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 behaviors 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.