Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University

HISTORY OF THE PROGRAMME

The Science Education Programme started in 1983/84 academic session by one Dr. Johnson from USA who was a Fulbright scholar on one year appointment. He produced the first draft of the Science Education Curricular. However, he left at the end of 1983/84 session. Dr. R. D. Olarinoye (now Professor) came on invitation to continue the noble effort at the beginning of 1984/85 academic year. During the year, the curricular were revised in line with the need of Nigerian Society. Relevant experts from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and few other Nigerian Universities were involved in the curricular review.

The fist set of undergraduate degree holders graduated in 1987. Few years later, the Programme started Postgraduate studies leading to the Award of Postgraduate Diploma in Education, Master of Education and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

In 1989/90 academic year, degree programmes in Technology Education started. Other programmes in Computer Education and Integrated Science were introduced in 2000/2001 academic session.

In 2002/03 academic session the Science Education Programme metamorphosed into the present School of Technology Education (STE). The STE now has three academic programmes i.e. Science Education Programme, Vocational and Technology Education Programme and Educational Foundations Programme.

Vision of Science Education Programme (VSEP)

In line with the vision and mission of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and the National Policy on Education, the Science Education Programme (SEP) was set up to train highly skilled Science and Mathematics teachers for Nigeria Secondary Schools and Colleges. By extension of its vision, the SEP also trains students in various science education disciplines at Master and Doctorate degree levels.

Mission of SEP

The Programme's mission is to work in collaboration with relevant arms of the University to pursue academic programmes that are geared towards production of intellectually sound teachers in the Sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Integrated Science and Computer Science Education). The production of this quality of teachers is through the followings:

Development of students' talents in both contents of the teaching subject and educational pedagogy.

Encouraging new or innovative ways/techniques of effective teaching/learning science subjects and mathematics.

Coping with the dynamics of Science Education through research work on contemporary issues in educational endeavours.

Enhancing the practicum of Science and Mathematics teaching by organizing a closely supervised teaching practice.

Collaborating efforts with other relevant programmes in the University for producing balanced science and mathematics teachers.

Objectives of Science Education Programme (SEP)

The following objectives guide the activities of SEP:

To train knowledgeable science and mathematics teachers for Nigeria development programmes.

To train highly motivated, conscientious and efficient classroom science and mathematics teachers for different areas of Nigeria Education system.

To develop teaching and scientific process skills, analytical judgment and communication abilities leading to effective teaching.

To effectively apply relevant teaching methods and skills in their academic specialization.

To formulate and develop on their own reasonable academic courses of instruction and evaluate them.

To use their knowledge of educational theories in dealing with classroom problems as they arise.

To develop scientific attitudes of honesty, accuracy, open mindedness, avoidance of dogmatism, positive approach to failure, etc. for their day to day activities and interactions with people.

To develop moral and spiritual values in inter-personal and human relations.

To develop and run other programmes that would benefit the Nigeria or international communities from time to time.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (UNDERGRADUATE)

Candidates must satisfy all University entry requirements as well as passing WASCE/GCE/SSCE/NECO at credit level or above in five subjects at not more than two sittings. These should include the 4requirements for each of the five years integrated degree programmes given below:

Five Years Integrated Degree Programme (UME)

Biology Education: Credit passes in WASCE/SSCE/NECO (or equivalent) in Mathematics, English, Chemistry, Biology and Physics.

Chemistry Education: Credit passes in WASCE/SSCE/NECO (or equivalent) in Mathematics, English, Chemistry, Biology and Physics.

Mathematics Education: Credit passes in WASCE/SSCE/NECO (or equivalent) in Mathematics, English, Chemistry, Biology and Physics.

Physics Education: Credit passes in WASCE/SSCE/NECO (or equivalent) in Mathematics, English, Chemistry, Biology and Physics.

Computer Education: Credit passes in WASCE/SSCE/NECO (or equivalent) in Mathematics, English, Chemistry, Biology and Physics.

Integrated Science: Credit passes in WASCE/SSCE/NECO (or equivalent) in Mathematics, English, Chemistry, Biology and Physics.

Three/Four Years Degree Programme

Biology Education: Two A' Levels credit passes in Biology, and Chemistry/Physics/Mathematics. NCE or ND Lower Credit/Merit and above.

Chemistry Education: Two A' Levels in Chemistry and Biology/Physics/Mathematics. NCE or ND Lower Credit and above.

Physics Education: Two A' Levels credit passes in Physics and Mathematics. NCE or ND Lower Credit and above.

Mathematics Education: Two A' Levels in Mathematics, and Chemistry/Physics. NCE or ND Lower Credit and above.

Integrated Science: Two A' Levels in any of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. NCE or ND Lower Credit and above.

Computer Education: Two A'Levels in Maths and Phy. NCE or ND Lower Credit and above.