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M.Sc.(Chemistry Education)
Course Coordinator: Dr. Ranil Dassanayake
1. INTRODUCTION
Chemistry is a subject that pervades every sphere of activity including medicine, engineering, agriculture, environment and biotechnology. Furthermore, Chemistry has contributed immensely to improve the quality and comfort of human life in the present day world. In recognizing the importance of chemistry, Sri Lankan education system has made chemistry a key subject in the curriculum of the secondary level of science education. Students are eager to learn chemistry as it has been the base for many other branching areas in science. It is, therefore, imperative that the teaching of chemistry be conducted in such a manner to lay a strong foundation on which their future careers would be building upon. With the advancement of science & technology the understanding of core concepts in chemistry has been made easier, enabling the learning of Chemistry interesting and rewarding.
This Programme is, therefore, designed to impart new approaches to teaching and learning chemistry and to update the subject knowledge in both chemistry and science education. This course is of particular value to those currently working in the field of chemistry education in state or private sectors and for those seeking employment in the field of chemistry education.
M.Sc. in Chemistry Education is a two year programme consisting of two parts, A & B. Part A consists of taught courses covering 9 course units in Chemistry theory (210 lectures), 2 course units in chemistry practical (60 hours) and a seminar (30 hours) and 4 course units in education (90 lectures). Part II is a research project worth of six credits, approximately of six (6) months duration. Postgraduate Diploma in Chemistry Education covers the Part A component of the M.Sc. programme. Course content traces the historical and philosophical development of chemistry up-to current developments, including nanotechnology, biotechnology & information technology. Molecular modeling, an essential tool available today to learn chemistry is incorporated into the curriculum with up-to-date computer laboratory facilities. The lectures conducted are reinforced by the demonstrations and laboratory courses using appropriate instruments and equipment.
2. COURSE AIMS
* Reinforce and update the knowledge of Chemistry of professional educators and would be educators
* Enhance the teaching skills and motivation by using modern methods of teaching, use of demonstrations and laboratory experiments
* Exposure to the relevance of Chemistry in modern society
* Appreciate the relevance of information technology and molecular modeling to Chemistry
* Develop the ability for research in education
3. COURSE CONTENTS
3.1 Theory Modules
MSE 5101 Foundations in Education (15 L)
· Psychological aspects of learning and teaching
· Sociological and philosophical aspects of teaching and learning
· New trends in education
MSE 5102 Technological Aspects of Education (15 L)
· Designing curricula
· Educational technology
MCE 5101 Calculations in Chemistry (15 L)
· Review of Basic Mathematics for Chemistry
· Use of significant figures
· Basic Statistics
· Calculations based on equilibria
· Use of spread sheets
· Probability theory
MCE 5102 Historical & Philosophical Development of Chemistry (15 L)
· Belief-systems of science
· Roots of chemistry
· Development of quantitative relationships in Chemistry
· Concepts of structure and dissociation
· Chemical industry & modern analytical techniques
MCE 5103 Modern Organic Chemistry (30 L)
· Mechanistic & stereo-chemical approach to organic reactions
· Heterocyclic chemistry
· Concerted reactions
· Natural products chemistry
MCE 5104 Chemical Bonding (30 L)
· Definition of bonding
· Major classes of bonding and bond properties
· Shapes of molecules and molecular geometries
· Computer molecular modeling
· Valence bond theory & Molecular orbital theory
· Metals and semiconductors
MSE 5201 Science Education (30 L)
· Nature of science
· Educational value of science
· Development of science education and contemporary trends
· Science curriculum
MCE 5201 Modern Physical Chemistry (30 L)
· Electro-analytical techniques
· Molecular modeling
· Energitics
· Industrial applications
· Nanotechnology
MSE 5301 Methodology of Teaching and Learning Science (30 L)
· Instructional design
· Evaluation of achievement
· Laboratory maintenance
MCE 5302 Chemistry of the Environment (15 L)
· Green chemistry and sustainable development
· Design hands-on practicals related to environment protection
· Cleaner production emphasizing reuse of waste
· Alternative fuels and emission control strategies
MCE 5303 Chemicals in Society (30 L)
· Science, technology and their impact on society
· Chemical sources of energy
· Pharmaceuticals and healthcare products
· Pesticides and agrochemicals
· Plastics and polymers
· Chemistry of household items
· Advanced materials and high-tech chemistry
MCE 5304 Applications of Chemistry (30 L)
· Applications in industry
· Chemical manufacturing industries
· Water quality and treatment
MCE 5401 Laboratory Management (15 L)
· Good laboratory management
· Ordering consumables and instruments
· Inventory maintenance
· Laboratory safety
· Laboratory waste handling
3.2 Practical Modules
MCE 5211 Chemistry Laboratory (60 H)
· Selected experiments covering main areas in Chemistry
· Experiments in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
· Training in computer laboratory
· Training in analytical equipment
MSE 5301 Demonstrations in chemistry (15 H)
· Demonstrations to reinforce classroom material
· Demonstrations to entertain thermochemistry, chemiluminescence, polymers,
coloured metal ion complexes etc.
