BB804: Biology Experiments – Communicating Biology
Study Board for Natural Sciences
Teaching language: Danish
EKA: N110006102, N110006132, N110006122
Assessment: Second examiner: Internal, Second examiner: None
Grading: 7-point grading scale, Pass/Fail
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn
Level: Master's level course approved as PhD course
STADS ID (UVA): N110006101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 27-03-2025
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Approved - active
Internal Course Code
Entry requirements
Academic preconditions
Course introduction
The course prepares participants to teach biology at upper secondary and HF levels, focusing on both theoretical and experimental aspects. Participants develop their ability to plan and conduct teaching experiments, excursions, and laboratory exercises, as well as adapt their communication to different target groups. The course is particularly aimed at students who wish to work in teaching but does not replace the Pedagogicum program.
Expected learning outcome
By the end of the course, participants are expected to:
- Plan and conduct biological teaching experiments at different levels using the resources available in upper secondary and HF education.
- Organize and facilitate excursions with subject-relevant goals and activities.
- Communicate biological knowledge at an educationally appropriate level to different target groups.
- Apply various teaching methods, including laboratory exercises and excursions, to support learning.
- Reflect on and adapt teaching to modern students, including the specific characteristics of "the new generation of young people" in society.
Some course elements will incorporate pedagogical and didactic considerations.
In relation to the program’s competency profile, the course explicitly focuses on:
- Providing competence to teach theoretical and experimental biology at upper secondary and HF levels.
- Developing practical skills in communicating biological knowledge to different target groups through relevant teaching methods, particularly excursions and laboratory exercises.
- Offering knowledge about "the new generation of young people" in modern society and how this affects teaching design and learning.
Content
The course covers the following main academic areas:
- Storytelling
- Basic writing techniques
- Ultra-short writing techniques
- Grammar
- Rhetoric
- Structuring dissertations and journal articles
- Giving and receiving feedback
- Writing and revising one’s own texts
Literature
Examination regulations
Exam element a)
Timing
Autumn
Prerequisites
| Type | Prerequisite name | Prerequisite course |
|---|---|---|
| Examination part | Prerequisites for participating in the exam a) | N110006101, BB804: Biology Experiments – Communicating Biology |
| Examination part | Prerequisites for participating in the exam b) | N110006101, BB804: Biology Experiments – Communicating Biology |
Tests
Project assignment with individual presentation and examination
EKA
N110006102
Assessment
Second examiner: Internal
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
5
Additional information
Reexam in the same exam period or immediately thereafter.
Prerequisites for participating in the exam a)
Timing
Autumn
Tests
lLboratory exercises
EKA
N110006132
Assessment
Second examiner: None
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
0
Prerequisites for participating in the exam b)
Timing
Autumn
Tests
Laboratory tests
EKA
N110006122
Assessment
Second examiner: None
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
0
Additional information
The prerequisite examination b) is a prerequisite for participation in exam element a).
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
Planned lessons:
Total teaching hours: 52 hours
Hereof:
Common lessons in classroom/auditorium: 32 hours
Total teaching hours: 52 hours
Hereof:
Common lessons in classroom/auditorium: 32 hours
Common lessons in laboratory: 8 hours
Common lessons in the field/excursion: 12 hours
The course begins with two teaching sessions of four hours each, involving laboratory experiments where students practice on each other in planning and conducting simple upper secondary school experiments at the 1st-year level. Later, students will plan and carry out an excursion to Fjord & Bælt in Kerteminde with 1st-year students from Nordfyns Gymnasium, focusing on experimental work and science communication.
Throughout the course, students will also be introduced to biological communication in other contexts — for example, as nature guides at Trente Mølle in Svanninge Bakker or as educators at Odense ZOO.
Students will also be trained in translating scientific articles for various target audiences. Along the way, the instructor will give interactive lectures on selected learning theories, the "new type of youth" in late-modern society, as well as teacher and student roles, to strengthen students' didactic knowledge. This will enable them to write the final project report and conduct an experimental component with a 2nd- or 3rd-year class from Nordfyns Gymnasium.
Other planned teaching activities:
- Independent development of the final exam project, including creating a lab exercise guide
- Preparation for lectures
- Written assignments
Teacher responsible
Additional teachers
Timetable
Administrative Unit
Team at Registration
Offered in
Recommended course of study
Transition rules
Transitional arrangements describe how a course replaces another course when changes are made to the course of study.
If a transitional arrangement has been made for a course, it will be stated in the list.
See transitional arrangements for all courses at the Faculty of Science.