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Physics, Mathematics & Education  (MMC6)

BSc (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2025/2026
School
School of Mathematics and Statistics
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
8
Award
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Dr Michael Mackey
Overall Programme Credits:
240
Programme Credits:
N/A
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 1: 30
Stage 2: 0

Curricular information is subject to change.

If you are interested in Physics and Mathematics, and think you might like to teach these subjects at post-primary level, then this degree subject may be for you. you. It is designed so that you study physics, mathematics and education in an integrated manner. Throughout the course you will gain teaching experience through structured educational placements.

Students’ performance will be reviewed at the end of the academic year. Students who fail 50% or more of their registered modules, and who fail to progress to the next stage of their programme, will be identified under the UCD Continuation – Academic progress policy. Students’ performance will continue to be reviewed in subsequent trimesters and students will be invited to meetings with the College of Science office for support and guidance.

Where the rate of progression and performance over two academic years is deemed unacceptable, a case will be submitted to the Governing Board for review. A recommendation for discontinuation may be the outcome of this review.

As Stages 3 and 4 have the most dynamic components of the programme, and the material studied previously may no longer be relevant, a student who has been away from the programme for a significant period should be required to register again to Stage 3. The upper limit for completion of Stages 3 and 4 should be six years if they choose to do 120 credits with 20 in each year.

After graduating with their BSc, students proceed to the MSc in Mathematics and Science Education.

Placements are integrated into this 5-year course from first year, with all undergraduate placements arranged for you.

During the last two years of the course, students complete year-long placements at two different post-primary schools. These placements are designed so that students not only obtain teaching experience, but also gain a whole-of-school experience through participating in parent-teacher meetings, timetabling etc. The complete five- year course is fully accredited by the Teaching Council of Ireland.

UCD Science Office

You can contact the UCD Science Office in the following ways:




  • Submit your query using our dedicated Contact Form.

  • Drop into the office in the UCD O'Brien Centre for Science, Science East, Room E1.09. Our office opening hours are 10am to 4pm (during term time).


Stage 1

Students must select a total of 12 modules (60 credits) in Stage 1 with a minimum of 11 modules taken from core and option modules. Core, programme core and option modules are to be taken as directed. An elective module can be taken in the Spring trimester or alternatively, students can register for an additional module from the Science programme.