· Use of everyday objects in chemical demonstrations
3.3 Seminar
MCE 5210 Seminar (30 H)
· Literature survey, self learning and a presentation on a current topic in chemistry
3.4 Research Project
MCE 5410 Research Project (06 months)
· Submission of a dissertation on research work in chemistry/chemistry education
4. DURATION
This programme is offered in two parts. The theory modules and the practical modules of Part A are conducted on Friday evenings (5 – 7 pm) and Saturdays (8 am to 6 pm). The duration of Part A is two semesters (each having 20 weeks). Students who have achieved the minimum requirements in Part A will be allowed to proceed to Part B. Part B consists of a full-time research project of 6 months duration. The duration for part-time students is longer, depending on the time they devote for research.
5. COURSE EVALUATION
Part A
Throughout the first year, students will be assessed both on continuous basis as well as by periodical tests mainly based on the laboratory work carried out during the course. There will be a written examination for theory modules at the end of the first year. The written examination will consist of 10 theory papers of 2 hour duration. Candidates will be allowed to proceed to Part B when he/she obtained a minimum GPA stipulated by the Department.
Part B
The dissertation submitted by the candidate at the end of the research project will be evaluated and an oral examination will be held.
DIPLOMA IN CHEMISTRY EDUCATION
Candidates who obtain a GPA in the range of 2.50 – 2.99 for course work will be eligible for the award of the Diploma only. Candidates who reach a GPA of 3.00 or above but opt not to do or fail the research component may also be eligible for the award of the Diploma.
6. ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION
Application for admission to the course will be entertained from candidates who have passed the B.Sc. degree with Chemistry as a subject from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo. The selection will be on the basis of M.C.Q Examination and/or an interview.
7. COURSE FEE
Registration fee -Rs. 2,500/=
Library fee -Rs. 1,500/=
Library deposit (refundable) -Rs. 5,000/=
(Rs. 2,500/= per card)
Part A
Rs. 50,000 to be paid in two installments. The first installment of Rs. 35,000/= should be paid at the beginning of the course and the second installment of Rs. 15,000/= to be paid within 6 months of the commencement of the course.
Part B
Rs.10,000/= payable at the commencement of the research project.
Examination fees
Rs. 5,000 payable on application for Part ‘A’ examination.
*** Please note that fees paid are not refundable and subject to revision from time to time.
Detailed Syllabus
MSE 5101 Foundations of Education (15 L, 1 C)
Psychological aspects of learning and teaching: intellectual development, concept development, learning theories; Sociological and philosophical aspects of teaching and learning: education and society, socio-economic and cultural determinants of education, education and human development, education and development, new trends in education.
MSE 5102 Technological Aspects of Education (15 L, 1 C)
Designing curricula: goals, aims and objectives, curriculum theory, curriculum development models and curriculum patterns, curriculum evaluation: Educational technology: technology in education, use of information technology in education.
MCE 5101 Calculations in Chemistry (15 L, 1 C)
Review of basic mathematics for Chemistry; use of significant figures, error theory and basic statistics; calculations based on stoichiometry; calculations based on equilibria: acid-base, buffers, solubility etc.; redox reactions: electrochemistry, thermodynamics; use of graphs; use of spreadsheets in Chemistry; Probability theory; probability distribution.
MCE 5102 Historical & Philosophical Development of Chemistry (15 L, 1 C)
Bacon, Occam, and the belief-systems of science; observations, laws, models, hypotheses, and theories – hybridization as an example; the relationship of chemistry to other sciences. The roots of chemistry: alchemy; the Renaissance and early developments – the transformation from pseudo-science to science; the phlogiston theory; Lavoisier and the law of conservation of mass; Dalton and the atomic theory – when did atoms stop being theoretical? The development of quantitative relationships in chemistry; Mendeleev and the Periodic Table; Liebig and the development of laboratory techniques; the concepts of structure and dissociation; chemical bonds; the electronic theory of organic reactions; the development of chemical education; the rise of the chemical industry in the 19th century; the revolutionary influence of modern analytical techniques.
