DM881: Theory of Science for Informatics
Study Board of Science
Teaching language: Danish or English depending on the teacher, but English if international students are enrolled
EKA: N340089112, N340089102
Assessment: Second examiner: None
Grading: Pass/Fail
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Spring
Level: Master
STADS ID (UVA): N340089101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 08-10-2020
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Archive
Comment
New course spring 2021.
Will be taught in parallel to BB855: Philosophy of science for biologists (5 ECTS) with joint sessions, students can only sign up for either BB855 or DM881.
Entry requirements
Academic preconditions
Students taking the course are recommended to have a fundamental understanding of different areas of computer science, e.g., by having obtained a bachelor's degree in computer science or having passed the major part of the courses of a BSc curriculum in computer science.
Course introduction
The aim of the course is to enable the student to reflect on the knowledge of the field of Computer Science, which is important in regard to identify scientific issues.
The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the courses of the BSc curriculum in computer science, and gives an academic basis for doing a Master's dissertation in computer science that draws on topics of theory of science.
In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:
- Give the competence to reflect on the knowledge of the field of Computer Science and to identify scientific issues.
- Give skills to elucidate hypotheses on a qualified theoretical background and critically refer to own and others' research results and scientific models.
- Give knowledge and understanding of how scientific knowledge is obtained and modeled through an interplay between theory and experiment
Expected learning outcome
The learning objective of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- Communicate a selected topic of theory of science in writing.
- Be able to select and present a topic of theory of science within the course syllabus.
- Be able to use the terminology from the course correctly.
- Be able to reproduce, and relate to, the course's texts of theory of science.
Content
The following main topics are contained in the course:
- theory of science in general (e.g., relationship between theory and observation, experiments, inductivism, falsificationism, theories as structures, methodical changes in method, Bayesian approach, experimentalism, laws, realism and anti-realism)
- philosophy of computer science (e.g., information, models, abstraction, implementation, epistemological status of computer science, ethical questions, metaphysical questions)
Literature
Examination regulations
Prerequisites for participating in the exam a)
Timing
Spring
Tests
Presentation of one or more topics in class, as assigned by the instructor
EKA
N340089112
Assessment
Second examiner: None
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
Prepared presentation material (handouts, slides) allowed, a closer description of the exam rules will be posted under 'Course Information' on Blackboard.
ECTS value
0
Additional information
The prerequisite examination is a prerequisite for participation in exam element a).
Exam element a)
Timing
Spring
Prerequisites
| Type | Prerequisite name | Prerequisite course |
|---|---|---|
| Examination part | Prerequisites for participating in the exam a) | N340089101, DM881: Theory of Science for Informatics |
Tests
Project Report
EKA
N340089102
Assessment
Second examiner: None
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Student Identification Card
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
Allowed, a closer description of the exam rules will be posted under 'Course Information' on Blackboard.
ECTS value
5
Additional information
The examination form for re-examination may be different from the exam form at the regular exam.
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
The teaching method is based on three phase model.
- Intro phase: 6 hours
- Training phase: 18 hours, hereof tutorials: 18 hours
Activities during the study phase:
- Self study of various parts of the course material.
- Reflection upon the intro and training sections.
- Preparation of presentations for tutorials