Physics, Mathematics & Education
BSc (Hons) (NFQ Level 8) & MSc (NFQ Level 9)
Course Video
Curricular information is subject to change.
Open AllIf you are interested in physics and mathematics, and think you might like to teach these subjects at post-primary level, then this course may be for you. It’s designed so that from the start, you study physics and mathematics, along with education, in an integrated manner. In third year, you’ll gain teaching experience by completing placements (which we find for you) in a post-primary school and as a third-level tutor.
The four-year BSc in Physics, Mathematics & Education leads directly to the one-year MSc in Mathematics and Science Education. On completion of both degrees, you are fully qualified to teach Physics and Mathematics to Higher Level Leaving Certificate Level and Science to Junior Certificate Level.
Key Fact
The five-year course is fully accredited by the Teaching Council of Ireland. Placements are integrated into this course from first year, with year-long placements at two different post-primary schools during the final two years of the course.
This is a sample pathway for Physics, Mathematics & Education.
First Year
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Education
- Biology & Chemistry
- Elective module
Second Year
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Education
- Elective modules
Third Year
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Education
- School Placement – one placement in a post-primary school, and one placement as a third-level tutor.
- Elective modules
Fourth Year
- Education
- School Placement
- Physics & Mathematics
Fifth Year
- Education
- School Placement
- Research Project
For detailed information on subject content click here
You may be interested in the following Blog posts: Students Summer Internship Programme & Starting my PhD
After graduating with their BSc, students proceed to the MSc in Mathematics & Science Education.
Placements are integrated into this 5-year course from first year, with all undergraduate placements arranged for you. Care is taken to gradually introduce you to school placements, to enable you to build your knowledge and confidence before teaching a class of pupils.
During the last two years of the course, students are assigned year-long placements at two different post-primary schools. These placements are designed so that students not only obtain teaching experience, but also gain a whole-of-school experience through participating in parent-teacher meetings, timetabling etc. The complete five-year course is fully accredited by the Teaching Council of Ireland.
“I believe teaching is a wonderful way to inspire the next generation of scientists and mathematicians. I feel that Physics, Mathematics & Education in Science DN200 is the best degree to achieve this. Not only am I studying physics and mathematics, subjects that I am passionate about, I am also learning how to be a post-primary teacher. At the moment, I am undertaking my first year-long teaching placement. I am really enjoying it because I can apply everything I am learning in lectures to my real-life teaching practice. My favourite thing about the degree, besides the content, is the incredibly supportive environment. All of my lecturers go above and beyond to support us students as we balance the life of a student teacher with the life of a UCD student.”
Serena O’Connor, Student
Assistant Professor Aoibhinn Ní Shúileabháin
UCD School of Mathematics & Statistics
Belfield, Dublin 4
