Philosophy of Biology (Science 3)

Subject 136-307 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbookSearch for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

*

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1 hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: *
Prerequisites: Two second year HPS subjects.
Corequisites: *
Recommended Background Knowledge: *
Non Allowed Subjects: *
Core Participation Requirements: *

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Helen Verran
Subject Overview:

Is biology a unique and autonomous science? Or are biological issues and theories adequately dealt with by using the epistemological and ontological framework of the physical sciences? Do Kuhnian revolutions occur in the biological sciences? How are the functionalist biological sciences that study physiology and cellular processes linked to and/or distinct from the historical or evolutionary biological sciences? These are some of the questions considered in this subject. Discussion of such general issues is interspersed with case studies which might include study of the work of Robert Brown - an early 19th century taxonomist; consideration of the procedures adopted by the mid twentieth century metabolic biochemist, Hans Krebs; and the conditions that led to the rise of molecular biochemistry and genomics in the second half of the twentieth century.

Assessment: An essay of 2000 words 33.3% (due mid-semester), an essay of 2000 words 33.3% (due at the end of semester) and a 2-hour exam 33.3% (in the examination period).
Prescribed Texts: Prescribed Texts:Further readings will be available on-line through the subject LMS websiteWhat Makes Biology Unique? Considerations on the Autonomy of a Scientific Discipline (Ernst Mayr), Cambridge University Press 2004
Breadth Options: This subject is a level 2 or level 3 subject and is not available to new generation degree students as a breadth option in 2008.
This subject or an equivalent will be available as breadth in the future.
Breadth subjects are currently being developed and these existing subject details can be used as guide to the type of options that might be available.
2009 subjects to be offered as breadth will be finalised before re-enrolment for 2009 starts in early October.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

  • develop skills in constructing and assessing the strength of arguments, identifying theoretical assumptions, and assessing conflicting argument;

  • improve critical thinking and analysis skills.
Notes:

This subject is only available to science students for credit at third year level.

Students enrolled in the BSc (pre-2008 degree only), or a combined BSc course (except for the BA/BSc) will receive science credit for the completion of this subject.

Students who have completed are not permitted to enrol in this subject. This subject is based on 136-207 but involves additional work.

Related Course(s): Bachelor of Science

Download PDF version.