Physics - Teaching Physics

We urgently need more teachers qualified to teach physics so that all second level students in Ireland may have the opportunity to study physics to Leaving Certificate level and learn physics from a discipline expert. The Professional Diploma in Teaching Physics is designed to upskill post-primary teachers to meet current Teaching Council subject requirements in Physics at the highest level.



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.

The Professional Diploma in Teaching Physics (PDITP) programme is delivered by Dublin City University in collaboration with the University of Limerick & University of Galway. This programme will be offered on a part-time basis and will deliver 75 ECTS of programme modules over two academic years, commencing in January. All modules will be assessment on the basis on 100% continuous assessment. The programme will align to the DCU academic calendar.



Online Modules:



Physics modules – timetabled on Mondays 6pm-8pm and Wednesdays 6pm-8pm during semester one and two.

Students will complete 10 Physics lecture-based modules (10 x 5 ECTS) which consist of 24 hours of lectures (asynchronous) and 24 hours of tutorials (synchronous) for each module.



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.



Dates for Physics Pedagogy Summer Schools in June 2025 are:



PHY1011: 4-day Summer School: 9-12 June 2025 (9:30am - 4:00pm daily)

PHY1066: 5-day Summer School: 16-20 June 2025 (9:30am - 4:00pm daily)



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.

For admission to the Professional Diploma in Teaching Physics programme, successful applicants must have:



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

2 years part-time.

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