Philosophy of Biology

This subject is not offered in 2014.

102 hours total committment.

None.

None.

Knowledge gained in 75 points of university study (6 subjects) in any area.

Students who have completed 'Philosophy of Biology' under any of the codes 136-207, 136-307, 672-326 or HPSC30025 are not permitted top enrol in this subject.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Is biology a unique and autonomous science? Is biology the same kind of science as physics? 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? In biology, can causes be effects and effects be causes and how on earth do you make sense of biological matter if they can? What is the role of metaphor in science? Can the intricacies of our evolved minds be decoded using nothing but calipers and a stack of old men’s magazines, or is this yet another example of sexism in science? These are some of the questions considered in this subject. These issues and more are pursued through case studies which might include study of the work of Robert Brown - an early 19th century taxonomist, the theories and experiments of Nobel prizewinner Barbara McClintock, the writings of Charles Darwin and the theoretical empire-building of E.O. Wilson

Students who successfully complete this subject should:

• Develop new appreciation of biological concepts through recognising the historical and philosophical circumstances of their emergence
• Develop the capacity for critical analysis of a theoretical approach to examining biological sciences as systems of knowledge and practice.

A 2000 word essay 50% (due two weeks after the teaching period) and a 2-hour exam 50% (at the end of the teaching period).

Hurdle requirement: students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. Regular participation in tutorials is required. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day; after five working days, late assessment will not be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Readings will be available on-line through the subject LMS website.

What Makes Biology Unique? Considerations on the Autonomy of a Scientific Discipline (Enrst Mayr), Cambridge University Press 2004

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Students who successfully complete this subject should:

• Develop analytic and critical reading skills

• Develop skills in analytic writing