Inspire a new generation to discover science.
Specialist science and maths teachers are in demand across Australia. This double degree lets you combine your passion for science with five-star teaching skills, qualifying you to teach students in Years 7-12. Specialise in two teaching areas such as biology, chemistry, mathematics or geography and learn how to plan lessons, assess students, and manage a classroom of students. You will have the opportunity travel to rural and remote areas for a teaching placement and learn to teach a diverse range of students in varied educational settings.
- 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.
- Recommended prior study: A science subject (preferably Chemistry)
- Applicants must demonstrate non-academic capabilities as per Personal Statement requirement. Applicants from a non-English speaking background must attain an IELTS score of at least 7.5 with a minimum of 8.0 in speaking and listening and 7.0 in all other subtests - refer to English language requirements.
- Campus note: Only first-year courses are offered at Fraser Coast for the Biological Sciences Major and Mathematical Sciences minor. The remainder of the program must be completed at Sippy Downs campus.
- Campus note: Only first-year courses are offered at Fraser Coast for the Biological Sciences Major and Mathematical Sciences minor. The remainder of the program must be completed at Sippy Downs campus.
Specialist science and maths teachers are in demand across Australia. This double degree lets you combine your passion for science with five-star teaching skills, qualifying you to teach students in Years 7-12. Specialise in two teaching areas such as biology, chemistry, mathematics or geography and learn how to plan lessons, assess students, and manage a classroom of students. You will have the opportunity travel to rural and remote areas for a teaching placement and learn to teach a diverse range of students in varied educational settings.
In this program you will:
- Learn how to plan lessons, assess students, and manage a classroom
- Link theory and practice through 80 days of supervised professional experience in Queensland schools
- Engage with community projects through 30 days wider field experience with children, families and communities
- Be provided the opportunity to experience different school settings and learners by taking a trip to rural and remote areas
Prior to commencing, students will need to:
As part of your application, you are required to complete an online questionnaire to demonstrate your motivation for, and understanding of, the program and profession. In the questionnaire, you will be asked to rank a series of statements in order of what you think is most to least important. You will also need to write a 600-1000 word personal statement on why you think you would make a great teacher, and why influencing the future appeals to you.
After you have submitted an application for this program, you will be contacted with further information about the written statement and how to complete your application.
More information is on the QTAC website.
Post-admission requirements
Students complete 80 days of Supervised Professional Experience (SPE), completed as full-time blocks, and 15 days of Wider Field Experience. The majority of Supervised Professional Experience must be completed in Queensland schools. Students must obtain a Blue Card (or link your existing Blue Card to USC) prior to commencing supervised professional experience. Applications should be submitted at least 12 weeks prior to the SPE start date. View the Blue Card Fact Sheet for further information. Blue Cards are free-of-charge for Education students when applying through the School of Education at USC.
Students will also need to successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education students. For more information on this Government initiative please visit the Students First website. Further information on the test, including sample test questions and registration information, please visit the Australian Council of Educational Research website.
Career opportunities:
- Secondary school teacher
- Community education centres
- Private college teacher
- Universities
- Private practice tutor
- Education consultant
- Education exhibition organiser
- Education policy analyst
- Children’s television presenter
- Youth support worker
- Teacher of English overseas
Graduates are eligible to become members of:
- Queensland College of Teachers
Program structure
Required courses (14) 168 units
COR109 Introduction to International Relations: An Australian Perspective
EDU114 Forces of Change in International Politics
EDU300 International Justice and Human Rights
EDU328 International Relations Theory and Practice
EDU410 Advanced Health Assessment
EDU411 Assessment in Mental Health
EDU412 Leadership in Practice Development
EDU415 Research in Health Care
EDU417 Responding in the Emergency Context
EDU419 Coordinating Complex Emergency Situations
EDU420 Global Emergency Issues
EDU421 Learning and Teaching in the Practice Environment
SCI113 Professional Learning I
SCS203 Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Required curriculum and pedagogy courses (4) 48 units
Select 4 curriculum and pedagogy courses (48 units) associated with your teaching areas (major and minor courses) from:
EDU352 Independent Study
EDU353 Communication and Thought
EDU354 Professional Experience: Orientation to the Profession
EDU355 Assessing Learning
EDU356 Professional Experience: Managing Learning Environments
EDU357 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching
EDU363 Professional Experience: The Professional Teacher
EDU364 Diversity and Inclusion
Major courses (8) 96 units
Biological Sciences
Chemical Sciences
Mathematical Sciences
Minor courses (4) 48 units*
Biological Sciences
Chemical Sciences
Geographical Sciences
Mathematical Sciences
* Note: Students must undertake a minor from a different discipline area to their major
Discipline specific courses relating to chosen minor (2) 24 units
Select 2 discipline specific courses (24 units) from:
Biological Sciences
LFS100 Teacher as Researcher *
SCI102 Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum
*Students commencing 2019 are to replace LFS100 with LFS103 for 2019 only. Please refer to Curriculum Changes on Blackboard.
Chemical Sciences
CHM202 Professional Experience: Individual Learner Needs
SCI105 The Psychology of Learning
Geographical Sciences
GEO100 Using Data for Learning
GEO201 Discovering Science
Mathematical Sciences
MTH103 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
MTH104 Teaching Junior Secondary Science 1
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
- (Sippy Downs) Biology Major Geography Minor - Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Sippy Downs) Biology Major Chemistry Minor - Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Sippy Downs) Biology Major Mathematics Minor - Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Sippy Downs) Mathematics Major Chemistry Minor - Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Sippy Downs) Mathematics Major Geography Minor - Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Sippy Downs) Biology Major Chemistry Minor - Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Biology Major Geography Minor - Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Biology Major Mathematics Minor - Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Mathematics Major Chemistry Minor - Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Mathematics Major Geography Minor - Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Sippy Downs) Chemical Sciences Major - Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Biological Sciences Major - Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Mathematical Sciences Major - Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Chemical Sciences Major - Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Sippy Downs) Biological Sciences Major - Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Sippy Downs) Mathematical Sciences Major - Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Fraser Coast) Biological Sciences Major Mathematical Sciences Minor - Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Fraser Coast) Biological Sciences Major Mathematical Sciences Minor - Semester 2 commencement
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 15 introductory level (100 coded) courses (180 units), including the core course
- Complete a minimum of 80 days Supervised Professional Experience, completed as full-time blocks
- Complete 75 hours of Wider Field Experience
- Successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education students. For more information on this Government initiative please visit the Students First website. Further information on the test, including sample test questions and registration information, please visit the Australian Council of Educational Research website
- You must select and register your compulsory major(s)/minor(s) as soon as possible
In order to commence Supervised Professional Experience (SPE) placement you must:
- Obtain a Blue Card (or link your existing Blue Card to USC) prior to commencing supervised professional experience. Applications should be submitted at least 12 weeks prior to the SPE start date. View the Blue Card Fact Sheet for further information
- Complete PrePlace and a Student Placement Agreement (further information will be provided by the placement office upon enrolment)
- Be willing to travel to attend supervised professional experience placements
- Visit Education - Supervised Professional Experience (SPE) for more information on requirements for placement.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Cross-institutional study is not permitted for the education (EDU) coded courses and SCS203 Teaching Senior Secondary Science 1 in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) / Bachelor of Science
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.