Faculty of Education

 Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (BECS)

Table of Contents

Subject Lists
    Subject descriptions: Parkville program 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001
        First year
        Second year
        Third year
    Subject descriptions: Parkville program prior to 1998
        Third year
        Honours program
    Subject descriptions: Pathways Program 1999, 2000 and 2001
        First year
        Second year
    Subject descriptions: Pathways Program prior to 1999
        Second year
        Third year
        Fourth year
    Subject descriptions: Singapore Program
        First year
        Second year
        Third year

 1. Overview

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (BECS) is a 400 point four-year degree course designed to meet the growing demand for early childhood educators who can work across a range of early childhood services. The general aim of the course is to educate students in early childhood studies and to provide professional training for students.

The BECS course consists of five main areas of study:

• Child development studies, the major study in the degree. Students gain a breadth of knowledge across a range of disciplinary and cross-disciplinary approaches and acquire an in-depth understanding of the literature in key aspects of this area of study.

• The early childhood professional studies sequence concentrates on management theory and practice.

• Curriculum is organised into two study sequences: curriculum foundation studies and curriculum theory and practice, and studies the learning roles of a number of disciplines in early childhood education as well as the design and implementation of curriculum.

• A total of 100 days of practicum.

• The special research study in final year.

 1.1. Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Honours)

To qualify for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Honours) award a student must satisfy the following requirements in addition to the normal course requirements:

• have obtained an average mark of at least 75 in Practicum 1-4;

• have obtained a mark of 65 or more in the Special Research Study - Honours;

• have obtained an average mark of 75 or more in all other subjects in the course.

 2. Course objectives

On completion of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies graduates should:

• understand the nature of the early childhood period, defined as 0-8 years;

• have acquired the basic concepts, knowledge and analytical skills of the variety of disciplines which contribute to an understanding of the early childhood period;

• have acquired a thorough understanding of the psychological and physical development of the child in the early childhood period;

• understand the influence of culture, family and community on childhood and child development;

• have acquired specific skills, knowledge and concepts in the major curriculum areas relevant to early childhood education;

• be able to design integrated curricula for children in various settings;

• be able to implement programs for a range of early childhood services;

• be able to critically analyse and evaluate program effectiveness and professional performance;

• understand the diverse roles of the early childhood educator;

• understand the social and political context in which early childhood services operate and its impact on the work of the early childhood professional, children and families;

• understand the managerial and personal skills involved in running early childhood services;

• understand the need for continued reflection and development as a basis for professional practice in early childhood settings; and

• at honours level, have extended knowledge and critical understandings in early childhood studies and have acquired skills necessary to undertake research.

 3. Enquiries

For further information about this course please contact the faculty office, Tel: +61 3 8344 8285.

 4. Concurrent diplomas

It is possible for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies also to enrol in a concurrent diploma. This will normally add one year to the duration of the degree course. Prospective students should note that timetabling issues may arise between subjects taught in different faculties.

 4.1. Diploma in Arts

Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies students are eligible to apply for the Diploma of Arts offered by the Faculty of Arts. Enrolment must be approved by both the Arts Faculty and the Faculty of Education. Further details are available from the Arts Faculty office (Tel: +61 3 8344 5235).

 4.2. Diploma in Creative Arts

Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies students are eligible to apply for the Diploma in Creative Arts offered by the School of Creative Arts, Victorian College of the Arts. Enrolment must be approved by both the School of Studies in Creative Arts and the Faculty of Education. Further details are available from the School of Studies in Creative Arts (Tel: +61 3 8344 8389).

 4.3. Diploma in Information Systems

Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies students are eligible to apply for the Diploma in Information Systems offered by the Science Faculty. Enrolment must be approved by both the Science Faculty and the Faculty of Education. Further details are available from the Science Faculty office (Tel: +61 3 8344 6404).

 4.4. Diploma in Modern Languages

Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies students are eligible to apply for the Diploma in Modern Languages (DML) offered by the Faculty of Arts. Enrolment must be approved by both the Arts Faculty and the Faculty of Education. Further details are available from the Arts Faculty office (Tel: +61 3 8344 5235).

 4.5. Diploma in Music (Practical)

Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies students are eligible to apply for the Diploma in Music (Practical) (see Diploma in Music (Practical)) offered by the Faculty of Music. Enrolment must be approved by the Music Faculty and the Faculty of Education. Further details are available from the Music Faculty office (Tel +61 3 8344 5258).

 5. Course structure

 5.1. Overview

The course can be completed in a minimum of four and maximum of 10 years.

