EDUC-5108: General Science

Introduction to Course:

"Science is having an increasing influence on what is happening in classrooms. Information communication technology, genetic engineering, environmental sciences are contributing new content and interest to the curriculum.

The “General Science” course is based on the science content presented at elementary level. The major purpose of this course is to enhance knowledge competence of prospective teachers to enable them to teach science effectively. The course is focused on basic concepts of biology, chemistry and physics. Although the material remains non technical in the sense that it is not loaded with unnecessary science vocabulary and formulas, it is nonetheless substantial and accurate science.
It is observed that both the teachers and the taught are often not very clear about many science concepts. Students come to school with many misconceptions. The purpose of education in science should be to correct their concepts and to provide opportunities for meaningful learning. Only a teacher having adequate knowledge and clear concepts can make his science lessons interesting and meaningful for the learners.

This course presents specific body of science content. Units include the information that is important to the teacher both as citizen in our scientific world and as a leader of children’s learning in the classroom. The activities are also organized in this course that run across the content. There are units with activities sharing a common theme.

This course includes the introduction to Science. It focuses on Scientific Method, Scientific knowledge, Classification of Science, Scientific Discoveries, Muslim Scientist and Thinkers, Science and Technology & Society. It is about the Earth and the Universe. It contains introduction to Astronomical Bodies, The Solar System and Heavenly Bodies, Theories of Origin of Earth, Earth and its structure, The Galaxies, The Black Holes and The Space. It is about matter. It includes Matter and its States, Molecular Theory of Matter, Structure of an Atom, Atomic Number and Mass Number, Elements, Compounds and Mixtures, Chemical Formula, Chemical Reactions, Acids, Base and Neutralizations, Balancing the Chemical Equations and Metals and Non Metals.

This courese also includes mechanics. All important topics of mechanics have been incorporated in it. These include Force (Push & Pull),Newton’s First Law, Balanced & Un-Balanced Force, Inertia, Newton’s second Law, Mass & Weight, Newton’s Third Law, Force of Friction, Pressure, Force & Area, Units for pressure, Gravitational Force, Weight & Weightlessness, Simple Machines such as Lever, Pulley, Screw and Gears. It deals with concepts related to Heat light and sound. The topics such as Energy, Forms of Energy, Law of Conservation of Energy, Heat Energy, Light & its source and sound as energy are included in it. Electricity and magnetism is also included. The content such as Static Electricity, Electric Field, Electric Circuits, Generating electricity and Magnetism are included.

This course is related to The Living World. It contains contents such as Living and Non Living Things, Characteristics of Living Things, Animals and Plants, lassification of Animals and Plants, Cell as the Basic Unit of Life, Genes at Work, Cellular Organization, Human Organs and Systems and Plant systems. It entails all necessary information about Human Systems. The systems such as Digestive Systems, Respiratory System, Circulatory System, Excretory System, Sense Organs and Nervous System and Reproductive System are included in this unit. Man and his environment are very important. Students must know the necessary information about these concepts. Therefore Unit 9 contains the content regarding man and his environment."

Source: Choudhary, 2013, p.viii-ix

Course Objectives:

The goal of this course is to help prospective science teachers to gain an insight into the subject of general science. The present course explores scientific method and its application in everyday life. The current course explores the various aspects of general science field.After completing this course, the prospective teachers will be able to:

1. Comprehend the nature of science and its implications for Science education.
2. Explain the basic concepts of science.
3. Relate scientific knowledge to real life situations.

Source: Choudhary, 2013, p.x

Learning Outcomes:

The course will enable learners to;
 Understand scientific concepts
 Differentiate between scientific products and scientific processes
 Understand the underlying principle of science education
 Apply appropriate methods and techniques for effective learning in Science

Contents:

1. Scientific Method

2. Matter and Forces

1. Elements and Compounds
2.  Mixtures and Solutions
3. Molecular structure
4. Motion (Force, Speed, Velocity and Acceleration)
5. Equation of motion
6. Laws of Motion

3. Energy

1. Energy and Work
2. Types of Energy
3. Law of conversation of energy

 4. Heat and Light

1. Measurement of Heat and its units
2. Sources of Light
3. Reflection of Light
4. Total internal reflection
5. Lenses, mirror and image formation
6. Measurement of Heat and its units

5. Structure of Cell

1. Structure of animal and plant cell
2. Cell division
3. Cell Theory

6. Human Systems

1. Blood circulatory system
2. Respiratory System
3. Digestive system
4. Reproductive system
5. Execratory system

 7. Metals and Non- Metals

1. Difference between metals and non-metals
2. Alloys
3. Gases and their Preparation, Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Halogens

Description of System of Evaluation (Formative/Summative) (Exams, assignments etc.)

In order to pass the course and gain a certificate students should therefore:

• Individually complete a self-assessment exercise after the gaup work, showing the reflective and personal development aspects of the programme and their appreciation of the course learning;
• Participate in the design and planning of a project and provide evidence of this in the form of a group presentation, to a panel of peers, tutors and a representative for feedback before implementing the project.
• Compile a group report on the project process to a standard format at the end of the project commenting on: project outcomes, individual contributions and group learning. 

The assessment criteria to evaluate your overall performance in the relevant course would be as under:

*subject to the directions of university

Detailed lesson plans for each lecture:

Following links provide detailed lesson plans in accordance with the guidelines of HEC:

1. https://hec.gov.pk/english/services/universities/RevisedCurricula/Documents/2011-2012/Education/Science1_Sept13.pdf

2. https://hec.gov.pk/english/services/universities/RevisedCurricula/Documents/2011-2012/Education/Science2_Sept13.pdf

3. https://hec.gov.pk/english/services/universities/RevisedCurricula/Documents/2011-2012/Education/Science3_Sept13.pdf

Timetable of Class Meetings:

Week-wise Distribution and Key Dates of Class Meeting

Recommended Book

Punjab Text Book Board (2019) General Science IX,X

https://pctb.punjab.gov.pk/download_books/General Science

Suggested Books

Agha Khan University Examination Board (2002) General Science IX- X (based on National Curriculum 2002). Karachi: AGKEB.

William Lewis Eikenberry (2008) The teaching of general science, The University of Chicago Press.