The origin of man: Biological Sciences and Pedagogy students’ conceptions

Abstract

This study aims at analyzing Biological Sciences and Pedagogy University students’ conceptions on the topic origin of man. It was carried out at the University Center of Formiga, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The analysis focused on the answers to the question of the European questionnaire Biohead-CITIZEN “A.62 — In the list below, tick the three expressions you think are most strongly associated with the origin of humankind” with the following answer alternatives: Adam and Eve; Australopithecus; Creation; Evolution; God; Natural selection. The alternatives associated to the theory of evolution were prevalent among students of Biological Sciences, but the number of future biologists that indicated the alternatives linked to the religious field was not negligible, especially the alternative “God”. In the second semester of Biological Sciences, the most marked option was “God” whereas in the sixth semester the most marked one was “Evolution”, indicating the progress throughout the course towards the Theory of Evolution. Pedagogy students indicated predominantly alternatives linked to the religious field, since in all Pedagogy semesters both “God” and “Creation” answers were the most selected ones. These results are relevant since these future teachers may use their religious views when teaching their students the theme of the origin of life in sciences classes.