Metodology of science 390-FS2-2MNA
Methodology of Science is one-semestral course of the subject. It includes 15 hours of the lecture and 15 hours of the discussion session (1 hour of the lecture and 1 hours of the discussion session per a week).
Educational profile: general academic.
Type of the studies: full-time.
Block (unit): general education .
Field of knowledge and discipline of science: natural and mathematical sciences, physical science.
Year of the studies, semester: 3rd year, 6th semester, undergraduate studies.
Introductory conditions: none.
Didactic methods: lecture, discussions, consultations, unassisted studying.
ECTS points: 2.
Balance sheet of the student's work: lecture (15 hours), practical (15 hours), preparing for discussion session (15 hours), consultations (15 hours), unassisted studying (0 hours).
The SI use is allowed for the translations, the bibliography preparing and computer modeling. The SI is forbidden during the colloquiums and the examination periods.
Quantitative indicators: lecture (2,0 ECTS point), unassisted studying (0.0 ECTS point).
The content is following:
1) Introduction to ontological and epistemological problems.
2) Laws in natural sciences:
a) synthetic propositions, analytic propositions, a priori propositions, a posteriori propositions,
b) laws of nature as propositions,
c) relationality of laws of nature,
d) laws in human and social sciences,
e) comparison of laws of nature and laws of sciences,
f) features of laws in natural sciences,
3) Structure of knowledge based on laws in natural sciences:
a) individual propositions, propositions of existence, general propositions,
b) theories as structures of laws of science.
4) Functions of laws in natural sciences:
a) description of facts,
b) making the definitions,
c) explanation and predication.
5) Discovering the laws in natural sciences:
a) induction, enumerative induction, induction of elimination, reductive reasoning,
b) deduction reasoning, mathematical induction,
c) hypothetico-deductive method, deep hypothesis,
d) methods of the hypothesis confirmation (corroboration) and falsification, crucial experiment,
e) process of idealization, objectivity and approximative character of laws in natural sciences, process of their factualization , conventions in laws in natural sciences,
f) enigma of the discovery.
6) Determinism and indeterminism:
a) unambiguous laws, laws of causal character, laws of statistical character,
b) examples in physics, chemistry and biology,
c) examples in social sciences,
d) causality.
7) Formal classifications of the laws in natural and other sciences.
8) Formal classifications of the sciences.
Type of course
obligatory courses
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Codes:
KP7_WG2, KP7_WG3, KP7_WK1, KP7_UW2, KP7_UW3, KP7_UO1, KP7_UU1, KP7_KK2, KP7_KO1, KP7_KR1
The SI use is allowed for the translations, the bibliography preparing and computer modeling. The SI is forbidden during the colloquiums and the examination periods.
A student:
1. Understands fundamental significance of physics for technological achievements, economic growth and development of civilization.
2. Understands structure of physics, treated as a branch of science, acquires cognisance of connections between its domains and theories, knows examples of false physical hypothesis and false physical theories.
3. Knows restrictions of applicability for chosen physical theories, models of objects and description of physical phenomena.
4. Is capable to give popularily basic facts from learned parts of physics, to sketch structure of physics treated as a branch of science and to present historical evolution of this scientific discipline, emphasizing influence of chosen discoveries on technological achievements, economic growth and development of civilization.
5. Realizes necessity to share knowledge and necessity of popular presentation of physics achievements.
6. Is able to search individually informations in literature and Internet sources, including explorations in foreign languages.
Assessment criteria
Students take part in lectures and practicals. They are stimulated for asking the questions and initiating the discussion.
Oral eventually written passings and examinations undergo after the end of the course of Methodology of Science. They verify acquirement of knowledge. The choice of their oral or written form depends on the level of students' group.
Students get the lists of problems for individual and unassisted analysis. . Content of the lists is correlated with the lecture. During the practicals, students are presenting results of their work. Lecturer is advised to pay close attention to understanding used concepts and clarity of presentations. He stimulates students group for asking the questions and discussions.
Assessment of student learning is based on the grade, which includes:
1. Ability to report the problems from methodology of science.
2. Ability to discuss subjects of the course.
3. Ability to use the literature and Internet sources.
Permanent grading by lecturer is included.
Final grade is expressed by the number established in the study regulation, which includes evaluation of the knowledge, abilities and competencies of the student.
Assessment levels:
very good 5, from 100% to 91%,
plus good 4,5, from 90% to 81%,
good 4, from 80% to 71%,
plus passable 3,5, from 70% to 61%,
passable 3, from 60% to 51%,
negative 2, from 50% to 0%.
Bibliography
1) Władysław Krajewski “Prawa nauki”, KIW, Warszawa, 1998 (in Polish)
2) Thomas Kuhn “Struktura rewolucji naukowych”, FA, Warszawa, 2001 (in Polish)
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: