Master of Science in Biology Teaching (5 years, 300 ЕCTS)

Name and the Goals of the Study Programme

The study programme aims at educating students for teaching biology in primary and secondary schools and working in other educational institutions.

Type of the Study and the Outcome of the Education Process

The integrated first and second level course of study in the field of biology teaching comprises a 5-year study programme (10 semesters) with a minimum of 300 ECTS collected.

Upon completion of the course of study in Biology Teaching, graduates are qualified for teaching biology-related school subjects (Biology and Ecology) in primary and secondary education schools as well as for professional work in other institutions within the educational system.

Professional Title, Academic, or Scientific Title

Candidates who complete the integrated first and second level course of study are awarded the title of Master of Science in Biology Teaching.

Admission Conditions

Applicants are required to submit the certificate of completing a four-year secondary education. They are also required to pass the entrance exam in Biology.

The Structure of the Study Programme

The study programme comprises a group of compulsory and elective courses that are all specified by their syllabi and that ensure that the student has gained the relevant knowledge and skills required for earning the degree in integrated first and second level course of study in sciences. The integrated five-year course of study comprises the following courses:

• Biological sciences (Biology and Ecology) courses: 30 of them are compulsory (171 ECTS) and 54 are elective. The elective courses are organized in nine groups;
• Psychologically and pedagogically oriented courses and courses related to teaching methodology: five of them are compulsory (26 ECTS), there are two obligatory teaching practice courses (8 ECTS) and six elective courses;
• Final thesis (20 ECTS).

Each of the courses in study programme is allocated a specific number of ECTS and the overall course of the study programme includes the total of ECTS credits. The total of ECTS per academic year is minimally 60, which represents the average workload of the student in a 40-hour working week per academic year. The overall student workload includes attendance (lectures, practicals, practicums, seminars and field studies), individual studying, tests, examinations and other forms of coursework.

Referring to the total number of ECTS, compulsory courses are allocated 225 ECTS while elective courses are allocated the minimum of 79 ECTS.

The study programme courses that comprise the total number of ECTS are organised in the following groups:

• Academic general knowledge courses that are allocated the minimum of 47 ECTS.
• Theoretically methodological courses that are allocated the minimum of 61 ECTS.
• Scientifically-oriented specialist courses that are allocated at least 107 ECTS.
• Applicable specialist courses that are allocated at least 89 ECTS.

The Time Allotted for the Realization of Particular Study Forms

The study programme of integrated first and second level course of studies leading to the Master of Science in Biology Teaching takes 5 years (10 semesters).

The total learning hours per academic year are the following:

• 840 hours in the first year,
• 840 hours in the second year,
• 840 hours in the third year,
• 840 hours in the fourth year,
• 615 + 270 hours (final thesis research and writing) in the fifth year.

Credit Values of Particular Courses

The number of ECTS awarded to each course is shown in the Table enlisting courses per semesters and years of studying, as well as in the Tables showing course specification.

Diploma Work

The study programme requires the final thesis writing and its defence. The final thesis is allocated 20 ECTS.

Prerequisites for the Registration for Particular Courses or Group of Courses

The prerequisites for certain courses are specified in the Tables showing course specification.

Way of Choosing Courses from the Other Study Programmes

The student taking the study programme Master of Science in Biology Teaching can choose elective courses from other closely related study programmes (Bachelor of Science in Biology).

Transferring from Another Study Programme

Transfer from other study programmes to the study programme Master of Science in Biology Teaching can be achieved by transferring ECTS. The criteria and conditions for ECTS transfer are regulated by the general act of the Faculty of Sciences in Novi Sad.

The purpose of the study programme is to educate students within the field of biology and make them competent for teaching biology in schools. The study programme structure with its general education, theoretical and methodological courses enables students to acquire fundamentals of natural science disciplines and pedagogical science. The student acquires competences and skills required for teaching in both primary and secondary education schools. The psychological, pedagogical and teaching methods courses fully prepare the student for teaching biology in accordance with latest teaching standards. The competences and skills acquired at this level serve as the basis of fundamental knowledge necessary for continuing the educational process at doctoral level in the field of biology and biology teaching.

The objective of the study programme is to educate educating students for teaching biology in primary and secondary schools and for working in other educational institutions. The study programme provides students with wide and contemporary knowledge related to biological sciences and makes them competent for biology teaching.  The modern concept of pedagogical and teaching methods courses develops a number of pedagogical, didactic, modern teaching and communication competencies. Students are encouraged for continual professional development.

General and Course-specific Competencies of Students

By completing the study programme, graduates acquire the following general abilities and skills:

• Planning the activities that develop comprehension of scientific concepts among pupils;
• Understanding the process of learning and various learning styles and strategies;
• Planning the activities in accordance with pupils’ background knowledge, their individual needs and characteristics, the learning goals and outcomes and specific learning environments;
• Planning the activities for developing critical, analytical and divergent thinking;
• Planning various ways of evaluating and assessing pupils’ progress;
• Evaluating pupils’ achievement and implementing continual, public, objective and stimulating assessment;
• Evaluating the efficiency of their own teaching based on pupils’ achievements;
• Understanding of research processes, methods and techniques related to the field of biology teaching and general education;
• Foreign language proficiency related to the field of biology.

By completing the study programme, graduates acquire the following subject-specific skills and abilities:

• Applying and developing professional knowledge: subject-specific (all biological disciplines) and pedagogical and didactic knowledge necessary for successful biology teaching following the latest teaching standards;
• Planning, programming and conducting the teaching process in primary and secondary schools;
• Interdisciplinary competencies (new educational and technological skills and their implementation in the teaching process), knowledge of other natural science disciplines;
• Planning and evaluating their own professional development.

The Outcomes

The learning outcome is a teacher with high-level academic education in the field of biology and competent for transferring this knowledge to primary and secondary school pupils. The acquired knowledge provides successful teaching career in primary and secondary education.

Minimum learning outcomes:

• The knowledge of biosystem structure, organization and function at the level of molecoles, tissues, organisms and populations;
• The usage of basic biological concepts and understanding the importance of biological disciplines for modern science;
• Laboratory skills and ability to conduct simple experiments in school conditions;
• Searching for information in professional publications;
• Successful application of standard principles in planning, programming and managing the teaching process.