SC300: Big Ideas SC300: Big Ideas in Sciencein Science

Joshua FordJoshua Ford

JFord@kaplan.edu - Best way to JFord@kaplan.edu - Best way to reach mereach me

319-363-5621 voicemail box 5153319-363-5621 voicemail box 5153Will check when I can.Will check when I can.

Masters in Biology/Cell & Molecular Masters in Biology/Cell & Molecular BiologyBiology

Bachelors in BiotechnologyBachelors in Biotechnology

ClassClass RulesRules

Be here when class startsBe here when class starts Laugh at my jokes (even the bad Laugh at my jokes (even the bad

ones)ones) ‘‘LOL’s encouraged, but not required.LOL’s encouraged, but not required.

SC300: Big Ideas in SC300: Big Ideas in ScienceScience

This course is designed to introduce This course is designed to introduce students to some of the most important students to some of the most important concepts in science, including inheritance, concepts in science, including inheritance, energy, randomness, and measurement. In energy, randomness, and measurement. In addition, the course will give students a addition, the course will give students a chance to explore the human aspects of chance to explore the human aspects of science: how people put science into science: how people put science into practice, how societies think about practice, how societies think about scientific findings, and why science scientific findings, and why science depends on ethical practices. Knowledge depends on ethical practices. Knowledge gained in the course will help inform gained in the course will help inform further study in many disciplines and will further study in many disciplines and will help students better understand how help students better understand how science affects their personal and science affects their personal and professional lives.professional lives.

SC300: Big Ideas in SC300: Big Ideas in ScienceScience

In English;In English; You will learn about the Scientific You will learn about the Scientific

Method and how it relates to what you Method and how it relates to what you do every day. do every day.

You will also learn how science has You will also learn how science has influenced our daily lives. Often times influenced our daily lives. Often times without us realizing it.without us realizing it.

We will also discuss some fundamental We will also discuss some fundamental scientific concepts (heredity, genetics, scientific concepts (heredity, genetics, etc.)etc.)

IntroductionIntroduction

IntroductionIntroduction

IntroductionIntroduction

History of ScienceHistory of Science

Science helps us answer questions Science helps us answer questions about the world around us.about the world around us. Why is the sky blue? What are the Why is the sky blue? What are the

twinkling lights in the sky? Where did twinkling lights in the sky? Where did we come from? What happens after we we come from? What happens after we die? Is that milk in the refrigerator still die? Is that milk in the refrigerator still good?good?

ScienceScience

BranchesBranches PhysicsPhysics ChemistryChemistry AstronomyAstronomy GeologyGeology BiologyBiology

Scientific MethodScientific Method

Observation/ResearchObservation/Research HypothesisHypothesis PredictionPrediction ExperimentationExperimentation ConclusionConclusion

Scientific MethodScientific Method

Observation/ResearchObservation/Research Obtain knowledge from various sources.Obtain knowledge from various sources.

What is a good source?What is a good source? Observation: Observe nature without Observation: Observe nature without

manipulating it.manipulating it.

Scientific MethodScientific Method

HypothesisHypothesis A conjecture, based on past A conjecture, based on past

observations or theoretical observations or theoretical considerations, about something that considerations, about something that will happen.will happen.

An educated guess.An educated guess.

Scientific MethodScientific Method

PredictionPrediction What do you think will What do you think will

happen?happen? Be specific!Be specific!

Every Law and Theory of Every Law and Theory of nature is subject to change, nature is subject to change, based on new observations.based on new observations. Never stop questioning.Never stop questioning.

Scientific Scientific MethodMethod

ExperimentationExperimentation Set up an experiment to prove Set up an experiment to prove

your prediction.your prediction. The experiment is the most important The experiment is the most important

part of the scientific method. It's the part of the scientific method. It's the logical process that lets scientists logical process that lets scientists learn about the world. learn about the world.

Take good notes/lay out the Take good notes/lay out the experiment well.experiment well. Control group/experimental group.Control group/experimental group. Reproducibility is a must!Reproducibility is a must!

Scientific MethodScientific Method

ConclusionConclusion Summary of your results.Summary of your results.

You may find that your results may prove, You may find that your results may prove, or disprove your hypothesis.or disprove your hypothesis.

Disproving your hypothesis does not mean your Disproving your hypothesis does not mean your experiment failed.experiment failed.

A hypothesis can never be ‘proven’ only A hypothesis can never be ‘proven’ only ‘supported’.‘supported’.

Science?Science?

PseudosciencePseudoscience Are the “facts” true as stated?Are the “facts” true as stated? Is there an alternative explanation?Is there an alternative explanation? Is the claim falsifiable?Is the claim falsifiable? Have the claims been rigorously tested?Have the claims been rigorously tested? Do the claims require unreasonable Do the claims require unreasonable

changes in accepted ideas?changes in accepted ideas?