Bachelor of Science / Master of Teaching (Secondary)

2024 Deakin University Handbook

Year

2024 course information

Award granted

Bachelor of Science / Master of Teaching (Secondary)

Deakin course codeD304
Faculty

Faculty of Arts and Education

CampusOffered at Burwood (Melbourne)
OnlineNo
Duration

4 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Course Map - enrolment planning tool

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2024.

Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

CRICOS course code089567C Burwood (Melbourne)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7/9

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Translate your passion for the study of sciences into a career that inspires others, with a Bachelor of Science/Master of Teaching (Secondary) at Deakin. Create unique course combinations with science specialisations and graduate as a qualified secondary school educator.

This industry-led combined degree allows you to fast-track your studies and graduate with two degrees in just four years. You will explore a broad range of science disciplines before focusing on a specialisation.

At the same time, develop the attributes, discipline-specific knowledge and professional behaviours required to practise as a secondary school teacher in Australia. Learn by doing and build practical experience through hands-on lab work, professional placements, work-integrated learning and international study experiences.

Are you ready to join Australia’s largest profession?

Start with Deakin’s Bachelor of Science and choose two science majors that will lead to your postgraduate specialisations. Create unique course combinations that when paired with teaching core unit, customise your degree and boost your employability. Study disciplines including:

  • biology or general science
  • chemistry or general science
  • environmental science or general science
  • food science
  • mathematics.

During your postgraduate studies, Deakin’s Professional Experience Program is a key part of your course, ensuring you have the practical skills needed from day one of your teaching career. Working with more than 1400 schools across Australia, we will arrange at least 60-days of placements for you in schools where you will learn from experienced teachers. You will have access to specialised teaching spaces on campus to prepare for teaching.

Take part in our study abroad and work-integrated learning programs and gain invaluable experience you won’t find in the classroom. You’ll have the opportunity to be a part of our Global Science and Technology Program* or develop industry-relevant skills through our professional learning placements.

Before beginning your Master of Teaching, prospective education students need to successfully complete the Casper test – an online, video scenario-based test that lets you demonstrate your suitability for a teaching career.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) as an initial teacher education program against the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) program standards and the Australian professional standards for graduate teachers. Graduates of this course who are intending to apply for registration in Victoria or interstate may be required to provide further information. Applicants are advised to check the registration requirements in their state or territory, carefully.

The Bachelor of Science (Chemistry major) has been professionally accredited by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI). Graduates of this course are encouraged to apply for membership of the respective local branch of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

Career opportunities

As a graduate of the Bachelor of Science/Master of Teaching (Secondary), you will be qualified to teach in secondary schools within Victoria, in the private, independent or public education sectors. Your specialisations and advanced knowledge will also open doors to roles in:

  • community services
  • government agencies
  • not-for-profit organisations

For more information go to DeakinTALENT

Participation requirements

Professional Experience Placements are a compulsory component of the course and a requirement for registration as a graduate teacher. Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Students are required to check the placement calendars published on the Professional Experience Office website each year. Placement takes priority over employment and placement periods are generally block placements of 5 full-time days per week over 2-5 weeks.

Course delivery is blended and students are required to dedicate time to weekly engagement with located or online teaching and learning activities and resources. This is recommended at combined total 8-10 hours per week per unit including active learning/engagement either face to face or online, and independent study.

Some units will require students to attend schools or institutions for site-based learning and teaching experiences. Some units will require students to attend schools or institutions for site-based learning and teaching experiences. Some units can only be completed face to face at Burwood or as online study. Students are advised to check the unit delivery options for each required unit.

Mandatory student checks

Students will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course in Year 3, Trimester 3. Learn more about Working with Children Checks.

Interstate applicants must check the requirements and meet all conditions for undertaking professional experience in schools for their state or territory before undertaking professional experience placements as part of this course.

Inherent requirements

It is expected that all students will be able to abide by, and ensure their behaviour is in accordance with the Victorian Institute of Teaching Code of Conduct.

