Learning outcome

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

Knowledge:

The candidate has knowledge of:

- Chemical reactions and the structure and properties of organic substances such as nutrients

- Plate tectonics, geologic time scale, minerals, rocks and Norway’s geology

- The atmosphere, major weather systems and weather and climate in Norway

- Global warming, waste issues and substances’ effects on the environment

- Organ systems of the human body, health and lifestyle diseases

- Puberty, sexuality and substance abuse

Skills

The candidate can:

- Use practical activities and models

- Use pupils’ everyday experiences when planning teaching, and use local learning contexts

- Plan, implement and evaluate science teaching

- Give oral presentations, provide argumentation, read and interpret science texts

- Use calculations to produce results from his/her own measurements

- Apply rules for naming chemical substances

- Use technology-based tools in experiments and field work

General competence

The candidate:

- Understands his/her role and practice as a science teacher

- Knows how to foster pupils’ perception, joy of discovery and curiosity related to the target area “the young scientist”

- Knows how to facilitate learning that fosters pupils’ love of nature, knowledge and concern for the environment

- Has knowledge of safety in science teaching

Course Description

The course is divided into five parts: Human biology, chemistry, geology, weather and climate and the environment:

Human biology: The main organ systems in the body. Fetal development and birth, nutrition, health and lifestyle. Puberty, sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse and drugs.

Chemistry: Basic chemistry with emphasis on chemical reactions, organic chemistry and laboratory experiments.

Geology: Plate tectonics, geologic time scale, minerals, rocks, geology in local areas.

Weather and climate: The atmosphere. The major weather systems and how they affect the weather and climate in Norway.

The environment: Global warming, waste and other environmental challenges.

Teaching and Learning Methods

- Lectures and supervision

- Practical activities

- Oral presentations

- Written assignments

Attendance at the practical activities is obligatory. Information concerning which teaching sessions are obligatory will be given in the semester plan at the start of each semester.

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 100% of the final grade.

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