Physical Education with Biology
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Physical education (PE) is important to the long-term physical, social, emotional and intellectual health of our children. The Physical Education with Biology degree involves three strands of study—PE, Biology and Education Studies—all of which will be put into working context in your extensive school placement.
The PE element of the course pairs psychological, biomechanical and sociological theory, with practical instruction on how PE is taught through games, aquatics, gymnastics, dance, athletics and outdoor adventure education.
In the Biology modules, you’ll study mammalian anatomy and physiology, cell biology, genetics, health and junior cycle physics and chemistry, and put your theoretical knowledge into practice through laboratory work. You’ll also learn how best to teach Biology to students.
Education Studies integrates educational theory and practice through 'coaching rather than teaching', which involves group work, reflective diaries, online reporting and reflection, case studies and other problem-based learning approaches.
If you have a passion for sport, science and teaching, then Physical Education with Biology is the course for you. The facilities on offer in DCU are top class and help from our passionate lecturers makes the journey to become a teacher all the more enjoyable.
William Coyne, PE with Biology
This course involves three strands:
- Physical Education: The physical education element of the course has theoretical and practical aspects. The theoretical part involves the academic study of human movement through subjects like psychology, biomechanics (the science of movement) and sociology. The practical elements will enhance your teaching skills by engaging you in a range of competitive, aesthetic, adventure, aquatic and artistic activities.
- Biology: In the Biology element of the degree, you’ll learn the core elements of the biology curriculum, including mammalian anatomy and physiology, cell biology, genetics, health and junior cycle physics and chemistry. These are enhanced through exposure to laboratory work, ensuring that your theoretical knowledge is put into practice. In Year Two, you’ll cover elements of the junior cycle physics and chemistry syllabi in an innovative and stimulating way. Years Three and Four allow you to specialise in sport and exercise physiology from a theoretical and practical perspective.
- Education Studies: This part of the course integrates educational theory and practice through ‘coaching rather than teaching’. This involves group work, reflective diaries, online reporting and reflection, case studies and other problem-based learning approaches to gaining the skills, knowledge and mindset necessary to teaching in a changing environment.
To put all of this into practice and provide you with experience, you’ll be placed in schools during Years Two, Three and Four. This allows you to explore and clarify many of the key issues you will encounter as a teacher.
Garda vetting has been introduced for students who have unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults as part of their studies at Dublin City University. Applicants must successfully pass the Garda vetting process to complete the process of registration.
View the current course structure
We have a unique and vibrant culture on our modern campus close to Dublin city centre. We provide state-of-the-art study facilities for all our courses and everything else you need for a healthy, fun and active student life.
We have three academic campuses close to Dublin City centre - they are located in Glasnevin and Drumcondra, and can be reached by public transport (Dublin Bus).
Each campus has libraries, study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. Sports facilities are located on two of the academic campuses. We also have a dedicated sports campus in the form of St Claire’s.
Exceptional facilities
DCU students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, classrooms, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of languages, engineering, physics, chemistry and biotechnology, as well as a sports performance centre and training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
Construction on our FutureTech building on the Glasnevin campus will get underway in 2022. Once completed, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines. It will have the capacity to accommodate an additional 3,000 STEM students on the university’s Glasnevin campus.
Campus life
DCU student facilities boast a fully equipped sports complex with a 25-metre pool, three libraries and The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
Our purpose built, state-of-the-art new student centre known as 'The U' serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body of 18,500. It is home to the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub.
DCU Students' Union and the Office of Student Life are also based in the U. The centre is a space for students where they can meet, with lots of charging points and isolation booths. Clubs and socs avail of meeting rooms here and it's also home to DCUFM. NuBar, Londis and the Venue are also located here.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year.
Student Supports
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre: Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning: facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
If you have a passion for sport, science and teaching, then Physical Education with Biology is the course for you. The facilities on offer in DCU are top class and help from our passionate lecturers makes the journey to become a teacher all the more enjoyable.
William Coyne, PE with Biology
When you graduate you will be qualified for teaching posts at all second-level schools (vocational, secondary, community and comprehensive schools) and for admission to the Open Register of the Teaching Council (see www.teachingcouncil.ie for further details). Graduates are qualified to teach general science to Junior Certificate level and PE and Biology to Leaving Certificate level. Through the many skills you have learned on this course, you can also pursue other options such as coaching, sports development and further education.
Requirements
In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply
Minimum of O4 or H6 in Mathematics and minimum of O4 or H6 in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics with Chemistry or Agricultural Science
In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply
GCE A Level D or GCE AS Level C or GCSE C Mathematics and GCE A Level D or GCE AS Level C or GCSE C in one of Physics, Chemistry, Physics with Chemistry, Biology or Agricultural Science
For details of QQI requirements and relevant codes please click here. Simply enter the DC code for the programme you are interested in or if you are not sure of the code enter DC in the Select by Institution option, then click on Go.
Eligible students are those who have successfully completed a Higher Diploma (Level 8) in a related field of study or successfully completed or are about to successfully complete one year of study on a degree course (Level 7 or 8) awarded by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) (formerly the National Council for Education Awards (NCEA)) or by a university established under the Universities Act 1997, or an equivalent qualification awarded by a similar body outside of the State. While it is NOT a pre-requisite for candidates who are applying (having completed one year of study on a degree course) to have studied in a similar or related subject, it may be an advantage if applicant numbers are high.
Applications are made via the CAO Advanced Entry route which will open on the 1st Feb to the 1st May 2022.
International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications click here.