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GST105DE&GS2 Unitsbeginner

History And Philosophy Of Science

This course, History and Philosophy of Science, is a foundation-level course designed for both science and non-science students. It explores the origins and evolution of science, highlighting ancient African contributions and the impact of scientific knowledge on society. The course examines the nature of science, scientific research methods, and the relationship between science and technology. It also delves into philosophical viewpoints on the origin of man and the universe.

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84h
Study Time
13
Weeks
6h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
History of SciencePhilosophy of ScienceScientific MethodAfrican ScienceTechnology

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Beginner Level
Perfect for newcomers to the field
35%
beginner
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Nature of Science

2

Scientific Method

3

Basic Scientific Theories

4

Laws of Nature

5

History of Western Science

6

Social Implications of Technology

7

Philosophy of Science

8

Origin of Man

9

Cosmic Environment

10

Natural Resources

Total Topics10 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (2 methods)

Tutor-Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Science Educator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Science Journalist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Policy Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Research Assistant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Technical Writer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

EducationResearchGovernmentScience CommunicationTechnology

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: The Nature of Science

2h

Unit 1: The Nature of Science

2 study hours
  • •Understand the definitions of science as a body of knowledge, a method, and an institution.
  • •Identify the branches of science and their characteristics.
  • •Outline the aims of science and differentiate it from non-science disciplines.
Week
2

Module 1: The Nature of Science

4h

Unit 2: The Scientific Method

4 study hours
  • •List and describe the steps of the scientific method.
  • •Apply the scientific method to solve real-life problems.
  • •Explain how the scientific method has been used in scientific discoveries.
  • •Assess creative and critical thinking skills.
Week
3

Module 1: The Nature of Science

4h

Unit 3: Basic Scientific Theories

4 study hours
  • •Define a scientific theory and list its characteristics.
  • •Explore the theories of evolution, including pre-Darwinian and post-Darwinian perspectives.
  • •Understand evolution by natural selection and the contributions of various fields to evolutionary understanding.
Week
4

Module 1: The Nature of Science

2h

Unit 4: Laws of Nature

2 study hours
  • •Outline the components of the laws of nature.
  • •Explain the concept of gravitation.
  • •Discuss the law of uniformity of nature.
Week
5

Module 1: The Nature of Science

4h

Unit 5: History of Western science — 1 (Origin of Western science in ancient times)

4 study hours
  • •Describe the contributions of ancient Egyptians and Babylonians to science.
  • •Discuss the explanations of Thales of Miletus, Anaximander, and Pythagoras regarding the fundamental component of matter.
  • •Identify the contributions of the Roman Empire to science.
Week
6

Module 2:

4h

Unit 1: History of science — 2 (Science in the Middle Ages of Europe)

4 study hours
  • •Discuss the state of science during the Dark Ages of Western Europe.
  • •Outline the contributions of Arab scholars to science.
  • •Write short notes on Robert Grosseteste, Roger Bacon, and Leonardo da Vinci.
Week
7

Module 2:

6h

Unit 2: History of science — 3 (Rise of modern science)

6 study hours
  • •Compare the Geocentric and Heliocentric theories of heavenly motion.
  • •Discuss the contributions of Galileo, Kepler, and Newton to the change in scientific outlook.
  • •Explain why the 19th century is regarded as the beginning of the scientific age.
Week
8

Module 2:

4h

Unit 3: History of science — 4 (The twentieth century scientific revolution)

4 study hours
  • •Discuss how the discovery of X-rays and the formulation of the theory of relativity redefined physics in the 20th century.
  • •Outline the basic idea of genetic engineering with illustrations.
  • •Describe electronic communication devices.
Week
9

Module 2:

4h

Unit 4: The lost sciences of Africa — 1: An overview

4 study hours
  • •Describe the process of smelting and compare it with that of the Haya people of Lake Victoria.
  • •Write a short note on Sirius B.
Week
10

Module 2:

4h

Unit 5: The lost sciences of Africa — 2: An overview

4 study hours
  • •Describe evidence of the use of numbers in Africa.
  • •Explain that the African traditional doctor had much knowledge of anatomy and physiology and also fundamental public health principles.
Week
11

Module 3:

4h

Unit 1: Science, technology and inventions

4 study hours
  • •Mention areas where science and technology have impacted society.
  • •Distinguish between science and technology.
  • •Describe the development of technology.
  • •Outline the importance of science, technology, and inventions to nations.
Week
12

Module 3:

4h

Unit 2: Social implications of technological advancement

4 study hours
  • •Outline the gains of technological development.
  • •Discuss how technological development has affected society in terms of population, pollution, poverty, and the pursuit of peace.
  • •Explain the social responsibility of scientists and the reciprocal responsibility of society.
Week
13

Module 3:

4h

Unit 3: The nature and scope of philosophy of science

4 study hours
  • •Explain the meaning of the philosophy of science.
  • •Outline the common characteristics of philosophy and science.
  • •Recognize the scope of the philosophy of science.
  • •Explain the nature of the scientific method.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create a timeline of key events in the history of science (Units 5-8).

2

Practice applying the scientific method to everyday problems (Unit 2).

3

Define and differentiate key scientific theories and laws (Units 3-4).

4

Focus on understanding the relationship between science, technology, and society (Module 3).

5

Review the contributions of notable scientists, especially those of Nigerian origin (Module 4, Unit 3).

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