PME - Physics and Chemistry

Dutch_Druid

Hi all,

with the deadline coming up soon, I have a few questions before applying for a PME. The Subject Declaration Form has three categories that I am applicable for: "Physics", "Chemistry" and "Physics and Chemistry".
Curricular Subject Requirements

This may seem like a silly question, but I'd like to teach both "Physics" and "Chemistry" as individual Leaving Cert subjects, will "Physics and Chemistry" allow me to cover both of these, or is it for the specific subject in itself?
Leaving Cert Subjects
If it doesn't allow me to cover both, is there an issue selecting the two subjects individually, (haven't finished the application process yet, just looking for info), and if needed later on in life, would that cover me for PhysChem?

In addition, I require 10 credits in Biology before being qualified to teach Junior Cycle Science, which I do not have. How difficult have you found it to gain extra credits if needed?

2xj3hplqgsbkym

There is no lc subject that is physics and chemistry combined if that's what you mean , so select Physics and Chemistry.

However just so you are aware , in a large school like mine there is only 1 lc physics class and one lc chemistry class. Many schools have one or the other and many schools have neither.
Therefore job opportunities are very limited.
Maths on the other hand is taught at both levels and Junior cycle science would have usually 4 classes in a year group in my school so there would be much more need for teachers in those areas.

mickmac76

I don't know anything about teaching but there is a subject called physics and chemistry offered at leaving cert level. It's sometimes referred to as physics with chemistry and covers around half of the leaving cert physics course along with half the chemistry course. It was still thought in 2014 anyways and I never heard of it being dropped.

Mick.

implausible

Guadalupe Enough Greyhound wrote:

There is no lc subject that is physics and chemistry combined if that's what you mean , so select Physics and Chemistry.

Unless things have changed in the last few months, there's a subject called Phys/Chem. It was examined in 2016 anyway. It was offered in my old school where there wouldn't have been enough demand for either subject on their own.

2xj3hplqgsbkym

mickmac76 wrote: »

I don't know anything about teaching but there is a subject called physics and chemistry offered at leaving cert level. It's sometimes referred to as physics with chemistry and covers around half of the leaving cert physics course along with half the chemistry course. It was still thought in 2014 anyways and I never heard of it being dropped.

Mick.

Sorry yes you are right, never looked at the list !

rainbowtrout

Select the two individual subjects on your PME application. When you are applying to the TC for registration for Physics and Chemistry down the road, just apply for Physics with Chemistry as well. To be honest, you don't even need to bother doing that. Logic would dictate that if you are qualified to teach the separate subjects then you are able to teach the combined subject, which is as mick described a half and half subject.

Numbers have dwindled doing the combined subject, it usually doesn't exist in schools where both/either physics and chemistry are offered as separates, but I know of three schools within 20 miles of me that offer it and I know Yeats College offers it.

In terms of the Biology credits, I would say look into enrolling in two first year biology modules in your college, usually one in each semester. If you are going to a college that offers a BSc Science Education (e.g. UL, Maynooth) have a look at the modules that are on offer to the first years in that course. Those are the ones generally that you will need. There won't be any shortcut around the biology modules in terms of being able to do online versions, because you will have to attend labs.

Dutch_Druid

Thanks for all your help!

implausible

If you follow this link and click on national statistics for the Leaving Cert in 2016, you can see the number of students sitting each of the exams. It might help.