ERIC Number: EJ1236387
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2077-2327
EISSN: N/A
The Thing about Chemistry: Investigating the Fundamental Chemistry Skills of Biology Education Students at Bielefeld University
Wegner, Claas; Bruneman, Rachel LeeAnn; Steffen, Antonia
Science Education International, v30 n4 p334-341 2019
Although fundamental chemistry acts as a prerequisite for fully comprehending imperative aspects of biology, Bielefeld University is one of three universities in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany that does not require majors or minors in biology education to complete classes in general chemistry, before fulfilling graduation requirements. A study was utilized to determine to what extent graduate students possess the chemistry skills essential for teaching the state-mandated biology curriculum. The assessed graduate students consisted of individuals with and without chemistry as their second elected subject. The chemistry skills of the individual graduate students were measured with a non-standardized knowledge test. The results of each test were computed using an evaluation form and specified point system. Results revealed that the majority of the graduate students without chemistry as their second elected subject possessed an insufficient (e.g., poor and failing) level of understanding for fundamental chemistry, characteristically essential for instructing biology lessons. The findings in this study and in previous research have established grounds for discussing potential methods of intervention and further investigation of this field, to better prepare biology education students for their teacher training and future careers.
Descriptors: Biology, Chemistry, College Science, Science Process Skills, Graduate Students, Majors (Students), Knowledge Level, Teacher Education, Foreign Countries, Science Achievement
International Council of Associations for Science Education. Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Education, Buca, Izmir 35150, Turkey. Tel: +90-532-4267927; Fax: +90-232-4204895; Web site: http://www.icaseonline.net/seiweb/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Germany
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A