Bachelor of Science / Master of Teaching (Secondary)
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Science / Master of Teaching (Secondary) |
| Deakin course code | D304 |
| Course version | 3 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Course Information | For students who commenced from 2020 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Online | No |
| 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 2025. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS code | 089567C 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
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Other learning experiences
- Research and research-related study
- Fees and charges
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 course 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 one of Australia’s largest growing professions?
Start with Deakin’s Bachelor of Science and choose two science teaching areas that will lead to your postgraduate specialisations. Create unique course combinations that when paired with teaching core units, 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 1,400 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 a nationally accredited course and students are eligible to apply for registration with VIT upon graduation. If you intend to apply for registration in Victoria or interstate you may be required to provide further information. Applicants are advised to check the registration requirements in their state or territory, carefully.
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.
Course learning outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Science (S320) | Course Learning Outcomes Master of Teaching (Secondary) (E763) |
|---|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply a broad and coherent knowledge of the scientific disciplines of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and the environment within the chosen major area(s) of study to demonstrate a deep understanding of scientific facts, scientific practices and the edifice of science. Apply technical knowledge and skills and use them in a range of activities, in a professional and/or academic setting within the major area(s) of study; this application of technical knowledge and skills being characterised by demonstrable in-depth knowledge of scientific methods and tools, and demonstrable proficiency in the utilisation of chosen major area(s) knowledge. Use hypotheses, laws, facts and theories to investigate, test, analyse, and evaluate scientific data and demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgement and responsibility to argue about characteristics and aspects of scientific theory in the advancement of science. | Contribute to critical, professional debates about education theory; local, national and global trends; curriculum; Indigenous and intercultural perspectives; and legal, professional and ethical codes and standards, and critique and apply these understandings to inform their own practice. |
| Communication | Demonstrate listening skills and the ability to use a range of communication skills to accommodate, encourage and answer audience questions. Articulate the boundaries or limits of scientific information, experimental or field data, discuss error, probability, uncertainty, conclusions and arguments. Judge how well to present essential details of scientific procedures, key observations, results and conclusions in a professional manner using appropriate style, language and references including local, national, and international contributions or contexts. | Apply critical thinking, pedagogical knowledge and effective interpersonal, oral, written and multimodal communication skills to demonstrate empathy, foster learner agency, establish positive and inclusive learning-friendly environments, and build effective professional partnerships and trust with families/caregivers, teaching colleagues and other stakeholders. |
| Digital literacy | Use well-developed technical skills, judgement and responsibility to independently locate, analyse, evaluate the merits of, synthesise and disseminate scientific literature, information, data and results. | Act in accordance with the ethical and legal frameworks and policy that inform responsible and ethical practice in digital environments, and critically discuss, evaluate and employ a range of appropriate digital literacies, resources and technologies for professional/community/learner engagement and agency. |
| Critical thinking | Locate and evaluate scientific information from multiple sources and use scientific methods and frameworks to structure and plan observations, experimentation or fieldwork investigations. Use critical and analytical thinking and judgement to analyse, synthesise and generate an integrated knowledge, formulate hypotheses and test them against evidence-based scientific concepts and principles. | Contribute to critical and professional debates about education trends, theory, policy and research and use these understandings to critically reflect on and evaluate own teaching practices and diverse learning data sets to make informed evidence-based judgements for enhancements and innovations to improve learner agency and outcomes. |
| Problem solving | Use initiative and creativity in planning, identifying and using multiple approaches to recognise, clarify, construct and solve problems taking into account relevant contextual factors. Advocate scientific methodologies, hypotheses, laws, facts and principles to create solutions to authentic real world problems. | Collaboratively and independently use evidence and research to identify, prioritise and creatively respond to problems that arise in professional learning and practice. |
| Self-management | Take personal, professional and social responsibility within changing professional science contexts to develop autonomy as learners and evaluate own performance. Work autonomously, responsibly and safely to solve unstructured problems and actively apply knowledge of regulatory frameworks and scientific methodologies to make informed choices. | Engage autonomously and responsibly with critical self-reflection, self-assessment and feedback from others, to inform their own learning, plan for professional development and to balance academic demands with self-care /self-management. |
| Teamwork | Work independently and collaboratively as a team to contribute towards achieving team goals and thereby demonstrate interpersonal skills including the ability to brainstorm, negotiate, resolve conflicts, managing difficult and awkward conversations, provide constructive feedback and work in diverse professional, social and cultural contexts. | Actively and collaboratively participate in, and/or lead learning communities, involving learners, families, community members, colleagues and the broader profession to deepen understandings of education and to optimise learning and learner well-being. |
| Global citizenship | Apply scientific knowledge and skills with a high level of autonomy, judgement, responsibility and accountability in collaboration with others to articulate the place and importance of science in the local and global community. | Engage in research, and with the legal and ethical obligations of the teaching profession, to develop informed positions on and approaches to educational transformation as applied to learner agency and citizenship; Indigenous and intercultural issues; global education trends and issues; and, social justice and sustainability. |
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Science/Master of Teaching students must pass 36 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Science
- SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- 7 credit points of core units (excluding SLE209)
- 1 Science major (6 credit points)
- 2 credit points of chemistry units (choice dependent upon completion of Year 12 Chemistry)
- 4 credit points of course elective education units
- 5 credit points of course electives from a second Science major
- a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
- a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3 (including a minimum of 4 Science units)
- 12 credit points from the Master of Teaching (Secondary) (minimum WAM of 60 required*)
- ELN010 Australian Literacy Test (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- ELN011 Australian Numeracy Test (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- 8 credit points of core units
- 4 credit points of approved curriculum study units from two teaching specialist areas
- course requirements for both Bachelor of Science (S320) and Master of Teaching (Secondary) (E763) must be satisfied
Eligibility*
Following successful completion of the first three undergraduate levels of the course (24 credit points), 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.
