Become a qualified secondary science teacher in middle (Years 7–9) and senior (Years 10–12) school.
The education component develops professional knowledge and practice through courses on campus and at a variety of school / education sites. The science component develops a background in two selected teaching areas: biology, chemistry, English, health, marine studies, mathematics, physical education, physics, science, history or geography. School-based, supervised professional experiences start in second year.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
The education component develops professional knowledge and practice through courses on campus and at a variety of school / education sites. The science component develops a background in two selected teaching areas: biology, chemistry, English, health, marine studies, mathematics, physical education, physics, science, history or geography. School-based, supervised professional experiences start in second year.
The University also offers a Bachelor of Education / Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education / Bachelor of Business.
Post-admission requirements
Students must complete 80 days of Supervised Professional Experience, completed as full-time blocks as program approved. The majority of Supervised Professional Experience must be completed in a Queensland school. Students are required to complete 20 days of Wider Field Experience. Students must undergo a criminal history check and obtain a Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG) before the first workplace experience — refer to Requirements for placements.
Career opportunities
Teacher in secondary schools, training organisations, careers in related discipline areas.
Membership
Queensland College of Teachers. Registration is a requirement to teach in Queensland schools.
Program structure
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 32 required courses.
- Complete a minimum of 80 days of Supervised Professional Experience, completed as full-time blocks. One major Supervised Professional Experience must be completed in a Queensland school.
- Complete 20 days of Wider Field Experience.
In order to commence Supervised Professional Experience placement you must:
- Hold a valid Suitability Card (Blue Card), throughout the duration of your program, which is issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG). You should allow 12 weeks for CCYPCG to issue the card. Note: students who do not possess a valid Blue Card will be unable to complete the field education component of their program and will be unable to meet graduation requirements. Refer to Requirements for placements.
- Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state/territory authority).
- Travel to attend Supervised Professional Experience placements.
Program notes
- MTH100 does not assume you have successfully completed Years 11-12 Mathematics B (or equivalent). MTH100 does not meet the prerequisite necessary to enrol in advanced level mathematics courses. Should you wish to proceed to 200 or 300 level mathematics courses, you would first need to successfully complete MTH100 and then MTH102 .
- MTH102 assumes you have successfully completed Years 11-12 Mathematics B (or equivalent). Note that MTH102 is a prerequisite for advanced level (200 and 300 level) mathematics courses.
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Students may elect to complete a minor teaching area from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences discipline studies. Students taking this option will require personal assistance from a program adviser from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling please refer to the Study Plan.
Science discipline courses
Select 1 major teaching area (12 courses) from:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Health
- Marine Studies
- Mathematics - refer to program notes above relating to MTH102
- Physical Education
- Physics
Plus select 1 minor teaching area (4 courses) from:
- Health (available only with Physical Education)
- Mathematics - refer to program notes above relating to MTH102
- Science (available only with Mathematics)
- History
- Geography
- English
Education courses
Select 1 course from:
COR109 Physics
COR110 Introduction to Engineering Design
13 required courses:
EDU100 Soil Mechanics
EDU101 Numerical Analysis
EDU201 Fluids, Waves and Thermodynamics
EDU202 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
EDU210 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
EDU220 Chemistry
EDU221 Science Research Methods
EDU301 Engineering Hydrology
EDU310 Engineering Research Methodology
EDU311 Introduction to Weather and Climate
EDU312 Applied Spatial Analysis and Geoprocessing
EDU330 Engineering Project Management
SCS130 Applied Systems Modelling
Plus select 2 Education elective courses from:
EDU302 Engineering Project 1
EDU303 Design of Wastewater Treatment Systems
EDU304 Engineering Project 2
EDU305 Reservoir and Stormwater Engineering
EDU313 Design of Water Supply Systems
EDU314 Design of Roads and Drainage
EDU340 Communication and Thought
EDU341 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
EDU351 Becoming a Teacher
EDU371 Learning about Learning
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 Learning office (Level 2, C Building). Note: If you do not possess a current Blue Card, you will be unable to complete the Supervised 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.
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
- Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Science - Biology Major, English, Geography or History Minor
- Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Science - Biology Major, Mathematics Minor
- Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Science - Health Major, English, Geography or History Minor
- Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Science - Health Major, Mathematics Minor
- Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Science - Marine Studies Major, English, Geography or History Minor
- Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Science - Marine Studies Major, Mathematics Minor
- Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Science - Mathematics Major, English, Science, Geography or History Minor
- Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Science - Physics Major, English, Geography or History Minor
- Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Science - Physics Major, Mathematics Minor
- Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Science - Chemistry Major, English, Geography or History Minor
- Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Science - Chemistry Major, Mathematics Minor
- Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Science - Physical Education Major, English, Health, Geography or History Minor
- Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Science - Physical Education Major, Mathematics Minor
- Bachelor of Education / Bachelor of Science: Study Plan