BMB 560 Methods of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences

Aims of the course. (1 credit)   This course introduces advanced graduate and medical students to methodological and ethical aspects of scientific research by:  a)  examining the basic methodologies of experimental research, concept and hypothesis formation; and b)  following the conceptual development of selected fields of biomedical sciences from their phenomenological to molecular stages with special regards to strategies in experimental design and hypothesis formation.

Typical topics and lecturers (changes from year to year):

1.  The Making of a Scientist. (1 week)

           Faculty:  D. Wilson & Z. Domotor

2.  Methodological Basis of Scientific Inquiry. (3 weeks)

            (Hypotheses in biomedical science:  Interaction between experiment and theory, levels of organization and description, reductionism.)  Faculty:  Z. Domotor (Dept of Philosophy).

3.  Naïve falsification and the structure of scientific “Programms” (2 weeks)

            Faculty:  M. Cancro  (Department of Pathology).

4.  At the interface of Academia and Business, differences opinion and understanding.

(2 weeks)  Faculty:  D.F. Wilson (Biochem. & Biophys.)

5.   Dual use research of concern.  (1 week)

            Faculty:  H. Rubin  (Infectious Diseases)

Students should prepare by going to the NSABB web page http://www.biosecurityboard.gov/ and the FAS webpage on biosecurity education http://www.fas.org/biosecurity/resource/education.htm

6.   Hypothesis Testing in Population Dynamics.   (1 week)

            Faculty:  W. Ewens (Department of Biology)

7.   Research Strategies in Population Genetics.  (2 weeks)

            Faculty:  P. Sniegovski  (Department of Biology).

8.  Ethical Dimensions in Scientific Research.  (1 week)

            Faculty:  Z. Domotor & D.F. Wilson

9.  Overview. 

            Faculty: Z. Domotor, & D.F. Wilson

Term papers due:  One week after the end of term. 

Students are expected to prepare a short mid-term paper as well as a final term paper that critically evaluates a conceptual development or experimental strategy in a research area of their interest.  Grading will be based on course participation, contributions to class discussion, and quality of submitted term papers.  Readings recommended include Claude Bernard: An Introduction to the Study of Experimental Medicine,  Peter Medawar: Advice to Young Scientists, and Kenneth F. Schaffner: Discovery and Explanation in Biology and Medicine.