As a qualified science teacher you may be required to teach National Curriculum general science to Key Stage 4, as well as your particular specialism to ‘A’ level and beyond. To this end, the course aims to facilitate your transformation into a well-educated, well-trained, confident and motivated science educator. Along with English and mathematics, science is one of the three core subjects of the National Curriculum and since all pupils have to study a broad, balanced curriculum in science there is a demand for well-qualified and skilled science teachers. Most pupils entering secondary school are excited at the prospect of work, for the first time in a fully equipped laboratory, and secondary school science teachers have to build upon and sustain this interest for the subject. To meet this challenge we need capable, skilled and enthusiastic teachers who are able to motivate young people and lead them to discover the wonders of science.

The Brunel Science Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) is an M level course with 60 credits that can contribute to further Master's level study in Education, subject to approval. The course will equip you with the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to teach science such that you are able to: Demonstrate an understanding of the vital role of the teacher and the school in ensuring excellence in the educational experiences of young people; Undertake professional practice which enables you to evidence the Teachers’ Standards which facilitate the award of Qualified Teacher Status; Understand the relationships between Education and science within current national and government frameworks, and critically reflect on the impact of these in the work of schools and the educational experiences of young people; Recognise the contribution that science as part of the whole school curriculum makes to the development of the individual learner and groups of learners; Think critically about what it means to be scientifically educated and how this informs curriculum planning and design within the subject area; Apply a thorough knowledge and understanding of the science (Biology) National Curriculum to the planning of curriculum experiences for pupils in school; Demonstrate competence and confidence in your ability to teach across the contexts for pupil learning in the mathematics National Curriculum range and content, applying principles of continuity and progression; Use subject knowledge and relevant course specifications to plan and deliver the 14-16 curriculum including examination and vocational courses; Demonstrate an understanding of the subject knowledge and specification requirements for the 16-19 curriculum; Utilise a range of teaching strategies to meet the identified learning needs of a wide range of pupils; Utilise a range of resources, including information and communication technology, to enhance pupil learning in biology; Understand the importance of safe practice and safeguarding and apply these in working with young people both within and beyond lessons; Use a wide range of class management strategies to maximise pupil learning;Understand the principles of inclusion and apply these to ensure equality of opportunity for all pupils in the subject area; Understand national frameworks for assessment within the subject area and use these to support the recording and analysis of data, and the subsequent use of this to plan the next phase of learning; Raise the status of the subject area by demonstrating high standards of professionalism at all times; Understand the crucial role of professional learning for the teacher, the pupils and schools.