PGDE Chemistry

Program Overview

The PGDE Secondary Education: Chemistry with Science program equips students with the knowledge and skills to teach chemistry and general science in secondary schools. It emphasizes theory, practical experience, and pedagogical development, meeting the requirements for provisional teacher registration in Scotland. The program also provides opportunities for professional growth and networking, preparing graduates for a range of careers in education and related fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The PGDE Secondary Education: Chemistry with Science is a professional graduate diploma in education designed to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to become qualified secondary school chemistry teachers. The program also prepares students to teach general science, encompassing physics, biology, and chemistry, to lower school pupils.

Objectives:

• Transform existing knowledge of chemistry into a format understandable and engaging for secondary school pupils.
• Train students to teach general science to lower school pupils.
• Develop pedagogical skills and knowledge to effectively teach chemistry and general science.
• Provide practical experience through placements in Scottish schools.

Outline:

The PGDE is modular in structure and comprises three modules across the year:

• Education Studies: Professional Values: This module explores the theoretical underpinnings of education, focusing on issues like the nature and purpose of education, social justice and equality, and practice and policy in relation to ethical and political ideas.
It encourages students to reflect on their values and beliefs in relation to educational questions and issues, challenging and refining their current thinking.
• Professional Learning Through Enquiry: This module aims to develop students as enquiring, self-reflective practitioners who can work collaboratively to develop skills, knowledge, and expertise in an area of professional practice.
It supports students to become autonomous, transformative leaders of change, equipped to respond to the dynamic and changing nature of society.
• Professional Skills: This module is divided into two sub-modules:
• Curriculum and Pedagogy:
This sub-module focuses on pedagogical theory, observation of experienced teachers, and application of knowledge and understanding in a practical context.
• Professional Practice: This sub-module provides practical experience through placements in Scottish schools.

Course Schedule:

• Full-time: 36 weeks, including 18 weeks of placement experience.
• Part-time: Two years, including 18 weeks of full-time placement experience.

Assessment:

• Placement: Students are continually assessed during their 18-week placement to demonstrate their ability to meet the Standards for Provisional Registration.
• Portfolio: Students maintain a portfolio of progress during their placement, which forms part of the evidence for meeting the Standards for Provisional Registration and prepares them for career-long professional learning.
• Coursework: Each class includes coursework involving group or independent study on specified tasks, which may involve presentations and written reports.
While not formally assessed, these are essential learning experiences and course requirements.

Teaching:

• Active and Participative Learning: The course encourages an active and participative style of learning to meet professional needs and promote a commitment to continuing professional development.
• Faculty: The course is led by experienced science teacher educators and seconded teachers, including expertise from the Glasgow Science Centre.
• General Science Component: This component is taught in mixed groups of physics, chemistry, and biology student teachers to allow students to learn from one another and simulate working in a school science department or faculty.
It includes a visit to the Glasgow Science Centre or other suitable sites to consider out-of-classroom learning in science.

Careers:

• Secondary School Teacher: Most PGDE graduates work as teachers in secondary schools across the country.
• Head Teacher: Graduates may progress to leadership roles within schools.
• Further Education Lecturer: Graduates may teach in further education institutions.
• Special Educational Needs Teacher: Graduates may specialize in supporting students with special educational needs.
• Other Roles: Graduates may pursue careers in related fields such as charity advising, youth work, museum education, education liaison roles, and private tutoring.

Other:

• SUSS: The PGDE course includes attendance at the residential Scottish Universities’ Science School (SUSS), where students meet other science student teachers from Scottish universities.
• Masters Credits: Students have the opportunity to achieve up to 120 credits at Masters level, which can be used towards further study following the course.
• Preference Waiver Scheme: Scottish students on the Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS) can agree to be allocated to their one-year post anywhere in Scotland, receiving an additional financial incentive of around £8,000.
• Worldwide Qualification: The PGDE is a well-recognized teaching qualification worldwide.
Students wishing to teach in another country should contact the relevant education authority to check their eligibility.

| Fees and Funding | Scotland | England, Wales & Northern Ireland | International |

|-----|-----|-----|-----| |Full-time courses and per academic year | TBC | £9,250 | £18,050 |