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Thinking about Science: Past and Present (HPSC30037)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location in first half year 2021.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Please refer to the specific study period for contact information.
Overview
Availability | Winter Term |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Science, we are often told, rests on two central pillars – theory and observation. But science involves far more than just observing and theorizing. Indeed many scientists now spend their days at the computer running simulations or search algorithms. Moreover, observation itself is a complex and messy business, often requiring finely honed skills and a certain amount of theorizing. Indeed observation varies greatly across different fields. The molecular biologist who studies a new strain of virus using an electron microscope practices a very different craft from the archaeologist who inspects an excavation site to find clues to a lost civilization. In this subject, we go beyond the clichéd image of science, in attempting to answer the fundamental question: ‘how is knowledge produced?’ By drawing on recent scholarship in the history and philosophy of science, we will look at topics such as the different epistemic cultures of the laboratory and the field, the importance of visual and diagrammatic reasoning, and how scientists learn to ‘see’ and ‘think’ by engaging manually with instruments and models. By reframing traditional philosophical questions in terms of ‘what scientists do’ rather than ‘what scientists believe’, students will gain a deeper understanding of how different practices involving the hand, the mind and the eye actually generate knowledge.
Intended learning outcomes
Students completing this subject will:
- demonstrate ability to engage in critical argumentation both in the context of discussion and in self-directed written research ;
- develop in-depth understanding of contemporary developments in philosophy of science;
- acquire written and oral communication skills, effective collaboration in small and large groups.
- possess an awareness of the relationship between philosophy of science and other disciplines, such as epistemology, political theory, sociology, ethics, and gender studies;
- apply philosophical perspectives to real-world scientific practice through the treatment of case studies, and
Generic skills
- Critical thinking
- Analysis and assessment of arguments
- Oral and written communication skills
- Constructive collaboration and measured disagreement
- Confidence in voicing an informed opinion
Last updated: 2 March 2021
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 2 March 2021
Assessment
Winter Term
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
10 x 200 word contributions to the subject discussion board
| From Week 1 to Week 2 | 50% |
Essay
| During the assessment period | 50% |
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of seminars in order to pass this subject. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass this subject. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Additional details
Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. After five working days late assessment will not be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Last updated: 2 March 2021
Please refer to the Return to Campus page for information on subject delivery modes in First Half Year 2021 (including Summer Term and Semester 1).
Dates & times
- Winter Term
Principal coordinator Kristian Camilleri Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3 hours per day x 10 days (2 weeks intensive) including a 2 hour tutorial followed by a 1 hour lecture. Total time commitment 150 hours Teaching period 28 June 2021 to 9 July 2021 Last self-enrol date 30 June 2021 Census date 9 July 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 July 2021 Assessment period ends 26 July 2021 Winter Term contact information
Last updated: 2 March 2021
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 2 March 2021