Two of the Scottish Government’s objectives in education are being met with the launch by the University of Aberdeen of two new degree programmes.
The new Bachelor of Science or BSc in Education and Health Sciences and the BSc in Education and Nutrition link with the Government's aim of boosting the numbers of well qualified primary teachers with specialisms.
They also meet the national priority of promoting and enhancing health and well being in schools.
The new degree programmes that have just begun are also unique in that they draw equally on the disciplines of education and health sciences.
Mrs Elaine Cowan, Undergraduate Co-ordinator for BA and Combined Degrees at the School of Education, University of Aberdeen said: "Building the foundations for healthy living needs to begin at the earliest possible stage of learning.
"Our new degree programmes link to the current national initiative of Curriculum for Excellence. This recognises the need to engage pupils across education with the sciences, health and nutrition and, importantly, encourage them to realise the significance and relevance of health and well being for their lives."
Dr Steve Brindle, Coordinator for Health Sciences teaching within the University's School of Medicine and Dentistry, said: "Students graduating with these degrees will have a good grounding in basic scientific principals making them confident advocates for science in primary schools.
"In addition, they will have a sound knowledge of the biological, psychological and social factors which affect health making them well qualified to understand the health challenges facing the population."
Mrs Cowan added: "It is crucial to develop the confidence, skills and abilities of new teachers to specialise within the curriculum. These new BSc degrees will provide expertise that directly meets current priorities needs in schools while also educating student teachers to provide inspirational and motivating teaching, fundamental to children's success in schools."
For more information on these BSc degrees visit our website at: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents/undergraduate/schools/education/joint-degrees/
or contact Elaine Cowan, School of Education, email: e.m.cowan@abdn.ac.uk or telephone: 01224 274620.