Natural Science subject curriculum (NAT1-03)

Competence aims after Vg3 - supplementary studies qualifying for higher education

The budding researcher

The aims of the training are to enable the apprentice to

• distinguish between results and assertions and discuss the quality of methods and presentation of own data and the data of others and how such data is interpreted
• discuss and elaborate on authentic problems related to natural science based on practical investigations or systematised information from different sources
• use simple computer simulations or animations to illustrate and explain natural science phenomena and test hypotheses

Sustainable development

The aims of the training are to enable the apprentice to

• investigate and describe succession processes within an ecosystem

Radiation and radioactivity

The aims of the training are to enable the apprentice to

• explain how the northern lights arise, and give examples of how Norway has been and is an important country for research in this field
• explain the importance of the ozone layer with respect to solar irradiation of the earth
• explain the greenhouse effect and elaborate on and analyse how human activity is altering the energy balance of the atmosphere
• elaborate on some possible consequences of the increased greenhouse effect, including Arctic areas and lowlands, and discuss and elaborate on the measures being initiated to reduce the increase in the greenhouse effect
• carry out experiments with radioactivity, half-life and background radiation, explain these phenomena and do simple calculations
• describe characteristics of different types of ionising radiation and give examples of how these are used for technical and medical applications
• explain how electromagnetic radiation from space may be interpreted and provide information about outer space

Energy for the future

The aims of the training are to enable the apprentice to

• explain what redox reactions are, carry out experiments with combustion, galvanic elements and electrolysis and elaborate on the results
• describe the principles and areas of use of some common batteries and fuel cells
• give an account of the difference between energy sources and energy-bearers and a typical energy-bearer for the future

Biotechnology

The aims of the training are to enable the apprentice to

• explain genetic coding and the main characteristics of protein synthesis and provide examples of the interconnectedness between heritage and the environment
• explain the concepts of cross-breeding and gene modification and give examples of how biotechnology is used to modify the characteristics of plants and animals
• provide an overview of different medical applications of biotechnology and discuss the opportunities and challenges of such use
• compare arguments on the use of biotechnology and discuss and elaborate on different academic and ethical problems related to these