Postgraduate Module Descriptor


EDUM038: Secondary Biology with Psychology Subject Knowledge and Pedagogy

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

The module introduces students to current thinking in the teaching of biology with psychology and develops students’ pedagogic and academic subject knowledge in the field of biology with psychology education. Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that key elements of the module will include:

  • Lecture and Seminar Programme: This covers the theory and practice of secondary science pedagogy.
  • Directed Online Study Programme: This covers the theory and practice of secondary science pedagogy.
  • Peer Teaching: These sessions give you an opportunity to practice your teaching in a safe and supportive environment.
  • Seminar Days: Five university-led days when students share school-based work experiences and develop the links between the theoretical and practical aspects of teaching biology with psychology.

On the Secondary PGCE, you will learn and reflect on the skills and knowledge required by the programme’s credit-bearing and non-credit bearing modules throughout the year. You will need to think about the modules in relation to each other. To facilitate this, the learning and teaching activities and guided independent study described below are scheduled to occur across all three terms both in the context of your university taught course and in the context of your applied professional experience in schools.

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
1011990

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities78Lectures; Science Lecture Programme
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities10Peer Teaching
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities12Seminar Days
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities1Tutorials with academic tutor
Guided independent study199Independent Study

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

Web based and electronic resources: see PGCE Secondary Science page on ELE ( http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/ )

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Alsop, S., Bencze, L. & Pedretti, E. (2005) Analysing exemplary science teaching: theoretical lenses and a spectrum of possibilities for practice. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Bishop, K. & Denley, P. (2007) Learning Science Teaching: Developing a professional knowledge base. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Driver, R. (2015) Making sense of secondary science: research into children's ideas. Abingdon: Routledge.

Goss Lucas, S & Bernstein, D. (2015) Teaching psychology: a step by step guide. Hove: Psychology Press.

Jones, A., Reed, R. & Weyers, J. (2012) Practical Skills in Biology. Harlow: Pearson.  

Kind, V. and Taber, K. (2005) Science: Teaching School Subjects 11-19. London: Routledge.

Kulgemeyer, C. (2018). Towards a framework for effective instructional explanations in science teaching. Studies in Science Education, 54(2), 109-139.

Liversidge, T. (2009) Teaching Science: Developing as a Reflective Secondary Teacher. London: Sage.

Millar, R. (2005) Teaching about energy. University of York.

Nott, M., & Wellington, J. (1993). Your nature of science profile: an activity for science teachers. School Science Review, 75, 109-109.

Osborne, J. & Dillon, J. (2010) Good practice in science teaching: what research has to say. (2nd Edition). Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Ratcliffe, M. & Grace, M. (2003) Science education for citizenship: teaching socio-scientific issues. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Sotto, E. (2007) When teaching becomes learning (2nd Edition). London: Continuum.

Taber, K. (Ed) (2012) Teaching Secondary Chemistry (2nd Edition) London: Hodder Education.

Toplis, R. (Ed) (2015) Learning to Teach Science in the Secondary School (4th edition) (London: Routledge)

Wellington, J. and Ireson, G (2018) Science Learning, Science teaching. (4th edition). London: Routledge.