Outdoor Education and Nature Guiding, One-year Programme

Study programme code FRI60

ECTS credits 60

Admission requirements Higher Education Entrance Qualification.

Recommended previous knowledge There is no specified performance level requirement to enter the study programme, but to be able to successfully complete the programme the students have to be in good physical condition. We recommend that students should meet the following skills requirement at the start of the semester: be able to jump fully clothed (trousers/shirt) into water from a height of 3 metres be able to swim 50 metres (dive/jump and swim) be able to dive to a depth of 2.5 metres to collect an object be able to pull (swim) a person for 50 metres and then take him/her ashore be able to bring a person to the side of a swimming-pool in order to prepare for resuscitation approved CPR test (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Furthermore the student must be in good form in order to take part in long canoe and hiking trips in the forest/mountains with a fully packed backpack, in summer as well as in winter. Adequate cross-country skiing skills are also required. The field trips and practical training require that each student is able to cope with these challenges. A police certificate of good conduct is required.

General description and profile of the programme The study programme includes Outdoor Activities Theory and practical courses in Outdoor Activities and Nature Guiding. Outdoor Activities 'Friluftsliv' in this context will be activities in the outdoors, often with the Norwegian outdoor tradition in focus. Nature guiding will be both traditional guiding for different categories of participants in different landscapes of nature and culture, and in addition landscapes of trade where imparting knowledge about culture, trade, zoology, botany, geology etc. is emphasised.

Learning outcomes On successful completion of the study programme students will, through professional understanding and practical experience, be capable of teaching subjects within Outdoor Activities "Friluftsliv" in schools - and be capable of leading, guiding and coaching various groups, both voluntary and organised outdoor activities in different environments.

Teaching methods Teaching will be in the form of lectures, seminars, individual studies, field trips, excursions and coaching / teaching practice. The programme emphasises the students´ participation, involvement and joint responsibility. Field trips and excursions are compulsory and will extend for several days. The trips will be based out of a number of different locations.

Assessment methods Various methods of assessment will be used such as school examination, practical-oral examination, reports and project work. Please see Course descriptions.

Student exchange Arrangements are made for international exchange. The faculty is internationally engaged through the programmes Norplus and Erasmus, and elsewhere in Europe and also Australia. Please refer to the Faculty´s web-pages and to the International Department for further information.

Occupational profiles of graduates and access to further studies FRI60 is an undergraduate programme in outdoor activities 'friluftsliv' (60 credits), aimed at teaching in schools, activities associated with the wilderness, business development, tourism and other work in the public and private sector. The study programme can be included as one year of a three-year Bachelor's degree and/or included as part of General Teacher Education.

Qualification awarded None. 60 credits.

Other information Expenses: The program requires much high quality personal equipment. Students are expected to travel extensively. These expenses the students have to pay themselves. The academic year 2005-06 the own share was NOK 3,800 in the autumn and 1,900 in the spring (food and travel expenses in addition). Exemption: Students who have completed the "Outdoor Activities" programme at the University of Agder, are exempted from overlapping topics in the course FRI111-1. These topics will be replaced by reflection-/project assignments graded as a pass or a fail. International students may apply courses in Norwegian Outdoor Education equivalent to 30 credits. The courses are offered in English in the spring semester; FRI109-1 (10 credits) and FRI111-1 (20 credits).

Contact person Head of department: Jon B. Fjeld, Telephone: 0047 3814 1351 and email: Jon.B.Fjeld@uia.no Coordinator international students: Johne H. Westersjø (johne.h.westersjo@uia.no)