Undergraduate: Course rule and topic information

Bachelor of Science

Combined degrees programs

Introduction
Program of study
Honours degree

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE/BACHELOR OF EDUCATION

The Bachelor of Education (Junior Primary/Primary)/Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Education (Middle School)/Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Science double degree program is an initial teacher education program that prepares students from diverse backgrounds to commence teaching in the Key Learning Areas of science, mathematics and technology in junior primary/primary, middle and secondary schools.

The content of the course comprises 50 per cent education and 50 per cent from the science discipline areas. In the case of the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) the course will offer students the opportunity to link to the innovative programs in the Australian Science and Mathematics School particularly for practicum purposes.

The double degree program requires four years full-time equivalent study or eight semesters. Students who study part-time would normally be expected to complete the double degree program in eight years. The block practicum must be undertaken full-time.

Course aims

The course aims to support teacher education students to become effective practitioners in the teaching of science at junior primary/primary, middle, and at all levels of secondary school education. This involves understanding the complex nature of teachers' work, and the importance of preparing students to participate in a world that requires high levels of scientific, mathematical and technological literacy.

The Bachelor of Science is designed to offer students a broad-based foundation in science and the opportunity to specialise in at least two science disciplines of their choice. In addition to the particular scientific knowledge gained through the study of the disciplines, the Bachelor of Science degree aims to develop in students the capacity to:

• understand and apply modern scientific principles;
• retrieve and present scientific information; critically analyse information and solve problems;
• analyse and evaluate numerical data;
• use up-to-date computer and information technology;
• appreciate the role of science in society and the ethical issues it raises; and
• provide the foundations that will underpin the ongoing professional development in science and education.

In summary the course aims to produce teachers who:

• can teach within, and across, learning areas at the relevant level of schooling;
• have developed studies in depth in a number of areas relevant to teaching in either junior primary/primary, middle or secondary schools;
• are able to apply their knowledge and skills in a range of educational settings with diverse groups of students; and
• have the capacity to undertake ongoing professional study through a variety of pathways.

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements. For admission to the program, students must apply to SATAC for admission to the relevant double Education degree program.

Program of study [March, 2008]

either Option A:

A Bachelor of Science component of 75 units which must include:

• First Year Science Topics: 27 units
• Science Major: 36 units (at second and third year level)
• Science Minor: 12 units (at second and third year level)

A Bachelor of Education component of 69 units which must include:

• First Year Education Topics: 9 units
• Upper Level Education Topics: 60 units (10 6-unit topics)

For Bachelor of Education component of 72 units [see Bachelor of Education (Junior Primary/Primary/Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Education (Middle School)/Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Science entries for further information];

or Option B:

A Bachelor of Science component of 69 units which must include:

• First Year Science Topics: 27 units
• Science Major: 30 units (at second and third year level)
• Science Minor: 12 units (at second and third year level)

A Bachelor of Education component of 75 units which must include:

• First Year Education Topics: 9 units
• Upper Level Education Topics: 66 units (11 6-unit topics)

For Bachelor of Education component of 72 units [see Bachelor of Education (Junior Primary/Primary/Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Education (Middle School)/Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Science entries for further information];

The Bachelor of Science component:

• 27 units of First Year topics, selected so that the prerequisites for at least one major and one minor are met;
• a major comprising 36 units;
• a minor comprising 9 units.

Major and Minor studies must be selected from two DISTINCT teaching areas.

The teaching area to which each major/minor belongs differs for Junior Primary/Primary, Middle School and Secondary teaching.

Advice about selecting majors and minors is contained in the Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Science handbook which will be made available to all commencing students, and to which it is recommended that students refer before making a choice.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE/BACHELOR OF LAWS AND LEGAL PRACTICE

The combined degrees program of Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice requires the completion of a minimum of 213 units of study and a Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws a minimum of 195 units.

For admission to the program, students first must apply for admission to the Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice. If successful, they will be given the option of taking up the combined degrees program at the time of their first enrolment.

Eligible students who decline the offer to take up the combined degrees program at enrolment and wish in a subsequent year to enrol in the combined degrees program will be required to apply to SATAC for admission to the Bachelor of Science.

Students who commence, but subsequently do not wish to complete, the combined degrees program may be eligible to transfer to either the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice programs and to receive credit for some or all of the topics already completed.

Note: Students who do not intend to undertake the Legal Practice component of the award are encouraged to notify the Faculty Administrative Officer (Law) during their final year to ensure they are recorded as a graduand of the Bachelor of Laws.

Program of study [March, 2008]

To qualify for the combined degrees program of Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice, a student must complete the following program of study with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic:

• a law component of 138 units for the Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice or 120 units for the Bachelor of Laws [see Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice entry for further information];
• 75-unit Bachelor of Science component comprising:
  27 units of First Year topics,
  a major of 36 units, and a minor of 12 units from the programs listed below, or
  an extended major of 48 units from the programs listed below.