BIO E121 Lecture 1: Bio_E_121_-_Class_1_(Spring)
Alexander Stanley
Bio E 121
General Bio
Spring 2020
Lecture 1 PowerPoint – Introduction Logistics of Life & Science
● Science
○ systems of knowledge obtained and tested through scientific method
■ amoral
■ if we cannot observe it, we cannot test it within the scientific method
○ falsifiable (in class pencil example)
■ accept those observations as facts until proven otherwise
○ theories, hypotheses, and laws
● Scientific Method
○ sees a problem
○ makes hypothesis
○ designs an experiment
○ peer review
● Scientific Law
○ Law: explains natural events with multiple experiments to explain why
■ Expressed as mathematical equations
● Scientific Theory
● Theory (fact): explains occurrences supported by scientific
community
○ must be testable
■ consistent results
■ peer reviews
○ must make predictions
■ falsifiable predictions
○ no “proving” in science
○ Cell Theory
○ Germ Theory
○ Plate Tectonic Theory
○ Theory of Evolution
○ Theory of Gravity (Newton 1687 vs. Einstein 1915)
● Hypothesis
○ a proposed explanation; must be testable
○ more than an educated guess, idea, or concept
○ can NEVER prove hypothesis
§ but, you can fail to reject it as correct
Document Summary
Lecture 1 powerpoint introduction logistics of life & science. Systems of knowledge obtained and tested through scientific method. Amoral if we cannot observe it, we cannot test it within the scientific method falsifiable (in class pencil example) Accept those observations as facts until proven otherwise theories, hypotheses, and laws. Law: explains natural events with multiple experiments to explain why. Theory (fact): explains occurrences supported by scientific community. Theory of gravity (newton 1687 vs. einstein 1915) More than an educated guess, idea, or concept. But, you can fail to reject it as correct. Hypothesis: needs to explain reason for experiment and explanation that is being tested. Ex: if i break toothpicks for one minute with my warm hand and then with my cold hand, then i will break more toothpicks with my warm hand. Procedure with goals of verifying, refuting, or establishing validity of hypothesis. Facts gathered from observation to allow general statement to be made.
