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BB20152: Practice of science

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2014/5
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Biology & Biochemistry
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 50%, EX 50%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 50%)
  • Examination (EX 50%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take BB10001 and take BB10002
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
To familiarise the student with the nature of scientific enquiry as a collective human enterprise, and the organisation, funding, communication and ethics of contemporary science. Areas in which there are differences of opinion and potential conflict are emphasised.

Learning Outcomes:
After taking this course the student should be able to:
* discuss the nature and organisation of science, making reference to such aspects as scientific communication, funding, intellectual property and professional, social and environmental responsibility;
* work both as part of a team and independently to present a case;
* engage fairly with matters of controversy and formulate their own opinions.

Skills:
Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Oral communication T/F/A, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Group working T/F, Career preparation T/F.

Content:

* The nature of science as a method of human enquiry: a brief survey of ideas on philosophy of science.
* Funding and control: who decides what science should be done?
* Intellectual property and the public good.
* Publication of science: scientific writing, primary literature and reviews; the editorial process; peer review, good and bad; open aces literature.
* Professional and social responsibility: the scientist's duties to the employer, the Public Interest, environmental preservation etc.
* Ethics and values: some principles and implications.
* Error and deception in science.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

BB20152 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Biology & Biochemistry
Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2014/15 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2015/16 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2014/15.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.