Science and Society

Code:

BIOL3003

Acronym:

BIOL3003

Level:

300

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2017/2018 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Molecular Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Biochemistry

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:BQ	37	Official Study Plan	3	-	6	49	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

To develop skills in thinking about and in critically analysing science, scientific knowledge production and the place of science in society.

Learning outcomes and competences

Ability to think and question the science-society dialogue.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Science, Scientific and Technological Development and Society

1. Public Understanding of Science. 2. Science communication. 3. Risk perception and communication. 4. Public interest and citizen participation. 

Ethics and Regulation

1. Ethical concepts and philosophy. 2. Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights (UNESCO, 2005). 3. Ethical, legal and social implications/aspects of the life sciences and biomedicine. 4. Responsible research and innovation. 5. Some examples: a) animal experimentation; b) cloning; c) human enhancement; d) access to genetic information; e) patents and intellectual property.

Notes on Scientific Change

1. "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" (Kuhn, 1962). 2. “Genesis and Development of a Scientific Fact (Fleck, 1935). 3. Recent studies of the dynamics of life sciences and biomedicine. 4. Some examples: a) 1897 and the “birth” of biochemistry; b) the post-war transformation of biology; c) from the primacy of the gene to systems biology.

Mandatory literature

Fleck Ludwik; Genesis and development of a scientific fact. ISBN: 0-226-25325-2
Kuhn Thomas S.; structure of scientific revolutions. ISBN: 0-226-45808-3
Sequeiros Jorge (ed); Universidade, Ciência e Sociedade: desafios e fronteiras éticas. ISBN: 978-989-746-037-1

Complementary Bibliography

Cambrosio Alberto; Biomedical platforms. ISBN: 978-0-262-61215- 9
Rheinberger Hans-Jõrg; Toward a history of epistemic things. ISBN: 978-0-8047-2786-0

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures, with presentation of the topics and debate with the students.

Theoretical/practical classes, intended for the preparation (with supervision) of three assignments anchored in lecture themes:

-Assignments I and II: Analysis of a published paper, its oral presentation and discussion*.

-Assignment III: Development of a research project (on a topic submitted by the student) ending with the preparation of a written essay in the “format” of an article following specific journal guidelines.

 

*Assignments I and II should be completed by the end of classes. The papers will be chosen by the student from a proposed listing.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	30,00
Trabalho escrito	70,00
Total:	100,00

Calculation formula of final grade

Final grade will be calculated as follows:

G(I)*0,15 + G(II)*0,15 + G(III)*0,70

where G(I), G(II) and G(III) respectively stand for the grade in assignments I, II and III (scale 0 to 20 points). [For the purpose of calculating final grade, not having done an assignment will mean 0 points.]