MCE 5103 Modern Organic Chemistry (30 L, 2 C)
MCE 5104 Chemical Bonding (30 L, 2 C)
Definition of bonding; valence electrons and core electrons, concept of valence electrons developed by Lewis; chemical bond formation and major classes of bonding: ionic bond, ionic compounds, covalent bond, Lewis electron dot structures, octet rule, exception to octet rule, single and multiple bonds, resonance structures, fullerenes, coordinate bond; bond properties: bond order, bond length, bond energy, bond polarity, electronegativity, oxidation number, atom formal charges; shapes of molecules: multiple bonds, molecular geometries, computer molecular modeling; molecular polarity; valence bond theory; molecular orbital theory; metals and semiconductors.
MSE 5201 Science Education (30 L, 2 C)
Nature of Science: science as an organized body of knowledge, science as process of acquiring knowledge, scientific method, science as an influence to human spirit, philosophy of science; Educational value of science: Development of science education and contemporary trends: development of science education in UK and USA, UNESCO effort of science for all, science education in Sri Lanka, new trends in science education; Science curriculum: science curriculum in Sri Lanka; Aims and objectives of learning science: three domains (cognitive, psychomotor and effective), Bloom’s and other classifications, science process skills, scientific and science related attitudes.
MCE 5201 Modern Physical Chemistry (30 L, 2 C)
Electro-analytical techniques: electro-deposition, electrolysis, electrochemical cells, electrolytes, power storage, corrosion and corrosion prevention, analytical application of electrochemistry, electrochemical sensors; molecular modeling: molecular mechanical and quantum mechanical methods, energy minimization, molecular geometry, orbital shapes, electron density, atomic charges, modeling in drug discovery; energitics: introduction to equilibrium, acid-base equilibria, electrochemical equilibria, complexation equilibria, electrochemical equilibria, ion-exchange equilibria, phase equilibria, partition coefficient, dissociation of acids and bases, industrial applications, nanotechnology.
MCE 5210 Seminar (30 H, 1 C)
Current topics in chemistry are given for literature survey and self learning. Evaluation is based on a presentation on gathered information, a written report and a viva.
MCE 5211 Chemistry Laboratory (60 H, 2 C)
Selected experiments covering areas of Inorganic, Organic, Physical, Analytical, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology to enhance teaching and practical work to upgrade the school curriculum, training in the use of analytical equipment.
MSE 5301 Methodology of Teaching and Learning Science (30 L, 2 C)
Instructional design: meaningful learning, discovery learning, advance organization of learning, process-based teaching, beyond process science teaching, problem-based learning, constructive learning design, various teaching methods, using audio visuals, units and lesson planning, class management, computer assisted learning (CAL), practical works in relation to science; Evaluation of achievement: formative evaluation, summative evaluation, validity reliability and practicability of tests, assessing cognitive skills, assessing practical skills, assessing attitudes, construction of test items; Laboratory maintenance: organization and maintenance of laboratories, administration of laboratory, science and co-curricular activities in school.
MCE 5301 Demonstrations in Chemistry (15 L, 1 C)
Lecture demonstrations; demonstrations to reinforce classroom material vs. demonstrations to entertain; thermochemistry; chemiluminescence; polymers; coloured metal ion complexes; gases; solutions and colloids; electrochemistry; organic reactions; clock reactions and oscillating reactions; use of everyday objects in chemical demonstrations.
MCE 5302 Chemistry of the Environment (15 L, 1 C)
Green chemistry and sustainable development, designing hands-on chemistry practicals for school children with emphasis on environmental protection, cleaner productions with the emphasis on reuse of the waste, solid waste management, water purification process, soil remediation, alternative fuels and emission control strategies.
MCE 5303 Chemicals in Society (30 L, 2 C)
Science, technology, and their impact on society; the place of chemistry in science and technology – the chemist is behind everything! Chemical sources of energy; water; pharmaceuticals and healthcare products; pesticides and agrochemicals; nutrition; plastics and polymers; plastic additives; the chemistry of common household items – detergents, shampoos, cosmetics, and cleaners; toxic and dangerous chemicals; advanced materials and high-tech chemistry; environmental concerns.
MCE 5304 Applications of Chemistry (30 L, 2 C)
Applications of Chemistry in Industry: cement, ceramic, glass, petroleum, paper, textile, paint, rubber and food & beverage industry; chemical manufacturing industries: sulphuric acid, ammonia, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, metal extraction, alloys; water quality & treatment.
MCE 5401 Laboratory Management (15 L, 1 C)
Good laboratory management: management commitment, search for required specifications, ordering chemicals, glassware, other consumables and instruments, inventory maintenance, labeling, laboratory safety, laboratory waste handling.
MCE 5410 Research Project (06 months, 6 C)
A research project of six months duration in chemistry/chemistry education. Evaluation is based on the dissertation and a viva.
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo,
P.O. Box 1490, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka.
Tel : (9411) 2583105-7, Ext.225 Fax : (9411) 2503148, (9411) 2587239
This website designed and maintained by Prof. K. M. Nalin de Silva.
Last Updated November 2009