Physics - Teaching Physics

Professional Diploma in Teaching Physics
Introduction
This programme is approved by the Department of Education & Skills and this Award is delivered by DCU in collaboration with the University of Limerick & NUI Galway. The programme is free to eligible post-primary teachers and is fully funded by the Department of Education and Skills. Registered post-primary teachers who successfully complete the Professional Diploma in Teaching Physics (PDITP) will be deemed to meet the Teaching Council's post-primary curricular subject requirements for Physics.

All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal.

Programme
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.

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

Students will also complete 10 ECTS of experimental-based modules over the two years. Laboratory investigations will be facilitated either online or face-to-face on three Saturdays during each academic term.

Students will complete 15 ECTS credits of physics pedagogy modules. These modules will require participation in two weeks of summer schools in Year 1 and coursework to be submitted by August. Teachers will be supported to carry out an inquiry on their own practice throughout Year 2 and attend a 3 day summer school in Year 2.

Pedagogy summer schools will be facilitated either online or face-to-face in June of each year.
• PS473L: 4-day Summer School: 9:30am- 4:00 pm 12th-15th June 2023
• PS474: 5-day Summer School: 9:30am-4:00pm 19th-23rd June 2023
• PS483A: 3-day Summer School: 9:30am-4:00pm 10th-11th June 2024

Requirements
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.

Application Deadlines
This programme will remain open to applications until December 6th OR until all places are full. Offers to complete and eligible applications will be made on a first come first served basis until the programme reaches capacity. All required documentation must be submitted before the application can be reviewed.

• Closing date for applications is 04th January 2023.
• The programme will align to DCU academic calendar and commence in January 2023.

Please note if you are a non EU student and require a study visa, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.

Application Review Process

• Completed applications will be reviewed as received and offers will be issued up to the closing date or until the programme is at capacity.

•In line with the terms of the HEA funding, candidates who meet any of the following critera will be prioritised for admission

o those undertaking the full award
o those teaching physics out of field
o unemployed teachers
o those not in full employment

• Candidates who do not meet the criteria above will be considered after the closing date if places are still available

• All candidates will be informed of the outcome of their application through the DCU applications system.

• Only completed application forms with all supporting documents received will be considered.

Queries
Queries from EU applicants should be directed to postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie

Queries from non EU applicants should be directed to international.office@dcu.ie

To apply for this programme:
• All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal.

• When applications open you will need to provide:

• Academic Transcripts, NFQ Level 8 or equivalent / greater, for each and every year of study. (These should demonstrate mathematics requirement if not demonstrated at Leaving Certificate level, include English language translation, if applicable).

• Copy of passport.

• Leaving Certificate Results or equivalent indicating a minimum of H4 in Leaving Certificate Mathematics (or equivalent) for 5 ECTS credits in mathematics at NFQ Level 6 or above, if not already demonstrated at at NFQ level 8 or equivalent / greater.

• Proof of full current registration as a post-primary teacher with the Teaching Council for Education Sector = Route 2 Post Primary. (To do this you need to logon to the Teaching Council Portal and download your current registration certificate dated within the last 12 months.)

• 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. Completed and signed Self Declaration Form

• If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml.

Once your application form is complete please submit and pay the application fee of €50. Once you have completed that step you will then be prompted to upload supplementary documentation which you must do before your application can be processed.

• Please be aware that if you have uploaded supplementary documentation previously as part of an earlier application then it will be considered unless you choose to replace it with a more recent version via the application portal.

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.

Students will complete 10 Physics lecture-based modules (10 x 5 ECTS) which will have a hybrid delivery with 24 online lectures (asynchronous) and 24 hours online tutorials (synchronous) for each module over each semester - timetabled on Mondays 6pm-9pm and Wednesdays 6pm-8pm.

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