Interdisciplinary Science Education (EDUC90953)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
February
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This subject focuses on the challenges and opportunities of interdisciplinary science education. It will provide the foundational knowledge needed to successfully design, teach and evaluate interdisciplinary science education by focusing on research and best practice. The subject will explore issues at the level of the curriculum in relation to (inter)national policies, and at the level of the classroom, pedagogies and assessment. Relations between the sciences, mathematics, engineering, technology and arts (STEM or STEAM) and the balance between disciplinary knowledge and (generic) skills will be discussed. The broader societal context will also be addressed; e.g., how interdisciplinary science education can contribute to scientific literacy for students with diverse abilities and interests, and to a more equitable preparation of all students for future studies and careers?

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • Critically analyse examples of interdisciplinary science education, applying principles underlying curriculum design, integration and evaluation
  • Review and evaluate on the basis of research how interdisciplinary science education can contribute to scientific literacy for students with diverse abilities and interests, and to a more equitable preparation of all students for future studies and careers
  • Use and apply existing research and theory to design and justify a unit for interdisciplinary science education.

Generic skills

This subject will assist students to develop the following transferable skills:

  • Critical reasoning and thinking
  • Creative and innovative problem solving
  • Self-reflection, career awareness and lifelong learning.

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
EDUC91317 Foundations: Curriculum
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
EDUC91317 Foundations: Curriculum
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 - Master of Environment

Admission into the MC-ENV Master of Environment

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

EDUC90914 Teaching Integrated Science (no longer offered)

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

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Essay: Critical analysis of existing interdisciplinary science education

  • 2500 words
Mid Teaching Period50%

Unit plan plus justification

  • 2500 words
During the assessment period50%

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 periodN/A

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Dates & times

  • February
    Principal coordinatorJan van Driel
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours24 hours comprising 2 x 5 hours on campus seminars, 4 x 1.5 hours synchronous online seminars, 8 hours asynchronous activities
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period22 February 2025 to 10 May 2025
    Last self-enrol date10 March 2025
    Census date14 March 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail 2 May 2025
    Assessment period ends30 May 2025

    February contact information

    Prof. Jan van Driel: j.vandriel@unimelb.edu.au

     

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

    Prescribed texts

    Required and recommended readings will be provided via the Learning Management System (LMS)

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseMaster of Instructional Leadership
    CourseMaster of Environment
    CourseMaster of Education
    Informal specialisationTailored specialisation
  • 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.

    Additional information for this subject

    Subject Coordinator approval required.

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 4 March 2025