Course details

The School of Education offers the M.Ed (Sc) course in collaboration with the Departments of Physics, Chemistry, and various Departments in Biological Science - Biochemistry, Physiology, Microbiology and the Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science, UCC. The aim of the course is to provide further professional development for science teachers to improve their capacity to teach physics, chemistry and biology at second level.

In recent times, great concern has been expressed about the falling number of students taking science subjects at Leaving Certificate level – particularly physics and chemistry. It is hoped that this course will assist teachers to create an increased interest in the science subjects in their schools by their enthusiastic and inspirational teaching.

The course will be of interest to science teachers from different backgrounds. Some will be teachers who have specialized in the biological sciences or other branches of science and who wish to acquire the skills necessary to teach physics or chemistry to Leaving Certificate level. Others will be practising physics or chemistry or biology teachers who wish to update their knowledge and skills in these subject areas in line with the requirements of the Leaving Certificate physics, chemistry and biology syllabi.

Course Details

Each student will opt to study either physics or chemistry or biology and all students will study science education.

  • In year 1, each student will take one education module plus either (a) three physics modules or (b) three chemistry modules or (c) three biology modules.
  • In year 2, each student will take one education module plus either (a) three physics modules or (b) three chemistry modules or (c) three biology modules

Thus, over two years, each student will take two education modules plus either (a) six physics modules or (b) six chemistry modules or (c) six biology modules.

Detailed Entry Requirements

Applicants should have a primary degree in Science and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (formerly Higher Diploma in Education) or its equivalent. All applicants must have either an honours grade (at least grade 2H2) at primary degree level or at the Postgraduate Diploma in Education level (or its equivalent) or at least five years full time teaching experience.

The Additional/Supplementary Statement Questions MUST also be completed during the online application process. CKE60AdditionalQuestions (90kB)

Updated on 08 November, 2015

About University College Cork

UCC was established in 1845 as one of three Queen’s Colleges - at Cork, Galway and Belfast. These new colleges theyre established in the reign of Queen Victoria, and named after her.

Queen's College, Cork (QCC) was established to provide access to higher education in the Irish province of Munster. Cork was chosen for the new college due to its place at the centre of transatlantic trade at the time and the presence of existing educational initiatives such as the Royal Cork Institution and a number of private medical schools.

The site chosen for the new college was dramatic and picturesque, on the edge of a limestone bluff overlooking the River Lee. It is associated with the educational activities of a local early Christian saint, Finbarr. It is believed that his monastery and school stood nearby, and his legend inspired UCC’s motto: ‘Where Finbarr Taught, let Munster Learn.’

On 7 November 1849, QCC opened its doors to a small group of students (only 115 students in that first session, 1849-1850) after a glittering inaugural ceremony in the Aula Maxima (Great Hall), which is still the symbolic and ceremonial heart of the University.

The limestone buildings of the Main Quadrangle (as it is now known) are built in a style inspired by the great universities of the Middle Ages, and theyre designed by the gifted architectural partnership of Thomas Deane and Benjamin Woodward. The iconic image of UCC, it is set in landscaped gardens and surrounds the green lawn known to all as the Quad.

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