Major overview
This major will develop your understanding of the core concepts, subject matter and content relationships of Physical Sciences as well as the skills and knowledge on how to teach it! This involves learning about how adolescents learn, acquiring and practicing a range of strategies to engage and motivate, and learning about how to cater for students from different backgrounds.
To understand the concepts behind Physical Sciences, a second teaching area of Mathematics is also required. Therefore, this major is combined with the second teaching area of Maths.
Secondary Science teachers (trained in Physics and Chemistry) are in high demand due to ongoing shortages in the STEM related fields.
You’ll learn in a range of environments, from lectures and tutorials to labs and a range of practical placements. You’ll also practice dealing with challenging behaviour, parent teacher interviews and other situations through our SimLabTM technology – a virtual classroom using actors and avatars, which is the only technology of its kind in WA.
3 reasons to study Education at Murdoch
- Learn to become a confident and motivated teacher as you get mentored by our experienced teaching professionals.
- Get essential experience in a range of practical placements which could include metropolitan, rural, remote, international, hard-to-staff, multicultural, hospital, private and state school environments.
- Build an online portfolio as part of your degree to share your experience with future employers.
What you’ll learn
- Essential content in Physics, Chemistry and Sciences to be qualified to teach up to and including ATAR Year 11 and 12 Physics and Chemistry.
- Essential content in Mathematics to be qualified to teach up to and including ATAR Year 11 and 12 Mathematics Specialist.
- A range of teaching and instructional strategies to explore Maths and Sciences in Secondary classes
- The diverse roles and responsibilities of being a Secondary teacher in Australians schools
Your future career
This course gives you the qualification you need to teach Physical Science secondary students, including teaching Physics and Chemistry to Year 11 and 12 ATAR student as well as General Science. Furthermore, the second learning area of Mathematics combined with this degree provides you with the qualification to teach up to and including Year 11 and 12 ATAR Mathematics Specialist.
For more details about this course, please download our information pack.
Start dates
| Starting period | Location | Face to Face | Online |
Mixed mode
In this attendance mode, teaching and learning activities are delivered both face-to-face and online, with scheduled or flexible learning times. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | Yes | No |
| Semester 2, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | Yes | No |
| Semester 1, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | Yes | No |
| Semester 2, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | Yes | No |
View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.
| Starting period | Location | Face to Face | Online |
Mixed mode
In this attendance mode, teaching and learning activities are delivered both face-to-face and online, with scheduled or flexible learning times. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
| Semester 2, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
| Semester 1, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
| Semester 2, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.
Major Structure
Visit the Course Handbook - Get detailed information on units, prerequisites, and pathways.
To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
|---|
How to Apply
Majors are part of a degree and can't be applied on their own. Apply for a related degree first, then choose your major once enrolled.