Why study science teaching at UoN?

The School of Education at the University of Newcastle is the largest provider of on-campus initial teacher education in Australia.

Our programs develop graduates who are:

• Inspirational teachers with the capability to act professionally, ethically and effectively in their classroom destinations
• Insightful scholars with the capability to engage in rational enquiry into curriculum, policy and practice
• Innovative leaders with the capability to play a constructive role in public discourse on and beyond education.

There is significant demand for skilled science teachers across the education sector. The Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary)/Bachelor of Science at the University of Newcastle develops graduates who have the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary for a highly successful career in teaching.

The degree is offered as a four year full-time program or part-time equivalent. The program requires the successful completion of 320 units of study that are normally offered as 40 units per semester for eight semesters. Students will complete the equivalent of 90 days professional experience in relevant school settings.

If you have a passion for learning, a commitment to helping young people, and a desire to transform people's lives, you'll find teaching a truly rewarding career.

What you will study

In your first year you will be introduced to the foundations of education, learn how to incorporate technology into teaching and learning and commence studies in how to teach the secondary science curriculum. Find out more

Gain real-world experience

Our degrees involve an exciting combination of courses including studies in the philosophy and psychology of learning and teaching and studies in the social and cultural contexts of education. Find out more

Teachers are in demand

Now is a great time for you to get into teaching. Teachers are in demand both nationally and internationally, and this demand is only expected to increase as the current teaching workforce reaches retirement age. Find out more

Meet our achievers

Hear from graduates and current students. Discover how their future is taking shape, and learn first-hand what it's like to study at uni. Find out more

What you will study

In your first year you will be introduced to the foundations of education, learn how to incorporate technology into teaching and learning and commence studies in how to teach the secondary science curriculum. You will also study the mathematics you need to have a successful career in science teaching, and explore statistics for the sciences. Further, you will have the opportunity to select courses in one of the following discipline majors:

• physics
• chemistry
• biology
• Earth and environmental science.

In your second year you will study the psychology of learning and teaching, the social contexts of education, the theory and practice of classroom and behaviour management and extend your understanding of teaching high school science. You will also continue studies in your discipline major, complete study in a second area of science from the majors list and engage in your first 20-day supervised professional experience placement in a secondary school.

In your third year you will study special education, or how to work with children who have additional learning needs, and have the opportunity to employ the strategies you learn in a 20-day supervised professional experience placement. You will also study Aboriginal education, policy and issues and expand your repertoire by furthering your knowledge of science curriculum and pedagogy. You will also continue studies in your discipline major.

In your final year you will study how to teach the discipline-specific literacies of your subject area, and engage in the study of how to teach senior science. Your year will conclude with a 50-day internship where you will take leadership of a series of science classes in a secondary high school. You will also have the opportunity to take two elective courses in a science area of your choice.

This degree program is subject to approval from the NSW Institute of Teachers.

Gain real-world experience

Our degrees involve an exciting combination of courses including:

• studies in the philosophy and psychology of learning and teaching
• studies in the social and cultural contexts of education
• discipline studies (in areas related to school curricula)
• secondary specialist curriculum and pedagogy studies
• professional studies (including a minimum of 90 days professional experience)
• a minimum of 20 units of free electives.

Students in our degrees will complete a minimum of three professional experience placements.

In-school professional experiences are supervised by school or University staff and may involve placement in schools in geographic regions outside the Newcastle area. By the completion of the program, students are expected to satisfy a range of professional teaching competencies and meet the graduate level Professional Teaching Standards of the NSW Institute of Teachers.

Teachers are in demand

Now is a great time for you to get into teaching. Teachers are in demand both nationally and internationally, and this demand is only expected to increase as the current teaching workforce reaches retirement age.

According to the NSW Department of Education, demand for teachers is particularly strong in the secondary teaching areas of mathematics, science, technology, English, special education, legal studies, business studies and commerce. Recent Federal Government policies have also placed early childhood educators in demand.

However teachers of all secondary subjects can find work, often full-time, and certainly as casual and temporary teachers throughout NSW. Similar opportunities for graduates exist across State and Territory systems of education as well as in Catholic and Independent schools.

A rewarding career path

Teaching is an immensely rewarding career, where you can have a profound impact on young people’s education, career aspirations and lives generally.

Your work in schools can impact positively on local communities and even contribute to the creation of a better world. At its core, teaching is ethical and political work that is critical to how society functions. There are also opportunities for promotion within teaching as well as many opportunities to use a teaching degree as a basis for employment in other occupations.

A passport to travel

There are fantastic opportunities for teachers to take their professional knowledge and work across the globe. The recruitment of Australian teaching graduates is particularly strong in countries across Asia, the United Kingdom and the Americas, but similar opportunities can be found throughout the world.

Meet our achievers