The investigation of the levels of specific field competencies of chemistry teachers candidates

The success in every area of life depends on quality education and the quality of education is directly proportional to the quality of the teacher. Teacher is the most important element of success in learning activities. In order to increase the quality of teachers, the general and specific field competencies of teachers must be identified and these competencies must be gained to teachers. In this context, the purpose of this study is to determine the levels of specific field competencies of chemistry teacher candidates. Also in this study specific field competencies of chemistry teacher candidates which are changed or unchanged by grade level and gender are analyzed.This research was realized with 37 chemistry teacher candidates who study at 5th and 4th grades of Gazi Univercity- Gazi Faculty of Education-Chemistry Teacher Education at 2010-2011years. Survey research method was used in this research. The parameters are prepared by MEB-ÖYEGM and they was edited by researcher. The data are analyzed with SPSS computer program.At the end of the research the results show the teacher candidates see themselves enough all subjects except some specific field competencies. There are more students who need to complete their knowledge in specific field competencies at 5th grade. Furthermore when specific field education competencies are compared 5th grade students are the most competency then 4th grade students. The curriculum used at the department of chemical education may be the first reason of this result because the students are taught specific field subjects for 3,5 years and then they are taught specific field education and training education subjects. Because of this reason 5th grade students may forget their chemical conception.In this study there is another focus. Gender may cause a different result on the chemistry teacher candidates? competencies. The results show there is no important result. Male teacher candidates are better then female teacher candidates only one of the performance about using maths.Key words: Specific field competencies, teacher candidates, chemistry education