The Study On The Development Of Science Education Of Scottish Universities During The 18-19^th Century

Scottish Universities came into a glorious period during the 18-19th century. As to the introduction of science curriculum and the implementation of science education, the Scottish Universities were nearly a century time earlier than England’s. Science education of Scottish Universities is the embodiment of Scottish Universities’ characteristics. Their outstanding achievements in the 18-19th century constitute an important source of Scotland’s national pride. This study takes Scottish Universities’ science education during the 18-19th century as the research object, taking the Edinburgh University as a typical case. Through the analysis of its rise background, historical evolution, main features, status, influence and other issues, the dissertation attempts to reveal the science education mode of Scottish Universities, and to explore the important implications of science education to the development of Scottish universities.The introduction of the dissertation expounds the reasons and significance of this writing, defines relevant concepts and issues of the study, reviews the related researches at home and abroad, and explains the research methods.Chapter 1 introduces the background of the rise of Scottish Universities’science education. The developments of the British Industrial Revolution, the rise of the Scottish Enlightenment and the progress made in science and technology in the eighteenth century, all of the above has laid the historical foundation for the introduction of science education in Scottish universities. And the secular democratic education system, the reformation of the traditional curriculum, and the introduction of the practical teaching principle prepare education soil for it.Chapter 2 analyzes three stages of the evolution and development of science education in 18-19th century Scottish Universities, elaborates the development status of science education in Scottish Universities of each stage.Chapter 3 analyzes the science education curriculum structure, teaching contents and teaching methods in the Edinburgh University, attempts to reveal the main reasons of its outstanding achievements.Chapter 4 elaborates the characteristics, status and influence of the science education in Scottish Universities.The conclusion part reveals the significance of Scottish Universities’science education, its success and failure, gain and loss, and gives a reflection to the relationship of the university tradition and the university development.