Time Schedule:
Rebecca M Price
BES 301
Bothell Campus
Overview of the scientific method, emphasizing the development of testable hypotheses, scientific writing and analysis.
Class description
This class is a general introduction to how natural scientists conduct their research. It is intended as an overview of the scientific process for science students within IAS (STE, STS, ES and BSES students), as well as others who are interested in scientific inquiry. You’ll learn approaches to science writing, data presentation and analysis, and literature searching and review that will be applicable to advanced science courses at UWB and to interpreting and using science in general. I assume that you had science courses before, and thus that you have developed a basic familiarity with the way scientist investigate their questions and present their work. In the second half of the course, we will analyze common statistical methods for analyzing quantitative data. A prior course in statistics would be helpful, but at the very least you should be comfortable with algebra and probability, and you should be able to interpret graphs and tables. If you don’t have this background, I strongly recommend you talk to me before taking this course.
Student learning goals
Become familiar with the basic processes of science and how science is actually practiced.
Examine the steps of observation-driven investigations, including crafting scientific questions and hypotheses, research design, experimentation and data collection, data analysis, interpretation and presentation.
Develop a basic understanding of the goals, structure, and types of scientific literature in the natural sciences.
Develop strategies for searching for information in the scientific literature in general and within the UW library system.
Practice critically analyzing and representing quantitative scientific information.
Locate and review scientific literature related to a specific question and set of hypotheses.
General method of instruction
We will meet twice a week, and our meetings will combine lecture and hands-on projects. To prepare for each class, you will need to complete the assigned readings, ensure that you understand the previous class’s material and complete the homework assignments.
Recommended preparation
A prior course in statistics would be helpful, but at the very least you should be comfortable with algebra and probability, and you should be able to interpret graphs and tables. If you don’t have this background, I strongly recommend you talk to me before taking this course.
Class assignments and grading
Homework 100 Participation 100 Inquiry Project 100 Exams (two exams, 100 points each) 200
Total 500
see above
