Education - Teaching of Science in Primary School

Course details

The Postgraduate Certificate in the Teaching of Primary Science Programme ; 

With the recent introduction of science into the curriculum of primary schools in Ireland, there is a growing demand from teachers for long term professional development in the area of the teaching of science in the primary school. This course is designed to provide a professional qualification in the teaching of science at primary school level. This course was preceded by a pilot project carried out in 2005 – 2006 involving a group of 24 primary school teachers. The pilot project was a regional collaboration between the Education Department UCC and the Teacher Education Section of the Department of Education and Science who were represented locally by the Education Centre in Cork, , West Cork, Limerick and Tralee. The development of this pilot project was managed by a Steering Committee representative of UCC, Educations Centres and local primary school teachers. The Pilot project was sponsored by Pharmachem Ireland and the Department of Education and Science. 

The overall aim of the course is to equip teachers with the knowledge and skills required to teach the science component of the Primary School Curriculum.

Where will the course be held? The course will be based in UCC and in the Cork Education Support Centre. To facilitate teachers, the course may also be held in other Education Centres. This will be determined by the number and location of the applicants. Teachers may express a preference for a particular location on the application form for the course.

Course Details

This part-time programme is structured around six modules covering the primary science curriculum. Three modules are covered each year.  Each module is worth 10 Credits.   Teachers who successfully complete three modules (30 Credits) will be eligible for award of the Postgraduate Certificate in the Teaching of Science in the Primary School. Teachers who complete an additional 3 modules (30 Credits) will be eligible for the award of  the Postgraduate Diploma in the Teaching of Science in the Primary School. 

Each module consists of 20 hours of lectures, workshops and laboratory work. Normally, each module will be taught on six Thursday evenings (7 p.m. – 9 p.m.) and on one Saturday.   The third module in each year is conducted in the first week of July to coincide with the summer courses conducted by Education Centres for primary teachers.

Entry to the MEd 

For candidates who satisfactorily meet the entry requirements of the MEd, and have achieved an honours grade in the Postgraduate Diploma in the Teaching of Science in the Primary School, an exemption of 60 credits of the taught element of the MEd programme will be granted. However, the remaining 60 credits of the MEd programme must include the compulsory dissertation of 30 credits.  Places on the MEd are limited each year and there is a competitive selection procedure for places

What will be covered in the course?

Each module will cover a specific area of the Primary Science curriculum. The titles of the modules are

Year 1 

• ED6101 Teaching Life and Living Processes. Caring for the Environment (Part I) (10 credits)
• ED6102 Teaching Materials (Part I)(10 credits)
• ED6103 Teaching Energy and Forces (Part I) (10 credits)

Year 2 

• ED6104 Teaching Life and Living Processes. Caring for the Environment (Part II) (10 credits)
• ED6105 Teaching Materials (Part II)(10 credits)
• ED6106 Teaching Energy and Forces (Part II) (10 credits)

How will the course be assessed?

Each module will be assessed by means of a written project (max. 5,000 words). Guidance in the form of tutorials will be provided to assist you with the project. The pass standard is 50%.

Further details on the content and modules are available on the Postgraduate College Calendar

Detailed Entry Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

• (i) Hold a recognised teaching qualification in primary education.
• (ii) Satisfy a selection committee.

You will be required to answer specific additional supplementary questions as part of the online application process for this programme.  A copy of these supplementary questions are available to view here : CKB01AdditionalQuestions (95kB)

Course Practicalities

Lectures usually commence in early November and are held in the evenings on Campus.  A time-table will issue accordingly after Registration for the programme.