UWA Handbook 2024

Title

1. These rules are the Bachelor of Science and Master of Teaching - Secondary Degree Combined Course Rules.

Terms Used

2. The Glossary provides an explanation of the terms used in these rules.

Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures

3.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.

(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.

Academic Conduct Essentials module

4.(1) Except as stated in (2), a student who enrols in an undergraduate degree course of the University for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module), Communication and Research Skills (the CARS module) and Indigenous Studies Essentials (the ISE module) in the teaching period in which they are first enrolled.

(2) A student who has previously achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the ACE module, the CARS module or the ISE module is not required to repeat the relevant module.

English Language competency requirements

5.(1) To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.

(2) Applicants with qualifications from institutions where English is not the medium of instruction must provide evidence of English Language Competence.

(3) Applicants presenting with the IELTS Academic require an overall score of at least 7.5, a minimum score of 7.0 in the Reading and Writing bands, and a minimum score of 8.0 in the Listening and Speaking bands.

(4) Applicants presenting with the Pearson Test of English (PTE) (Academic) require an overall score of at least 75 and no sub-score less than 70.

(5) Applicants presenting a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) require an overall grade of B or above, with a score of 'exceptional' for listening and speaking, and at least 'good' for reading and writing.

(6) Applicants with qualifications gained wholly in English from countries other than Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America must provide evidence of English Language Competence in accordance with the requirements of the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia.

(7) An English bridging course is not regarded as evidence of English Language Competence.

Admission requirements

6.(1) To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) achieved an ATAR of at least 84, or equivalent as recognised by UWA; and meet the additional requirements stated at (2) below

or

(b) an assured pathway offer;

or

(c) a place in a relevant UWA access program.

(2) To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must submit a satisfactory personal statement, as recognised by UWA.

(3) Before admission, international students must obtain a criminal record check from their country of origin or recent residence.

Admission ranking and selection

7. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.

Transfer Requirements

8.(1) A student enrolled in an undergraduate degree course at UWA may apply to transfer into this combined degree course if they satisfy the following conditions:

(a) the student has not commenced their final semester of enrolment in their current course;

and

(b) the course transfer is undertaken within the two transfer windows in each academic year;

and

(c) there are no quotas preventing the student from enrolling in a major or unit in which the student seeks to enrol; and
(2) the student has completed a minimum of 48 points of study in their current course and achieved a WAM of at least 65

and

(3) the student has completed a maximum of 96 points or equivalent in their current course and has sufficient credit points remaining to complete the requirements of the course structure;

and

(4) (a) the student satisfies the English language requirements for this course;

and

(b) submits a satisfactory personal statement, as recognised by UWA.

(5) Students seeking to enter this course on the basis of incomplete studies in a Bachelor of Science (or equivalent) at another institution will be assessed on a basis equivalent to the criteria set out in rules 8 (1) to (4) above.

Course structure

9.(1) The Combined Bachelor's and Master's degree consists of 216 credit points (normally 36 units), comprising:

(a) 120 credit points (normally 20 units) of an undergraduate component, including:

(i) no more than 60 credit points (normally 10 units) at Level 1; and

(ii) at least 60 credit points (normally 10 units) at Level 2 and Level 3, including at least 18 credit points (normally 3 units) at Level 3; and

(iii) a degree-specific major chosen from the list below:

(1) MJD-PHYSC Physics

(2) MJD-SPTSC Sport Science

(3) MJD-ANHBY Anatomy and Human Biology

(4) MJD-PSYCH Psychological and Behavioural Sciences

(5) MJD-CHEMY Chemistry

(6) MJD-MBIOL Marine Biology

(7) MJD-MATHS Mathematics

(8) MJD-BIOLO Biology (not available in 2024; contact course coordinator)

and

(iv) any relevant foundation units.

and

(b) a postgraduate component, including at least 96 credit points (normally 16 units) completed at Level 4 and Level 5.

(2) A student enrolled in this combined degree course must complete all requirements of the 32550 Master of Teaching – Secondary, subject to any restrictions specified in these rules.

(3) Students may choose to undertake a minor, provided the student will be able to complete all nominated majors and minors within 216 credit points.

(4) Students must complete one of the following combinations:

(a) 1 major from Group A and either 1 major or units to the value of at least 24 points from Group B, C and D; or

(b) 1 major from Group B and either 1 major or units to the value of at least 24 points from Group A or C and D; or

(c) 1 major from Group C and either 1 major or units to the value of at least 24 points from Group A, B or D.

Group A Majors (for Science secondary teaching)

- Anatomy and Human Biology

- Chemistry

- Physics

- Biology

- Psychological and Behavioural Sciences

Group B Major (for Mathematics secondary teaching)

- Mathematics

Group C Major (for Health & Physical Education secondary teaching)

- Sport Science

Group D Geography (24 to 36 credit points)

(5) The units to the value of at least 24 points referred to in (4) must include at least 12 points at level 2. Bridging units do not count towards this requirement.

