course-details-portlet

DID3501

Nature of science

Choose study year

This course is no longer taught and is only available for examination.

Credits 7.5
Level Second degree level
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Home examination

About

About the course

Course content

The natural sciences that are the basis of school-science has various marks and characteristics which set them apart from social sciences. Essential for this course is an in-depth understanding of the methods and practices used in science to attain knowledge. Central themes such as the testing of hypotheses, experiments, model development, verifiability, openness and critique are discussed with different teaching methods such as lectures, practical exercises and seminars. This course will also discuss the limits of scientific knowledge and issues linked to the validity of knowledge.

Learning outcome

KNOWLEDGE

The candidate

  • has in-depth knowledge on the nature of science with emphasis on the scientific method and how science advances
  • has knowledge on the history of science
  • has knowledge on critical thinking as part of science
  • has knowledge on legitimations for nature of science as a theme in school-science and on the pupils understanding of nature of science
  • has in-depth knowledge on the difference between science and pseudoscience

SKILLS

The candidate

  • can use knowledge on nature of science in teaching
  • can identify nature of science as themes within curricula, teaching resources and media
  • can use knowledge on the frontiers of science in teaching of school-science
  • can use controversial issues in science to enhance the understanding of how scientific knowledge develops

GENERAL COMPETENCE

The candidate

  • can use scientific knowledge in different societal settings in mindful ways

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, seminars, student presentations

Compulsory assignments

Essay and student presentation

Compulsory assignments

  • Essay and presentation

Further on evaluation

Written home exam over 72 hours.

Course materials

Course material will mainly be journal papers or book chapters in Norwegian or English. List will be available prior to course start.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
MGLU5233 7.5 sp Autumn 2020
EDU3021 7.5 sp Autumn 2020
This course has academic overlap with the courses in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Pedagogical knowledge
  • Life Sciences

Contact information

Course coordinator

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Teacher Education