chemistry education in norway in general science and chemistry courses

Chemistry education in

NorwayIn general science and chemistry courses

A part of two subjects

•about one third of general science up to grade 11

•Chemistry courses at grades 12-13.

Chemistry as a part of general

science:•Theoretically one third of the

subject

•Only some topics are dealt with

•The curriculum does not include all necessary basic knowledge

•Teacher and text-book dependent

(Inter)national report

•Chemistry at the 10th grade

•Knowledge and learning ambitions for youths in six countries

Chemistry in general science

•The Norwegian science curriculum compared to other countries curricula

•Scores from 1-5 in each topic

•Chemistry topics: Norway scores 2,8 compared with Denmark (2,7), Sweden(), Finland(3,1), Scotland(1,9) and New Zealand(3,2)

The report’s conclusion:

•The norwegian curricula do not differ much from what you find in other countries. In general, authorities are ambiguous on behalf of their students

Chemistry in grade 12

•Starts «from the beginning»

•Basic knowledge

•5 hours a week, and not too many topics

•Oral and partially practical, locally made exam

Chemistry in grade 13

•builds upon grade 12

•Busy

•5 hours a week,

•National, written exam

Changes in curriculum

•Towards more biochemistry

•More theory connected to instrumental analysis

Who, and how many?

•Mandatory to get access to medical school, dental and veterinary study

•About 7000 students in grade 12, reduced to about 4500 in grade 13

•57% of the students in grade 13 are girls