Bachelor of Science in Teaching Physics (4 years, 240 ECTS) – 2011/2012-2015/2016

Name and the Goals of the Study Programme

The title of the study programme:

Bachelor academic studies Bachelor with Honours in Physics Teaching.

The goal of this study programme is to provide academic education of experts in teaching Physics and Astronomy in primary and secondary schools.

Type of the Study and the Outcome of the Education Process

Since on the one hand physics is a fundamental science and a very broad one, on the other hand, the modern market demands experts for teaching in primary and secondary schools, this study programme is designed to meet both criteria.

Basic knowledge of physics necessary to all physicists, especially those who choose teaching in primary and secondary schools, is provided through obligatory courses that are common to the study program of bachelor academic studies in physics and bachelor academic studies – bachelor academic studies in physics teaching.

Professional Title, Academic, or Scientific Title

Upon completion of this programme, the student receives the title of Bachelor with Honours in Physics Teaching.

The Structure of the Study Programme

Enrolment requirements are in accordance with the Law on Higher Education.
Studies are conducted through teaching courses listed in Standard Curriculum. The course, in addition to lectures, may include experimental-laboratory, demonstration and computational exercises, homework, practice, preparation and defending seminar papers. Important component of the study program is students’ independent work in mastering the content. Student has the option but is not required to do a Graduation thesis. Duration of the study program is four academic years i.e. eight semesters.

Credit value of each of the courses and of the Graduation thesis is reported in accordance with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and is given in Standard Curriculum.

The method of selection of the courses is given in Standard Curriculum.

Conditions for transfer from other study programmes within the same or related field of study are also defined.

The Time Allotted for the Realization of Particular Study Forms

The total duration of the studies is 4 years (8 semesters), where students need to collect at least 240 ECTS.

Credit Values of Particular Courses

Credit value of the programme is 240 ECTS.

Diploma Work

Students in the fourth year of studies have the option to choose to do a Graduation thesis instead of taking two elective courses from the fourth year.

Prerequisites for the Registration for Particular Courses or Group of Courses

Courses under this program are classified into groups of academic-general education courses, theoretical-methodological courses, scientific-vocational courses, and vocational-applied courses.  Courses are also classifies as obligatory and elective.

The purpose of the study programme is providing the high-quality education to successfully perform academic and professional work in the field of Physics and Astronomy Teaching to students of primary and secondary schools, who will play a leading role in their area of expertise. The study program guarantees acquiring all the necessary competences for education of professionals.

The existence of this degree program is fully justified and beneficial to the society as a whole, given the role of modern physics – understanding the physical processes and materials. The physicists are experts necessary in every modern society, as they are the key element in the development of new energy sources, new materials, and new technologies.

They are also needed in all areas of modern science and technology in general. Environmental protection, modern medicine, meteorology, astronomy and astrophysics, modern education, as well as many other areas cannot develop without physicists. Moreover, physics, its methods and models are today applied in areas such as economy, stock market business.

It is therefore clear that the quality education of staff for teaching physics in elementary and secondary schools is needed in every developed society. Good experts of this profile should raise the motivation for studying physics with children, regardless of the jobs that they would do later in life. In addition, it is equally important that these experts support and guide children who show talent towards the natural sciences, physics in particular.

Experts of this profile are primarily educated to perform all forms of physics teaching in primary and secondary schools. In addition, they are able to perform a variety of basic physical analysis and to use a variety of existing models. Well-educated Bachelor with Honours in Physics Teaching possesses a wide range of job opportunities as for example teaching in primary and secondary schools, working in boarding schools, in the government sector, etc.

Faculty of Sciences provides education and training to experts in natural and mathematical sciences, which confirms that the existence of this programme complies with the basic tasks and goals of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad.

The primary goals of this study programme are obtaining academic and professional competences in Physics and Physics teaching, and mastering the skills and methods for their acquisition and further development. None the less important are the goals to develop creative abilities and skills to perform various forms of teaching Physics, as well as development and application of physics.

The most important general objectives of the study programme are to provide stimulating environment for professional and personal development of students, to use the learning methods to develop analytical, critical and self-critical thinking and approach in order to raise the quality of teaching physics in schools.

The main professional goal is to educate and train professionals who will motivate children to study physics and be able to transfer knowledge in an interesting way and at the same possess the basic and extensive knowledge of both theoretical and experimental principles and methods in physics.

