Bachelor of Education (Secondary) / Bachelor of Science

School of Education

Are you passionate about teaching Science to secondary students and guiding them through their formative teenage years? The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Bachelor of Education (Secondary)Bachelor of Science degree will give you the qualifications to work with students aged 12 to 17 in Australian Catholic, Independent and Government schools. The five-year double degree has flexible full-time or part-time study options available. As part of your studies, you will complete 32 weeks of school-based practical experience and choose a Major and Specialisation teaching area. Contact us today to start making a difference.

• Why study this degree?

  If your ambition is to teach Science in a secondary school environment, you will be well-prepared with our five-year Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Science degree. It is a well-rounded undergraduate program that combines theory, the latest teaching technology, and plenty of hands-on classroom experience. Working from a rigorous and practical curriculum, you will acquire the academic skills to teach secondary school students.

  In addition, you will be required to choose one major teaching area such as English, Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematics, Science or Religious Education. You will complete eight courses in your chosen major area, plus four courses in your chosen area of specialisation.

  As part of the Bachelor of Science component of the double degree, you will study core interdisciplinary Science courses, including experimental design, maths, biology, and chemistry. These courses provide the basis for strong skills in scientific investigation, including data collection and analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication. These skills are highly sought after by employers within and outside the field of science.

  Building on these core Science courses, you will deepen your study of science by selecting a Science Stream that matches your interests: Biology & Environment, Environment & Heritage, Human & Medical Science, or Multidisciplinary Science. Each Stream ensures in-depth knowledge and skill development through practical hands-on experience in the classroom, the laboratory, and the field. This will prepare you well to inspire your students and teach Science within an educational setting.

  The 32 weeks of supervised teaching (practicum) experience is integral to your degree. This is divided into two weeks of classroom immersion and teacher assistance in your first year; one term with a particular focus on your Learning Area Major in both your second and third years; one term with a special emphasis on your Learning Area Specialisation in your third year; and an internship in your final year which focuses on both your Learning Area Major and Specialisation, as well as Religious Education if you have chosen to complete your accreditation to teach Religious Education.

  Our degree will provide the academic skills needed to support, engage, and extend secondary school children in science by integrating theory and practice. Get in contact with us today to enrol.

  Please note: Education students in WA must sit the national Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE). The test is administered externally by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). You must register and pay for the test.

• Program summary

  Courses	Units of Credit
  Core Curriculum courses	75
  Education compulsory courses	625
  Science compulsory courses	300
  General elective	25
  Total units of credit in the double degree	1025

  Core Curriculum

  • CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
  • CORE II: Elective
    • Electives in philosophy and\or theology
    • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and\or theology
    • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
    • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
    • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions page.

  Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

  See Bachelor of Science Program Requirements for details about ScienceMajors and courses.

• Entry requirements

  Entry requirements WA

  Academic requirements for this program are outlined below.  In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency.  We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program.  See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

  Applicants with recent Secondary Education

  • Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank* of 75

  OR

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 27

  *Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

  Applicants with Higher Education Study

  • Successful completion of 4 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*

  *Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

  Note: Tertiary Preparation Programs are not accepted for entry.

  Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

  • Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

  Applicants with Work and Life Experience

  Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

  • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required.

  OR

  • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 150 in the Multiple Choice section and 150 in the Written English section.

  OR

  • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

  *STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

  Discipline Specific Requirements

  • Applicants to all initial teacher education programs must complete a statement of purpose. This assesses non-academic capabilities important for success in the teaching profession. Assessment of non-academic capabilities for entry into teacher education is a national requirement. View more information regarding this requirement.

  Please note: all applicants must be of school leaving age or older to apply.

• Learning outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) graduates will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a deep professional content knowledge specific to their teaching area/s based on the requirements of The Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline and the developing Australian Curriculum
  2. Have the required professional knowledge of the physical, social, cognitive, emotional, family, and cultural factors that shape an adolescent’s learning in order to become teachers who are able to provide appropriately inclusive programs that support all learners to reach their potential
  3. Maximise the learning potential of adolescents by applying professional practices that are underpinned by sound, research-based pedagogies of how students learn best
  4. Establish a wide repertoire of professional practices in assessment, reporting and evaluation to effectively gauge and reflect a student’s learning
  5. Attain professional attributes and skills through the study of education units and apply this professional learning to meaningful professional practicum experiences to consolidate planning, implementation and evaluation skills furthering adolescents’ educational success and lifelong learning
  6. Advance their knowledge of the current research and theoretical perspectives of secondary education in order to develop sound professional understandings that will support their pedagogical practices for establishing learning environments best suited to adolescents' learning
  7. Undertake professional engagement that is characterized by comprehensive planning, relevant and realistic feedback to students, relevant and appropriate communication with parents and carers, and connections with various other stakeholders
  8. Develop professional dispositions by fostering, articulating, and reflecting in order to understand critically the contributions their teaching area/s makes to the education of their students and be able to take advantage of cross-disciplinary opportunities in their teaching

  Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Science graduates will be able to:

  1. Articulate the methods and philosophy of Science and explain why current scientific knowledge is both contestable and testable
  2. Explain the role and relevance of Science in society
  3. Apply broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge with depth in one or more disciplines
  4. Synthesise and critically evaluate information from a range of sources
  5. Design scientific investigations, collect and interpret data and draw conclusions showing creativity in problem solving
  6. Conduct investigations using practical and theoretical approaches
  7. Communicate results, information, and arguments to audiences for a range of purposes and in a variety of modes
  8. Apply current regulatory frameworks and exercise high personal and professional ethical standards; and
  9. Work independently as a reflective, self-directed learner and, where appropriate, in collaboration with others.

• Practical component

  Students in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) are required to complete a minimum of 32 weeks of practicum that is comprised of:

  • EDUC1294 Professional Experience 1 Secondary (2 continuous weeks in duration – 80 hrs)
  • EDUC2297 Professional Experience 2 Secondary (10 continuous weeks in duration – 400 hrs)
  • EDUC3294 Professional Experience 3 Secondary (10 continuous weeks in duration – 400 hrs)
  • EDUC4291 Professional Experience 4 Secondary (10 continuous weeks in duration – 400 hrs)

  Students are required to provide relevant clearance documents as directed by the School of Education.

• Career opportunities

  Teachers graduating with a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) / Bachelor of Science degree will be able to work in Australia as secondary school teachers in Catholic, Independent and Government schools as Science Teachers. While the Bachelor of Science component prepares you for a wide range of careers depending on your science major, including specialist Science teacher, food chemist, data scientist, marine scientist, or laboratory technician, to name a few.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from academics who are industry leaders and, through our practicum placements and internship programs, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.

• Professional accreditation

  The Bachelor of Education (Secondary) is accredited by the national body the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) via the agency of the Teachers Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA).

• Study abroad

  A global perspective adds a valuable dimension to your university education. At Notre Dame University you can study while experiencing the world. We encourage students to become active global citizens through a range of exchange programs, professional placements, study tours, and volunteer opportunities. Visit International Opportunities to find out more.

• Fees and costs

  This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

  
  

  CSP
  A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at university where the government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, called the ‘student contribution amount’.

  In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

  • The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.
  • The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan.

  Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

  
  

  HECS-HELP
  The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  
  

  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees Page.

• Student profile data

  The tables below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this Program. It provides data on all students who commenced in this Program in the most relevant recent intake period, including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.

  Fremantle Student Profile Data

  TABLE 1a – Bachelor of Education (Secondary) / Bachelor of Science BASIS OF ADMISSION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

  Applicant background	Semester 1 2022
  	Number of students	Percentage of all students
  (A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	<5	N/P
  (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study	N/A	N/A
  (C) Work and life experience (Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)	N/A	N/A
  (D) Recent secondary education: Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	N/A	N/A
  Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, interview, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)	N/A	N/A
  Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, interview, school marks &   recommendation with no minimum ATAR requirement)	<5	100%
  International students	N/A	N/A
  All students	N/P	100.0%

  TABLE 1b – Bachelor of Education (Secondary) / Bachelor of Science ATAR PROFILE DATA FOR APPLICANTS ENTERING ON THE BASIS OF RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

  RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION - ATAR-based offers	ATAR (Excluding adjustment factors) *	Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) *[only if relevant]
  Highest rank to receive an offer	N/A	N/A
  Median rank to receive an offer	N/A	N/A
  Lowest rank to receive an offer	N/A	N/A

  Notes:  

  “<5” – the number of students is less than 5
  N/A – Students not accepted in this category
  N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent the calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students

  In 2022, due to COVID, additional adjustment factor points were granted to applicants from NSW, ACT and VIC.

• More information

  Considering your uni options?

  Talk to one of our career advisors for a personalised advice session. Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process. Book my session.

  
  

  For more information, please call our Prospective Students Office on +61 8 9433 0533 or email future@nd.edu.au.

  
  

  All international enquiries should contact the International Students Office on international@nd.edu.au.