SCI 2010 - The Nature of Scientific Inquiry

This course provides students with an introduction to the scientific endeavor as both a body of knowledge and as a process. The course distinguishes scientific inquiry as a unique way of knowing that employs a specific set of norms and practices. Students will perform simple scientific inquiries to explore foundational principles, as well as engage in their own open-ended discovery activities. Explorations will be carried out within the context of their historical development; for example, students will investigate the basics of pendulum motion while learning how Galileo's work on pendula revolutionized navigation. Students will also grapple with ethical scientific dilemmas and explore how science interacts with society. Students will communicate their findings through writing, discussion, and oral and poster presentations. This course is intended to provide a foundation for non-science.