Teacher Training Programme with Diploma Thesis – Subject Biology and Environmental Protection

Curriculum (2001W)

As of winter semester 2015/2016 this programme is no longer open to new entrants. For information on the succeeding bachelor’s programme please consult 

Faculty
Faculty of Biology

Duration/ECTS-Credits
9 semesters/270 ECTS-Credits
(combination of two subjects)

Academic Degree
Magistra/Magister der Naturwissenschaften (Mag.rer.nat.)

Study Code
445

Curriculum
Information on the curriculum (2001W) *

Admission Requirements
Secondary school completion certificate or equivalent

Supplemental Examination
Supplemental examination in biology and environmental sciences is required before admission to the study programme if this subject was not completed satisfactorily with at least 10 credit hours at a higher-level secondary school ("Oberstufe").

Information on the Curriculum (2001W)

The complete version of the curriculum reflects the currently valid version of the curriculum. It is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding. The legally binding version of the curriculum, including any amendments, may be found in the University of Innsbruck Bulletins.

In order to determine which version of the curriculum is applicable in your case, see the Catalogue of Studies
available at: https://lfuonline.uibk.ac.at/public/lfuonline_meinestudien.studienblatt
Section: Current Curriculum version

Studies Induction and Orientation Stage (STEOP)

The Studies Induction and Orientation Stage (STEOP) requirements cease to be effective as of academic year 2014/2015 and no longer apply for students of this study programme.

Students who enrolled for this programme before 1 October 2014 (academic year 2014/2015) can repeat not successful completed courses which were designated in the curriculum as “STEOP courses” four times (= five examination attempts). As per Universities Act § 77 (2), previous attempts are to be counted among the number of total examination attempts permitted.

(1) The Studies Induction and Orientation Stage (STEOP), with a duration of one semester (30 ECTS-Credits), provides an overview of the study programme and its structure in order to give students an objective basis to assess their decision to pursue their chosen subject(s).

(2) During theStudies Induction and Orientation Stage, the following course examinations, which may be repeated twice, must be completed satisfactorily:
One course examination in the second chosen teaching subject and one course examination on the orientation unit, SL 2, 2 ECTS-Credits, of the educational training.

1. System and Organisation of Animals for Prospective Teachers ( VO 2, 2.5 ECTS-Credits)
2. Course from the Studies Induction and Orientation Phase of the second chosen teaching subject
3. Orientation unit (SL 2, 2 ECTS-Credits)

(3) A positive result (passing grade) on the examinations specified in Paragraph 2 permits students to attend all courses and take all examinations following the Studies Induction and Orientation Stage(STEOP) and to write a diploma thesis as described in the curriculum. The registration requirements specified by the curriculum must be met

General Information

Recommended Course Sequence

Didactics and Training in the Selected Subjects:

  • Anatomy
  • Morphology
  • Systematic and Evolution of Plants
  • Organisation and Diversity of Animals
  • Chemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Internal Structure of the Earth
  • Systematic of Botany
  • Plant Physiology
  • Bauplan of Unicellular and Metazoan Eukaryotes
  • Zoological/Botanical Excursions
  • Morphological-Zoological Tutorials
  • Cell Biology
  • Animal Physiology
  • Ecology
  • Nutrition
  • Human Ecology
  • Ecotoxicology
  • Genetics
  • Evolution and Dynamics of the Earth
  • 1st examination in front of an examination board
  • Biology of Neurons and Sense Organs
  • Microbiology
  • Psychosomatics
  • Immunobiology
  • Zoological Experiments
  • Vegetation Studies
  • Biodiversity of Native Habitats
  • ÖEcophysiology
  • Outdoor Science Education
  • Didactics of Health Education
  • Cash Crops
  • Molecular-Biological Experiments
  • Basic Techniques in Microbiology
  • Didactics and Methodology of Biology Teaching
  • Structure and Function of Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems
  • Ethology
  • Microbiological Experiments
  • Teaching Biology in Theory and Practice
  • Experiments in Botany
  • Earth Sciences in the Field
  • Scientific Learning
  • Diploma Thesis
  • 2nd examination in front of an examination board


Pedagogical Training and School Teaching Practice

First Academic Year: Orientation Unit, Introductory Practicum, Reflection Unit

Second Academic Year:Fundamentals of Learning and Teaching and Basic Skills 1

Third Academic Year: Basic Skills 2, Basic Practicum,Subject Related Practicum 1 and 2


Can be taken any semester: Elective Module.

