DA2205 Introduction to the Philosophy of Science and Research Methodology

Scientific knowledge, hypothesis testing, scientific texts, observations and experiment, explanation and laws, models and simulation, paradigms. Short history of computation and computers, writing technical reports and thesis reports, overview of important journals and textbooks, library search within some specific area.

The aim of the course is to provide a deeper understanding of the methodological and underlying philosophical issues that arise in science, in particular the computational sciences, and inspire to reflection on such issues within the student's own area of study. The course introduces key concepts in the philosophy and methodology of science such as knowledge, truth, belief, subjectivity, intersubjectivity and objectivity, causality vs. covariation, scientific explanation, the nature and epistemology of models and simulation, the path from science to policy, hypothesis testing, verifying and falsifying hypotheses, research ethics.

After having taken the course the student should be able to

- present the foundational issues in the methodology and philosophy of science, especially as regards the natural, technological and computational sciences.

- present the history of computation and computers

- do a library search within the subject

- write a technical report within the subject