Immunisations

Immunisation and/or vaccination requirements will be communicated by the Professional Experience Office in line with the Department of Education and Training's directions at the time of placement.

For further information contact the School of Education, Professional Experience Office.

Teacher Education Graduation requirements

Students undertaking an initial teacher education course must pass an approved literacy and numeracy test in order to be eligible to graduate and apply for teacher registration. Learn more about the literacy and numeracy test.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.

Victorian Government free education scholarships

In 2023, the Victorian Government announced a range of government-administered scholarships for eligible domestic students commencing a secondary school teaching degree in 2024 and 2025.

Deakin does not administer these scholarships. For more information about, please visit the Premier of Victoria’s website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Please refer to the Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) of the single degree.

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Science/Master of Teaching (Secondary), students must complete a total of 36 credit points consisting of 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Science and 12 credit points from the Master of Teaching (Secondary), which must include the following:

Bachelor of Science studies

Students must complete 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Science, including:

  • 7 credit points of core units, including 1 credit point of Mathematics as follows;
    • SIT190 Introduction to Functions, Relations and Graphs or;
    • SIT191 Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis.
      Note: that students undertaking D304 are not required to undertake SLE209 Science and Society – core unit in the single degree S320 Bachelor of Science
  • 1 credit points of Chemistry units as follows:
    • Students who have not completed Year 12 Chemistry or equivalent take SLE133 or SLE155
    • Students who completed Year 12 Chemistry or equivalent take SLE155 and 1 credit point elective (must be Science course grouped)
  • One approved Bachelor of Science major sequence of at least 6 credit points selected from:
    • One of Animal Biology, Cell Biology and Genomics, Human Biology or Plant Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Environmental Science
    • Food Science
    • Mathematical Modelling
  • 5 credit points of Science course grouped elective units chosen from a second Bachelor of Science major listed above*
  • Students must complete all three compulsory 0-credit point units to graduate from their course:
    • DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit).
    • SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit point compulsory unit) and;
    • STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0 credit point unit)
  • 4 credit points selected from:
    • EDU201 Educational Psychology
    • EDU202 Educators and Learners
    • EDU203 Literacy, Numeracy and Education
    • EDU303 Education, Communication and Technology
    • EDU301 Culture, Diversity and Participation in Education
    • EDU302 Education and Humanitarian Development
  • Level 3 - at least 6 credit points

Following successful completion of the first 3 undergraduate levels of the course, students with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) above 60 progress to the postgraduate level of the course. Students cannot progress to the postgraduate level of study without completing all 24 credit points at undergraduate level. A WAM of less than 60 results in an alternative exit from D304 with award S320 Bachelor of Science.

A Working with Children Check and completion of Casper selection is required before commencing any units from the Master of Teaching (Secondary).

* Students wishing to pursue studies in Geography should discuss unit selections with their enrolment officer

Master of Teaching (Secondary) studies

Students must complete 12 credit points from the Master of Teaching (Secondary), including:

  • 7 core units (8 credit points)
  • 2 curriculum study units in first teaching specialist area
  • 2 curriculum study units in second teaching specialist area
  • Students must complete both compulsory 0-credit-point units for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE)
    • ELN010 Australian Literacy Test (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
    • ELN011 Australian Numeracy Test (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

This course includes 60-days of supervised professional experience, and students must successfully complete the Deakin Teaching Performance Assessment. Successful completion of this course indicates that a student has met the expected standard of performance for each of the Graduate Teacher Standards.