To qualify for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies, you must satisfy the following requirements:

• accumulate a total of 400 points;

• complete child development studies of at least 125 points;

• complete curriculum foundation studies amounting to 75 points;

• complete curriculum theory and practice studies amounting to 62.5 points;

• complete early childhood professional studies amounting to 75 points;

• complete the practicum component, which amounts to 50 points over four years;

• complete the Special Research Study or Special Research Study (Honours) weighted at 12.5 points.

 5.2. Workload

The standard workload for each year is 100 points. Special permission may be granted to enrol in 112.5 points in years other than the first year of the course.

 5.3. Credit

Credit towards the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies may be granted for previous relevant tertiary studies. Credit is determined by the Faculty and awarded at the time of enrolment.

 5.4. Course outline for students commencing the Parkville program in 1998, 1999, 2000 or 2001

The normal pattern of study for a full-time student is as follows:

First year
	465-101 CDS11 Child Family & Society	12.5
	465-104 CFS11 Language & Literacy	12.5
	465-106 CTP11 Teaching & Learning	12.5
	465-108 ECP11 Introduction to the Field	12.5
	465-100 Practicum 1	6.25
	465-102 CDS12 Cognitive Development	12.5
	465-103 CDS13 Physical Development	12.5
	465-105 CFS12 Arts 1	12.5
	465-107 CTP12 Curriculum Design	6.25
Total Points		100.0

Second year
	465-201 CDS21 Social & Emotional Development	12.5
	465-202 CDS22 Socialisation and Identity	12.5
	465-205 CFS22 Arts 2	12.5
	485-256 ECP21 Safety Health & Nutrition	12.5
	465-200 Practicum 2	12.5
	465-203 CDS23 Play & Development	12.5
	485-257 CFS21 Mathematics	12.5
	465-206 CTP21 Curriculum 0-3	12.5
Total Points		100.0

Third year
	465-300 Practicum 3	18.75
	465-301 CDS31 Language, Literacy & Numeracy	12.5
	485-361 CFS32 Science	12.5
	465-305 CTP31 Curriculum 3-5	12.5
	465-306 CTP32 Curriculum Design	6.25
	465-302 CDS32 Developmental Differences	12.5
	485-360 CFS31 Information Technology	12.5
	465-307 ECP31 Regulation & Policy	12.5
Total Points		100.0

Fourth year
	465-400 Practicum 4	12.5
	465-401 CDS41 Social Diversity	12.5
	465-402 CDS42 Assessment & Evaluation	12.5
	465-403 CTP41 Inclusive Curriculum	12.5
	465-404 ECP41 Leadership & Advocacy	12.5
	465-405 ECP42 Administrative Processes	12.5
	465-406 ECP43 Managing The Centre	12.5
	Plus either
	465-407 Special Research Study	12.5
	OR
	465-416 Special Research Study (Honours)	12.5
Total Points		100.0

Students upgrading from the Diploma of Social Science (Child Care Services) undertake 465-428 Practicum 4Dand 465-429 Practicum 4Einstead of 465-400 Practicum 4.

Refer to the faculty office for credit details.

 5.5. Course outline for students enrolled prior to 1998

The normal pattern of study for a full-time student is as follows:

First year1
	466-114 Foundation Studies	12.5
	466-107 CDS1A Perspectives on Development	12.5
	466-108 CDS1B Dimensions of Development	12.5
	466-109 CDS1C Theories of Play & Development	12.5
	466-110 Curriculum Theory 1A	12.5
	466-111 Curriculum Practice 1B Applying Theory to Practice	16.7
	466-117 The Early Childhood Professional 1	12.5
	A-level Liberal Studies	25.0
Total Points		116.7

Second year1
	466-201 CDS2A Aspects of Development	16.7
	466-275 Curriculum 2	16.7
	466-276 The Early Childhood Professional	16.7
	B-level Liberal Studies	33.4
	Plus TWO Child Development Studies 2 Electives	33.4
Total Points		116.7

Third year1
	466-365 Curriculum 3B	16.7
	466-353 CDS3A Diversity & Development	16.7
	466-364 Curriculum 3A	16.7
	466-362 The Early Childhood Professional 3A	16.7
	466-363 The Early Childhood Professional 3B	16.7
	Plus TWO child development studies 3 electives from the following:
	466-389 CDS3G Ethical Issues in Childrearing EXT	16.7
	466-392 CDS3C Personality Development EXT	16.7
	466-397 CDS3E Social Inequality EXT	16.7
Total Points		116.7

 6. Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Honours) for students enrolled prior to 1998

 6.1. Entry to honours

To be eligible for admission to the honours degree you must have:

• satisfied the requirements of the pass degree; and

• achieved an H2B grade or above in the core Year 3 child development subject CDS 3A, and an average H2A grade in any additional three Year 3 subjects, excluding Curriculum 3B; or have other qualifications deemed by the Faculty Board to be equivalent.

