Studies Induction and Orientation Stage (STEOP)

(1) The following exams have to be taken during the studies induction and orientation phase, which takes place in the first semester:

1. School as an Educational Institution and Role of the Teacher, VO 2, 2 ECTS-Credits
2. Systematics and Evolution, VO 3, 5 ECTS-Credits
   

(2) Before the full completion of the introductory study and orientation phase, students can participate in courses amounting to 22 ECTS credits.

General Information

Recommended Course Sequence

The exemplary course sequence given below is recommended for full-time students beginning their study programme in the winter semester. The table shows one possible course sequence for the bachelor's programme and is not compulsory. Delays resulting from repeated examinations are not taken into account.

The standard duration of the study programme is 6 semesters or 180 ECTS-Credits, whereby according to the Universities Act of 2002, a workload of 1,500 (real) hours per academic year must be fulfilled, corresponding to 60 ECTS-Credits (one ECTS-Credit is equivalent to a workload of 25 hours).

Course Sequence (incl. Basics of Educational Science)

Qualification Profile and Skills

The Secondary School Teacher Training Programme (General Education) qualifies its graduates as teachers in the selected subjects of general education / specializations for all secondary schools (Neue Mittelschule, Polytechnische Schule, Academic Secondary Schools,  Intermediate and Higher Technical and Vocational Schools). This study programme also meets the requirements for teaching in intermediate and higher schools in the South Tyrol *. It consists of a Bachelor’s Programme and a subsequent Master’s Programme. It covers training in general education science, a pedagogical-practical training and a subject-specific and subject-didactic education in the two selected teaching subjects.

In the Bachelor’s Programme Secondary School Teacher Training in the subject of Biology and Environmental Protection knowledge in the following examination subjects is imparted: botany, zoology and general biology, fundamentals of systematics, fundamentals of native plant and animal taxonomy, knowledge about the cell as basic building stone of life and starting point for development and evolution, basic knowledge of genetics as precondition for understanding molecular and evolutional biology and fundamentals of physiology on the level of cell, organ and organism. The contents imparted in the examination subjects Ecology and Earth Sciences serve the acquisition of basic knowledge in the field of ecology and earth sciences as a basis for a well-grounded environmental education.  in the subject of Human Biology aspects of nutrition, psychosomatics, sexual and health education as well as use of resources and environmental pollution are focused on.

The programme has a special emphasis on imparting didactic skills for teaching biology-relevant contents:

• for designing motivating, interest-boosting and pupil-centred classes;
• for dealing with teaching and learning materials for modern biology classes (microscopy, experiments, knowledge of modern research methods).
• for planning and holding classes in the outdoors.
• for arousing the pupils’ interest in nature.
• for supporting action-based, differentiated and independent working.
• for enabling research-orientated learning in class.

* South Tyrolean teacher education students have to fulfil specific prerequisites, if they want to teach in South Tyrol. For information contact the Office for South Tyrolean Affairs.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Bachelor’s Programme Secondary School Teacher Training in the teaching subject of Biology and Environmental Protection can pass on the acquired knowledge to secondary school pupils in a competent and subject-specific way and thus arouse their interest in various aspects of biology. They have a well-grounded knowledge in all key areas of biology (in particular consideration of the curricula of secondary schools), can apply this knowledge in the respective contexts and link biological disciplines with the basics of natural sciences in an interdisciplinary way. They master biological working techniques in the laboratory and in the field and understand the basic principles of scientific research (planning, execution, report, presentation). They understand the principles of sustainability and can convey a sense of responsibility for nature and environment and impart corresponding opportunities for action.

Graduates can prepare biological contents in consideration of the individual needs of the pupils and help them to understand learning content and to apply this knowledge in the same context as well as new contexts. They are able to incorporate current research findings in biology into their lessons, to link biological contents to the pupils’ world of experience and impressively illustrate them with interesting experiments and practical tasks in the classroom and during field excursions. They have a fundamental knowledge of the didactic theories and models for teaching biology and can effectively use this knowledge for their teaching. They are able to critically questions and evaluate their own actions.

Future Prospects: Occupational Profiles and Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor’s Programme Secondary School Teacher Training (General Education) are admitted to the corresponding Master’s Programme and can provisionally start their teaching service in the chosen general education subject in secondary schools to complete the Induction and Orientation Phase.

Supplementary Programme

Within the scope of the Study Programme, a Supplementary Programme corresponding to 60 ECTS-Credits may be passed. Admission to the Supplementary Programme requires the admission to or the having passed of one of the selected Study Programmes. Detailed information: https://www.uibk.ac.at/studium/angebot/es-informatik/

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.

Forms (in German only)

• Evidence of the Bachelor's Thesis according to the Curriculum
• Examination Records
• Record "Basics of Educational Science"
• Recognition of examsAND Supplementary Sheet
• Recognition of examsAND Supplementary Sheet (Basics of Educational Science)
  (Courses out of Basics of Educational Science)
• Recognition of (Prior) formal learning outcomes (RPL-Project)
• Declaration of Academic Honesty (optional)
• Cover Sheet Bachelor's Thesis
• Application for Admission to the third and fourth repetition of a course examination

Contact and Information

Examination Office
Location Innrain 52d

Authorised repesentative for subject training and didactics
assoz. Prof. Mag. Dr. Florian Michael Steiner

Dean of Studies (from 01.03.2024)
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Markus Ammann

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

Informations for students from South Tyrol* 
Office for South Tyrolean Affairs
*For students from South Tyrol, there are special requirements if they want to teach in South Tyrol.

Informations for students with disabilities
Disability Office

Information about the Programme

• General Information from the Faculty of Teacher Education
• Administrative Procedure - Graduation