Professional Diploma in Teaching Physics

Program Overview

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Professional Diploma in Teaching Physics

DC769

Course Details

Course Code:

DC769

Course Type:

Postgraduate

NFQ Level:

8 - Please see for further information

Delivery Modes

• Part-Time

Duration

• 2 Years

Overview

The programme is free to eligible post-primary teachers and is fully funded by the Department of Education and Skills as part of the national strategy to support the implementation of STEM education and improve standards in physics education in post-primary schools by increasing the numbers of qualified teachers of physics.

The programme will ensure that successful candidates:

• Acquire the theoretical and experimental knowledge of physics as well as pedagogical content knowledge that is necessary for effective physics teaching at post-primary level;
• Demonstrate an ability to connect physics content modules and the school physics curriculum;
• Develop a high standard of practical competence in physics teaching as reflective practitioners during their programme of study.

Careers & Further Options

Careers

• Graduates will be qualified to teach post-primary physics at the highest level.

Entry Requirements

General Entry Requirements

• An honours undergraduate degree at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), or equivalent.
• Minimum H4 in Leaving Certificate Mathematics (or equivalent) 5 ECTS credits in mathematics at NFQ level 6 or above, if not already demonstrated at at NFQ level 8 or equivalent / greater.
• Full registration as a post-primary teacher with the Teaching Council for Education Sector = Route 2 Post Primary.
• A completed self-declaration form

Programme Structure

Online Modules:

• Physics modules– timetabled on Mondays 6pm-8pm and Wednesdays 6pm-8pm during semester one and two.
  • Year 1 Spring Semester Module topics: Mechanics, Waves/Light/Modern Physics & Thermal Physics.
  • Year 1 Autumn Semester Module topics: Electricity, Modern Physics.
  • Year 2 Spring Semester Module topics: Environmental Physics, Semiconductor Devices & Life, the Universe and everything.
  • Year 2 Autumn Semester Module topics: Electricity and Magnetism, Optics.
• Physics Pedagogy modules – timetabled as summer schools which will be facilitated online workshops over two weeks in June 2025.
  • Students will complete 15 ECTS credits of physics pedagogy modules.
  • These modules will require participation in two weeks of summer schools in June 2025 and coursework to be submitted by mid July 2025.
  • Teachers will be supported to carry out an inquiry on their own practice throughout Year 2 and attend online workshops held throughout year 2.

On campus Modules:

• Students will also complete 10 ECTS of experimental-based modules over the two years.
• Laboratory investigations will be facilitated on campus in Dublin, Limerick, Galway for three Saturdays (10am-5pm) during each academic term.

Fees and Funding

Fees

• The programme is free to eligible post-primary teachers and is fully funded by the Department of Education and Skills as part of the national strategy to support the implementation of STEM education and improve standards in physics education in post-primary schools by increasing the numbers of qualified teachers of physics.

How To Apply

• To apply for this programme:
  • All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal which is available here.
  • Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.
  • You will find this programme listed as 'Undergraduate ' within the Programme Group.
• When applications open you will need to provide:
  • Academic Transcripts, NFQ Level 8 or equivalent / greater, for each and every year of study.
  • Copy of passport.
  • Leaving Certificate Results or equivalent if required should be uploaded alongside the Transcript of Results/Evidence of Primary Degree supplemental items field in the CRM Student Application Portal.
  • Proof of full current registration as a post-primary teacher with the Teaching Council for Education Sector = Route 2 Post Primary, dated within 2024.
  • Please upload a completed Professional Diploma in Teaching Physics self-declaration form confirming that your existing qualifications are not sufficient to meet Teaching Council criteria for the purposes of teaching physics at post-primary level.
  • If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements.

Life On Campus

Life on Campus

• At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience.
• We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities.
• All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.

Campus

• DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
• They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station.
• Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows.
• They are also linked by Dublin Bus.

Facilities

• Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies.
• There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.

Exceptional Facilities

• DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
• These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward.
• In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.

Campus Life

• Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work.
• The university is rich in student life and activities.
• There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year.
• They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.

Sports

• For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience.
• DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches.
• DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country.
• Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years.
• And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.

Accommodation

• DCU does have on-campus accommodation for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and you can find out more and apply via the Accommodation Office webpage.

FAQs

Faculty FAQs

• Is DCU all one campus?
  • DCU is a multi campus university - the Glasnevin, St Patrick's and All Hallows campuses. The St Patrick's campus is where the Education courses are taught and some of the subjects from the BA Joint Honours degree. There is a 20-25 minute walk between the campuses but there are buses and bikes available to go between them also.
• If I'm studying on the St Patrick's campus, can I use the library and sports centre on the Glasnevin campus?
  • Yes, all facilities such as sports and accommodation are open for all DCU students to avail of.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

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Overview:

The Professional Diploma in Teaching Physics is a two-year, part-time program designed to upskill post-primary teachers to meet the current Teaching Council subject requirements in Physics at the highest level. This program is approved by the Department of Education & Skills and delivered by DCU in collaboration with the University of Limerick & NUI Galway.

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Objectives:

The program aims to:

• Equip participants with the theoretical and experimental knowledge of physics necessary for effective physics teaching at post-primary level.
• Foster a deep understanding of the connection between physics content modules and the school physics curriculum.
• Develop high standards of practical competence in physics teaching amongst participants through reflective practice.

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Description:

This program is free to eligible post-primary teachers and is fully funded by the Department of Education and Skills. Participants who successfully complete the program will be deemed to meet the Teaching Council's post-primary curricular subject requirements for Physics.

Outline:

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Content:

The program covers a comprehensive range of physics topics, including:

• Mechanics
• Waves/Light/Modern Physics
• Thermal Physics
• Electricity
• Environmental Physics
• Semiconductor Devices
• Life, the Universe and everything
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Optics

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Structure:

The program consists of:

• 10 Physics lecture-based modules (5 ECTS each):
• Delivered in a hybrid format with 24 hours of online asynchronous lectures and 24 hours of online synchronous tutorials for each module.
• Timetabled on Mondays and Wednesdays, 6pm-8pm.
• Year 1: Spring Semester - Mechanics, Waves/Light/Modern Physics & Thermal Physics
• Year 1: Autumn Semester - Electricity, Modern Physics
• Year 2: Spring Semester - Environmental Physics, Semiconductor Devices & Life, the Universe and everything
• Year 2: Autumn Semester - Electricity and Magnetism & Optics
• 10 ECTS of experimental-based modules:
• Delivered through laboratory investigations facilitated on campus in Dublin/Limerick/Galway for three Saturdays during each academic term.
• 15 ECTS credits of physics pedagogy modules:
• Comprising participation in two weeks of summer schools in Year 1 and coursework submissions in July 2024.
• Requiring an inquiry on personal teaching practice throughout Year 2, online workshops, and a 1-day summer school in May 2025.
• Pedagogy summer schools in June 2024 (online, 9:30am - 4:00pm daily):
• PS473: 4-day Summer School: 10-13 June 2024
• PS474: 5-day Summer School: 17-21 June 2024
## Assessment:

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Assessment methods:

All modules are assessed through 100% continuous assessment.

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Assessment criteria:

Assessment criteria will be specific to each module and will be provided to participants in advance.

Teaching:

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Teaching methods:

The program employs a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures: Delivered online in an asynchronous format.
• Tutorials: Delivered online in a synchronous format.
• Laboratory investigations: Facilitated on campus.
• Summer schools: Focusing on pedagogy.
• Online workshops: Supporting inquiry on personal teaching practice.

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Faculty:

The program is taught by experienced and qualified academics from DCU, University of Limerick, and NUI Galway.

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Unique approaches:

The program offers a unique blend of online and on-campus learning, allowing for flexibility and accessibility.

Careers:

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Career paths:

Graduates will be qualified to teach post-primary physics at the highest level.

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Career opportunities:

• Post-primary physics teacher
• Science curriculum coordinator
• STEM education specialist
• Educational researcher

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Outcomes:

The program aims to equip participants with the knowledge, skills and experience to become highly effective and confident physics teachers.

Other:

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Application deadlines:

• Closing date for applications is 7th January 2024.

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Application requirements:

• An honours undergraduate degree at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), or equivalent.
• Minimum H4 in Leaving Certificate Mathematics (or equivalent) OR 5 ECTS credits in mathematics at NFQ level 6 or above, if not already demonstrated at at NFQ level 8 or equivalent / greater.
• Full current registration as a post-primary teacher with the Teaching Council for Education Sector = Route 2 Post Primary.
• A completed self-declaration form.

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Fees:

The program is free to eligible post-primary teachers and is fully funded by the Department of Education and Skills.

Summary:

The Professional Diploma in Teaching Physics is a comprehensive and rigorous program that provides participants with the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to become highly effective and confident physics teachers. The program is designed to meet the current Teaching Council subject requirements, and participants who successfully complete the program will be deemed to meet these requirements. The program is free to eligible post-primary teachers and is fully funded by the Department of Education and Skills.