Entry to the honours program must be approved by the Faculty Board.

 6.2. Honours requirements

To qualify for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Honours), you must:

• complete an additional 100 points; including 50 points in child development studies or approved equivalent studies, and at least 50 points in research methodology studies and an individual project; and

• achieve a final overall average grade of at least H2B.

 6.3. Course outline

Fourth year (honours year)
	466-415 CDS4A Evaluating Developmental Theories	16.7
	466-419 RMA:Introduction to Research Methods	16.7
	466-484 Research Methods B:Individual Project	33.4
	Plus TWO child development studies 4 electives from the following:
	466-416 CDS4B Brain and Development	16.7
	466-417 CDS4C Infancy	16.7
	466-418 CDS4D Family Studies: Parenting	16.7
	Note: One of these electives may be withdrawn if demand is insufficient.
Total Points		100.0

 7. Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Pathways Program)

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Pathways Program is designed to give holders of a TAFE Diploma of Children's Services the opportunity to upgrade their qualification to degree level by undertaking the BECS course part time and on an external basis.

Students entering the Pathways Program from 1999 receive 150 points credit towards the BECS course and complete the remaining 250 points externally, normally over five years. Students enrolled in this course prior to 1999 complete 200 points, normally over four years.

Students will have the opportunity to attend an orientation program at the beginning of the course. An additional campus program will be provided during each semester.

 7.1. Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Pathways Program) (Honours)

To qualify for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Pathways Program) (Honours) award a student must satisfy the following requirements in addition to the normal course requirements:

• obtained an average mark of 75 or more in practicum 3P-4P;

• obtained a mark of 65 or more in special research study P-honours;

• obtained an average mark of 75 or more in all other subjects in the course.

 7.2. Course outline for students commencing the course in 1999, 2000 or 2001

The normal pattern of study is as follows:

First year
	465-111 CFS12P Arts 1	12.5
	465-112 CTP11P Teaching and Learning	12.5
	485-255 CFS21P Mathematics	12.5
	465-212 CDS22P Socialisation and Identity	12.5
Total Points		50.0

Second year
	465-313 CDS31P Language, Literacy & Numeracy	12.5
	465-315 CTP31P Curriculum 3-5	12.5
	465-213 CDS23P Play & Development	12.5
	485-358 CFS31P Information Technology	12.5
Total Points		50.0

Third year
	465-312 Practicum 3 P	18.75
	465-316 CTP32P Curriculum Design 2	6.25
	465-314 CDS32P Developmental Differences	12.5
	465-424 ECP42P Administrative Processes	12.5
Total Points		50.0

Fourth year
	465-420 CDS41P Social Diversity	12.5
	485-359 CFS32P Science	12.5
	465-422 CTP41P Inclusive Curriculum	12.5
	465-425 ECP43P Managing the Centre	12.5
Total Points		50.0

Fifth year
	465-423 ECP41P Leadership and Advocacy	12.5
	465-421 CDS42P Assessment and Evaluation	12.5
	465-419 Practicum 4 P	12.5
	Plus either
	465-426 Special Research Study P	12.5
	OR
	465-427 Special Research Study P (Honours)	12.5
Total Points		50.0

 7.3. Course outline for students enrolled prior to 1999

The normal pattern of study is as follows:

First year
	466-190 CDS1C Theories of Play and Development EXT	12.5
	466-277 CDS2A Aspects of Development EXT	16.7
	466-175 Foundation Studies	12.5
	A-level Liberal Studies (External)	8.3
Total Points		50.0

Second year
	466-366 Curriculum 3A EXT	16.7
	B-level Liberal Studies (External)	33.3
Total Points		50.0

Third year
	466-393 CDS3A Diversity & Development EXT	16.7
	466-367 The Early Childhood Professional 3A EXT	16.7
Plus ONE child development studies 3 elective (external) from the following:
	466-397 CDS3E Social Inequality EXT	16.7
	466-392 CDS3C Personality Development EXT	16.7
	466-389 CDS3G Ethical Issues in Childrearing EXT	16.7
Total Points		50.1

