Integrated academic studies of chemistry teaching (5 years, 301 ECTS)

Name and the Goals of the Study Programme

The name of the Study programme is Integrated academic studies of chemistry teaching (5 years, 301 ECTS).

The Goals of the programme are that students:

• form a flexible, widely applicable system of chemical knowledge that will enable them to solve specific chemical problems;
• develop teaching competences (for teaching area, subject and chemistry teaching methods, for teaching and learning chemistry, for support of students’ development as well as communication and collaboration);
• develop skills for professional work in primary and secondary schools, public services and the chemical and allied industries;
• acquire knowledge and develop competences for further education at the tertiary level.

Type of the Study and the Outcome of the Education Process

On successful completion of this programme students would be able to:

• demonstrate advanced knowledge and a broad critical understanding of chemistry and to be involved competently in the realization of the chemistry teaching process in elementary and secondary education.
• independently plan experiments and apply advanced methods, techniques and methods of research in chemistry and chemistry teaching.
• objectively adopt, evaluate and present research results as well as to solve complex problems in chemistry and chemistry teaching.

Professional Title, Academic, or Scientific Title

After the five-year study, i.e. by earning 301 ECTS, the graduate obtains the title – Master of Science in Chemistry Education.

Admission Conditions

A candidate can enroll in the first level studies only under criteria and procedures defined by the open competition that is announced by the University of Novi Sad and realized by the Faculty of Sciences. A candidate, who has completed the secondary education in duration of four years (gymnasium or relevant secondary school) and passed the entrance exam, has the right to apply for enrollment in the first year of Integrated academic studies of chemistry teaching. Ranking of candidates enrolling for the first year of Integrated academic studies is determined by the overall secondary school marks and points scored at the entrance exam. In reference to the points generated on basis of candidates’ secondary school marks and enrolment test score, a Faculty determines an integral rank list.

The Structure of the Study Programme

The compulsory and the elective courses are listed in Tables along with the ECTS credits and weekly hours of lectures and exercises.

The Time Allotted for the Realization of Particular Study Forms

Integrated academic studies of chemistry teaching lasts five academic years (10 semesters) in which students have to earn at least 301 ECTS.

Credit Values of Particular Courses

Each course carries a certain number of ECTS credits, specified in the Book of Courses.

Diploma Work

The final year of the study program Integrated academic studies of chemistry teaching ends up by completing and defending of the Master thesis. The Master thesis is a result of the independent student’s work through which the student demonstrates autonomy and creativity in applying the acquired theoretical and practical knowledge. Preparation of a Master thesis begins in the ninth semester, and lasts until the end of the tenth semester. Defence of the Master thesis is the final exam for obtaining the academic title Master of Science in Chemistry Education. This work is valued 15 ECTS credits.

Prerequisites for the Registration for Particular Courses or Group of Courses

The Book of Courses contains the prerequisites for the registering for particular courses.

Way of Choosing Courses from the Other Study Programmes

The student can choose any course from the offered list of courses of the study program he/she is enrolled in, but a prerequisite is to earn at least 60 ECTS credits in one academic year (including Master thesis). As a rule, the registration for the elective courses is carried out at the time of registering for the study year. Lessons will be organized if the total number of students who chosen to attend the given course is above the limit envisaged by the study program encompassing the given elective course. There is a possibility of choosing courses from other study programs. In that case student is obliged to submit an application to the Council of the Department, which decides about the acceptance/rejection in accordance with the curriculum of the given study program.

Transferring from Another Study Programme

There is the possibility of transferring from one to another study program based on the ECTS system for the same and similar courses. A request for transition must be officially made by written application to the Council of the Department.

The purpose of the Integrated academic studies of chemistry teaching is to initially form and develop the competences and academic knowledge necessary for competent work in educational institutions (primary, gymnasium and secondary vocational schools) and in developmental, control, service, and research laboratories. The level of knowledge acquired will enable the graduates a further upgrading of chemical education through the research and practical application. The academic chemical education provided by this study program is in a line with the latest scientific advances in modern chemistry and chemical education and is designed to encourage graduates to continue their professional development.

The study program Integrated academic studies of chemistry teaching provide the students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills, that enables a good understanding of concepts / terms in chemistry (analytical, organic, inorganic etc) as well as in chemistry teaching, which is achieved through the defined objectives of the study program. The objectives of the study programme are that students:

• form a flexible, widely applicable system of chemical knowledge that will enable them to solve specific chemical problems;
• develop teaching competences (for teaching area, subject and chemistry teaching methods, for teaching and learning chemistry, for support of students’ development as well as communication and collaboration);
• develop skills for professional work in primary and secondary schools, public services and the chemical and allied industries;
• acquire knowledge and develop competences for further education at the tertiary level.

General and Course-specific Competencies of Students

On successful completion of this programme students develops the following general competencies:

• oral and written communication skills;
• the ability to collect, evaluate and interpret relevant information;
• ability to make scientifically based arguments and conclusions following scientific, social and ethical values;
• ability to understand tasks and formulate problems in a work-based manner;
• teamwork skills with the exchange of ideas and information between members of a professional team;
• respect of professional ethics.

Also, a student develops the teaching competences for:

• teaching area, subject and chemistry teaching methods;
• teaching and learning chemistry;
• support of students’ development;
• communication and collaboration.

Additionally, a student develops the following scientific-research competencies:

• a systematic understanding of the basic chemical concepts and ideas;
• the ability to work safely in a laboratory environment;
• the competent in respect of information technology;
• the ability to plan, realize and elaborate an experiment and interpret the results obtained.