Universität Wien
Warning! The directory is not yet complete and will be amended until the beginning of the term.

280165 SE MA-ERD-W-1.1 Doing Science in the 21st century (PI) (2021W)

Continuous assessment of course work
ON-SITE

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 15 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Thursday 07.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum Paläontologie "Melchior Neumayr" 2A502 5.OG UZA II
  • Thursday 14.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum Paläontologie "Melchior Neumayr" 2A502 5.OG UZA II
  • Thursday 21.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum Paläontologie "Melchior Neumayr" 2A502 5.OG UZA II
  • Thursday 28.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum Paläontologie "Melchior Neumayr" 2A502 5.OG UZA II
  • Thursday 04.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum Paläontologie "Melchior Neumayr" 2A502 5.OG UZA II
  • Thursday 11.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum Paläontologie "Melchior Neumayr" 2A502 5.OG UZA II
  • Thursday 18.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum Paläontologie "Melchior Neumayr" 2A502 5.OG UZA II
  • Thursday 25.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum Paläontologie "Melchior Neumayr" 2A502 5.OG UZA II
  • Thursday 02.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum Paläontologie "Melchior Neumayr" 2A502 5.OG UZA II
  • Thursday 09.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum Paläontologie "Melchior Neumayr" 2A502 5.OG UZA II
  • Thursday 16.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum Paläontologie "Melchior Neumayr" 2A502 5.OG UZA II
  • Thursday 13.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum Paläontologie "Melchior Neumayr" 2A502 5.OG UZA II
  • Thursday 20.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum Paläontologie "Melchior Neumayr" 2A502 5.OG UZA II
  • Thursday 27.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum Paläontologie "Melchior Neumayr" 2A502 5.OG UZA II

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This is a basic course on epistemology (the nature and limits of scientific knowledge), the scientific method, institutional science and the relationship between science and society. Students will learn:
• Why and how science is used to understand and predict the world around us (in contrast to other methods)
• A brief history of science and scientific thought
• What factors influence how science is made and how we strive for objectivity
• How the peer-review process and present-day institutional science work (i.e. assessing the reliability of science)
• The interplay between science and society, with particular emphasis on communicating science and the use of science for policy making
At the end of the course it is expected that students will be able to critically assess a statement and determine if it is scientifically sound or not, including what possible biases might be hidden within. They will also understand how the elements of the scientific process can be communicated to non-scientists.

Assessment and permitted materials

This course will be held as a seminar.
Students will be presented with weekly texts which will provide them the means to derive their own understanding of how science works. Examples will be from the natural and health sciences, including currently controversial themes.
Weekly sessions of active discussion will be complemented with short lectures. These dynamic sessions will allow students to also discuss the impact of the themes explored on their own research and scientific knowledge.
Evaluation will be based on:
• The degree of participation of students in the weekly discussions
• A text to be delivered and orally presented at the end of the semester, discussing a science-related theme in which students will be expected to use their acquired knowledge to emit a critical opinion.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Attendance is compulsory. Up to two absences without notice are permitted.
Minimum requirement: Submission and defense of a coherent argument on the science-related theme of choice. The student will be expected to present a comprehensive view of the subject treated and will be able to defend their point of view with scientifically solid arguments. The seminar paper will account for 50% of the grade and the oral presentation for the remaining 50%.

Examination topics

Scientific skill.

Reading list

Will be provided during the course.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Fr 01.04.2022 09:09