Natural science (NAT01‑04)
Competence aims and assessment
Competence aims after vg3 supplementary programme for general university and college admissions certification
The pupil is expected to be able to
- explain how the development of natural-science hypotheses, models and theories helps us to understand and explain the world
- assess and make programs that model natural-science phenomena
- describe the Big Bang theory, and the origin and development of the universe, and explain observations that support this theory
- explore and describe electromagnetic and ionising radiation and assess information on radiation and the health effects of various types of radiation
- explore and describe some central wave phenomena
- explain the main principles of wireless communication and give examples of applications of this technology
- describe DNA and how characteristics are inherited and explain how heredity is a precondition for evolution
- explain how climate changes affect evolution, the prevalence of species and biological diversity
- give examples of the use of biotechnology and discuss ethical questions related to biotechnology
- explain how some environmental toxins can accumulate in food chains and assess measures to protect health and the environment
Formative assessment
Formative assessment shall help to promote learning and develop competence in the subject. The pupils demonstrate and develop competence in natural science in the vg3 supplementary programme for general university and college admissions certification when they use relevant subject-related terminology, theories and models to explore, describe, explain and discuss relationships in and between natural-science phenomena. They also demonstrate and develop competence when they argue for the choice of methods, undertake ethical and safety assessments, reflect on findings and critically assess sources and information relating to their explorations and experiments. They also demonstrate and develop competence when they apply and reflect on natural-science practices and approaches and natural-science technology.
The teacher shall facilitate for pupil participation and stimulate their desire to learn by facilitating for varied, practical and exploratory ways of working. The teacher and pupils shall engage in dialogue about their development in natural science. The pupils shall have the opportunity to explore and experiment. With the competence the pupils have demonstrated as the starting point, they shall have the opportunity to express what they believe they have achieved, and reflect on their development in the subject. The teacher shall provide guidance on further learning and adapt the teaching to enable the pupils to use the guidance to develop their competence in natural science.
Assessment of coursework
The grade awarded for coursework shall reflect the overall competence of the pupil in natural science after completing vg1 in the supplementary programme for general university and college admissions certification. The teacher shall plan and facilitate for the pupils to demonstrate their competence in different ways, including through understanding, reflection and deliberation, and in various contexts. The teacher shall award a grade in natural science based on the competence demonstrated by the pupil when the pupil has communicated knowledge about and understanding of the content of the subject and has seen interconnections. The grade shall also be based on the competence demonstrated by the pupil when working in a practical and exploratory manner.