (5 credits)
ZY3019 (5 credits)

Education (30 credits)
ED3101 (15 credits)
ED3102 (15 credits)

Examinations
Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2020/2021 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2020/2021.

Three Year Rule
Students must pass the Third University Examination in Science - Science Education within three academic years from the date of first registration for Third Year. Failure to comply with this rule would mean that the student would be ineligible to proceed further with his/her studies. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the College, only for very serious reasons.

Programme Requirements

Students take the following modules:

ED4101 (10 credits)
ED4102 (20 credits)
ED4103 (5 credits)
ED4104 (5 credits)
ED4105 (5 credits)
ED4106 (5 credits)
ED4107 (5 credits)
ED4108 (5 credits)

Tutorials and Microteaching

Students will be required to attend tutorials and microteaching sessions.

Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2020/2021 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2020/2021.

Three Year Rule
Students must pass the BSc (Hons) (Science Education) Degree Examination within three academic years from the date of first registration for Fourth Year. Failure to comply with this rule would mean that the student would be ineligible to proceed further with his/her studies. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the College, only for very serious reasons.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc in Science Education (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Recognise and apply the basic principles of classroom management and discipline;
• Identify the key characteristics of excellent teaching in science;
• Develop comprehensive portfolios of lesson plans that are relevant to the science curricula in schools;
• Evaluate the various theories of Teaching and Learning and apply these theories to assist in the creation of effective and inspiring science lessons;
• Critically evaluate the effectiveness of their teaching of science in the second-level school system;
• Display a willingness to co-operate with members of the teaching staff in their assigned school;
• Foster an interest in science and a sense of enthusiasm for science subjects in their pupils;
• Synthesise the key components of laboratory organisation and management and perform laboratory work in a safe and efficient manner;
• Communicate effectively with the school community and with society at large in the area of science education.