University of Latvia Higher Professional Studies Programme Faculty of Biology SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER

Aim of the studies To ensure the obtaining of the higher professional education by the secondary school biology and elementary school chemistry teachers, granting the qualified biologists and chemists the right to work in the corresponding Latvian educational institutions in accordance with the contemporary scientifical and technological, educational and social requirements and paying a significant contribution to the Latvian educational, economical and cultural life. SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER

Tasks of the studies 1. Promote the education of a creative and motivated biology and chemistry teacher. 2. Promote the formation of the pedagogic interaction, analytical skill and the aptitude to organize and evaluate individual and team work of the students. 3. Ensure the cohesiveness of the theoretical and practical skills of the prospective teachers, to promote the application possibilities of the theoretical knowledge and skills to the Pedagogical practice. SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER

Eligibility requirements 1. Bachelor Degree in Biology 2. Previously acquired Biology-related higher education 3. Bachelor Degree in other natural sciences - Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Geography * 4. Previously acquired higher education in other natural sciences - Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Geography * General Biology Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry Organic Chemistry SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER *

Contents of the study programme Part A - compulsory courses (26 credit points) 1. Chemistry Teaching Methods4 exam 2. General Pedagogy2 exam 3. Methods of Biology Instructions4 exam 4. Pedagogical Practice4 6test 5. Qualification Paper6 test Nr. Course Title III Semesters and Exam credit points type SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER

Contents of the study programme Part B - elective courses (min 14 credit points required) Nr. Course Title III Semesters and Exam credit points type 1. Demonstration of Chemistry 2exam Methods in School 2. Demonstration of Plant 2exam Propagation Methods in School 3. Fauna of Latvia and 2exam Protection of Animals 4. General Didactics4exam 5. General Psychology2exam SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER

Contents of the study programme Part B - elective courses (min 14 credit points required) Nr. Course Title III Semesters and Exam. credit points form 6. Human Anatomy 2exam 7. Interaction Psychology 2test 8. Methods of Composition and 1test Doing Sums in Genetics 9. Methods of Doing Sums in 2exam Chemistry 10. Methods of Professional 2exam Orientation in Chemistry SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER

Contents of the study programme Part B - elective courses (min 14 credit points required) Nr. Course Title III Semesters and Exam. credit points form 11. Methods of Teaching of Cell2exam Biology 12. Philosophy of Education 2test 13. Protection of Flora 2test 14. Research Process in Pedagogy 1test SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER

Contents of the study programme Part B - elective courses (min 14 credit points required) Nr. Course Title III Semesters and Exam. credit points form 15. Teaching of Microbiology and2test Biotechnology Topics in School 16. Use of Multimedia Technologies2test for Teaching Biology and Chemistry 26 (Part A) + 14 (Part B) = 40 credit points SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER

The certificate of the higher professional education is awarded to the graduates who have fulfilled the following study programme requirements: successfully passed and completed Part A and Part B exams and tests requirements, obtaining 24 credit points (incl. 10 points - Part A, 14 points - Part B subjects) successfully completed the requirements of the chosen Pedagogical Practice (10 points - Part A) successfully compiled and submitted the Professional Qualification Paper (6 points - Part A)

Staff involved in programme implementation: Professors 4 Associate Professors 6 Assistant Professors 2 Leading Researchers1 Lecturers 4 Assistants 1 SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER

Institute of Education and Psychology Institute of Biology Departments and laboratories of the Faculty of Biology: Department of Botany and Ecology Department of Human and Animal Physiology Department of Zoology and Genetics Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology Department of Molecular Biology Department of Plant Physiology Computer Lab GIS Laboratory Faculty of Chemistry Botanical Garden Experimental Rhododendron Nursery Institutions of LU involved in programme implementation

Questionnaire for assessing and improving the teaching quality of the higher professional studies programme “Secondary School Biology and Elementary School Chemistry Teacher” 2. Your main reason behind obtaining the teacher’s certificate. (Mark the appropriate answer!) a) to evidence a higher professional education certificate b) to qualify for a teacher’s position c) to secure the current teaching position d) to get the wage increase e) other ………………………………………………… We seek your help in monitoring the quality of the higher professional studies programme “Secondary School Biology and Elementary School Chemistry Teacher”. Please answer the questions by marking the appropriate answer or appropriate number (“0” – unsatisfactory, “10” – excellent). The questionnaire is confidential! 1. Have you worked as a teacher prior to the studies in the programme? (Mark the appropriate answer!) a) yes b) no SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER

6. How do you assess the process of studies in the programme? 6.1.Relations and co-operation with the lecturers Availability educational literature and didactic materials Availability teaching aids Sufficiency of your academic knowledge complies with the programme requirements Structure of the programme Part A (compulsory courses) Your proposals for improving part A. ………………………………… 4.2.Part B (complementary courses) Your proposals for improving part B. ………………………………… 5. Quality of contents of the courses Chances of using computers during the studies process SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER

9. The programme increases interest in teacher’s profession Other comments about the programme ……………………………… What do you like about the programme? ……………………………… 11. What you don’t like about the programme? …………………………… 8. The programme improves training and competitiveness in the labour market

Students choose the programme: to further work as a teacher to ensure themselves with a higher professional education Evaluation of the programme by the students: the level of the academic education gained is sufficient for further education in the professional study programme8 structure of the programme part A9 part B8 educational literature and didactic materials availability 6 teaching aids availability 6 Comments indicate the need to increase the relative contribution of the zoology teaching courses, attention on the teaching methods, and the promotion of the programme. SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER

The following areas of the programme are in need of further development and improvement: study courses, with emphasis on the interdisciplinary integration the classification and publication of the professional qualification papers, and the methodological and didactical reports course choice, especially Part B, flexibility with regard to the likely changing labour market requirements integrating the guest lecturers to ensure successful proceedings of the programme a better co-operation with the academic staff of the several academic institutions

University of Latvia Higher Professional Studies Programme Faculty of Biology SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHER