A former club manager with an affinity for numbers is among the first students to enrol in a new double degree in Secondary Education and Science offered through USC’s Fraser Coast campus.

Hervey Bay’s Damien Moffat said the opportunity to study locally was the motivation he needed to finally pursue his interest in teaching high school maths and science.

USC Fraser Coast will introduce first-year subjects in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/ Bachelor of Science from Semester 1 next year, in response to growing demand for specialist science and maths teachers.

Students can complete the remainder of the subjects at USC’s Sunshine Coast campus. The double degree allows students to increase their career options with two degrees in four years of study.

“I worked for many years as a painter, in hospitality as a club manager, and more recently as a stay-at-home dad to my three children,” Mr Moffat, 45, said. “My interest has always been in teaching and I enjoy working with numbers.”

When his youngest child started school last year, he began a degree in Primary Education at USC Fraser Coast.

“It is a great to now have the flexibility to study secondary education at the Hervey Bay campus, and to be able to specialise in maths and science through the science degree.”

The keen motorcyclist, who has launched his own motorcycle blog aimed at helping beginner riders, said he never considered online study, despite his interest in digital media.

“I like hands-on learning and believe I benefit more from the face-to-face teaching that USC offers,” he said.

Students of the double degree complete 80 days of supervised professional experience in Queensland schools to link theory and practice and gain valuable field experience by engaging with community projects.

Chair of the Fraser Coast Education Alliance Simon Done said the introduction of the new first-year subjects at USC Fraser Coast would allow high schools to reap the benefit of pre-service teachers training and working locally.

“Secondary schools in our area can work with USC to produce local talent for our classrooms,” Mr Done said.

Applications are now open via QTAC for about 20 degrees and study programs offered at USC’s Fraser Coast campus in 2018. Information on how to apply.

— Clare McKay