MGBNA401 Natural Science 2, module 2 - The living nature 2
Course description for academic year 2024/2025
Contents and structure
Natural Science 2 consists of two modules, each worth 15 credits:
- Natural Science 2, Module 1 - Physics and Chemistry in Education for Sustainability
- Natural Science 2, Module 2 - The Living Nature 2
Natural Science 2 complements Natural Science 1 in width and depth. Subject and didactics are connected, and the topics covered should provide academic and didactic confidence for work with key areas of natural science for grades 1-7 in primary school.
Arrangements will be made for Natural Science 2 to be taken by exchange students at another institution.
Module 2 of Natural Science 2 is divided into a scientific and didactic part worth 7.5 credits and an R&D assignment, a research and development project worth 7.5 credits, in combination between science didactics and the subject of pedagogy and student knowledge. The R&D assignment shall be profession-oriented.
The scientific part of the module focuses on education for sustainable development, evolution, genetics, cellular processes, and biotechnology. In science didactics, the focus is on further developing students' teaching competence in natural science.
The course plan follows the progression in practice and interdisciplinary themes as outlined in the study program plan and the practice course plan for the current year.
The module is taught in English if 3 or more exchange students choose the module.
Learning Outcome
Upon completion of this module, the student shall have achieved the following total learning outcomes:
Knowledge
The student
- has knowledge of cellular processes
- has knowledge of mechanisms behind genetics, evolution, and speciation
- has knowledge of challenges and opportunities for sustainable development in the future, with a special focus on conservation of biodiversity
- has knowledge of various types of nature and about species and groups of organisms adapted to Norwegian nature
- has knowledge of education for sustainable development
- has knowledge of and can discuss socio-scientific issues related to, among other things, sustainable development and biotechnology
- has knowledge of relevant research in science education
Skills
The student
- can find, evaluate, and refer to scientific and science didactic research and literature and apply this in teaching and discussion with fellow students
- can work independently and research-based with science didactic issues
- can convey others' and their own research and master academic writing at a basic level
- can apply and evaluate natural science in socially relevant issues
- can apply subject-specific and didactic knowledge in planning, implementation, and evaluation of science teaching
General competence
The student
- has initial insight into methods within profession-oriented research
- can delve into self-selected science didactic literature and reflect on its role in teaching
- can contribute to and participate in the development of teaching practice in science for grades 1-7
- can conduct science teaching in accordance with the current curriculum for grades 1-7
- can plan and implement interdisciplinary teaching
Entry requirements
No requirements
Recommended previous knowledge
Natural Science 1 - The Living Nature
Teaching methods
Teaching methods will vary between lectures, discussions, demonstrations, fieldwork, excursions, problem-solving, and teaching exercises.
Fieldwork or excursions are a mandatory part of the study, and it is assumed that students participate.
Parts of the curriculum must be studied independently. It is recommended that the curriculum material be processed through study groups.
Compulsory learning activities
Throughout the semester, students must have obligatory learning activities that document the development of academic and science didactic competence. The obligatory learning activities shall include:
- Task related to practice
- Present the R&D assignment in a mid-term seminar and comment on another student's project
- Academic and didactic learning activities
Detailed guidelines for the obligatory learning activities will be provided at the start of the semester. The obligatory learning activities must be completed by the specified deadlines and approved before being eligible for examination.
Assessment
Part 1: Written school exam, 4 hours. Counts for 50% of the final grade.
Part 2: R&D assignment. Counts for 50% of the final grade.
Graded on a scale from A-F, where F is a fail.
Both parts must be passed to receive a grade in the module. If one part is not passed, the part that is not passed must be retaken as a new exam.
If the R&D assignment is not passed, it is possible to submit an improved version in the following semester. It is only possible to submit an improved version with the same problem once. After this, a completely new R&D assignment must be written.
Examination support material
- Written school exam: No support materials.
- R&D assignment: All support materials are allowed.