C9919 Being a Scientist

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
2/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Vaidhyanathan Ramamurthy (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Petr Klán, Ph.D.
Department of Chemistry – Chemistry Section – Faculty of Science
Supplier department: Department of Chemistry – Chemistry Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Fri 14:00–15:50 A08/309
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
Science while playing a central role in our lifestyle is also an underlying cause for some of the current and future prospects and problems facing humanity. Scientific temper serves as an additional tool to analyze fundamental questions related to everyday life. The role of science in the economic welfare of a country cannot be overlooked. Therefore, a broad and basic understanding of science would help one to make informed decisions on some of the major issues facing us today and improve for the future. The major discussion points of this course include an overview of how science is conducted, its strengths and weaknesses and the reliability of its conclusions. The course will serve a dual purpose of (a) training and motivating students to becoming scientists and (b) providing information for those desiring to develop a scientific temper in their approach towards life.
A majority of the course will deal with modern science believed to have started in late 18 th century. The course will touch upon people, concepts, history, impact, and practical applications. Analysis of lives and achievements of a few eminent scientists’ (Lavoisier, Davy, Faraday, Newton, Planck, Einstein, Pauling, Oppenheimer etc.) is aimed at motivating students to becoming working scientists. Discussion of the concepts of light (photon), atoms and molecules (quantum mechanics) and life (DNA, protein, modern biology etc.) should educate the students on the methodology of scientific problem identification and the consequent development. Examination of the history of science over several centuries should lead to students recognizing science as a constantly changing discipline with limitless opportunities. A look into the history of the development of modern amenities such as light bulb (GE), telephones (AT &T), computer (IBM), polymers (DuPont) and modern medicines (Merck, Novartis etc.) should help students recognize the intricate web formed by science, technology and society. Discussion of incidents involving ethical issues, priority disputes and frauds should help students be cognizant of their effects in their personal and business lives.
To be successful as a scientist, oral and written communication skills are essential. These will be emphasized by requiring students to make oral and written presentations as part of the course evaluation. Finally, career options available to a trained scientist will be pointed out highlighting recent success stories.
Syllabus
  • Being a Scientist - Introduction
  • Normal, Extraordinary and Pathological Science (How science develops)
  • Scientific Methods: Photon Theory of light (Early Greeks, Indians and Arabs, Newton, Thomas Young, Faraday, Maxwell, Planck, Einstein and many more)
  • The Chemical Revolution: Phlogiston theory, Lavoisier, Priestley, Davy, Faraday and many more Atoms, Molecules and Macromolecules: Discovery of electrons, protons and neutrons, atoms, development of QM, Molecules and DNA & Proteins
  • Basic to Applied Science: Light and Life (Applications of light)
  • Other topics if there is time and interest:
  • Molecules in Nature
  • Contributions of industries to our living: Pharmaceutical, Bell Lab, IBM, GE, DuPont etc.
  • Role of Serendipity in Science
  • Ethics, Mistakes, Blunders, Fraud and Politics
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/autumn2024/C9919