Last modified: 05 Oct 2023 08:46
Science is constantly in the news, but how much do you know about how research gets to be news? How do you know you can trust what you read? If you have a great idea, do you know how to protect it and start a company? Science and Society will explain how the scientific media work and how to critically assess what you read. You will learn about scientific ethics by studying high profile cases of fraud. You will learn about intellectual property, how to protect it and how to use it from real-life entrepreneurs and those who support them.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session | First Sub Session | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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One or more of these courses have a limited number of places. Priority access will be given to students for whom this course is compulsory. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details on this process.
A broad introduction to ethics in research will be given which will span topics from ethics in medicine and science, government and university codes and policies and ethical considerations in publishing. The role of IPR and copyright in protecting ideas will be introduced.
The importance of scientific engagement with the public, government/policy makers and research peers will be revealed. The process of successfully taking an original scientific idea to the marketplace will be described. We will show how to pitch a complex scientific concept to a general audience.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 14 | Feedback Weeks | ||
| Feedback |
Taking part in group discussions on the different issues related to ethics in research, then choosing a case study which will be written up as a short, structured essay (directed to answer certain points). Feedback is in the form of annotations on the essay and CGS mark. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Consider the ethical dimensions of scientific research through the use of case studies. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 17 | Feedback Weeks | ||
| Feedback |
After your visit to ASC you will prepare an individual report summarising your feedback, based on your findings at the centre and our discussions in the next week: General evaluation of ASC; Evaluation of a specific exhibit; A description for a proposed new exhibit. Feedback is in the form of annotations on the report and CGS mark. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Create | Communicate scientific ideas and concepts to different audiences. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 18 | Feedback Weeks | ||
| Feedback |
Plan a scenario for countries from different groups (eg Small Island Developing States) on the problems they face due to climate change and how they plan to respond. This is a group exercise, and you will prepare a poster that will be presented to the entire class. Feedback is a combined set of comments from 2-3 staff attending the presentations and a CGS mark. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Discuss the relationship between science and society and present constructive criticism to others. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Consider the ethical dimensions of scientific research through the use of case studies. |
| Factual | Create | Communicate scientific ideas and concepts to different audiences. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Discuss the relationship between science and society and present constructive criticism to others. |
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