Learning outcome

After successfully completing the course, the candidate will have achieved the following learning outcomes.

Knowledge

The candidate has knowledge of:

• Plants and characteristics of a variety of Norwegian plant families
• The senses and the major organ systems of the human body
• Puberty and substance abuse
• Magnetism and electricity
• Physical phenomena related to water, air, light and sound
• The earth and the solar system
• The weather and climate
• Rocks and minerals
• Environmental challenges
• Subject didactics for teaching science subjects in primary and lower secondary schools

Skills

The candidate can:

• Identify a selection of plants using floral specimens
• Conduct field trips using exploratory science methods
• Implement simple technological and design projects
• Use scientific equipment
• Use pupils’ everyday experiences when planning teaching, and use local learning contexts
• Plan, implement and evaluate science teaching
• Give oral presentations, develop arguments, read and interpret scientific texts
• Carry out physics calculations
• Use technology-based tools in experiments, field work and other forms of teaching

General competence
The candidate:

• Understands his/her role and practice as a science teacher
• Has knowledge of science methodology and approaches
• Has knowledge of safety in science teaching

Course Description

The course is divided into the following parts: Botany, body and health, physics, technology and design, the physical universe, geosciences and the environment.

Botany: Taxonomy and morphology of plants, lichens and fungi. Plant identification. Introduction to photosynthesis, cell respiration and reproduction in plants.

Body and Health: Human body’s senses and organ system. Puberty, sexuality, fetal development and birth. Nutrition, lifestyle and substance abuse.

Physics: Introduction to the energy concept, magnetism, electricity and physical properties of water, air, light and sound.

Technology and design: Planning and implementation of technology and design projects.

The physical universe: The earth, the solar system and the universe.

Geosciences: Minerals and rocks. Weather and climate.

Environment: Waste sorting and cycles of nature. Sustainable development.

Teaching and Learning Methods

• Lectures and supervision
• Practical activities indoors and outdoors
• Work in groups and individually
• Oral presentations
• Written assignments

Attendance at the practical activities and field work is obligatory. Information concerning which teaching sessions are obligatory will be given in the semester plan at the start of each semester. Please refer to the applicable guidelines at Telemark University College for requirements regarding obligatory instruction.

Assessment Methods

Continuous assessment

Obligatory requirements are defined in detail in the semester plan. Coursework must be approved before the student can be awarded a final grade.

Final assessment

Written, individual examination, graded A-F. Counts for 60% of the final grade.

Oral, individual examination, graded A-F. Counts for 40% of the final grade.

The final grade will be entered on the diploma.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean