Epistemology of Biology

Code:

BIOL3011

Acronym:

BIOL3011

Level:

300

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2018/2019 - 2S

Active?	No
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Biology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:B	0	Official Study Plan	3	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

To understand and critically analyze the object of epistemology and the types, levels and limits of scientific activities.
To know the classical perspective of experimental science methodology, with particular emphasis on Biology.
To grasp the difficulties involved in the experimental confrontation of theories.
To analyze critically the production of scientific results through historically relevant examples.

Learning outcomes and competences

Understanding of the object of epistemology and of the foundations and limits of the scientific activity and the ability to critically analyze them.
Mastering of the critical analyses of the classical perspective of the methodology in experimental sciences, with special emphasis on Biology
Identification and critical analysis of the difficulties of the experimental confrontation of theories.
Capacity of critically analyze the production of scientific outputs.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Methodology as an epistemological subdiscipline; other epistemological branches/approaches.
Aims, types and limits of science.
Basic principles.
The classical perspective of methodology in the experimental sciences: observation - hypothesis - experimentation.
Observation methods.
Hypotheses confirmation.
Genesis of theories and experimental confrontation.
Paradigmatic historical examples.

Mandatory literature

GRIFFITHS P; Philosophy of Biology, 2018 (URL = )
; Philosophy_of_science (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_science; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_biology )

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures and non-laboratorial practical sessions
Tutorials
Supervised study

keywords

Humanities > Philosophy > Epistemology
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology
Humanities > Philosophy > Philosophy of science

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Trabalho escrito	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	33,00
Frequência das aulas	48,00
Trabalho de investigação	33,00
Trabalho escrito	48,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Participation in lessons.
Presentation and discussion of written work.

Calculation formula of final grade

Unweighted sum of the marks obtained in the test and the written work (including its presentation and discussion)