(6) Students must complete EDUC2209 Observation Professional Practice whilst undertaking their Bachelor of Science, as directed by the course coordinator.

Exit awards

10.(1) This course has the following exit award:

• Bachelor of Science

(2) A student who withdraws from this Combined Degree Course before completing it, but after completing a minimum of 144 points of study, comprising 120 credit points of undergraduate study at Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 and at least 24 credit points of study at Level 4 and/or Level 5 may apply to the School to be awarded the exit awards mentioned in (1).

Satisfactory progress

11.(1) To make satisfactory progress a student must pass units to a point value greater than half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.

(2) A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the CARS module or the ISE module when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress.

(3) A student who fails a unit twice is not permitted to enrol again in that unit unless the relevant board approves otherwise.

(4) Students must meet any additional progress requirements set out in the rules for the 32550 Master of Teaching – Secondary course.

Progress status

12.(1) A student who makes satisfactory progress is assigned the status of 'Good Standing'.

(2) Unless the relevant board determines otherwise because of exceptional circumstances —

(a) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the first time under Rule 11(1) is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation';

(b) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the second time under Rule 11(1) is assigned a progress status of 'Suspended';

(c) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the third time under Rule 11(1) is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded';

(d) a student who does not make satisfactory progress under Rule 11(2) is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation' unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to make satisfactory progress under Rule 11(1).

(3) Prior to commencing postgraduate units from the Master of Teaching (Secondary), students must —

(a) complete 96 points with a minimum Weighted Average Mark of 60%;

(b) successfully complete all Level 3 units of the major leading to recognised postgraduate teaching specialisation.

(4) A student who is unable to commence postgraduate units in accordance with Rule 1 will be permitted to transfer to the Bachelor of Science (BP004).

Deferrals

13. Applicants awarded admission to the course are entitled to a deferral of up to 12 months, as per the University Policy on: Admissions (Coursework).

Additional rules

Failure to pass a Professional Practice unit

14.(1) Students who do not pass a Professional Practice unit may apply to have their case considered by a committee

comprising—

(a) the Head of School or nominee;

(b) the relevant course coordinator;

and

(c) a relevant curriculum specialist.

(2) The committee will take into account all relevant information and recommend to the University that the student—

(a) repeat the Professional Practice unit;

or

(b) repeat the Professional Practice unit following demonstration of specified conditions (e.g. completion of specified additional relevant work) to the satisfaction of the course coordinator;

or

(c) not be permitted to re-enrol in the course.

(3) If the University permits a student to repeat a Professional Practice unit, it will determine whether the unit is to be repeated in the same or a subsequent year taking into consideration the student's overall performance in the course concerned.

Admissions/enrolment-related rules

15.(1) Students are not permitted to exceed the total number of points prescribed for the course in accordance with University Policy.

(2) A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) and a Working with Children Clearance must be presented to the Graduate School of Education before any student undertakes a professional practice unit.

(3) The prerequisites for a curriculum major are the completion of six relevant units of undergraduate study with at least two at Level 3, or equivalent.

(4) The prerequisites for a curriculum minor are the completion of four relevant units of undergraduate study with at least two at Level 2, or equivalent.

Professional Practice readiness

16.(1) If a student does not pass an assessment item (before any resubmission) in an enrolled Master of Teaching core unit, or is not meeting the necessary level of professional conduct, the student may be required to attend an interview with an academic panel to review their readiness to go on a professional placement. If they are considered not ready to attempt a placement or at risk of not being able to succeed in a placement, they are withdrawn from their enrolled practicum unit with the expectation of re-enrolling and completing it in a later teaching period, after demonstrating readiness.

Resubmission Rules

17.(1) Students must pass all components of a Master of Teaching unit to pass the unit overall. Students who fail an assessment item in a Master of Teaching unit may resubmit it if—

(a) this is their first request for a resubmission in the unit;

(b) they contact the unit coordinator by email within 5 University working days of the release of the result and formally request a resubmission.

(c) A resubmitted assignment that is deemed to be a ‘fail' by the unit coordinator, will receive the original failing mark for the component.

(d) Where resubmission is approved, the reassessed mark is capped at the assessment pass mark, unless an application for mitigation is approved in accordance with the University Policy on Assessment: Special Consideration.

(e) A resubmission is normally due one week after being approved by the unit coordinator.

(f) Assignments that are failed on the grounds of lateness or academic misconduct will not normally be considered for resubmission.

LANTITE and TPA

18.(1) Students must pass all nationally mandated requirements, such as the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) and the teaching performance assessment (TPA).

EDUC2209 Observation Professional Practice

19.(1) Students must complete EDUC2209 Observation Professional Practice whilst undertaking their Bachelor of Science, as directed by the course coordinator.