Fundamentals of the Science of Learning (EDUC90872)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1 (Early-Start)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 (Early-Start) - Online |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will explore the philosophical, theoretical, and practical fundamentals of the emerging field of the Science of Learning. The focus of this subject will be how the cognitive and neural mechanisms of learning can meaningfully inform and improve pedagogical practice and learning outcomes. This subject will provide students with an explanation of the scientific method, neuroimaging and brain research, and human cognition (including attention, executive functions, memory, language), and their implications for education. More generally, students will learn scientific principles and be equipped with the skills to scientifically evaluate the validity of educational, psychological, and neuroscientific claims.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Examine educational psychological, and neuroscientific literature relevant to learning
- Explain essential concepts in neuroscience, including brain structure and function, neural correlates of learning, and cognitive development
- Apply the scientific method in order to evaluate effective learning interventions
- Evaluate educational, psychological, and neuroscientific research
- Identify ways in which culture influences cognition, neurobiology and one's own philosophy of teaching.
Generic skills
This subject will assist students to develop the following transferable skills:
- Self-awareness
- Critical thinking and reasoning
- Communication skills
- Evidence-based decision making.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Option 1 - Master of Education 200pt Program
Admission into the 200pt Program course entry point in the MC-ED Master of Education
AND
A minimum of 100 credit points in Master of Education
AND
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDUC91318 | Foundations: Data & Science of Learning |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Option 2 - Master of Education 150pt Program
Admission into the 150pt Program course entry point in the MC-ED Master of Education
AND
A minimum of 50 credit points in Master of Education
AND
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDUC91318 | Foundations: Data & Science of Learning |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Option 3 - Master of Education 100pt Program
Admission into the 100pt Program course entry point in the MC-ED Master of Education
Option 4 - Master of Instructional Leadership
Admission into the MC-INSLEAD Master of Instructional Leadership
Option 5 - Professional Certificate in Educational Neuroscience
Admission into the PR-EDNEURO Professional Certificate in Educational Neuroscience
Option 6 - Prior to Mid-Year 2024 Students
Commencement prior to mid-year 2024 in the MC-ED Master of Education, MC-TESOL Master of TESOL, or MC-MLED Master of Modern Languages Education
AND
50 credit points from
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDUC90929 | Education Policy in Context |
Semester 2 (Online)
Semester 1 (Online)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| EDUC91316 | Engaging with Research in Education |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Online)
Semester 1 (Online)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| EDUC91030 | Research in Educational Relationships | No longer available | |
| EDUC90900 | Resilience and Relationships |
Term 3 (Online)
Term 1 (Online)
|
12.5 |
| EDUC90930 | Literacies in Local and Global Contexts |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Online)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Online)
|
12.5 |
| EDUC91029 | Understanding the Student as Learner |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Online)
Semester 1 (Online)
|
12.5 |
| EDUC90830 | The Student as Learner |
Term 1 (Online)
Term 3 (Online)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Written essay on your teaching/learning philosophy: Reflect, develop, and articulate your own personal philosophy on teaching/learning.
| Mid teaching period | 20% |
Oral presentation on neuro-informed educational product (10 minutes): Present a summary of a neuro-informed educational product/program, its relevance to education and your analysis of its claims.
| End of teaching period | 20% |
Written evaluation of neuro-informed educational product: Critically analyse the educational claims of the product/program and the research evidence around its effectiveness.
| During the assessment period | 60% |
Attendance Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance at, or engagement with, all sessions identified as contact hours (may include lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops and activities, both synchronous and asynchronous). | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1 (Early-Start) - Online
Coordinator Sean Kang Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 24 hours comprising 4 x 4hrs of online seminars over four Saturdays, plus 8 hours asynchronous activities Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 1 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 (Early-Start) contact information
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Instructional Leadership Course Professional Certificate in Educational Neuroscience Course Master of Education - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 4 March 2025