Description

In this course, students will develop skills for critically and professionally evaluating the significance, logic, and presentation of scientific studies. Class sessions will emphasize student discussion and debate of topics including experimental design, the logical interpretation of results, scientific fraud, controversial results, dogma, and effective critique. Through class exercises, students will gain an understanding of the peer review process and will develop skills required to write critiques of manuscripts and research proposals.  This “Special Projects” version of Critical Thinking in Science will be letter-graded and will require that the student complete an independent project, approved by the instructor, in which the student critically examines a major scientific question or explores in depth a scientific issue impacted by critical thinking.