Qualification Profile and Skills

The Secondary School Teacher Accreditation Programme aims at a preparatory vocational and scientific education for the certification of secondary school teachers with subject-specific, didactic, and pedagogical qualifications as well as school teaching practice. A scientifically sound basic education provides graduates with the necessary competences in order to work in their future occupational fields in a flexible and professional manner.

The Teacher Accreditation Programme for the subject of Biology and Environmental Protection covers the examination subjects of Botany, Zoology and General Biology, where the basics of the system, a fundamental knowledge of the morphology of the native fauna and flora, knowledge of the cell as the basic module of life and the base for evolution, basic knowledge of genetics as precondition for understanding molecular and evolutionary biology and basic principles of cell, organ and organism physiology are imparted.

The contents of the examination subjects of Ecology and Earth Sciences aim at acquiring a basic knowledge of ecology and earth science as a base for a well-founded environmental education.

In the subject of human biology, main focus is on aspects of nutrition, psychosomatics, sexual and health education, as well as the use of resources and environmental pollution.

Special focus is given to imparting specific-didactic competences that are relevant to biology:

  • to make classes motivating, interesting and focused on the pupils,
  • for handling teaching materials and learning aids of modern biology classes (using microscopes, experimenting, knowledge of modern research methods),
  •  for planning and designing outdoor activities,
  • to get pupils interested in nature,
  • to promote the pupils’ ability to work interactively, differentiated and independently,
  • to enable research-focused learning in classes.


The pedagogical education and school teaching practice

  • imparts graduates with a well-founded knowledge of secondary school teaching and learning in order to efficiently manage their teaching practice and help to assist and support the learning and educational processes of their pupils; 
  • enables graduates to evaluate and further develop their teaching practice based on proven methodology;
  • allows graduates to understand school as an institution and organization in order to actively shape and develop school.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Graduates are academically educated experts in fostering personal development processes, arranging learning situations, accompanying learning processes, and assessing learning outcomes.

They acquire a sound knowledge in the key areas of biology and environmental protection. They are able to impart their competences in an interdisciplinary way and to support theories in a scientifically correct manner.  They are able to create a stimulating learning environment and to promote explorative, independent, interactive and solution-oriented learning.

Future Prospects: Occupational Profiles and Career Opportunities

Graduates of a Secondary School Teacher Accreditation Programme are in particular teaching at lower and upper secondary schools. The qualifications acquired in the Teacher Accreditation Programme provide access to other vocational fields in the study programme, the educational sector, social and youth work, and communication.

Information about examination regulations, assessment and grading

Examination regulations

The examination regulation is an integral part of the curriculum, detailed information can be found under the paragraph examination regulations.

The grade distribution table is a statistical representation of the distribution of all successfully completed examinations in a given programme of study or subject (based on all registered students for the programme or subject). The grade distribution table is updated in regular intervals.

ABCDE
 Austrian grading  scheme Definition  %-age
 1 EXCELLENT:  Outstanding performance 36.6= 100%
 2  GOOD:  Generally good, but with some errors 29.6
 3 SATISFACTORY:  Generally sound work with a number of substantial errors 21.1
 4 SUFFICIENT:  Performance meets the minimum cirteria 12.7
 5 INSUFFICIENT:  Substantial improvement necessary; requirement of further work

March 2019

Overall classification of the qualification

Not applicable
Explanation: An overall classification (mit Auszeichnung bestanden/pass with distinction, bestanden/pass, nicht bestanden/fail) – is awarded only for examinations that conclude a programme of study and consist of more than one subject (an examination of this type is not specified in the curriculum of this programme of study).

Contact and Information

General Information about the Teacher Training Programme
www.uibk.ac.at/fakultaeten/soe/lehramt

Examination Office
Standort Innrain 52d

Authorised Representative
Assoz. Prof. Mag. Dr. Florian Michael Steiner

Dean of Studies 
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Markus Ammann

Information portal for Biology Students of the University of Innsbruck
biopage.info

Information about the Programme (in German only)

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