Stage 2

Students take 8 core modules. Students must take PHYC10250, PHYC20080 and MATH10320, if not previously taken in Stage 1. Students who intend to take Stage 3 Mathematics, Physics & Education must take STAT20110 in Stage 2 or Stage 3.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 MATH10350 Calculus in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 SCI10010 Principles of Scientific Enquiry Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 ACM10060 Applications of Differential Equations Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 MATH10340 Linear Algebra in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 MATH10410 Mathematics & Science Education & Communication Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PHYC10080 Frontiers of Physics Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 STAT10060 Statistical Modelling Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students who did not achieve a H5 or better in Leaving Certificate Physics must take PHYC10070 in Stage 1. Students who did not achieve a H5 or better in Leaving Certificate Applied Mathematics must take ACM10080 in Stage 1. Students who did not achieve a H5 or better in Leaving Certificate Computer Science or equivalent must take COMP10290 in Stage 1.
ACM10080 Introduction to Applied and Computational Mathematics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students who did not achieve a H5 or better in Leaving Certificate Physics must take PHYC10070 in Stage 1. Students who did not achieve a H5 or better in Leaving Certificate Applied Mathematics must take ACM10080 in Stage 1. Students who did not achieve a H5 or better in Leaving Certificate Computer Science or equivalent must take COMP10290 in Stage 1.
COMP10290 Computation for Scientists Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students who did not achieve a H5 or better in Leaving Certificate Physics must take PHYC10070 in Stage 1. Students who did not achieve a H5 or better in Leaving Certificate Applied Mathematics must take ACM10080 in Stage 1. Students who did not achieve a H5 or better in Leaving Certificate Computer Science or equivalent must take COMP10290 in Stage 1.
PHYC10070 Foundations of Physics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who intend to take Mathematics, Physics and Education in Stage 2 must take MATH10320, PHYC10250 and PHYC20080 in either Stage 1 or Stage 2. PHYC20080 should only be taken by students in Stage 1 if they have achieved H5 in both Mathematics and Physics at Leaving Certificate or equivalent.
 PHYC10250 Thermal Physics and Materials Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who intend to take Mathematics, Physics and Education in Stage 2 must take MATH10320, PHYC10250 and PHYC20080 in either Stage 1 or Stage 2. PHYC20080 should only be taken by students in Stage 1 if they have achieved H5 in both Mathematics and Physics at Leaving Certificate or equivalent.
 MATH10320 Mathematical Analysis Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who intend to take Mathematics, Physics and Education in Stage 2 must take MATH10320, PHYC10250 and PHYC20080 in either Stage 1 or Stage 2. PHYC20080 should only be taken by students in Stage 1 if they have achieved H5 in both Mathematics and Physics at Leaving Certificate or equivalent.
 PHYC20080 Fields, Waves and Light Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
Students who intend to take Mathematics, Physics and Education in Stage 2 and are NOT taking ACM10080 or PHYC10070, must take an additional Physics module in Stage 1 (other than the core and programme cores outlined above - PHYC10080, PHYC20080 and PHYC10250). This is in order to meet the Teaching Council Criteria for teaching Physics. Some Physics modules are recommended below.
 PHYC10050 Astronomy & Space Science Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
Students who intend to take Mathematics, Physics and Education in Stage 2 and are NOT taking ACM10080 or PHYC10070, must take an additional Physics module in Stage 1 (other than the core and programme cores outlined above - PHYC10080, PHYC20080 and PHYC10250). This is in order to meet the Teaching Council Criteria for teaching Physics. Some Physics modules are recommended below.
 PHYC10210 Quanta, Particles & Relativity Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:
If students take MATH10040 Numbers and Functions in Stage 1 or Stage 2, they can also qualify to teach Applied Mathematics.
 MATH10040 Numbers & Functions Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - E) Min 0 of:
Students who intend to pursue a pathway in Mathematics, Physcs and Education may wish to consider taking 5 credits in Chemistry and in Biology in order to prepare them for teaching Junior Cycle Science. If you have not taken Chemistry before, you may wish to take CHEM00010 Introduction to Chemistry. If you have taken Chemistry and achieved an O2 or H5 or better in Leaving Cert Chemistry (or equivalent), you may wish to consider other listed Chemistry modules. If you have not taken Biology before, you may wish to take BIOL00010 Fundamentals of Biology. If you have taken Biology and achieved an O2 or H5 or better in Leaving Certificate Biology (or equivalent) you may wish to consider other listed Biology modules.
BIOL00010 Fundamentals of Biology Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - E) Min 0 of:
Students who intend to pursue a pathway in Mathematics, Physcs and Education may wish to consider taking 5 credits in Chemistry and in Biology in order to prepare them for teaching Junior Cycle Science. If you have not taken Chemistry before, you may wish to take CHEM00010 Introduction to Chemistry. If you have taken Chemistry and achieved an O2 or H5 or better in Leaving Cert Chemistry (or equivalent), you may wish to consider other listed Chemistry modules. If you have not taken Biology before, you may wish to take BIOL00010 Fundamentals of Biology. If you have taken Biology and achieved an O2 or H5 or better in Leaving Certificate Biology (or equivalent) you may wish to consider other listed Biology modules.
BIOL10130 Biology in Action Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - E) Min 0 of:
Students who intend to pursue a pathway in Mathematics, Physcs and Education may wish to consider taking 5 credits in Chemistry and in Biology in order to prepare them for teaching Junior Cycle Science. If you have not taken Chemistry before, you may wish to take CHEM00010 Introduction to Chemistry. If you have taken Chemistry and achieved an O2 or H5 or better in Leaving Cert Chemistry (or equivalent), you may wish to consider other listed Chemistry modules. If you have not taken Biology before, you may wish to take BIOL00010 Fundamentals of Biology. If you have taken Biology and achieved an O2 or H5 or better in Leaving Certificate Biology (or equivalent) you may wish to consider other listed Biology modules.
BIOL10140 Life on Earth Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - E) Min 0 of:
Students who intend to pursue a pathway in Mathematics, Physcs and Education may wish to consider taking 5 credits in Chemistry and in Biology in order to prepare them for teaching Junior Cycle Science. If you have not taken Chemistry before, you may wish to take CHEM00010 Introduction to Chemistry. If you have taken Chemistry and achieved an O2 or H5 or better in Leaving Cert Chemistry (or equivalent), you may wish to consider other listed Chemistry modules. If you have not taken Biology before, you may wish to take BIOL00010 Fundamentals of Biology. If you have taken Biology and achieved an O2 or H5 or better in Leaving Certificate Biology (or equivalent) you may wish to consider other listed Biology modules.
CHEM00010 Introductory Chemistry Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - E) Min 0 of:
Students who intend to pursue a pathway in Mathematics, Physcs and Education may wish to consider taking 5 credits in Chemistry and in Biology in order to prepare them for teaching Junior Cycle Science. If you have not taken Chemistry before, you may wish to take CHEM00010 Introduction to Chemistry. If you have taken Chemistry and achieved an O2 or H5 or better in Leaving Cert Chemistry (or equivalent), you may wish to consider other listed Chemistry modules. If you have not taken Biology before, you may wish to take BIOL00010 Fundamentals of Biology. If you have taken Biology and achieved an O2 or H5 or better in Leaving Certificate Biology (or equivalent) you may wish to consider other listed Biology modules.
BMOL10030 Biomedical Sciences: Understanding Human Disease. Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - E) Min 0 of:
Students who intend to pursue a pathway in Mathematics, Physcs and Education may wish to consider taking 5 credits in Chemistry and in Biology in order to prepare them for teaching Junior Cycle Science. If you have not taken Chemistry before, you may wish to take CHEM00010 Introduction to Chemistry. If you have taken Chemistry and achieved an O2 or H5 or better in Leaving Cert Chemistry (or equivalent), you may wish to consider other listed Chemistry modules. If you have not taken Biology before, you may wish to take BIOL00010 Fundamentals of Biology. If you have taken Biology and achieved an O2 or H5 or better in Leaving Certificate Biology (or equivalent) you may wish to consider other listed Biology modules.
CHEM10050 Basis of Organic and Biological Chemistry Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - F) Min 0 of:
Students must have a minimum of 55 credits in Science Programme modules. Students may select 60 credits from Science programme modules or they can choose 55 credits and one 5-credit elective for Spring. Careful selection of modules can increase the number of subject areas available to a student in Stage 2.
 CHEM20100 Basis of Inorganic Chemistry Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - F) Min 0 of:
Students must have a minimum of 55 credits in Science Programme modules. Students may select 60 credits from Science programme modules or they can choose 55 credits and one 5-credit elective for Spring. Careful selection of modules can increase the number of subject areas available to a student in Stage 2.
 COMP10010 Introduction to Programming I Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - F) Min 0 of:
Students must have a minimum of 55 credits in Science Programme modules. Students may select 60 credits from Science programme modules or they can choose 55 credits and one 5-credit elective for Spring. Careful selection of modules can increase the number of subject areas available to a student in Stage 2.
 PHIL10160 Critical Thinking Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - F) Min 0 of:
Students must have a minimum of 55 credits in Science Programme modules. Students may select 60 credits from Science programme modules or they can choose 55 credits and one 5-credit elective for Spring. Careful selection of modules can increase the number of subject areas available to a student in Stage 2.
 PHYC10270 Introduction to Biophysics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - F) Min 0 of:
Students must have a minimum of 55 credits in Science Programme modules. Students may select 60 credits from Science programme modules or they can choose 55 credits and one 5-credit elective for Spring. Careful selection of modules can increase the number of subject areas available to a student in Stage 2.
 GEOL10050 Earth and Humanity Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Options - F) Min 0 of:
Students must have a minimum of 55 credits in Science Programme modules. Students may select 60 credits from Science programme modules or they can choose 55 credits and one 5-credit elective for Spring. Careful selection of modules can increase the number of subject areas available to a student in Stage 2.
 GEOL10060 Introduction to Earth Sciences Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Options - F) Min 0 of:
Students must have a minimum of 55 credits in Science Programme modules. Students may select 60 credits from Science programme modules or they can choose 55 credits and one 5-credit elective for Spring. Careful selection of modules can increase the number of subject areas available to a student in Stage 2.
 STAT10050 Practical Statistics Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Options - F) Min 0 of:
Students must have a minimum of 55 credits in Science Programme modules. Students may select 60 credits from Science programme modules or they can choose 55 credits and one 5-credit elective for Spring. Careful selection of modules can increase the number of subject areas available to a student in Stage 2.
 BIOL10110 Cell Biology & Genetics Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - F) Min 0 of:
Students must have a minimum of 55 credits in Science Programme modules. Students may select 60 credits from Science programme modules or they can choose 55 credits and one 5-credit elective for Spring. Careful selection of modules can increase the number of subject areas available to a student in Stage 2.
 CHEM10210 Aspects of Chemical and Environmental Analysis Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - F) Min 0 of:
Students must have a minimum of 55 credits in Science Programme modules. Students may select 60 credits from Science programme modules or they can choose 55 credits and one 5-credit elective for Spring. Careful selection of modules can increase the number of subject areas available to a student in Stage 2.
 COMP10020 Introduction to Programming II Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - F) Min 0 of:
Students must have a minimum of 55 credits in Science Programme modules. Students may select 60 credits from Science programme modules or they can choose 55 credits and one 5-credit elective for Spring. Careful selection of modules can increase the number of subject areas available to a student in Stage 2.
 COMP10060 Computer Science for Engineers I Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - F) Min 0 of:
Students must have a minimum of 55 credits in Science Programme modules. Students may select 60 credits from Science programme modules or they can choose 55 credits and one 5-credit elective for Spring. Careful selection of modules can increase the number of subject areas available to a student in Stage 2.
 GEOL10070 Understanding Earth Systems Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 ACM20030 Computational Science Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 EDUC20030 Key Ideas in Education Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 MATH20060 Calculus of Several Variables Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PHYC20020 Introductory Quantum Mechanics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 ACM20150 Vector Integral & Differential Calculus Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 EDUC10300 Public Engagement with Science Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PHYC20060 Methods for Physicists Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PHYC20090 Electronics and Devices Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
If not previously taken in Stage 1, students in Stage 2 Mathematics, Physics and Education must take MATH10320, PHYC10250 and PHYC20080 in Stage 2.
 PHYC10250 Thermal Physics and Materials Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
If not previously taken in Stage 1, students in Stage 2 Mathematics, Physics and Education must take MATH10320, PHYC10250 and PHYC20080 in Stage 2.
 MATH10320 Mathematical Analysis Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
If not previously taken in Stage 1, students in Stage 2 Mathematics, Physics and Education must take MATH10320, PHYC10250 and PHYC20080 in Stage 2.
 PHYC20080 Fields, Waves and Light Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students must take PHYC20100 in Stage 2 or Stage 3, but must complete PHYC10250 prior to taking PHYC20100. Students who intend to take Stage 3 Mathematics, Physics and Education must take STAT20110 in either Stage 2 or Stage 3.
 PHYC20100 Thermo & Stat Physics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students must take PHYC20100 in Stage 2 or Stage 3, but must complete PHYC10250 prior to taking PHYC20100. Students who intend to take Stage 3 Mathematics, Physics and Education must take STAT20110 in either Stage 2 or Stage 3.
 STAT20110 Introduction to Probability Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
If students take MATH10040 Numbers and Functions in Stage 1 or Stage 2, they can also qualify to teach Applied Mathematics.
 MATH10040 Numbers & Functions Autumn  5

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