Note:
- 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
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Note:
- Students are required to complete two zero (0) credit point units ELN010 and ELN011 as part of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) in order to graduate from their course. Students are expected to attempt the tests within the first year of their course. Students who do not attempt the tests within their first year may be unable to progress with their studies until an attempt has been made
- 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
| SLE010 | Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points) |
| STP010 | Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points) |
| SLE103 | Ecology and the Environment |
| SLE111 | Cells and Genes |
| SLE115 | Essential Skills in Science |
| SLE123 | Physics for the Life Sciences |
| SLE200 | Communicating Science Ideas |
Choose one from:
| SLE352 | Community Science Project |
or
| SLE301 | Professional Practice |
~Mathematics choose one from:
| SIT190 | Introduction to Functions, Relations and Graphs |
or
| SIT191 | Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis |
Plus 2 credit points of Chemistry as follows:
For students who have not completed Year 12 Chemistry or equivalent:
| SLE155 | Chemistry for the Professional Sciences (^) |
| SLE133 | Chemistry in Our World |
or
For students who completed Year 12 Chemistry or equivalent:
| SLE155 | Chemistry for the Professional Sciences (^) |
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
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:
| EDU201 | Educational Psychology |
| EDU202 | Educators and Learners |
| EDU203 | Literacy, Numeracy and Education |
| EDU301 | Culture, Diversity and Participation in Education |
| EDU302 | Education and Humanitarian Development |
| EDU303 | Education, Communication and Technology |
Master of Teaching (Secondary) structure
| ELN010 | Australian Literacy Test (zero (0) credit points) |
| ELN011 | Australian Numeracy Test (zero (0) credit points) |
7 core units (8 credit points)
| EEE754 | Language, Literacies and Learning |
| EEE755 | Numeracy, Social Justice and New Pedagogies |
| EEE756 | Health, Wellbeing and Inclusive Education |
| EEH730 | Promoting Student Wellbeing |
Professional Experience Placement Units*
(*please note unit rules for order in which these must be completed)
| EPR781 | Orientation to the Teaching Profession (replaces EPR731) |
| EPR782 | Building Capacity in Professional Experience (replaces EPR732) |
| EPR785 | Reflecting 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
| ESM724 | Mathematics Curriculum Inquiry |
| ESM725 | Mathematics Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years |
Learning Area 3: Science
Single method: One of Science, Biology, Chemistry, Env. Science
| ESS744 | Science Curriculum Inquiry |
Plus one of
| ESS767 | Biology Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years |
| ESS768 | Chemistry Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years |
| ESS742 | Environmental Science Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years |
| ESS755 | General Science Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years |
Dual method: Two of Science, Biology, Chemistry, Env. Science
| ESS744 | Science Curriculum Inquiry |
| ESS741 | Sustainability and Environmental Education |
Plus two of
| ESS767 | Biology Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years |
| ESS768 | Chemistry Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years |
| ESS742 | Environmental Science Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years |
| ESS755 | General Science Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years |
Learning Area 6: Health and PE
Single method: Home Economics
| EEH706 | Home Economics Curriculum Inquiry |
| EEH707 | Home Economics Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years |
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Other learning experiences
Experiences in community and school 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.
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 or 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.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
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. These scholarships are not automatic, and you will need to apply.
Deakin does not administer these scholarships. For more information about the eligibility, application process and opening and closing dates, please visit the Victorian Government website.