Course structure

Bachelor of Science structure

Core Units

SLE010Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points)

STP010Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points)

SLE103Ecology and the Environment

SLE111Cells and Genes

SLE115Essential Skills in Science

SLE123Physics for the Life Sciences

SLE200Communicating Science Ideas

Choose one from:

SLE352Community Science Project

or

SLE301Professional Practice

~Mathematics choose one from:

SIT190Introduction to Functions, Relations and Graphs

or

SIT191Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis

Plus 1 credit points of Chemistry as follows:

SLE133Chemistry in Our World

Or

SLE155Chemistry for the Professional Sciences (^)

And

For students who completed Year 12 Chemistry or equivalent:

1 elective unit (science course grouped)

^Assumed knowledge: SLE133 Chemistry in our World or high achievement in VCE Chemistry 3 and 4 (or equivalent).

Please note: SLE155 Chemistry for the Professional Sciences is a required prerequisite when undertaking the Cell Biology and Genomics and Chemistry majors.

Major sequences - Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability

Students must complete 6 credit points from one of the following:

One of Animal Biology , Cell Biology and Genomics, Human Biology, or Plant Biology

Chemistry

Environmental Science

Food Science

Mathematical Modelling

Plus 5 credit points of Science course grouped elective units chosen from a second Bachelor of Science major listed above*

*Note: Students wishing to pursue studies in Geography should discuss unit selections with their enrolment officer.

Plus 4 credit points selected from:

EDU201Educational Psychology

EDU202Educators and Learners

EDU203Literacy, Numeracy and Education

EDU301Culture, Diversity and Participation in Education

EDU302Education and Humanitarian Development

EDU303Education, Communication and Technology

Master of Teaching (Secondary) structure

ELN010Australian Literacy Test (zero (0) credit points)

ELN011Australian Numeracy Test (zero (0) credit points)

7 core units (8 credit points)

EEE754Language, Literacies and Learning

EEE755Numeracy, Social Justice and New Pedagogies

EEE756Health, Wellbeing and Inclusive Education

EEH730Promoting Student Wellbeing

Professional Experience Placement Units*

(*please note unit rules for order in which these must be completed)

EPR781Orientation to the Teaching Profession (replaces EPR731)

EPR782Building Capacity in Professional Experience (replaces EPR732)

EPR785Reflecting On Practice in Professional Experience (2 credit points, replaces EPR735)

Plus

2 Secondary Curriculum Studies units in a first teaching method area

And

2 Secondary Curriculum Studies units in a second teaching method area

Secondary Curriculum Study Units

All Secondary candidates will have 2 methods (disciplines) as reflected in their undergraduate major and minor sequences related to the Australian Curriculum.

Candidates undertake 2 curriculum studies units (as prescribed) per method (4 units for dual/double), across 1 or 2 learning areas.

Note: D304 permits a choice between learning areas 2 or 3 from the Secondary Curriculum learning areas of 1:English, 2:Mathematics, 3:Science, 4:Humanities, 5:Languages, 6:Health and PE, 7:The Arts.

Learning Area 2: Mathematics

Single method: Mathematics

ESM724Mathematics Curriculum Inquiry

ESM725Mathematics Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years

Learning Area 3: Science

Single method: One of Science, Biology, Chemistry, Env. Science

ESS744Science Curriculum Inquiry

Plus one of

ESS767Biology Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years

ESS768Chemistry Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years

ESS742Environmental Science Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years

ESS755General Science Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years

Dual method: Two of Science, Biology, Chemistry, Env. Science

ESS744Science Curriculum Inquiry

ESS741Sustainability and Environmental Education

Plus two of

ESS767Biology Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years

ESS768Chemistry Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years

ESS742Environmental Science Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years

ESS755General Science Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years

Learning Area 6: Health and PE

Single method: Home Economics

EEH706Home Economics Curriculum Inquiry

EEH707Home Economics Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years

Other course information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Other learning experiences

Experiences in community and school or early childhood settings are embedded in some curriculum units beyond the professional experience placements. Students are also encouraged to volunteer in these settings. Wherever possible, academic staff work alongside education professionals and preservice teachers in these authentic learning experiences.

Research and research-related study

Independent research and practitioner research and training components are embedded across a number of units. Preservice teachers are expected to apply an integrated, critical and advanced understanding of complex bodies of knowledge and research skills in education in their practice.