Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Monash University

Program Overview

Monash’s Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Science is designed for students who love science and want to inspire young learners as future primary or secondary school teachers. The course combines strong science study with professional education training, preparing students to teach across the primary curriculum with science expertise or become specialist secondary science or mathematics teachers.

Curriculum structure

Year 1:
Students begin with the foundations of teaching and science. They study units such as EDF1058 Learn to Learn, Learn to Teach, SCI1000 Science Communication to Influence Change, approved level 1 science sequences, and the required National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students, helping them build confidence in both science knowledge and teacher readiness.

Year 2:
Students move into planning, assessment, inclusive education and deeper science study. Primary students take units such as EDF2088 Planning and Assessing for Teaching and Learning, EDF2099 Inclusive Education: Teaching Learners with Diverse Abilities, EDF2049 English and Literacies 2, and EDF2066 Mathematics 1, while secondary students study areas such as EDF2097 Adolescent Development and Learning and EDF2079 Educational Technologies.

Year 3:
Students strengthen their professional identity as future teachers while completing advanced science major units. They study education units such as EDF3065 Reconciliation, Respect and Recognition: Indigenous Australian Education, EDF3064 Transition to the Profession, and professional experience units, while also completing level 3 science major study.

Year 4:
The final year focuses on classroom confidence, teaching performance, curriculum expertise and professional readiness. Primary students complete units such as EDF4063 Promoting Positive Classroom Culture, EDF4095 Science Education, EDF4068 Teaching Performance Assessment, and extended professional experience, while secondary students complete EDF4067 Evidence into Action, EDF4062 Emerging Technologies and Innovative Practices in Education, secondary method units, and final professional placements.

Focus areas: Science education, primary teaching, secondary science teaching, mathematics teaching, science communication, classroom culture, inclusive education, educational technologies, Indigenous Australian education, curriculum planning, assessment, professional teaching practice.

Learning outcomes: Strong science knowledge, classroom teaching confidence, curriculum planning, assessment skills, inclusive teaching strategies, science communication, professional reflection, ability to teach diverse learners, readiness for teacher registration and school-based practice.

Professional alignment accreditation: Monash states that its primary and secondary education specialisations are accredited by the Victorian Institute of Teaching using national accreditation standards, meaning the qualifications are accepted in Victoria and other Australian states and territories. Students must be registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching to teach in Victoria.

Reputation: Monash Education is ranked number 1 in Australia and among the top global education faculties in major ranking systems; its official page lists number 10 in the world in ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025, number 18 in the world in Times Higher Education subject rankings 2026, number 18 in the world in QS subject rankings 2026, and number 5 in the world in U.S. News Education Best Global Universities Rankings 2025–2026.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical experience throughout the degree through supervised school placements, education practice units, science communication training and advanced science study. Monash highlights that professional experience may be offered in metropolitan, rural, remote or international locations and education settings, giving students exposure to different learning environments and school communities.

The practical learning experience is supported through:

• Supervised professional experience: Both primary and secondary pathways include 80 days of supervised professional experience, giving students the chance to apply teaching theory in real school settings.

• Early teaching placement: Primary students complete EDF1082 Primary Professional Experience 1A, while secondary students complete EDF1083 Secondary Professional Experience 1A, each listed as a 10-day professional experience unit in the course maps.

• Progressive school-based training: Students continue placements across later years, including 10-day professional experience units in years 2 and 3, followed by 20-day professional experience units in the final year.

• Teaching performance assessment: Final-year students complete EDF4068 Teaching Performance Assessment, helping them demonstrate professional readiness before graduation.

• Science communication training: Students complete SCI1000 Science Communication to Influence Change, which supports their ability to explain science clearly, confidently and persuasively to different audiences.

• Educational technology learning: Secondary pathway students study EDF2079 Educational Technologies and EDF4062 Emerging Technologies and Innovative Practices in Education, helping them understand how technology can support teaching and learning.

• Inclusive and diverse classroom preparation: Students study EDF2099 Inclusive Education: Teaching Learners with Diverse Abilities, preparing them to support learners with different needs and classroom experiences.

• Science major flexibility: Students can choose from science areas such as physics, plant sciences, biochemistry, psychology, geographical science and mathematics, allowing them to build a teaching profile around the science area they enjoy most.

Facilities / experiential learning reference: Monash Education course maps and professional placement information.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates are prepared for careers in primary or secondary teaching, with strong options in science and mathematics education. Monash also notes that graduates are not limited to classroom teaching and can move into science communication and education-related careers in settings such as museums, science centres and publishing.

Career development is supported through:

• Teaching career pathways: Primary Education graduates can teach children aged 5 to 12 years from Foundation to Year 6, while Secondary Education graduates can qualify as specialist science or mathematics teachers.

• High-demand field: Monash states that there is strong demand for science and mathematics teachers in both primary and secondary schools.

• Professional experience built into the degree: Students complete supervised school placements across the course, helping them build classroom experience before graduating.

• University career services: Monash students have access to industry experiences, leadership programs, career advice and networking opportunities through Monash Careers and Employability.

• Employment and career impact: Monash’s official rankings page states that the university placed third in Australia for career impact and fourth overall in the Australian Financial Review Best Universities Ranking 2025.

• Long-term accreditation value: The education specialisations are accredited by the Victorian Institute of Teaching using national accreditation standards, supporting teacher registration pathways in Victoria and recognition across Australian states and territories.

Typical career roles include Primary School Teacher, Secondary Science Teacher, Secondary Mathematics Teacher, Science Education Officer, Museum Education Officer, Science Centre Educator, and Education Publishing Specialist.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this double degree, students can progress into postgraduate study in areas such as education, educational leadership, inclusive education, digital learning, science education, curriculum studies, counselling, science, research or a Doctor of Philosophy. Students interested in leadership or specialist education roles could later consider postgraduate education pathways such as a Master of Education, while students more focused on science could continue into honours or research-based science study depending on their chosen major and academic performance.