Key Info
Bachelor of Science with concurrent Teacher Education (Physical Sciences with Chemistry AND Physics)
UL's School of Education is the largest post-primary teacher education provider in the state and is ranked in the top 100 universities in the world for Education programmes. University of Limerick is also ranked within the top 75 universities in Europe for excellence in teaching and learning.
Graduates of this Science Teaching programme are qualified to teach the following subjects in all Irish second level schools.
- Leaving Certificate Physics
- Leaving Certificate Chemistry
- Leaving Certificate Physics with Chemistry
- Junior Certificate Science
The programme is designed to produce a graduate who is highly educated and capable both academically and professionally, and who will be prepared to meet the challenges involved in teaching the physical sciences.
Read about our students' experiences:
What you will Study
In common with other teacher education programmes at the University of Limerick, the B.Sc.(Ed) in Physics and Chemistry is based on the concurrent model. Academic and professional studies proceed together throughout the course and modules in the core science subjects are taken.
The first two years of study provide a foundation in Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Mathematics in addition to Education and Pedagogics. The latter will focus on preparing students to teach the revised science specification at junior cycle.
In the third and fourth years, you will continue to study physical sciences at a more advanced level along with further modules in Education. This will include detailed preparation in the revised physics and chemistry senior cycle specifications.
The science pedagogics modules in your degree have been designed in close collaboration with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (who designed the new specifications) and the Junior Cycle for Teachers (who are tasked with associated professional development for teachers). In addition the course director was a member of the development group that designed the junior cycle specification. This ensures that graduates are thoroughly prepared for the totality of science education in Irish schools which is well aligned with international best-practice.
In the final year, you will undertake a project which may be in the area of Physics, Chemistry, Science Education, or Educational Theory. As part of this work you are required to demonstrate abilities in research, literature review, analysis, synthesis and interpretation of research findings as applied to the selected topic. This will develop your capacity to act as a researcher of your professional teaching practice, a key focus of both the Teaching Council and the School Self-Evaluation Process facilitated by the Inspectorate.
There are two periods of teaching practice placement during the course. The first, of six weeks, occurs in Year 2, and the second, of ten weeks, occurs in Year 4. During teaching practice, you will be supervised by an academic staff member and undertake assigned coursework.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| BY4001 | Biology 1 | CH4002 | Physical Chemistry 1 |
| CH4701 | General Chemistry 1 | CH4252 | Inorganic Chemistry 1B |
| EN4041 | Contemporary Understandings and Thinking on Education |
EN4022 | Educational Technology for Teaching and Learning |
| MA4601 | Science Mathematics 1 | EN4032 | Understanding Young People and How They Learn |
| PH4131 | Mechanics/Heat/Electricity/Magnetics | PH4102 | Waves/Light/Modern Physics |
| MA4602 | Science Mathematics 2 |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 | ||
| CH4013 | Organic Chemistry | SE4034 | Introduction to Science Pedagogy |
| CH4303 | Analytical Chemistry 1A | TP4024 | School Placement 1 |
| EN4033 | Planning for Learning | ||
| EN4043 | Understanding Classroom Practices | ||
| PH4013 | Earth Science | ||
| PH4613 | Forces, Potentials and Fields |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 | ||
| CH4003 | Physical Chemistry 2 | BY4002 | Biology 2 |
| CH4253 | Inorganic Chemistry 2B | CH4104 | Organic Chemistry 3 |
| EN4015 | Curriculum and Policy Studies | CH4304 | Analytical Chemistry 2 |
| EN4025 | Inclusive Education 1: Contemporary Perspectives |
EN4026 | Inclusive Education 2: Special Educational Needs |
| PH4041 | Optics | PH4042 | Thermal Physics |
| PH4171 | Mechanics | SE4016 | Advanced Science Pedagogy |
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 | ||
| SE4017 | Project 1 | CH4027 | Nanotechnology |
| TP4027 | School Placement 2 | EN4008 | Teacher as Professional |
| PH4072 | Electromagnetism | ||
| PH4132 | Modern Physics | ||
| SE4018 | Project 2 | ||
| PH4092 | Semiconductor Devices |
Entry Requirements
| CAO points history |
454
|
|---|---|
| Minimum grades |
Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English. |
| Subject requirements |
In addition, applicants must hold an O3/H7 grade in Mathematics and an O4/H7 in at least one of the following: Biology; Physics; Chemistry; Physics with Chemistry; Agricultural Science; Technology; Design & Communication Graphics /Technical Drawing. |
| Additional considerations |
We welcome applications from mature students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February. Application information for mature student applicants (PDF) QQI Pathways information available here. Note: the University’s Special Mathematics Examination is applicable to this programme. |
| Non-EU Entry Requirements |
Filters |
How to Apply
| Where are you applying from? | How to Apply |
|---|---|
| Ireland | Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. |
| The UK | Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| The EU | EU Students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
Fees and Funding
Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Centre Levy and Tuition Fees.
A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.
An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.
EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €7,354 |
| SUSI pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Centre Levy | €92 |
| €10,446 |
EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €7,354 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Centre Levy | €92 |
| €10,446 |
Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €7,354 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Centre Levy | €92 |
| €10,446 |
Non-EU Students
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €16,465 |
| Student pays | Student Centre Levy | €92 |
| €16,557 |
Student course fees are comprised of three components:
Student Contribution
Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The curent student contribution is set at €3000.
Student Centre Levy
All students are liable to pay the Student Centre Levy of €90. Please note the Student Centre Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.
Tuition Fees
These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.
Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows
-
Residency
- You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
-
Citizenship
- You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
-
Course Requirements
(all must be met)
- You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
- You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
- You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)
Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -
- Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
- EU Fee Status: You satisfy the citizenship and/or residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees
- Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.
More information about fees can be found on the Finance website
These scholarships are available for all courses
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| All Ireland Scholarships - sponsored by J.P. McManus | €6,750 | 125 |
| Cooperative Education Award | 1 medal per faculty | |
| Elaine Fagan Scholarship | €5,000 | 5 |
| Financial Aid Fund | ||
| Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants | ||
| Johnson and Johnson WiSTEM2D Programme | ||
| Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship | €2,500 | |
| Plassey Campus Centre Scholarship Programme | ||
| Provincial GAA Bursaries Scheme | €750 | |
| Stuart Mangan Scholarship | ||
| The Michael Hillery and Jacinta O’Brien Athletics Scholarship | Various benefits equating to over €7,000 in value | |
| UL Sports Scholarships | Varies depending on level of Scholarship | Multiple |
Your Future Career
This programme has been fully accredited by the Teaching Council. Graduates of this programme are qualified for appointment to all second level schools (vocational, secondary, community and comprehensive schools), and for admission to the open register of the Registration Council for Secondary Teachers. Graduates achieving an adequate standard may also proceed to obtain a higher degree by research.
Want to find out more about possible careers with this degree? Click Here
