- Pre-service experience starts in the first year
- Mentoring from school-based teachers starts in second semester
- Graduates are in demand throughout Queensland
Program summary
Program title: Bachelor of Primary Education
Award abbreviation: BPrimaryEd
QTAC code: 017301
OP/Rank for 2012 entry: OP-15 / Rank-69
Duration: 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Commence: Semester 1 only
Study mode: on campus
Prerequisite: English (4,SA)
Recommended prior study: Maths A, B or C; Science; History
Recommended prior preparation: Criminal History check, Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG)
Fee type 2012: Commonwealth supported places, fee paying places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 384
USC program code: ED304
CRICOS code: 073277M. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
The Bachelor of Primary Education focuses on effective teaching strategies in science, literacy and numeracy in primary education.
This program brings together the theory and practice of teaching in a primary school setting (Prep–Year 7). You develop global perspectives on curriculum and an understanding of the characteristics of diverse learners in today's classrooms. Curriculum knowledge is developed in English, mathematics, science and technology, the arts, health, physical education, and studies of society and environment. You undertake one school placement each year, and two placements in the final year.
Additional admission requirement
This program has higher English language proficiency requirements than most other programs at this level offered by the University. Refer to the English language requirements for more information.
Post-admission requirements
You must complete 25 weeks of Supervised Professional Experience, completed as full-time blocks. You are also required to complete 25 days of Wider Field Experience. You must obtain a Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG) before your first workplace experience—refer to Requirements for placements.
Career opportunities
Teacher in primary education context, training context other than schools.
Registration
Graduates may register with the Queensland College of Teachers. Registration is a requirement to teach in Queensland schools.
Enquiries
- Contact Student Administration for application and admission information
- Contact the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering for program advice
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 31 courses†, including 28 required courses and 3 electives.
- Complete no more than 12 introductory level courses, including core courses.
- Complete a minimum of 25 weeks Supervised Professional Experience, completed as full-time blocks.
- Complete 25 days of Wider Field Experience.
† EDU405 is equivalent to 2 courses and is scheduled in your final semester of study.
To commence Supervised Professional Experience you must:
- Travel to attend Supervised Professional Experience placements.
- A Suitability Card is required, refer to Requirements for placements.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Electives can be used to increase curriculum knowledge in a Key Learning Area.
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling, please refer to the [TabLink top Study Plan]Study Plan.
Program structure
Core course
1 required course:
COR109 Human Development and Early Learning
Introductory required courses
6 required courses:
EDU101 Workplace Learning: Developing a Personal Pedagogy
EDU102 Teaching Science in Primary Schools
EDU103 Australian History and Geography in SOSE
EDU104 Pedagogy of the Arts and HPE in Primary Schools
EDU105 The Diverse Learner across Early Childhood Contexts
EDU106 The Inquiring Teacher *
plus select 1 courses from:
COR111 Teaching Primary School Mathematics *
EDU107 The Global Teacher*
Advanced required courses
21 required courses:
EDU203 Diversity and the Exceptional Child *EDU204 Literacy and Literature within the Primary Curriculum *
EDU205 Sustainable Teaching Practices *
EDU221 Workplace Learning: Refining the Craft of Teaching *
EDU305 Communication and Thought
EDU308 Learning about Learning
EDU309 The Primary Teacher
EDU316 Engaging 21st Century Learners
EDU317 Foundation of English and Mathematics
EDU318 Building Community Connections
EDU340 Workplace Learning: Connecting with Teacher Standards
EDU341 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
EDU342 Science and Sustainability in Primary Schools
EDU343 Pedagogy, Play and Assessment
EDU400 Pedagogy of the Arts and Technology
EDU401 Workplace Learning: Micro Skills for Effectiveness
EDU402 Curriculum B Middle Years 4-10: Assessment for Learning
EDU403 Human Development and Early Learning
EDU404 Workplace Learning: Developing a Personal Pedagogy
EDU405 Teaching Science in Primary Schools
EDU652 Australian History and Geography in SOSE
Elective courses
Select 2 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Requirements for placements
As required by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act (2000), preservice teachers must undergo a criminal history check and be issued with a Suitability Card (Blue Card) by the Commission to allow them to undertake field experience in a school or centre where children under 18 years of age are present. It is now a requirement of all Queensland sites and most Australian sites that preservice teachers have obtained the Blue Card prior to starting professional workplace learning.
To avoid processing delays, you are encouraged to apply for a Blue Card as soon as you have accepted your offer. Blue Cards are free-of-charge for Education students when you apply through USC’s Professional Workplace Learning office (Level 2, C Building). Note: If you do not possess a current Blue Card, you will be unable to complete the professional experience component of your program and you will be unable to meet graduation requirements.
Visit the Commission's website for information on Blue Cards and how to apply.
* Course outlines subject to University approval.
Study Plan
The Bachelor of Primary Education Study Plan is for students commencing in the current semester.
Year 1
- One (1) core course:
COR109 must be studied in Semester 2 - Six (6) required courses
- One (1) elective course:
Choose between COR111 or EDU107 in Semester 1
Core course (1)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| COR109 Special Field Studies Topic |
Required courses (6)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU101 Analytical Sciences | |||
| EDU102 Special Research Project | |||
| EDU103 Workplace Learning I | |||
| EDU104 Research Design: Method and Literature Review | |||
| EDU105 Microbiology | |||
| EDU106 Food Studies |
Elective courses (1)
Select 1 elective course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU107 Food Safety Laws and Regulations | |||
| COR111 Pharmaceutical and Food Microbiology |
Year 2
- Seven (7) required courses:
EDU342 must be studied in Semester 1
EDU205 and EDU652 must be studied in Semester 2 - One (1) elective course:
Elective course must be studied in Semester 1
Required courses (7)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU203 Thermodynamics | |||
| EDU204 Dynamics 1 | |||
| EDU205 Mechanical Design 1 | |||
| EDU340 Advanced Dynamics and Control | |||
| EDU341 Communication and Thought | |||
| EDU342 Learning about Learning | |||
| EDU652 The Primary Teacher |
Elective course (1)
Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Year 3
- Seven (7) required courses:
EDU221 must be studied in Semester 1 - One (1) elective course:
Elective course must be studied in Semester 1
Required courses (7)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU221 Engaging 21st Century Learners | |||
| EDU305 Foundation of English and Mathematics | |||
| EDU308 Building Community Connections | |||
| EDU309 Workplace Learning: Connecting with Teacher Standards | |||
| EDU316 Science and Sustainability in Primary Schools | |||
| EDU317 Environment, Technology and Sustainability | |||
| EDU343 Pedagogy, Play and Assessment |
Elective course (1)
Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Year 4
Required courses: (7)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU318 Pedagogy of the Arts and Technology | |||
| EDU400 Workplace Learning: Micro Skills for Effectiveness | |||
| EDU401 Teaching Reading and Writing | |||
| EDU402 Teaching Mathematics | |||
| EDU403 Curriculum A Primary Years P-7 | |||
| EDU404 Curriculum B Primary Years P-7 | |||
| EDU405 Curriculum B Middle Years 4-10: Assessment for Learning |
* not available until 2013