Lecture No.1 Nature of Science1 I. Concept Science = scientia (knowledge) It is a way of knowing, one that is based on inquiry.

It developed from peoples curiosity about themselves and the world around them. There are two scientific approaches in knowing: Discovery Science Seeks natural causes for natural phenomena Data were based on verifiable observations and measurements. Hypothesis driven-Science Scientists formulate hypothesis to explain the natural world. The hypothesis then may be tested via scientific method. Theories in Science A Theory is a broad and comprehensive statement about the world that is supported by the accumulation of great deal of verifiable evidence. The Culture of Science Scientist builds on each others work by always remaining skeptical and by seeking reproducible evidence to confirm ideas. Science, Technique, and Society Scientific advances promote new technologies, which further scientific advances and useful applications to our lives. II. Branches of Science2 Science Natural
Life Sciences -involve the scientific study of living organisms (Biology).
Ex. Botany Physiology Ecology Zoology Paleontology Entomology Histology Microbiology Parasitology Pathology Ornithology Limnology Hematology Genetics Anatomy

Applied
Chemistry - is the science of matter and the changes it undergoes.
Ex. Inorganic chemistry Organic chemistry Biochemistry Analytical chemistry Physical chemistry

Social
-study society.
Ex. Anthropology Criminology Economics Political science Psychology Sociology

Formal
-concerned with formal systems.
Ex. Logic Mathematics Statistics

Physical Sciences -involves the study of matter and its motion through space and time, along with related concepts such as energy and force.
Ex. Biophysics Fluid dynamics Geophysics Quantum physics Thermodynamics

Earth Sciences -sciences related to the planet Earth.

Ex. Geology Geography Soil Science Oceanography

-application of scientific knowledge into a physical environment.

Ex. Applied physics Medicine Computer science

III.

Scientific Method It is a formal process of inquiry which consist a series of steps.

Experiment supports hypothesis Observation

My flashlight doesnt work.

Question
Whats wrong with my flashlight?

Hypothesis
The flashlights batteries are dead.

Prediction
If I replace the batteries, the flashlight will work.

Experiment
I replace the batteries with new ones.

Experiment does not support hypothesis

Present/ Report the result

Determining the Variables: - Dependent Variables are variables which can be measured, observed, and counted in response to the experimental conditions. - Independent Variables are the most important variables by which to test the investigators hypothesis - Controlled Variables are variables that are not part of the hypothesis being tested. These variables must be kept constant during the course of the experiment. Designing the Procedure: - Level of Treatment are the value set for the independent variable - Replication is the repeated same procedure providing consistent results. - Control Treatment serves as a benchmark that allows the scientist to decide whether the predicted effect is really due to the independent variable. IV. Biology as a Science Biology = bios (life) + logia (study) Biology is a natural science which deals with the scientific study of life and living organisms, their structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Properties of Life - Order. All living things exhibit complex but ordered organization. - Regulation. The environment outside an organism may change drastically, but the organism can adjust its internal environment. - Growth and development. Information carried by genes controls the pattern of growth and development in all organisms. - Energy utilization. Organisms take in energy and use it to perform all of lifes activities. - Response to environment. All organisms respond to environment stimuli. - Reproduction. Organisms reproduce their own kind. - Evolution. Reproduction underlies the capacity of populations to change or evolve over time. References 1 Simon, E.J., Reece, J.B., Dickey, J.L. 2010. Campbell Essential Biology, 4th ed. Pearson Education Inc. 2 Wikipedia. 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org Prepared by Ms. Shela B. Lebasnon Ecology I Instructor