Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education: Science) and Bachelor of Science

This five-year combined degree gives you a professional qualification to teach science in secondary schools.You will acquire a strong practical and theoretical preparation for teaching.

The course covers professional teaching, special education, international education, and information and communications technology.The course requires you to complete a major in a science teaching area.

Science teaching areas available include biology, chemistry, earth and environmental science, geography, and physics.

You also need to complete at least two years of a second science teaching area, which can include mathematics.

All students need to take one year of mathematics as part of this course.School observation and work-based training are integral components of the professional experience in this degree.

This professional experience is offered in partnership with participating schools and will provide you with the opportunity to develop your teaching skills and professional understanding.In fifth year you can choose from various education units, including Teaching International English, Meeting the Needs of Cultural Diversity, and Responding to Diverse Needs in Schools.

Admission criteria

Admission to this course is on the basis of the following criteria:

• a secondary education qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents), or approved higher education study, including approved preparation courses.
• Applicants to all undergraduate education degrees (except Early Childhood) will be required to complete a brief personal statement. For more information, visit our personal statement FAQ page.
• English language requirements where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English.

Admission pathways are open to domestic applicants on the basis of equity or other adjustment factors, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. For details, visit admission pathways.

Prerequisites

This course has a mathematics course prerequisite. For details on the prerequisite, and how it applies to you, visit: Mathematics course prerequisites.

Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) The requirement to complete the LANTITE applies to all students enrolled in the BEd (Primary); BEd (Health and PE); BEd (Secondary:Humanities and Social Sciences)/BA; BEd (Secondary: Maths)/BSc; BEd (Secondary: Science)/BSc; and all Master of Teaching programs except MTeach (Early Childhood).

Information about LANTITE for students commencing their studies in 2017 and beyond will be required to have successfully completed testing as follows: All BEd students commencing their studies in 2017 and beyond will be expected to sit and pass the test within the first two years of candidature.

Register to take the LANTITE.

For information about teacher-accreditation requirements in NSW, including the testing, visit the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).

Inherent requirements for programs in secondary education To assist students to make informed choices about their study, the Sydney School of Education and Social Work has identified inherent requirements for coursework-award courses in Secondary Education. In order to successfully complete such a course, students must possess these qualities and skills (PDF).

Credit for previous study

If you’ve already completed university-level or equivalent subjects, you may be able to apply for credit for previous study.

What you'll study