Process and Practice in Science
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| LIFE4050 | Life Sciences | 4 | 10 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- LIFE4050
- School
- Life Sciences
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This course considers science as a process. There will be brief introductions to the history, philosophy and sociological norms of science. Aspects of the scientific literature and scientific communication, peer review, metrics, including citation analysis, journal impact factors, and the 'h' and other indices of measuring scientists' performances will be dealt with. Ethics in science and the distinctions between science, pseudo-science, pathological science and fraudulent science will be discussed. The module will end with consideration of more recent trends in how science is performed, such as the changing relationship between scientists, government and the public, the RAE/REF systems of university funding and the emergence of 'post-academic' science.
Target Students
4th year Msci students within the School of Life Sciences
Classes
This module may be delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops and labs etc.
Assessment
- 100% Coursework 1: Students own choice of essay (1500 words), podcast (10 minutes) or infographic (single slide)
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
To provide a broad understanding of the nature of science and consider how science was and is perceived by different observers, including historians, philosophers and sociologists, as well as by scientists themselves. To consider the extent to which the 'scientific method' is relevant to every day scientific practice and discuss examples of 'pathological science', 'pseudo-science' and scientific fraud. To outline how scientific progress has been and still is mainly recorded as paper-based scientific literature, but also to note rapidly occurring changes in this area. To note the importance of peer review and discuss the reward systems enjoyed by scientists. To gain some understanding about evolving relationships between scientists and other key sections of society, particularly the government and civil service, the media, pressure groups and the general public.Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes:
- After completing this module you will appreciate that as a practicing scientist you need to know far more than, for example, how to handle a pipette, operate a spectrophotometer or look up a gene sequence.
- You will know about the origins of science and its development into what is now perhaps the most important human activity.
- You will understand the scientific literature and how its numerical parameters are being used to measure performance, and how these measurements are being used to influence allocation of funds for scientific research.
- By participating in a series of student-led presentations you will be better able to recognize the pseudo-sciences and fraudulent and pathological science and appreciate the necessity of an ethical approach to scientific research.
Knowledge and understanding of:
- The history of the development of science as a human activity.
- The contributions of some key philosophers to an understanding of the nature of science.
- The different ways in which scientists are rewarded.
- The nature of peer review and the processes involved in publishing scientific observations.
- The relationship of scientists and science to government, the media and the public.
- The ethical issues in the process and practice of science.
- The distinctions between science, pseudo-science and fraudulent and pathological science.
Intellectual and practical skills:
- The ability to acquire information, critically analyse it and draw relevant conclusions.
- The ability to think independently and muster argument in support of particular points of view.
- The ability to construct and write reports using appropriate styles, conventions and terms.
Transferrable skills:
- The ability to access and use information and communication technology.
- The ability to organize information systematically.
- The ability to communicate effectively in written and oral presentations.
- The ability to meet deadlines.
Conveners
- Dr Sophie Evison