Year of Study:	2-4
Credit Units:	3
Duration:	45hours
Prerequisites:	GEN1000 Perspectives on General Education

This module examines the nature of scientific inquiry and the relationship between science and reality. Do scientific theories explain reality, or are they just pragmatic tools for making predictions and developing technology? What is the relationship between theories and facts/data? How should an experiment be designed so that the reliability and validity of the result can be ensured? What is the nature of scientific explanation? By answering these questions, this module illustrates the structure of scientific inquiry, its unique power in enhancing our understanding of the world, and its limitations in explaining reality and making inferences.

Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. describe the nature of scientific inquiry and its methodology


2. explain and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different kinds of observation in supporting or refuting a scientific hypothesis or theory.


3. identify and criticize different types of scientific explanation


4. comprehend the extents and limitations to which sciences may contribute to our understanding of the world.