The Scientific Method
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| CELEN038 | Centre for English Language Education | 0 | 10 | Autumn China |
- Code
- CELEN038
- School
- Centre for English Language Education
- Level
- 0
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Autumn China
Summary
The module introduces topics basic to understanding and communicating the scientific method in engineering, architecture and computer science. Topics include:
Deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning and the role of evidence;
Basic laws of probability and statistics, and their connection to estimates of uncertainty;
The analysis of errors in experimental procedures, including approximate and exact error calculations;
Report writing in engineering, architecture or computer science;
Analysis, using the scientific method, of the historical evolution of threshold concepts in physics, chemistry,
mathematics and computer science; and
Basic computer knowledge skills in the form of computer modeling.
Target Students
Students registered on all Engineering Programmes, including Architectural Environment Engineering.
Classes
- One 1-hour-30-minute seminar each week for 10 weeks
- One 1-hour lecture each week for 4 weeks
- Two 1-hour lectures each week for 6 weeks
In teaching week 1 &3, seminars will take place in computer labs.
Assessment
- 20% Online Progress Quizzes & PC Workshops: 1 hour: Series of Multiple Choice Questions online
- 20% Online Progress Quizzes & PC Workshops: 1 hour: Series of Multiple Choice Questions online
- 40% Presentation 1: A group presentation on the scientific method in context. 1 hour
- 40% Mid-term Exam (1-hour-30-minute): Mid-term exam focus on understanding measurement. 1 hour
- 40% Mid-term Exam (1-hour-30-minute): Mid-term exam focus on understanding measurement. 1 hour
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
To provide students with the basic skills to understand and apply the scientific method in their chosen disciplines.To foster evidence-based, logical thinking.To develop the necessary communication skills to convey technical concepts with precision and flexibility.Learning Outcomes
Students should have:
A. Knowledge and understanding
- Awareness of the basic statistical knowledge necessary for scientific work.
- Understanding of the role of evidence in science.
- Awareness of the evolution of key concepts in engineering and science.
- Awareness of the importance of clarity and structure in scientific communication.
B. Intellectual skills
- Familiarity with a range of appropriate data analysis techniques.
- A logical approach to problem-solving.
C. Professional practical skills
- The ability to analyse data using appropriate statistical techniques and convey findings clearly and concisely.
- The ability to produce a properly structured report in an academic register, within an engineering, architectural or computer science context.
D. Transferable (key) skills
- Improved science communication skills in general.
- Improved inter-personal and team working skills
Conveners
- Mr Lucien Lu