THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO
Sci 120: Scientific Thinking
Dr. Alaa Ibrahim
GRADING SYSTEM
Two Midterm Exams (no makeups are offered)
Final Exam
Quizzes in General Lectures
Activities + Assignments
Project
Attendance and Class Participation
Total
40%
20%
05%
10%
15%
10%
100%
During the course, scores for tests, assignments and project are given as numbers. Letter grades are only assigned after
the final exam.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
After completing the course, you will:
1. Have a clear understanding of the scientific method and its applications in sciences and life in general.
2. Have an appreciation of the historical development of the scientific method into its present form.
3. Be aware of the uncertainty inherent in the scientific method and the role this uncertainty plays in the
advancement of science.
4. Be familiar with contemporary developments in science.
5. Be aware of the differences between science and technology, the roles played by both enterprises and how they
influence our views and decisions.
6. Be aware of the importance of the study of natural sciences and their applications in everyday life (e.g., nuclear
energy, cloning, genetic engineering, space exploration, and environment).
7. Be aware of ethical issues associated with scientific investigations.
8. Be able to express your views in an evaluative manner independently and critically.
9. Be able to read and critically assess scientific as well as popular sources such as journals, magazines and
newspapers.
Course Timeline & Topics:
The Scientific Method
Introduction to the scientific method and the various attributes of this approach to knowledge. The crucial dependence
of this method on experimentation is emphasized. Structure and design of scientific experiments and how to identify
the independent, dependent and control variables of a specific experimental setup. Discussions of issues related to
what constitutes scientific data, hypotheses, laws and theories. Dependence of experimentation on these concepts.
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Other characteristics of the scientific method are considered, especially, what is meant by scientific objectivity,
authority in science, causality and reproducibility of experimental results.
Birth of modern Science
This part of the course deals with the historical developments that led to the emergence of the scientific method that
we are familiar with now-a-days. The advancement of astronomy from antiquity to Newton’s time is used as an
example illustrating the evolution of the scientific method into its present form. Special emphasis is given to Galileo’s
role as one of the founders of the modern scientific method is elucidated and his challenge to the deeply rooted
Aristotelian tradition is detailed. In addition, the students are exposed to the origins of the modern laws of planetary
motion ensuing from the works of Tycho Brahe, Kepler and Newton and how such ideas led to the view of a clockwork
universe.
What is Science?
The inductive approach characterizing modern science can not lead to theories that are absolutely true. In this
context, one may ask how can we trust theories that are not absolutely true? And how can we differentiate between
Science and Pseudo-science. To address these issues, the students are introduced to Popper’s doctrine of falsification
as a way to differentiate between Science and Pseudo-science.
Science View of Life and the Universe:
Introduction to the theories that had an enormous impact on humans’ views of themselves as part of the life on earth
and the universe as a whole. How modern science formed our perception of the universe and life. This covers the Big
Bang theory, the formation of stars and planets, our solar system, and how conditions for life evolved on Earth.
Darwin’s theory of evolution and the discovery of DNA. The structure of the Scientific Community and how it interacts
with society. The students are introduced to the ways by which scientists interact with each other and the available
mechanisms to exchange ideas and knowledge.
Science, Values and Ethics
The impact of science on society is considered in this part of the course. Discussion of moral choices in relation to
scientific applications and associated technologies. The negative effects of technology on the environment are
discussed and the possibility for science to play a positive role in alleviating these problems is considered.
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