Physics - Teaching Physics

Introduction
The Professional Diploma in Teaching Physics is a new programme designed to upskill post-primary teachers to meet current Teaching Council subject requirements in Physics at the highest level. 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.

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.

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.

Application Review Process
- Once the application deadline has passed, applications will be reviewed by a selection panel chaired by the Programme Chair.

- Consistent with the terms of HEA funding, eligible applicants will be prioritised for admission in terms of:

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

- Should the number of eligible applicants exceed the number of places available, places will be offered on the basis of the criteria for prioritised admission set out above in the first instance. Should the number of applicants who are both eligible and meet the criteria for prioritised admission exceed the number of places available, a supervised lottery system will be used to determine the allocation of available places and the order of any subsequent admissions waiting list.

- 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 by the closing date will be considered.

Course Life
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.

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.

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: 7th-10th June 2022 (09:30-16:00) plus a follow up day in August 2022.

PS474: 5-day Summer School: 13th-17th June 2022 (09:30-16:00)

PS483A: 3-day Summer School: 7th - 9th June 2023 (09:30-16:00)

Requirements

General Entry Requirements
For admission to the Professional Diploma in Teaching Physics programme, successful applicants will 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.

- Full current registration as a post-primary teacher with the Teaching Council for Education Sector = Route 2 Post Primary.

This programme will close to applications on December 6th 2021.

NEXT STEPS
Make an Application
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.

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.

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.

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.

The programme will align to DCU academic calendar and commence on 10 January 2022.

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.

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.

3 years part-time.

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