Determination of biology teacher candidates` learning strategies in learning their subject matter courses

The purpose of this study is to determine the learning strategies biology teacher candidates use. The data were collected with Learning Strategies Scale Used in Biology , developed by Sucuoğlu (2006).The scale is five-point Likert scale. Data were computed with SPSS 15 programme and the statistical analysis such as frequencies ANOVA, arithmetic mean, standart deviation, Scheffe and t-test were done. The reliability of the scale has been calculated by using the Cronbach Alpha Co-efficient. This analyzed scale has been applied to the teacher candidates that have been studying in the Biology Teaching Department of Education Faculties in Dokuz Eylül University, Marmara University and Gazi University in the spring academic period of 2011-2012. Students attending Biology Departments in the fourth and last year took place in the study (n=160).Also, the Half Structured Interview Form? was applied to determine the student's views about using the learning strategies. The data of the research collected by learning strategies public survey? which was developed by the researcher and it was implied in face to face way.At the end of the study, it was determined that teacher candidates always use the Complex Memorization and Organizational Strategies and that they sometimes use the Following the Understanding Strategy. It is determined that female teacher candidates use more learning strategies than male teacher candidates. The learning strategies used demonstrate significant differences according to the department studied.Key Words: Learning strategies, biology teacher candidates and biology field courses