Faculty of Science

 History and Philosophy of Science

Table of Contents

Science studies Nature: HPS studies Science.

The Department of History and Philosophy of Science studies science by asking such questions as:

• If science tells the truth, why do scientists sometimes say one thing (for example, dinosaurs were cold-blooded) and then later say the opposite (dinosaurs were warm-blooded)?
• What determines which diseases are given priority in medical research?
• Can science usefully work with aboriginal beliefs about nature to better conserve the environment?
• Is it really true that people in medieval Europe believed the earth was flat?
• When science and religion disagree, which should we believe?
• How many scientific theories have been biased against women, religious, or racial minorities?
• Are science students well trained to think for themselves or are they just trained to apply the current popular scientific theories?
• How much influence in society should scientists have?

 1. Suggested subjects

Not all History and Philosophy of Science subjects are regarded as science subjects. The tables below list the History and Philosophy of Science subjects for which science credit will be awarded. If a student elects to complete a History and Philosophy of Science subject that does not appear in these tables, and is offered at two different levels (e.g. 136-225/325 Social History of Medicine), non- science credit will be awarded at the lower level towards the Bachelor of Science degree.

Note that:

• Students enrolled in a combined Bachelor of Science course are not entitled to count non-science points towards the Bachelor of Science component.
• History and Philosophy of Science subjects count toward the Arts component of both the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science combined course and the Bachelor of Arts and Sciences course.

Under recent changes to the structure of the Bachelor of Science degree, students commencing in 1998 or subsequent years have to obtain at least 50 points at each of the 100-level, 200-level and 300-level from one or more approved departments or programs (listed in The 50-point rule). Provided that the student's companion subjects satisfy the 50 point rule, Bachelor of Science students can study as many science History and Philosophy of Science subjects as desired. Non-science History and Philosophy of Science subjects can be included within the non-science allowance of 62.5 points ('Non-science' subjects allowance).

Within the BSc, students also have enough flexibility to include the History and Philosophy of Science 300-level points required for entry into the BSc Honours program in History and Philosophy of Science.

 1.1. 100-level subjects

All 100 level subjects are available to science students without prerequisites.

 History and Philosophy of Science subjects offered for Science credit at the 100-level

This table lists the 100-level HPS subjects available for Science credit. Careful attention should be paid to the level and amount of Science credit points that will be awarded for the completion of these subjects.1   Subject Code and Title   Science Credit Points   Level at which Science Credit will be awarded   136-101 History of Astronomy   12.5   100-level   136-102 Darwinism: Man, Woman and Nature in the History of Biology   12.5   100-level   136-103 Human Values, Social Change and New Technologies   12.5   100-level   136-105 Science, Philosophy and History   12.5   100-level

 1.2. 200-level subjects

For enrolment in 200 level subjects it is generally required that you have completed at least 62.5 points at 100-level.

 History and Philosophy of Science subjects offered for Science credit at the 200-level

This table lists the 200-level HPS subjects available for Science credit. Careful attention should be paid to the level and amount of Science credit points that will be awarded for the completion of these subjects.2   Subject Code and Title   Science Credit Points   Level at which Science Credit will be awarded   136-202 Science, Reason and Reality   12.5   200-level   136-203 Science, Life and Mind   12.5   200-level   136-215 Historical Encounters in a Changing Environment   12.5   200-level   136-220 Philosophy of Science   12.5   200-level   136-222 Issues in the Modern Life Sciences   12.5   200-level   136-224 The Scientific Revolution   12.5   200-level   136-226 Science, Technology and Society   12.5   200-level   136-227 Science in Australian Society   12.5   200-level   136-229 Upheavals in Scientific Thought   12.5   200-level   136-238 Current Issues in the History and Philosophy of Science   12.5   200-level

 1.3. 300-level subjects

Students specialising in HPS should select at least one 300-level subject from 136-321, 136-340, 136-341 [note that these subjects do have prerequisites].

300-level subjects are available to science students not specialising in HPS providing prerequisite requirements have been satisfied.

 History and Philosophy of Science subjects offered for Science credit at the 300-level

This table lists the 300-level HPS subjects available for Science credit. Careful attention should be paid to the level and amount of Science credit points that will be awarded for the completion of these subjects.3   Subject Code and Title   Science Credit Points   Level at which Science Credit will be awarded   136-305 Contemporary Scientific Controversies (Science)   12.5   300-level   136-307 Philosophy of Science for Scientists   12.5   300-level   136-308 Scientific Rationality (Science)   12.5   300-level   136-316 Enhanced History of Science   25   300-level   136-317 Science and Reality (Science)   12.5   300-level   136-318 Current Issues in the History and Philosophy of Science for Scientists   12.5   300-level   136-321 Science As Practice, Culture and Politics   12.5   300-level   136-332 Biotechnology in Modern Society   12.5   300-level   136-340 Controversies in the Philosophy of Science   12.5   300-level   136-341 Approaches To the History of Science   12.5   300-level   136-342 Directed Study   12.5   300-level   136-358 Inquiring into Science and Technology   12.5   300-level

 2. Bachelor of Science (Honours)

For information about the Faculty and departmental entry requirements for Honours, please refer to Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Bachelor of Information Systems (Honours). These requirements should be considered when planning your course.

Status:                   Official 1998
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