Introduction to biology, biology 101

1. Nature of science, how science works, the scientific
method

2. Nature of Science (NOS)
Nature of science refers to general ideas and principles
that describe what and how science is, and what are
the essential characteristics of scientific knowledge.
Scientific knowledge Non-scientific
Studies only what can be
observed, although intuition also
helps scientist. (science has
limits)
Studies what cannot be observed
Accepts the tentativeness of
scientific knowledge, (inherently
uncertain)
Knowledge (ex. Religious faith) is
absolute, (puts a premium on
tradition)
Scientific knowledge and results
of scientific inquiry can be
validated, ( it is result of a social
process)
Knowledge cannot be validated
Observes critical thinking,
evaluates the quality of
information before making a
judgement
uses untested, unverified
assumptions to make judgement
Observes the scientific method Does not observe the scientific
method

3. Science vs. non-science
Science studies what can be observed directly or
indirectly.
Digestive system – first studied by William Beaumont
(1785 – 1853) by observing the digestion through a hole
(fistula) in a man’s stomach (Alexis St. Martin)

4. Science vs. non-science
 Science studies what can be observed indirectly.
Theory of Evolution– Charles Darwin set in writing his
theory of evolution in On the Origin of Species
(published 1859).
Theory of Continental Drift – Alfred Wegener proposed
the theory that the continents once formed one
continuous land mass (published 1912)

5. Science vs. non-science
Evidence for Continental Drift Theory (1912)
 Presence of similar or identical species of organism on
continents that are distance apart.
 Matching geology between separate continents

6. Science vs. non-science
Science accepts the tentativeness of knowledge.
 Scientific knowledge is inherently uncertain and
people with scientific mind accepts this to be so.
 Scientific models are based on facts which had been
gathered. There could be “facts” out there for which
we have no means to observe or get directly or
indirectly.
Ptolemic universe - Heliocentric - Finite and static
universe -- Big Bang theory.

7. Science vs. non-science
Studies done scientifically can be replicated and
validated by other scientific studies. Science is a social
activity.
 The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection is
continuously being validated everyday. (ex. Emergence
of drug resistant bacteria, various breeds of dogs, etc.)
 The Theory of Relativity by Einstein (1905) was
validated by Arthur Eddington and Arthur Claude de
la Cherois in May 29, 1919. Light was validated to
“bend”, gravity affect the “trajectory” of light.

8. Science vs. non-science
 Science observes critical thinking, does not accept
untested assumptions.
Examples of statements with questionable assumptions.
 Sir Pol has AIDS, therefore, Sir PoL is GAY.
 Cars can use water as fuel.
 Feng-shui- there is an appropriate design in
architecture that harmonizes the forces in the
environment.

9. Science vs. non-science
Observes the scientific method.

10. Scientific Method
The scientific method refers to a collection of techniques
and strategies for investigating objects and
phenomena, verifying claims, or acquiring new
knowledge about the world. Its conclusions are based
on empirical and measurable evidence.
 It is process of investigation.
 It evidence (facts) are empirical and measurable.
 Its goal is to reach a conclusion.

11. Scientific Method

12. Scientific Method
Problem/Question: Does drinking coffee (pure black, no
cream, no sugar) regularly promote weight loss.
Hypothesis: Regularly drinking pure black coffee
promotes weight loss.
Research: read about the published studies on coffee and
weight loss.

13. Scientific Method
 Experiment: Design an experiment.
 Control group – drinks water regularly.
 Experimental group – drinks black coffee regularly
Issues about experimental design:
 How many participants in each group?
 What is the baseline data about the weight of the
participants?
 When is a change in weight significant?

14. Scientific Method
 Results: Analysis and interpretation of results based on
the research/experimental design.
 Conclusion

15. Activity
Think about five doable research problem.
Problems that can be done in the university, using the
resources we have in the laboratory.
Research areas:
Plant growth
Performance in examinations
Weight loss/weight gain
Improvement in height