Science Education - Second Level Teaching
Our Science Education degree involves the study of both science and education over a four-year period after which you will be a fully qualified science teacher. UCC’s Science Education programme is an example of the concurrent model of teacher training which means that you study both science and education over the duration of the programme. On graduation, you will be fully qualified to teach two specialist science subjects to Leaving Certificate standard.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 Years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements
At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H4* in one subject, minimum grade H5 in one subject and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.
The following are considered Lab Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry and Agricultural Science.
Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
Maths O6/H7 or H4*
Lab Science O6/H7 or H4*
Note
H4 in either a Lab Science subject, Maths or Applied Maths or Computer Science*
* If the H4 is in Maths, Applied Maths or Computer Science an 06/H7 in a Lab Science subject is also required.
Note: Students choosing a Science Education route involving Mathematics require an H3 Leaving Certificate grade in Mathematics.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
UCC awards the following points to the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Link Modules:
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
While Link Modules are counted for point scoring purposes they may not be counted as one of the six subjects to satisfy minimum entry requirements.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
Graduate Study Options
Some of our graduates have moved into research and postgraduate programmes such as MEd and PhD programmes.
Career Opportunities
Our graduates are in high demand from schools in Ireland and abroad. The fact that you have accumulated both subject knowledge and teaching skills over the four years of the programme is of enormous help in your teaching career.
This programme gives graduates the opportunity to take up an exciting career in which they can inspire young people with their teaching of science. Some of our graduates have also moved into research and postgraduate study. Recent graduates have taken up careers including science teachers at secondary school level, members of the science inspectorate of the Department of Education, researchers in science and science education, and lecturers in science education.
Further information
Approximate Available Places 3
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Approximate Available Places Overall 25
Entry 2025
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2025 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2025 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2025 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2025 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2025 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2025 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2025. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2025, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2025 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2025 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2025 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Course Outline
Our Science Education degree involves the study of both science and education over a four-year period after which you will be a fully qualified science teacher. UCC’s Science Education programme is an example of the concurrent model of teacher training which means that you study both science and education over the duration of the programme. On graduation, you will be fully qualified to teach two specialist science subjects to Leaving Certificate standard.
This four-year science teacher training course is a collaboration between the School of Education at the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences (CACSSS) together with the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science (SEFS). Most of our teaching takes place in UCC's state-of-the-art Eureka Centre for Inquiry-Based Education in Science and Mathematics and in the SEFS laboratories.
This newly reconfigured programme is designed to meet all the Teaching Council curricular subject (post-primary) requirements and to that end we have designed the programme to cover the demand for science subjects in the following areas:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Physics
On graduation, you will be eligible to register with the Teaching Council as a fully qualified science teacher. Throughout the BEd programme you will participate in Teaching Practice Placement where you will gain experience in science teaching in the secondary school classroom and school science laboratories.
Course Structure
At the start of this BEd programme you choose one of the following five Science Education routes and study these specialist science subjects, along with education modules, for the duration of the programme.
Science Education Route Subjects
Route 1 Biology + Chemistry
Route 2* Physics + Mathematics
Route 3* Computer Science + Mathematics
Route 4* Chemistry + Mathematics
Route 5 Computer Science + Chemistry
*Note Students must have a minimum grade H3 in LC Mathematics to enter this route.
In Year 1 you will study 10 credits of Education modules and 50 credits of your chosen two specialist subjects. Year 1 allows you to study the foundations of your two specialist science subjects and introduces you to science teaching and science education.
In the following years, you will study your two specialist science subjects and science education in further detail and spend some time on School Placement in a local secondary school. Your School Placement is organised around your UCC lectures and laboratory practical sessions.
In Year 4 all your modules are education-based, with increased time spent on School Placement (minimum of 4 hours per week from August to May) as well as time spent in lectures and laboratory practical sessions at UCC.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this programme you will be able to:
- Identify the key characteristics of excellent teaching in science as related to subject knowledge and pedagogy and engage in research in these areas.
- Apply the scientific knowledge and pedagogical skills gained in the programme to prepare your lesson plans and schemes of work to the highest standards.
- Recognise and apply the basic principles of managing a learning environment.
- Develop comprehensive portfolios of teaching, learning and assessment 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 your teaching of science subjects in the second-level school system.
- Display a willingness to co-operate with members of the teaching staff in your assigned school.
- Foster an interest in science and a sense of enthusiasm for science subjects in your pupils.
- Synthesise the key components of laboratory organisation and management and perform laboratory work in a safe and efficient manner.
- Communicate effectively with your school community and with society at large in science education.
Placement or Study Abroad Information
Work Placement
Teaching Placement will take place in secondary schools, usually in Cork city or county, that work in partnership with UCC. Teaching placement fits in around your normal timetable of lectures, laboratory practical sessions, tutorials, seminars, and workshops that take place at UCC. As you progress through the programme, the number of hours that you spend on teaching placement gradually increases.
By fourth year you will be teaching over the entire school year for a minimum of four hours per week in addition to participating in various associated activities in your school. By the time you graduate, you will have accumulated considerable teaching experience and this makes our graduates very attractive to schools seeking inspirational science teachers.
Year 1 Modules
Depending on your Science Education route you will take modules in two of the following science subjects together with 10 credits of Education modules.
Subject: Biology
Modules:
BC1001 Introduction to Biochemistry and the Biological Basis of Disease (5 credits)
BL1002 Cells, Biomolecules, Genetics and Evolution (5 credits)
BL1004 Physiology and Structure of Plants and Animals (5 credits)
BL1006 Habitats and Ecosystems (5 credits)
MB1003 Microbiology in Society (5 credits)
Subject: Chemistry
Modules:
CM1200 Fundamentals of Modern Chemistry Part 1 (10 credits)
CM1201 Fundamentals of Modern Chemistry Part 2a (10 credits)
CM1203 Teaching Chemistry Concepts (5 credits)
Subject: Computer Science
Modules:
CS1022 Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving (15 credits)
CS1115 Web Development 1 (5 credits)
Subject: Mathematics
Modules:
AM1052 Introduction to Mechanics (5 credits)
AM1053 Introduction to Mathematical Modelling (5 credits)
MA1058 Introduction to Linear Algebra (5 credits)
MA1059 Calculus (5 credits)
MS2013 Geometry (5 credits)
ST1051 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (5 credits)
Subject: Physics
Modules:
PY1052 Introductory Physics I (10 credits)
PY1053 Introductory Physics II (10 credits)
Subject: Education
Modules:
ED1101 Introduction to Science Education (5 credits)
ED1102 Introduction to Teaching Practice Placement Science Education (5 credits)
Dr Declan Kennedy
d.kennedy@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 3469
https://www.ucc.ie/en/education/und/bsced/
Ms Marie O’Donovan
m.odonovan@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 3487