260.700.60
How Do We Know? - Theory and Practice of Science

Location
East Baltimore
Note: Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, this course was held in a virtual/online format.
Term
3rd Term
Department
Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2020 - 2021
Instruction Method
TBD
Class Time(s)
Tuesday, 4:00 - 5:30pm
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
Yes
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Gundula Bosch
Arturo Casadevall
Contact Name
Gundula Bosch
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite

Introduction to Online Learning

Description
Do you love to "think science"? Would you enjoy looking at scientific questions through an unusual lens? Do you find stories about scientific discoveries fascinating, and would you like to learn more about what they mean to our scientific practice? Then this course is for you!
Examines the nature and philosophical foundations of science using an interdisciplinary approach that emphasizes critical thinking and storytelling; discusses the principles of good scientific practice – rigor, reproducibility and responsibility (the 3R's); explores revolutionary discoveries in the life, public health and natural sciences; elaborates the relationship between theory, practice and serendipity in scientific discovery, and concludes with a discussion of the meaning and limits of science.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Illustrate notions of "science", "pseudo-science", "evidence", "knowledge", "paradigm" and "truth", using case examples across the biomedical and public health fields
  2. Examine the impact of revolutionary discoveries on the evolution of scientific evidence in biomedicine and public health.
  3. Appraise the implementation of the norms of good science – rigor, responsibility, and reproducibility (the 3 “R’s”) - in research practice using historic and contemporary case examples
  4. Explain the fundamental methods used and types of data generated (qualitative and quantitative) for scientific decision making in the biomedical and health sciences
  5. Recognize the limits of science by examining potential conflicts between what science can do (epistemology) and what science should do (ethics).
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 30% Discussion
  • 15% In-class Exercises
  • 15% Reflection
  • 40% Final Project
Instructor Consent
No consent required
Special Comments

This course is part of the R3 Graduate Science Program.