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Third-Cycle Courses

Faculty of Engineering | Lund University

Details for the Course Syllabus for Course GEM041F valid from Autumn 2019

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General
Aim
  • The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to theory of science issues and methods relevant to research and development in the engineering sciences. A further aim is to encourage reflection and constructive critical discussion of current research, research methods and their background.
Contents
  • The course starts with an introductory part in which the most important scientific strategies and their applicability to different types of research are discussed. This is followed by a part addressing in greater detail theory of science themes such as ontology, observation and explanations. A concluding component addresses the modern debate and present-day engineering research.
Knowledge and Understanding
  • For a passing grade the doctoral student must
  • have general knowledge of key theory of science issues and discussions such as “What is science? What is empirical support? Can a hypothesis be falsified? What is a scientific explanation? What are the roles of experiments and observations in science? Are scientific theories true? How are scientific concepts formed?”.
Competences and Skills
  • For a passing grade the doctoral student must
  • be able to analyse their own and others’ research constructively from a theory of science perspective in a way that benefits further PhD studies
    be able to use important concepts of the theory of science in oral and written reports.
Judgement and Approach
  • For a passing grade the doctoral student must
  • demonstrate willingness to discuss theory of science issues with other doctoral students and researchers.
Types of Instruction
  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Exercises
  • The course consists of lectures, seminars, oral presentations and written assignments.
Examination Formats
  • Written assignments
  • Seminars given by participants
  • The assessment is based on continual written assignments and oral presentations. For a Pass on the course, participants must have passed all assignments in the course and made an oral presentation.
  • Failed, pass
Admission Requirements
  • To be admitted to the course applicants have to be part of a PhD programme at LTH.
Assumed Prior Knowledge
Selection Criteria
  • Priority is given to: 1) PhD students who have previously applied to the course and were eligible at the time, 2) PhD students who are closest to finishing their PhD programmes.
Literature
  • Chalmers, A.: What is this thing called science?. Open University Press, 1999. ISBN 0335201091.
    Hacking, I.: Representing and intervening: Introductory topics in the philosophy of natural science. Cambridge University Press, 1983. ISBN 0521238293.
    Persson, J. & Sahlin, N.-E.: Vetenskapsteori för sanningssökare. Fri Tanke, 2013. ISBN 9789186061869.
Further Information
  • Replaces GEM040F.
Course code
  • GEM041F
Administrative Information
  •  -05-28
  • FN1/Anders Gustafsson FN2/Eva Nordberg Karlsson FN3/Per Tunestål

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