I A II To understand biology Study of life we need a basic understanding of Understand what science is 1 How science is done 2 What are the rules for science 3 How it contributes to our culture Unit 1 obj A Understand what science is B Develop thinking skills to judge the validity and importance C Recognize common traits that specify if something is living D Learn how life is based on chemical interactions between people III What is Science A Human Endeavor Human construct B a body of knowledge about the natural world but also C A systematic process for building knowledge about the natural world IV Science a process of early learning in children A AIM Learn about natural world B APPROACH Gather evidence systematically C Logic Expectations Facts based on repeated observations V What else is science A ongoing and never finished nothing is ever proven because future evidence could refute B A reliable standard for application Theories are supported by the fact that they work VI Basic and applied science A Science VII What is natural A Natural 1 can be basic goal to build knowledge and understanding without particular endpoint 2 can be applied solve a particular problem or develop a technology 3 Generally is both 1 Any element of the physical universe Matter forces that act on matter en ergy the constituents of the biological world human society and its products B Why only the natural world 1 Because it behaves in predictable ways C What is supernatural outside the realm of science D Misconception 1 Science contradicts the existence of God 1 Anything outside the physical universe 2 The existence of supernatural entities cannot be tested scientifically and therefore fall a Correction 1 Because science deals only with natural phenomena and explanations it cannot support or contradict the existence of supernatural entities like God 2 Science and religion deal with different realms of human experience VIII Science can not A Make moral judgements B Make aesthetic judgements red more beautiful than blue C specify how scientifically IX What is a scientific hypothesis A Testable and falsifiable explanation for a scientific observation or question 1 Testable Can be supported or rejected by carefully designed experiments or non ex perimental studies 2 falsifiable Can be ruled out by data to show 8 28 12 Hypothesis Proposed explanation for a narrow set of phenomena Theory Powerful explanation for a wide range of phenomena Scientific law Statement of a relation that expresses a fundamental principle of science Laws differ from scientific theories in that they do not provide a mechanism or explanation Theories explain why they are Theories are 1 extensively tested 2 fully supported by all available data 3 They are widely accepted in the scientific community They can be used to make broad based predictions 4 5 Rarely altered but can be with unexpected new evidence EXP of theories Conservation of matter conservation of energy gravitational theory What makes a good scientific theory 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Closely explains evidence explains many lines of evidence clarifies evidence that was not understood generates more testable expectations can be applied broadly in variety of conditions explains evidence in most efficient way consistent with existing theories Process of science 1 2 3 Idea Formulate a hypothesis expectations Devise a testable prediction Actual observations gather evidence by experimenting How do scientists draw conclusions done To properly evaluate a scientific claim we need to look closely at how the science was control versus experimental groups Randomization of other variables Placebo effect Sample size and statistical significance side effects interpreting correlation versus causation Control group they give nothing and no manipulation Experimental group experiences manipulation Correlation consistent relationship between variables wrap up Best evidence they have at any one time May be modified in the future as other scientists ask different questions or use improved technology to uncover better data Confidence in scientific findings