Science & Society

Module description

This compulsory Science & Society Foundation module explores issues in modern science and their effect on society.

You will discuss the ideas, cultural norms and practices of UK academic culture, and compare them with other perspectives to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of science and the values and assumptions that are often hidden beneath the surface.

Throughout this Science & Society Foundation module, you’ll learn about the philosophy and history of science, including the role played in both by non-Western cultures, and an investigation of a wide variety of areas where scientific knowledge and the development of technology poses ethical dilemmas (typical examples here would be robotics, AI and biotechnology).

This this module will cover topics such as:

• the philosophy of science
• the history of science
• science and morality
• science and security
• personality
• cognitive psychology
• AI and robots
• biotechnology
• the environment

You’ll use a range of thinking tools to form thoughts and arguments and discuss these with your classmates to better understand yourself and others. You will be encouraged to evaluate your own performance and helped to reflect on feedback to identify areas where you can work on improving.

Assessment details

You’ll be assessed for this Science & Society Foundation module through coursework (100%).

Educational aims & objectives

At the end of this Science & Society Foundation module, you will be able to:

• assess how current scientific theories and developments in technology will impact upon society
• engage with the module in a way that demonstrates expected behaviours and interactions in degrees in the physical sciences and demonstrates both the ability to work autonomously and in a team
• develop strategies and apply a variety of technologies and tools to approach a research topic and to extract and synthesise information from a range of topics to address academic tasks
• evaluate your own performance and use reflection and feedback to identify areas for improvement and support needs.

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.