Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Arts (Volume 3 page 112)
History & Phil'y of Sci. subject : Next:136-222 | Prev:136-209 | Search | Help
136-220/320 "Philosophy of Science" appears differently in several places - choose the one you want:
1. History & Phil'y of Sci., Faculty of Arts (v3, p112) : Next:136-222 | Prev:136-209
Credit points: 16.7 2nd and 3rd years
Coordinator: To be advised.
Prerequisite: Normally 12.5 points of first-year HPS.
Contact: Up to three hours of lectures, seminars or tutorials a week.
Timetable: First semester
Objectives:
Students completing this subject should:
- acquire an understanding of such philosophical/scientific issues as 'what is the nature of space and time'; can biology be 'reduced' to physics?', or 'do good scientists sometimes ignore scientific evidence?';
- acquire an understanding of how method and theories in the sciences have changed over the centuries;
- gain a background in the philosophy and history of science on which to base further study in the area.
Content:
This subject will explore the history and logic of such major scientific theories as Newtonian mechanics or evolution. It will critically examine both scientists' actual behaviour and philosophical accounts of how science should be done. In 1996 the subject will focus on Space, Time and Cosmology.
Assessment:
Written work totalling 5,000 words.
1. History & Phil'y of Sci., Faculty of Arts (v3, p112) : Next:136-222 | Prev:136-209
2. History & Phil'y of Sci., Faculty of Science (v4, p197) : Next:136-222 | Prev:136-206
Credit points: 16.7
Coordinator: Dr B Ellis
Contact: 39 hours of lecture/seminars (approximately three hours a week)
Timetable: First semester
Objectives:
Students completing this subject should
- have an understanding of such philosophical/scientific issues as: "What is the nature of space and time?"; "Can chemistry be 'reduced' to physics?"; or "Do good scientists sometimes ignore scientific evidence?";
- have an understanding of how method and theories in the sciences have changed over the centuries;
- have a background in the philosophy and history of science on which to base further study in the area.
Content:
Historical study of conceptions of the 'scientific method' and its relation to the development of scientific knowledge and scientific practice.
Assessment:
Up to two essays and prescribed class assignments, totalling up to 5,000 words.
* Note that ASSESSMENT, CONTACT, CONTENT, COORDINATOR, OBJECTIVES, POINTS differs from the maintainer's version above. A log of variations is available.
2. History & Phil'y of Sci., Faculty of Science (v4, p197) : Next:136-222 | Prev:136-206
Status: Official 1996 Date created: Oct 9 1995 Last modified: Oct 9 1995 Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Maintained by: Dept. of History and Philosophy of Science, Faculty of Arts.
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1995,1996.