Combined Hons in Maths or Chemistry with Aston University (QTS at Newman)

Course length:	4 years full-time
Course type:	Initial Teacher Education (QTS)
Entry requirements:	Admission to the Combined Honours programme at Aston usually requires a total of 300-320 (BBB/ABB) points from three A2 levels or two A2 levels and two AS levels. Aston accepts A2 Level General Studies if three A2 levels are taken, or AS General Studies if two A2 levels are taken. You must obtain a minimum pass grade B (A2 level) in either Chemistry or Mathematics for admission to this course. A successful interview is required in the second year to progress on to the initial teacher education aspect of the course at Newman.
Qualification:	BSc (Hons) with QTS
Subject Area:	Teacher Training
Apply via:	UCAS
Contact:	Contact for course content enquiries: Andrew Csizmadia (Senior Lecturer in ICT) Tel: 0121 476 1181 (Ext. 2389) Email: info.secondaryteaching@newman.ac.uk

Why study Mathematics or Chemistry?
This innovative course is a collaboration between Aston University and Newman University, two higher education institutions in Birmingham with expertise in science/mathematics and initial teacher education respectively. You will gain a thorough understanding of the principles and applications of chemistry and/or mathematics and have the opportunity to gain qualified teacher status (QTS), which is required to teach in UK state schools.

In the first two years of the course you will study mathematics or chemistry plus one other subject at Aston University.

Mathematics students will understand the need for rigour and proof in Mathematics and use them in the subjects studied and beyond. The course will enable you to apply the principles and methods of Mathematics to a wide range of physical and data based models, and you will have a deep grounding in a wide range of computational methods, balancing the practical applications with appropriate theoretical underpinning.

Within the chemistry course, strong emphasis is placed on the acquisition and development of laboratory skills. From the beginning of the academic year you will gain ‘hands-on’ experience in laboratory classes. You will receive instruction and practice in some of the fundamentals, such as the preparation and purification of compounds, the use of modern equipment for measuring physical properties, separating and analysing compounds and learning the methods of synthesis.

You will also have the opportunity to develop the skills and attributes required to make a successful application, during year two, to transfer to the initial teacher education course for years three and four. During the first and second years, you will also develop an understanding of the role of a modern teacher, improve confidence in the classroom, develop the interpersonal, leadership and communication skills required to be an effective teacher of science or mathematics. You can also gain essential experience in school through the Student Associates Scheme

In the third and fourth years, you will alternate between further developing your subject knowledge at Aston University and working towards gaining qualified teacher status at Newman University. The initial teacher education element of the course is designed to give you the competencies and attributes to be a successful teacher through a theoretical understanding of education and practical placements in secondary schools. You will learn how to teach the mathematics or science curriculum between the ages of 11-16, develop inspirational lessons to enable pupils to develop their love of science or the beauty of mathematics. You will develop the essential skills to become an effective classroom/science laboratory practitioner, utilise strategies to enhance the understanding of pupils with a variety of learning styles and build the knowledge and skills to plan, implement and evaluate effective lessons.

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