The ultimate goal is to provide students with the appropriate qualifications which require them to demonstrate knowledge in the field at the level of using the expert literature which comprises aspects that rely on the core knowledge of the subject; to be able to apply their knowledge professionally; to develop skills of creating and defending arguments; developed the ability to solve problems within the field of study; to develop the ability to collect and interpret the necessary data; develop the ability to reflect on the relevant social, scientific or ethical issues; to be able to report the results of their work to fellow-colleagues and the general public; to get the skills for further improvement.

Professional goals are aimed at providing students with:

• Basic understanding of the role of physics in the modern world;
• Knowledge and understanding of the objectives of teaching physics in elementary and secondary schools;
• Methods for transferring knowledge in physics;
• Understanding the way of working with children, colleagues and other stakeholders in the education sector;
• Basic methods and approach to teaching, learning and assessment;
• Ability to create atmosphere of equality among all students, regardless of the socio-cultural and economic differences;
• Skills to communicate and build proper human relations both with children and other colleagues;
• Knowledge of mathematics and mathematical methods that are important for physics;
• Extensive knowledge of the basics of theoretical and experimental physics;
• Knowledge of the basics of applied physics;
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the basics of the structure of matter and methods for its study;
• Knowledge of the basic principles of modern appliances, equipment and instruments;
• Understanding and knowledge of the basic principles of measurement and data processing.

This study programme defines general methods and strategies for acquiring the competencies:

• to acquire knowledge and understanding: accumulation of knowledge is mainly achieved through lectures and various forms of exercises and practice whose purpose is to deepen, clarify and highlight the practical importance of the content presented in classes. This also includes specialized learning through seminar papers at different levels in accordance with students progress;
• The program is designed to enable students to, after acquiring the basic competence for working in the field, obtain a high degree of liberty to choose a particular professional direction, which is in accordance with their own ambitions and wishes;
• General competencies (ability to analyze, ability of problem solving, integrating theory and practice, synthesis) are mainly achieved through lectures followed by different types of exercises, particularly within the core courses. It is very important to engage students in solving practical problems in the exercise or practice;
• General competences (communication skills through oral presentations and written reports, the use of information technology, the ability to work independently or in a team, integration and evaluation of  information from various sources, effective and permanent learning); Part of these competences is acquired through obtaining other skills. These skills are continually developed, upgraded and improved throughout the programme, especially with the increase of complexity of the seminar papers and practical problems to be solved by students;
• Subject-specific skills such as planning how to solve practical problems, the use of laboratory methods for data collection, data analysis and their critical assessment, preparation of reports, presentations of reports, and effective use of computers in practice are mainly achieved through laboratory exercises, producing seminar papers, and professional practice.

Taking into account that evaluating students is one of the necessary steps in creating high quality experts in the area, each of the courses provides specific methods of assessment.

Description of general and course-specific competencies of students
Description of learning outcomes

By mastering the curriculum, the student acquires the following general skills:

• Analysis, synthesis and forecasting solutions and consequences;
• Development of analytical, critical and self-critical thinking and approach to problem solving;
• Development of communication skills and agility, cooperation with immediate social and international environment;
• Application of professional ethics;
• Lifelong learning and training;
• Creativity;
• Applying knowledge in practice;
• Work independently or in a team;
• Collecting and interpreting data;
• Reflection on the relevant social, scientific or ethical issues;
• Mastering the methods, procedures and process of research.

By mastering the study programme, the student acquires the following course-specific skills and knowledge:

• Knowledge of certain strategies of knowledge transfer and learning;
• Knowledge of certain strategies of advising children and parents;
• Knowledge of the basics of how to efficiently communicate with groups and individuals;
• The ability to create motivational learning environment;
• Knowledge of methods of the correct progress evaluation and achievements of the children in physics and astronomy learning;
• Efficient time management;
• Knowledge and understanding of different ways of responding to children’s needs;
• The ability to plan teaching instructions and implementation of the planned activities;
• Basic and advanced knowledge and understanding of the basics of theoretical and experimental physics;
• Ability for further academic and professional training;
• Identification of the core processes and critical thinking;
• Ability to use existing models;
• Finding and using scientific or technical literature with the use of key knowledge areas of study;
• Critical selection and use of literature with the assistance of experts;
• Professional application of knowledge and understanding;
• Basic understanding and knowledge of the nature and methods of research in physics;
• Knowledge and understanding of the basics of modern physics;
• Work under the expert supervision;
• Knowledge of a foreign language for the purpose of professional communication;
• Knowledge and understanding of ethics related to physics and physics teaching.