511-0010-00L  Scientific Concepts and Methods

SemesterSpring Semester 2020
LecturersE. Kut Bacs, V. Collado Diaz, L. Dieterich, V. I. Otto, N. Sieroka
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish
CommentOnly for MSc Pharmaceutical Sciences.


AbstractThe module is an introductory course fostering critical thinking about scientific concepts and methods in the natural sciences, particularly in pharmaceutical and biomedical research.
ObjectiveStudents
• have the ability to explain and reflect upon core themes in philosophy of science and cutting edge methods that are relevant in modern pharmaceutical and biomedical research.
• are able to explain the role experiments, models, images, and quantifications play in the formation of a theory, and the constitution and illustration of a scientific fact.
• are able to actively engage in a critical discussion about scientific concepts, methods and approaches in the field of biomedical research and philosophy of science.
• are able to critically evaluate the basic scientific assumptions, concepts and approaches underlying their own research project.
• have learned how to “closely read” and analyse a scientific paper and are able to present their paper analysis to an audience that is not expert in the research field.
ContentThis course is part of the ETH "Critical Thinking" initiative.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe course is best suited for students who have recently performed a research project of their own.
Students will be asked to submit a short description of their research project before the course (1). This description will serve as a basis for individual critical reflections and for discussions with other students on the scientific assumptions, concepts and approaches underlying the research project (2). Students will also perform close reading and analyses of selected scientific research papers which they will present to and discuss with their peers (3). All students will be actively involved in interdisciplinary discussions with the lecturers in philosophy of science and with the scientific experts (4). All these elements (1-4) are required for successful completion of the course.