Natural Science subject curriculum (NAT1-03)

Main subject areas

The subject has been structured into main subject areas for which competence aims have been formulated. The main subject areas complement each other and must be viewed in relation to one another.

The subject is a common core subject for all education programmes in upper secondary education. Learning in the subject shall therefore be made as relevant as possible for pupils by adapting the subject to the different education programmes.

Natural science has competence aims after the second, fourth, seventh and tenth years in primary and lower secondary education, and after Vg1 for college preparatory programmes and in programmes for vocational education in upper secondary education.

Overview of main subject areas:

Year level	Main subject areas
1–10	The budding researcher	Diversity in nature	Body and health		Phenomena and substances	Technology and design
Vg1 programme for general studies	The budding researcher	Sustainable development	Nutrition and health	Radiation and radioactivity	Energy for the future	Biotechnology
Vg1 vocational education programme	The budding researcher	Sustainable development	Nutrition and health		Energy for the future
Vg3 supplementary studies qualifying for higher education	The budding researcher	Sustainable development		Radiation and radioactivity	Energy for the future	Biotechnology

The budding researcher

Teaching in natural science presents natural science as both a product that shows the knowledge we have acquired thus far in history and as processes that deal with how knowledge of natural science is developed and established. These processes involve the formulation of hypotheses, experimentation, systematic observations, discussions, critical assessment, argumentation, grounds for conclusion and presentation. The budding researcher shall uphold these dimensions while learning in the subject and integrate them into the other main subject areas.

Diversity in nature

A central element of the main subject area is the development of knowledge about and respect for the diversity of nature. Knowledge about biotic and abiotic factors in ecosystems is important to understanding interaction processes in nature. The main subject area also focuses on the requirements for sustainable development, the place of man in nature and how human activities have changed and continue to change the natural environment locally and globally. Fieldwork ensures a good basis for knowledge about and attitudes in this area.

In Vg1 the main subject area is called Sustainable development, which expresses its focus within the main subject area.

Body and health

The main subject area focuses on the structure of our bodies and how the body is affected and changed over time. Knowledge about how the different parts of the body interact and work together are basic in the understanding of how lifestyle influences the body and human health. Body, health, lifestyle and nutrition are frequently mentioned in the media. Knowledge and critical assessment of information in this area are important to enable pupils to assume responsibility for their body and physical and mental health. Respect and care for others are also key elements in this area.

In Vg1 the main subject area is called Body and health, which expresses its focus within the main subject area.

Phenomena and substances

The main subject area focuses on the relationship between natural phenomena and how mankind has learned to exploit various phenomena and substances. The main subject area covers the main elements from physics, chemistry and geo-science subjects. The subject area covers how substances are structured, how they interact with each other and central phenomena like sound, light, electricity and magnetism and energy. Our own solar system, the location of the earth and outer space, research and technology are also dealt with in the main subject area.

In Vg1 the main subject area is split into the areas Energy for the future and Radiation and radioactivity, which expresses their focus within the main subject area.

Radiation and radioactivity

The main subject area focuses on the relationship between natural phenomena and how mankind has learned to exploit various phenomena and substances. The main subject area covers the main elements from physics, chemistry and geo-science subjects. The subject area covers how substances are structured, how they interact with each other and central phenomena like sound, light, electricity and magnetism and energy. Our own solar system, the location of the earth and outer space, research and technology are also dealt with in the main subject area.

In Vg1 the main subject area is split into the areas Energy for the future and Radiation and radioactivity, which expresses their focus within the main subject area.

Energy for the future

The main subject area focuses on the relationship between natural phenomena and how mankind has learned to exploit various phenomena and substances. The main subject area covers the main elements from physics, chemistry and geo-science subjects. The subject area covers how substances are structured, how they interact with each other and central phenomena like sound, light, electricity and magnetism and energy. Our own solar system, the location of the earth and outer space, research and technology are also dealt with in the main subject area.

In Vg1 the main subject area is split into the areas Energy for the future and Radiation and radioactivity, which expresses their focus within the main subject area.

Technology and design

The main subject area focuses on planning, developing and creating products that are useful in our day-to-day lives. The interaction between natural science, technology and sustainable development is a key part of the main subject area. Technology and design is a multidisciplinary area within the Natural science curriculum that includes mathematics, fine art and arts & crafts.

In Vg1 the main subject area is called Biotechnology, which expresses its focus within the main subject area.