Master of Science in Teaching Physics (1 year, 60 ECTS) – 2013/2014-2017/2018

Name and the Goals of the Study Programme

The name of the Study Programme is Master of Science in Teaching Physics (1 year, 60 ECTS). The Goal of this study programme is to provide academic education of experts in the field of Physics and Astronomy.

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. The basic and broadened knowledge of physics students can obtain through the elective courses. This study program provides students with guidance to teaching physics in elementary and secondary schools, depending on their aspirations and preferences.

• These studies belong to the second cycle – master studies.
• Learning outcomes (competencies) are given in Standard.
• Upon completion of this programme, the student receives the title of Master Professor in Physics.
• Enrolment requirements are in accordance with the Law on Higher Education.

Professional Title, Academic, or Scientific Title

Title of the study programme: Master Academic Studies Master Professor in Physics.

The Structure of the Study Programme

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 production and defence of a master’s thesis. Important component of the study program is students’ independent work in mastering the content.

The Time Allotted for the Realization of Particular Study Forms

The total duration of the studies is 1 year (2 semesters), where students need to collect at least 60 ECTS.

Credit Values of Particular Courses

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

Criteria for registering certain courses are defined for each subject individually and are presented in Standard.
The method of selection of the courses is given in Standard.

Diploma Work

In order to graduate, students must pass all the required courses within the selected module, passed at least one option of each of the selective courses, and have written and defended the Master thesis, and accumulated a minimum of 60 ECTS.

Way of Choosing Courses from the Other Study Programmes

A list of mandatory and elective courses with general content are given in the tables.

Transferring from Another Study Programme

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

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

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 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. Master Professor in Physics 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 teaching Physics and Astronomy, 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 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 to address the challenges in an interesting and intellectually challenging way. One of the main goals is to broaden the knowledge and understanding acquired at the undergraduate level, which are the basis for the development of critical thinking and application of knowledge.

The main professional goal is to educate and train professionals to work in the field, therefore gaining critical and integrated level of knowledge and understanding the principles necessary for studying physics and transferring knowledge of physics to children. Of course, these principles can be achieved only when the students have previously acquired and expanded the basic knowledge of the theoretical and experimental principles and methods of Physics.

Of course, the ultimate goal is that students obtain the appropriate qualifications which require them to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in those areas that complement the knowledge gained at the undergraduate level and makes the basis for the development of critical thinking and application of knowledge; to be able to apply their knowledge and understanding to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environment within broader or multidisciplinary areas within the field of study; to have developed the ability to integrate knowledge, solve complex problems, and make judgments based on available information which reflect on social and ethical responsibilities connected to the application of their knowledge and judgment; to have developed the ability of clear and unambiguous transfer of knowledge and ways of concluding to other experts and general public; to have developed the ability to continue further studies in the field of their own preference.

Professional goals are aimed at providing students with critical and integrated knowledge and understanding of:

• role of Physics in the system of education;
• goals of teaching Physics in the system of education;
• methods of transferring information and knowledge in physics;
• methods of working with children, colleagues and other stakeholders in the education sector;
• methods of approaching teaching, learning and evaluation;
• communication and the building the proper interpersonal relationships with both children and colleagues.

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;
• 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, effective use of computers in practice are mainly achieved through laboratory exercises and 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:

• Integrated knowledge of standard strategies of knowledge transfer and learning;
• Knowledge of the strategy of advising children and parents;
• Ability to efficiently communicate with groups and individuals;
• The ability to create motivational learning environment;
• Integrated knowledge and understanding of standard 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, and adequate ways knowledge transfer to children;
• 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 and astronomy;
• 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.