Outline

Overview

This Unit of Study explores the very nature of science and how it is practised. Using contemporary and historical scientific examples, the unit looks into whether a sharp line can be drawn between science and non-science, and what criteria can be used to distinguish science from pseudoscience. Various tools of science will be examined philosophically and historically, including theories, models, explanations, data analysis and concepts. The unit also looks into the ways in which science is a social process, with an emphasis on values, biases, and the institutionalized organization of science. To complete this broad overview, topics such as science denialism (not accepting various bodies of scientific knowledge) and scientism (valuing science above all other knowledge systems) will also be addressed.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	History and Philosophy of Science Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	HPSC2101 or HPSC2901 or HPSC1901
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Maureen O'Malley, maureen.omalley@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Maureen O'Malley, maureen.omalley@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Georg Repnikov, georg.repnikov@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Zain El-Roubaei, zain.el-roubaei@sydney.edu.au
	Patrick Dawson, pdaw6341@uni.sydney.edu.au
	Eamon Little, eamon.little@sydney.edu.au
	Angelica Breviario, angelica.breviario@sydney.edu.au
	Jules Rankin, jules.rankin@sydney.edu.au
	Anne Vervoort, anne.vervoort@sydney.edu.au
	James Ley, james.ley@sydney.edu.au
	Ange Weinrabe, ange.weinrabe@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Essay 3 Written essay: see Canvas	25%	Formal exam period Due date: 11 Nov 2024 at 23:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Online questions (best 10 submissions) Short online questions on lecture content	15%	Multiple weeks	150-200 words plus references
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Participation during tutorials Participation during in-class tutorials	20%	Ongoing	Weekly
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Online task (EFT) Online quiz (early feedback task) #earlyfeedbacktask	5%	Week 03	15 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay 1 Written essay: see Canvas	15%	Week 05 Due date: 01 Sep 2024 at 23:59	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay 2 Written essay: see Canvas	20%	Week 09 Due date: 29 Sep 2024 at 23:59	1250 words
Outcomes assessed:

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

Please note that a grading rubric for submitted assessments and a grading rubric for participation are provided on Canvas.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction; What is science?	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Correlations and their interpretations	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	From correlation to causation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Evidence hierarchies	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Explanations and inferences	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Models and experiments	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Data versus theory	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Concepts and how they change	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Science and social values	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Bias in science	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Abuse of science	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Science denial versus scientism	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Summary of course	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture attendance is strongly recommended. It will be offered in person, live online, and recorded. It will be very difficult to do well in the course without close attention to the lecture. Questions and comments from students are encouraged throughout the lecture.

Online exercises: There are 12 online exercises. The best 10 marks will go towards your final mark.

Tutorial participation

To gain marks in tutorials you must participate. Participation will give you up to 20% of the total mark. To get these marks, you are expected to:

Read at least the main reading before the tutorial, and be prepared to discuss it or ask questions about it.
Discuss the themes from the week’s lectures.
Participate respectfully.
Attend your tutorial on time.
Stay for the entire tutorial.
Tutors will discuss participation marks and how to earn them with students.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All reading material is on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand philosophical and historical discussions of science and critically assess arguments in these areas
LO2. write clear and well-organized responses to philosophical and historical discussions of science, and develop your own views on these issues
LO3. relate general philosophical and historical ideas about science to particular examples of scientific work.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Assessments reweighted and compulsory designations removed. Essays made shorter. Online questions reformatted to allow faster feedback.

Additional information

How to ask questions about the course

Check Canvas very thoroughly. It has LOTS of information and is regularly updated.
Raise questions during and after the lecture (via chat or in person).
Bring up issues and questions in the tutorial.
Talk to your tutor during the tutorial.
Email the head tutor and/or lecturer at any point via the course email.

Student email

It is your responsibility to check your University of Sydney email account regularly or establish a forwarding address on the Sydney system. This is the primary means of contact with anyone at the University about your units of study. Ensure that all replies are sent from your USYD email address.

Problems with marks

If you believe that your work has been marked unfairly, you should first contact the Head Tutor and Unit Coordinator (Lecturer). They will give you all the details about how to proceed if you cannot resolve the issues with them. Please note that any remarking is done ‘blind’ (i.e. the person doing the remarking does not know the original mark or the name of the student). This means you could end up with a lower mark than the one you began with.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

HPSC1001: What is This Thing Called Science?

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect