Course

Theory of Science and Ethics (TN900)

Theory of science will be discussed, and emphasis will be placed on describing how a scientific knowledge of nature emerges and that our knowledge of nature has been and is under development. The creative process in research will be emphasized. The structure of a scientific theory will be discussed, and each of the elements of the structure (assumptions, deductions, statements and testing), and the interconnection between them will be thoroughly discussed and illustrated by examples from the history of science.

The Ethics component of the course will address adaptation of fundamental ethical principles to scientific activity, herein prevention of plagiarism and other scientific misconduct.


Dette er emnebeskrivelsen for studieåret 2014-2015. Merk at det kan komme endringer.

See course description and exam/assesment information for this semester (2024-2025)

Semesters

Fakta

Emnekode

TN900

Vekting (stp)

5

Semester undervisningsstart

Spring

Undervisningsspråk

English, Norwegian

Antall semestre

1

Vurderingssemester

Spring

Timeplan

Vis timeplan

Content

Theory of science will be discussed, and emphasis will be placed on describing how a scientific knowledge of nature emerges and that our knowledge of nature has been and is under development. The creative process in research will be emphasized. The structure of a scientific theory will be discussed, and each of the elements of the structure (assumptions, deductions, statements and testing), and the interconnection between them will be thoroughly discussed and illustrated by examples from the history of science.

The Ethics component of the course will address adaptation of fundamental ethical principles to scientific activity, herein prevention of plagiarism and other scientific misconduct.

Learning outcome

Upon completion of the course the students shall be able to understand the distinctive character of natural science, and understand that knowledge of nature is under development (through examples of the history of science). Further, they shall have acquired insight in the creative process, which in turn will increase the students own ability to think creatively, i.e. to approach a problem from a variety of angles. The students shall be able to understand the basis of scientific disagreement and to contribute in a constructive manner in public debate.

Forkunnskapskrav

Ingen

Exam

Fagperson(er)

Course teacher:

Tore Markeset

Course coordinator:

Frank Asche

Method of work

Project work

Åpent for

Single Course Admission to PhD-courses Technology and Natural Science - PhD programme

Litteratur

  1. Selected chapters in: Conjectures and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge, by K. Popper. 608 pages.
  2. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, T. Kuhn, 226 pages
  3. Utvalgte tekster innen forskningsetikk

Selected texts within research ethics

Kontakt

Course teacher:

Tore Markeset

Course coordinator:

Frank Asche

Tilbys av

Faculty of Science and Technology

Department of Safety, Economics and Planning

The course description is retrieved from FS (Felles studentsystem). Version 1