Introduction to natural Science contents

 

Course Code: PHY-100    Course Title: Introduction to Science              Credit Hours: 3(2-1)

Introduce students to the general science. Develop a basic understanding of everyday science and the scientific history. Understanding science across time in different civilizations and learning how to maintain the quality of science. Expected Learning outcomes: After successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 

1. Clearly articulate the development of science in various areas of human history and compare it to the modern scientific method. 

2. Describe various branches of Science, their underlying core ideas, and compare their applications. 

3. Practice applications of the Scientific methods in the natural sciences to understand various phenomena’s in nature. 

4. Determine originality of scientific work and methods for peer review. Course Contents: Theory

UNIT 1: Overview of Science 1.1 What is Science, Importance of Science 1.2 Difference in Fact, hypothesis, theory, and law  1.3 Important areas and branches of Science

UNIT 2: History and evolution of Scientific civilization  2.1 Ancient Greek history and inventions 2.2 Egyptian history 2.3 China history and achievements 2.4 Scientific history of south Asia region 2.5 Contributions of renowned Muslims scientists in various branches of science

UNIT 3: Modern Scientific method  3.1 Scientific Method and Terminology 3.2 Advantages, Methods, and Limitations 3.3 Understand nature and environment with science 

UNIT 4: Introduction to Main Areas of Science  4.1 Physics: Sub-branches of Physics: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Optics, Modern and Nuclear Physics 4.2 Important theories and laws of Physics  4.3 Biology: Sub-branches of Biology; Cell structure and cell cycle  4.4 Important theories and laws of biology (three laws of biology, cell theory, gene theory, evolution) biological interactions.  4.5 Chemistry: Sub-branches of Chemistry  4.6 Important theories and laws of Chemistry (atomic theory, kinetic theory of gases)

UNIT 5: Quality and Standards of Science Physics Department 5.1 What is Pseudoscience and how to avoid fake science 5.2 Approaches to maintain quality and standards of science 

UNIT 6: Scientific Communication 6.1 What is peer review? 6.2 Differentiate between good and poor quality research work  6.3 Control and replications in science experiments 

PRACTICAL 

UNIT 7: Physics  7.1 Working of simple pendulum and calculation of its time period. 7.2 To find the area and volume of various objects. The students will be able to apply simple formulas for calculating area/volume. 7.3 Demonstration of open and closed circuits. Practical observation of everyday physics around us. 

UNIT 8: Biology 8.1 Seed germination and growth: To observe and understand the process of seed germination, imbibition, and early plant growth stages (e.g., wheat, beans, sunflower). 8.2 Leaf Structure and Function: To explore the structure and function of different types of leaves. Students will observe and compare leaf shapes, margins, venation patterns, and structures like stomata using hand lenses or microscopes.

UNIT 9: Chemistry 9.1 To determine the melting and boiling point of certain liquids. 9.2 Students will understand and observe distillation, solvent extraction, crystallization process in various chemistry experiments.

Assessment Method

MID Exam: 12 Marks

 Assignment/Quiz: 8 Marks

Final Exam: 20 Marks Practical Exam: 20 Marks

Recommended Books:

1. Carey, S., 2011. A Beginner's Guide To Scientific Method. 4th ed. Boston: Clark Baxter, pp.1-7, 29-45.

2. Chalmers, A., 2015. What Is This Thing Called Science? 4th ed. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., pp.24-47.

3. Douglas J Futuyma and Mark Kirkpatrick (2005) Evolution, 4th Edition. Sinauer Press, Unit 1 4. Ernst Mayr (1997) This is Biology: The Science of the Living World. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts: C h 1-4, Ch 6.

 5. Hawking, S, Mlodinow, L (2008). A Briefer History of Time. Bantam Books, - Chapter 3: Nature of a Scientific Theory  Physics Department

6. H. Eugene, Bruce. E, Patrick Woodward, Chemistry: The Central Science, 2017, Pearson, 14th Edition.

7. James E McClellan and Harold Dorn (2016) Science and Technology in World History: An Introduction. Second Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press – pp 39- 45, 55-62. 8. Raymond Chang, General Chemistry: The Essential Concepts, 2008, McGraw Hill, 5th Edition.

Suggested Resources:

 World’s Oldest Calendar - https://www.ancient-origins.net/newshistoryarchaeology/lunar-calendar-001234 Bone - https://www.naturalsciences.be/sites/default/files/Discover%20Ishango.pdf • Kalokol Pillar’s Site - http://www.chaz.org/Arch/Turkana/Namoratunga/ASI_Kalokol.html

 Beginning of a scientific revolution in Europe - https://youtu.be/vzo8vnxSARg6

 Brahe and Kepler, a revolution in astronomy - https://youtu.be/-FYvy3_egHw

 The scientific methods of Galileo, Bacon, and Descartes https://youtu.be/UdQreBq6MOY

 Newton and Leibinz - https://youtu.be/9UKGPOwR-iw