Charles University is the oldest university in central Europe (founded 1348). Currently it consists of 17 faculties covering broad range of subject-areas – from theology, law, medicine and philosophy to science and mathematics and physics. There are more than 42,000 students studying there in the 270 study programmes (divided into 600 study branches) at bachelor, master and Ph.D. levels. The Faculties and Institutes of Charles University are also centres of intensive research activities.
Legal Entity #1 – The Faculty of Mathematics and Physics The Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Charles University was created in 1952 following its separation from the Faculty of Natural Science. At present, the Faculty has 29 Departments and Institutes, with more than 420 teachers and scientists. It is an important centre of research in many fields of mathematics, physics and computer science. It prepares more than 3300 students of mathematics, physics and computer science at all levels (from bachelor to Ph.D.) including future teachers of mathematics, computer science and physics.
The Faculty of Science was founded in 1922 and currently has more than 3000 undergraduates, approximately 1200 graduate students and about 700 employees, more than 500 of which belong to the academic staff. In addition to providing specialized bachelors, masters and doctors in the above mentioned disciplines, CUNI is also heavily involved in the training of secondary school science teachers. The range of subject matter utilised by the university is purposefully kept very broad to incorporate the modern and fast-changing trends in Science, especially those characterized by interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity (for example; complex environmental studies). The principal concept underlying our work at CUNI is that of the inseparable union of university teaching and scientific research. Great emphasis is placed on experimental work and the students are invited to join research with their teachers as soon as possible.
Role in the Project: The Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Charles University will lead WP6 drawing on their previous experience as mentioned above. They will also contribute to other WPs where appropriate but in particular to those WPs that involve the development and analysis of IBSE teaching and learning units pertaining to Physics.
Within Faculty of Mathematics and Physics and the Faculty of Science, there are three departments very interested in the problems of the Science teaching and learning; the Department of Physics Education, the Department of Chemistry Education and the Department of Biology Education.
Their most important research activities are:
- selection and construction of Science subject matter,
- didactic and methodical materials for Science teachers and Science teaching materials,
- computer programs and use of current technologies in Science education,
- theory and practice of the use of experiments in Science education,
- theory and practice of Science task creation and assesment in Science education.
Role in Project: The Department of Chemical Education will work alongside that of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics to lead WP6. They will also contribute to other WPs where appropriate, but in particular to the develop and analysis of IBSE teaching and learning units (WP1- 5) relating to chemistry.