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48955-01 - Seminar: Tools and Methods of Natural Sciences Research (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers | Priscilla Carrillo Barragan (priscilla.carrillobarragan@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | We will mix lectures, case studies, and self-organized work sessions to gain knowledge about selected methods and approaches of the natural sciences. P. Carillo Baragán will provide input on the scientific method in general and on specific methods, occasionally with the help of guest speakers. In addition, students will collect methodological expertise during work shadowing and literature work. The seminar will focus on methods which are relevant for sustainable development topics. |
| Learning objectives | The students - understand the difference between a scientific and a non-scientific approach to a question; - can formulate scientific hypotheses and can distinguish them from a question or idea; - know about the difference between (I) empiricism and rationalism , (II) induction and deduction, (III) an observation and an experiment, (IV) descriptive and experimental approaches; - understand the influence of observer, equipment, and experimental design on the outcome of an experiment; - understand the importance of positive / negative controls and standards; - know natural science methods from fields that are important in the context of sustainability, such as molecular species identification, characterising air pollution, microplastics pollution, ecotoxicological assays, obtaining palaeoenvironmental data, and others; - and know what kind of information these methods can provide and are aware of their limitations. |
| Bibliography | Tba in class. |
| Comments | Practica: 05. March and 16. April 2025: during usual teaching time. For room details see section "Dates and Rooms". Field trip: 10. May 2025, entire day. Details according to announcement of teacher. Please keep the whole day free for this field trip. All MSD students have to attend a methods course in natural science within the IRS module. By default they have to attend this course (48995: Tools and Methods of Natural Sciences Research). Students with a natural science background who can demonstrate that they already have the knowledge taught in this course may take an alternative class according to the details recorded in the medium-term syllabus/spring semester 2025. No other module allocation possible. This seminar is offered by MSD. Dr. P. Carillo Baragán is a post doc staff member of MGU (Mensch-Gesellschaft-Umwelt), Dep. of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, and as of 01.02.25 she will be employed at Univ. of Zurich. |
| Admission requirements | Only for MSD students (incl. MSD preparation semester). NO other students admitted. |
| Course application | Course enrollment on online services should be completed by the beginning of the teaching period (withdrawal possible until Monday of week five). |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Comments | Field trip: 10. May 2025: Details about schedule to be announced in class. Please keep the whole day free for this field trip. |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 19.02.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Wednesday 26.02.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Wednesday 05.03.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Botanik, Praktikumsraum U1.003 |
| Wednesday 12.03.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Fasnachstferien |
| Wednesday 19.03.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Wednesday 26.03.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Wednesday 02.04.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Wednesday 09.04.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Wednesday 16.04.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Botanik, Praktikumsraum U1.003 |
| Wednesday 23.04.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Wednesday 30.04.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Saturday 10.05.2025 | 08.15-18.00 | - Siehe Bemerkung, -- |
| Wednesday 14.05.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Wednesday 21.05.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Wednesday 28.05.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Modules |
Module: Interdisciplinary Research in Sustainability (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Regular attendance, active participation, readings, oral presentation and written report: Details according to announcement by assessor. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,1 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | University of Basel |
| Offered by | Departement Umweltwissenschaften |