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Course syllabus - Philosophy of Science I – An introduction, 5 credits

Information about the course

  • Course code: FHVV025
  • Host School: School of Health, Care and Social Welfare
  • Valid from: 2024-01-09
  • Established by: Dean of School
  • Decision date: 2024-04-02
  • Level of education: Third cycle level

Course objective

The course aims to introduce doctoral students to central questions related to the production of scientific knowledge, from contemporary and historical points of view. The course also aims to cover different scientific traditions and how they relate to each other.

Course content

  • History of the philosophy of science
  • Central concepts, questions and problems related to the production of scientific knowledge
  • Scientific traditions

Intented learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course the doctoral student should be able to

  1. show basic understanding of the historical development of the philosophy of science.
  2. apply central concepts, questions, and problems related to the production of scientific knowledge.
  3. evaluate various scientific theoretical positions and perspectives.
  4. formulate and present an independent scientific standpoint in relation to different scientific traditions.

The intended qualitative targets in relation to the Higher Education Ordinance, appendix 2.

Knowledge and understanding

For the Degree of Doctor, the doctoral student shall demonstrate:

  • A1: broad knowledge and systematic understanding of the research field as well as advanced and up-to-date specialised knowledge in a limited area of this field
  • A2: familiarity with research methodology in general and the methods of the specific field of research in particular.

Competence and skills

For the Degree of Doctor, the doctoral student shall demonstrate

  • B1: the capacity for scholarly analysis and synthesis as well as to review and assess new and complex phenomena, issues and situations autonomously and critically,
  • B2: the ability to identify and formulate issues with scholarly precision critically, autonomously, and creatively, and to plan and use appropriate methods to undertake research and other qualified tasks within predetermined time frames and to review and evaluate such work.

Judgement and approach

For a Degree of Doctor the doctoral student shall demonstrate

  • C1: intellectual autonomy and disciplinary rectitude as well as the ability to make assessments of research ethics, and
  • C2: specialised insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used.

Teaching formats

Lectures, workshops, seminars

Examination

SEM, written and oral examination, 2 credits.

INL, individual written assignment, 3 credits.

Grade

Examinations included in the course are assessed according to a two-grade scale, fail or pass.

Grades are to be decided by a teacher specially appointed by the university.

A person who has not passed the regular examination shall be given the opportunity to retake the test.

Requirements

To participate in the course and the examinations included in the course, the applicant must be admitted to doctoral studies. Subject to availability, teachers at Mälardalen University that hold a doctorate can be offered to take part of the course.

Selection criteria

Selection of applicants will be made in accordance with the ranking below.

  1. Doctoral students at Mälardalen University
  2. Doctoral students at other higher education institutions
  3. Teachers at Mälardalen University that holds a PhD.