Scientific approach in biology

lbio1116  2020-2021  Louvain-la-Neuve

Scientific approach in biology
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information below is subject to change, in particular that concerning the teaching mode (presential, distance or in a comodal or hybrid format).
5 credits
30.0 h + 30.0 h
Q2
Teacher(s)
Quinet Muriel;
Language
French
Content
A series of theoretical lessons will present the deductive and inductive methods, experimental and observational implemented in the work of the biologist. They will describe how to formulate a hypothesis, design an experiment, use an experimental model and / or make observations, encode and visualize the data, process the results using basic statistical tools, as well as infer a hypothesis or develop a theory on the basis of observations. Students will be trained in the basic functionality of Excel and R-Commander software.
Emphasis will be put on the development of critical thinking: assessing the quality of the sources of information, understanding the status of knowledge, especially its provisional nature, recognizing that every assertion must be tested and that any "evidence" must be confronted with critical evaluation, recognizing the limits of hypotheses and the character of knowledge, rigorously interpreting experimental facts, becoming aware of his representations and prejudices in his analysis, and being able to distance himself from his prejudices in his analysis.
Students will be asked to implement a strategy to investigate a biological issue in the lab and / or field. Distributed in teams, they will receive an affirmation for which they will have to carry out a bibliographical analysis, design and realize experiments from which they will collect the results in order to produce conclusions.
Teaching methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

Theoretical course, group work, fieldwork and laboratory experiments.
Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

The evaluation will focus on the mastery of the theoretical concepts and the presentation of the results obtained during the experimental project in the lab or in the field.
Online resources
MOOC Penser critique on EdX
https://www.edx.org/course/penser-critique
Teaching materials
  • Transparents et infos disponibles sur Moodle
Faculty or entity
BIOL


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Aims
Bachelor in Biology

Minor in Scientific Culture