Fourth year
	466-370 Curriculum 3B EXT	16.7
	466-394 The Early Childhood Professional 3B EXT	16.7
Plus ONE Child Development Studies 3 Elective (External) from the following:
	466-331 CDS3E Social Inequality EXT (Y)	16.7
	466-391 CDS3C Personality Development EXT (Y)	16.7
	466-390 CDS3G Ethical Issues:Childrearing EXT(Y)	16.7
Total Points		50.1

Liberal Studies subjects
Year one (A-level)		Points
	466-188 Biology 1C Plant and Animal Biology EXT	8.3
	466-187 Literature Studies 1C Children's Lit EXT	8.3
Year two (B-level)
	466-280 Literature Studies 2A Traditions EXT	16.7
	466-281 Literature Stud.2B Using Traditions EXT	16.7
	466-254 Biology 2A Ecology & Behaviour EXT	16.7
	466-211 Biology 2B Genetics & Evolution EXT	16.7

 7.4. New Zealand pathways program

Students who have completed a Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) or its equivalent in New Zealand receive 233.3 points of credit towards the pre-1999 pathways program. Students complete the remaining 116.7 points externally over two years.

Please note: There will be no new intake into this course in 2001.

First year
Compulsory subjects		Points
	466-393 CDS3A Diversity & Development EXT	16.7
	466-366 Curriculum 3A EXT	16.7
	466-367 The Early Childhood Professional 3A EXT	16.7
Plus ONE child development studies 3 elective (external) from the following:
	466-397 CDS3E Social Inequality EXT	16.7
	466-392 CDS3C Personality Development EXT	16.7
	466-389 CDS3G Ethical Issues in Childrearing EXT	16.7
Total Points		66.8

Second year
Compulsory subjects		Points
	466-394 The Early Childhood Professional 3B EXT	16.7
	466-370 Curriculum 3B EXT	16.7
Plus ONE child development studies 3 elective (external) from the following
	466-390 CDS3G Ethical Issues:Childrearing EXT(Y)	16.7
	466-391 CDS3C Personality Development EXT (Y)	16.7
Total Points		50.1

 8. Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Singapore Program)

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Singapore Program) is taught in Singapore through an arrangement with the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM). Holders of the Diploma in Early Childhood Studies from SIM have the opportunity to upgrade their qualification to degree level by undertaking the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies in a combined distance/intensive mode.

Students enrolled in the Singapore Program receive 200 points credit towards the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies and complete the remaining 200 points in Singapore, normally over three years.

This course is only available to international students. Subjects are not available under the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS).

First year
	465-109 CDS11S Child Family & Society	12.5
	465-110 CFS12S Arts 1	12.5
	465-208 CDS23S Play & Development	12.5
	465-209 CTP21S Curriculum 0-3	12.5
	465-408 ECP41S Leadership & Advocacy	12.5
Total Points		62.50

Second year
	465-308 CDS31S Language, Literacy & Numeracy	12.5
	485-362 CFS31S Information Technology	12.5
	465-310 CTP31S Curriculum 3-5	12.5
	465-311 CDS32S Developmental Differences	12.5
	465-409 CDS41S Social Diversity	12.5
	465-413 ECP43S Managing The Centre	12.5
Total Points		75.00

Third year
	465-410 ECP42S Administrative Processes	12.5
	465-411 CDS42S Assessment & Evaluation	12.5
	465-412 CTP41S Inclusive Curriculum	12.5
	465-414 Special Practicum Study (Singapore)	12.5
	Plus either
	465-418 Special Research Study Singapore	12.5
	OR
	465-415 Special Research Study Singapore-Honours	12.5
Total Points		62.50

 8.1. Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Singapore Program) (Honours)

To qualify for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Singapore Program) (Honours) award a student must satisfy the following requirements in addition to the normal course requirements:

• have obtained an average mark of 75 or more in 465-414 Special Practicum Study Singapore;

• have obtained a mark of 65 or more in Special Research Study Singapore (Honours);

• have obtained an average mark of 75 or more in all other subjects in the course.

Subject descriptions: Parkville program 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001

First year

Second year

Third year

Subject descriptions: Parkville program prior to 1998

Third year

Honours program

Subject descriptions: Pathways Program 1999, 2000 and 2001

First year

Second year

Subject descriptions: Pathways Program prior to 1999

Second year

Third year

Fourth year

Subject descriptions: Singapore Program

First year

Second year

Third year

Status:                   Official 2001
Last Modified:            Wednesday May 23 22:25
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Authorised by:            Academic Registrar
Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au