Introduction: Theory and Practice of Science (TPS), versions of which have been offered at Columbia College since 1981, is designed as a substantive alternative to the traditional "science for non-scientists" undergraduate course. The premise behind the TPS approach is that, by introducing some elementary mathematical intuitions and techniques, original scientific papers (rather than textbooks) can be used as the basis for studying what science is about, what scientists actually do, and how the theory and practice of science evolve. In this course we'll introduce some principles and techniques from discrete mathematics, probability, and statistics, and then examine a development in the history of biology, the discovery of the structure of DNA, reading original works by Mendel, Morgan, Sturtevant, Avery, and Watson & Crick (among others). Our time in class will be spent in a combination of lectures and discussions about the experiments, theories and practices of science during this period, and their consequences for our thinking and judgments about more contemporary scientific activities (e.g. the Human Genome Project).
Details: This is a nine-week course that meets on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from May 29th through July 25th, from 1-3:30 p.m., with recitation sessions on Wednesdays from 3:30-5 p.m. There will be no class on July 4th, the make-up class for that date scheduled for Friday, June 7th.
Requirements: Students are required to attend class, read the assigned books and papers carefully, and to complete several homework sets throughout the term. There will be a 3-hour final exam in which students will have to analyze a contemporary scientific article they have never before seen.
Readings : Most of the science papers we'll read are available on the Web, or will be made available in class, and copies of all of the papers will be on reserve in Butler Library. The following texts are also required (and can be purchased at Labyrinth Books):
The following texts are recommended but will not be assigned:
Xeroxed excerpts from The Scientific Experience, v. 2, by Goldstein, Gross, Pollack and Blumberg will also be assigned.
Options and Contacts: I will teach an optional recitation section (which will serve as my office hours too) on Wednesdays, beginning on June 5th. I can also be reached by e-mail at: rbb@brown.edu. I can arrange additional office hours if necessary.
Schedule of Classes and Assignments:
Background Reading:
Background Reading:
Required Reading:
Assignment: Homework Set #1 is due by June 21st.
Required Reading:
Required Reading:
Week #6
Required Reading:
Week #7
Required Reading:
Week #8
Required Reading:
Week #9
Background Reading: Mapping Our Genes -- Genome Projects: How Big? How Fast? (1988 OTA Report available at Princeton); and The Human Genome Project (at Georgetown).
Final Exam: There will be a take-home final exam available here on Monday, July 22nd, and due by midnight on Sunday, July 28th:
© 2002 Roger B. Blumberg