Chemistry Subject Knowledge Enhancement Course
A route into chemistry teaching for non-specialists
Good chemistry teachers are in very short supply. However, there are many enthusiastic graduates with the potential to be specialist chemistry teachers but who are insufficiently qualified to enter straight into initial teacher training with chemistry as their specialism.
Subject knowledge enhancement courses are intensive programmes for graduates who want to teach chemistry but whose degree is not in chemistry or whose specialist subject knowledge needs deepening prior to training for qualified teacher status (QTS). The University of East London has designed this six month (24 week) chemistry subject knowledge enhancement course, funded by the National College for Teaching and Leadership, to equip you with the skills and subject knowledge to teach science to 11-18 years olds, with chemistry as your specialism. Upon completion of the course successful students will continue on to initial teacher training. You do not have to study for a PGCE at UEL to join this course.
The course has been designed to be enjoyable and relevant to chemistry in society. Course tutors are all excellent practitioners, experienced in the delivery of chemistry education. The course consists of taught sessions, practical and investigative sessions, seminars, presentations, self-study units and extra mural activities.
Students develop a keen sense of team work, and often share materials which can be used later in teacher training and when teaching.
The course is modular and consists of a number of core chemistry modules and a module entitled: Chemistry in the 21st Century, which will look at chemistry in the modern world.
“There is a focus on knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts through the study of the core chemistry modules, and .. students engage with a series of ‘applications of chemistry’ topics.” OFSTED
Core chemistry modules covering:
- Atomic, Molecular and structural Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Energetics and kinetics
- Inorganic principles – periodicity, metals and non-metals
and optional modules in Material and industrial chemistry or Further organic chemistry.
The Chemistry in the 21st Century module is designed to enable students to place chemistry in the wider context of the world and to understand current topics in chemistry and chemistry in everyday situations. Site visits, including industrial visits and a visit to the Science Museum, are an integral part of the course.
The Communicating Chemistry module is designed to encourage students to research chemical topics and present their findings to peers. Communicating Chemistry seminars explore chemistry in the wider context, eg media, environment and the music industry, and enable students to gain perspectives on the relevance of chemistry in society.
A student said "the course has helped me increase my knowledge of chemistry and I have enjoyed learning from different teaching styles."
Students are expected to audit their chemical knowledge and to use this as a basis for planning and developing their chemical knowledge. Students keep a learning log, which they will use to develop a personal learning plan. The philosophy of the course is that students should be able to understand and apply chemistry in every day situations - so that teaching chemistry can be exciting and motivating.
Practical sessions will take place in order to develop and enhance laboratory skills.
Additionally, there will be underpinning sessions in Mathematics and ICT.
Assessment
Students will be assessed via the following methods:
- two assignments
- end of module tests
- a portfolio of evidence completed during the course.
Added value
Students will be eligible to appy to become Associate Members of the Royal Society of Chemistry during the course.
Wordle
