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Profile of Programme

The development of Science Education as an autonomous scientific area, has led to expectations for teaching improvement at all levels of education. These expectations have not been satisfactorily achieved yet. A key factor influencing the accomplishment of these expectations is the provision of appropriate education and teacher training programs.

There is a need for teachers in primary and secondary education to acquire up-to-date knowledge concerning the modern trends of the science education domain and to acquire research skills. The programme aspires to foster the development of teachers- researchers specialized in science learning who will be well equipped in terms of knowledge from natural sciences, cognitive psychology, and research methodology and thus be in a position to provide the evidence that will support a continuous qualitative upgrading of school science education.

The general aim of the programme is to offer comprehensive education for teachers- researchers concerning cognitive development, epistemology and learning in science education. Programme participants will acquire skills in basic and applied research, designing and developing science curricula, evaluating and reforming educational policy, and acquiring skills for critically analyzing recent trends and findings related to science education.

Key Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of the programme, it is expected that students:

• Will be acquainted with the basic literature on science learning, the current theories of cognitive development, and approaches to the design, development, and implementation of science education curricula.

• Will acquire knowledge on how science knowledge is constructed in relation with science related skills, scientific practices and the affective domain.

• Will develop an understanding of the importance of teaching science for preparing the future citizens (Scientific literacy – Science for all)

• Will acquire knowledge on utilizing technological tools for scaffolding science teaching and learning.

• Will develop skills for designing and running research in the science education domain.

• Will formulate research questions and choose the appropriate methodology for their study.

• Will be acquainted with a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods, and will acquire experience in applying these methods to the collection and analysis of data and in promoting the study of basic and applied questions in science learning.

• Will be able to utilise available research evidence and develop detailed suggestions for educational policy changes taking into consideration existing needs and constraints of the educational system in an attempt to continuously optimise the effectiveness of the teaching-learning process in the natural sciences.

Key Information

Department: Department of Education

Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences and Education

Programme Name: Learning in Natural Sciences and Environment - Learning in Natural Sciences

Direction: Learning in Natural Sciences & Environment - Learning in Natural Sciences

Level of Qualification: 2nd Cycle (Master's Degree) [4 Semesters]

Mode of Study: Full time and Part time are both possible

Language of Instruction: Greek

Coordinator: Zacharias Zacharia (Zach@ucy.ac.cy)

Korfiatis Constantinos (korfiati@ucy.ac.cy)

Constantinos Constantinou (c.p.constantinos@ucy.ac.cy)

Curriculum Structure

Course Type	ECTS
Compulsory
Compulsory	18
Restricted Elective	72
TOTAL ECTS	90

Courses per Semester

Conditions of Study

Specific Admission Requirements

The number of places available are announced by the Graduate School with the eligibility criteria for candidates, as well as other required documents that must be attached to the application such as:

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognised University.

• Previous University education in a suitable subject (academic background) and grades of relevant degrees.

• Letters of recommendation.

• Personal interview and/or written examination (if provided by the Department’s internal rules).

• Submission of preliminary research proposal for admission to a doctoral course (if provided by the Department’s internal rules).

The Department may also set additional criteria and quality indicators such as: (a) number of students’ publications in scientific journals, (b) students’ participation in seminars, symposia, research programmes, (c) presentations by students at conferences, (d) knowledge of foreign languages, and (e) professional experience, etc.

Rules of Study

Students must always advise the University's' Postgraduate Study Rules

Graduation Requirements

Successful completion of the requirements of the Program

Examination Regulations

Please advice Postgraduate Study Rules

Assessment and Grading

The grading system is numerical, from 0 to 10 with increments of ½. The minimum passing grade is 5. The final grade of a graduate student is calculated as the grade point average of all courses passed by the student.

In a postgraduate programme of study, courses can be graded as Success/Failure. These courses do not count towards the student’s GPA, and may not exceed 25% of the programme’s ECTS, with the exception of the dissertation units. All courses are presented in the Postgraduate Studies Prospectus.

The diploma dissertation, thesis, research and writing stages are graded with Success / Failure. The final grade of the dissertation is registered in the last semester of its elaboration. Master level dissertations are calculated qualitatively as Excellent, Very Good, Good, and Failure.

Occupational Profiles of Graduates with Examples

The specialization on “Learning in Natural Sciences and Environment –Learning in Natural Sciences” concerns both pre-service and

in-service teachers of all educational levels, from preschool and elementary school teachers to secondary education science teachers. The graduates of the program "Learning in Natural Sciences and Environment – Specialization Learning in Natural Science" are expected to

develop their research skills, their knowledge of strategies for evaluating and reforming

educational policy and their critical analysis of modern perceptions in the field of Learning

in Natural Sciences. It is also expected that they will acquire skills related to

, the development of educational material and the utilization of innovative

technologies relevant to the teaching of Natural Sciences.

The potential graduates’ employment in the private sector is high. Many of our graduates have been already employed by most private schools in Cyprus. Regarding the employment of a graduate in the public sector, our graduates precede other teachers with no master degrees Furthermore, this master degree offers them a lead for promotions.

Access to Further Studies

Graduates can be admitted to Doctoral Programs