Research competence in the context of training future biology teachers

Relevance. The relevance of this study is due to the fact that in the process of implementing the competency-based approach, students' research activity becomes one of the leading ones in the structure of the future teacher's preparedness for professional activity. Purpose. The purpose of this article is to reveal the process of formation of research competence in biology students in the process of mastering the discipline of "Biology Practice". The question of the formation of research competence is put forward as one of the most relevant requirements for graduates of higher education who train specialists in pedagogical specialties. Methodology. In the course of the study, theoretical methods such as analysis, synthesis, generalization and empirical methods were used, consisting of questionnaires and tasks aimed at determining the level of experience in research activities, helping to consider the situation in the study of the formation of research competence of biology students, leading to a comprehensive review of the situation in the study of the formation of research competence in biology students. Results. During the ascertaining stage of the study it was found that students have low and average levels of research competencies. To solve the problem of research training of biology students, a laboratory practice was developed and introduced into the educational process, by the end of which the students of the experimental group showed an increase in the level of research competencies. The role of laboratory practice in the formation and development of research activities of undergraduate biologists is determined. The data obtained are compared with international practice. Conclusions. The conducted research gives grounds to conclude that the developed laboratory practice helped students to master research competencies, which are represented by methodological knowledge and skills, as well as the technique of conducting the most important laboratory research. Keywords: research activity; research competencies; laboratory competencies; activity component of research competence; educational process