Module #1 Introduction to Philosophy of Science Overview of the field, importance of philosophy of science, and course objectives
Module #2 Scientific Method and Inquiry Understanding the scientific method, types of inquiry, and the role of observation
Module #3 The Nature of Science Defining science, distinguishing between science and non-science, and the characteristics of scientific knowledge
Module #4 Philosophical Foundations of Science Historical development of scientific thought, influences of philosophical traditions on science
Module #5 The Problem of Induction Introduction to the problem, Humes challenge, and proposed solutions
Module #6 Confirmation and Falsification Understanding confirmation, falsification, and the role of evidence in scientific theories
Module #7 Theories and Models The nature of scientific theories, models, and their roles in scientific explanation
Module #8 Laws and Causation Understanding scientific laws, causation, and the nature of scientific explanation
Module #9 The Role of Observation The importance of observation in science, types of observation, and observation bias
Module #10 Measurement and Instrumentation Understanding measurement, instrumentation, and their roles in scientific inquiry
Module #11 The Scientific Community The role of the scientific community, peer review, and the sociology of science
Module #12 Values and Objectivity in Science The role of values in science, objectivity, and the ideal of value-free science
Module #13 The Challenge of Pseudoscience Distinguishing between science and pseudoscience, characteristics of pseudoscience, and case studies
Module #14 Philosophy of Space and Time Understanding the nature of space and time, and their relationship to scientific theories
Module #15 Philosophy of Biology Philosophical issues in biology, including evolution, teleology, and the nature of life
Module #16 Philosophy of Physics Philosophical issues in physics, including reductionism, determinism, and the nature of reality
Module #17 Philosophy of Social Science Philosophical issues in social science, including methodological individualism, holism, and the nature of social reality
Module #18 Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence Philosophical issues in cognitive science, including the nature of mind, AI, and consciousness
Module #19 Science and Ethics The relationship between science and ethics, responsible conduct of research, and emerging ethical issues
Module #20 Science and Policy The relationship between science and policy, evidence-based policy making, and the role of expertise
Module #21 Science and Society The relationship between science and society, public trust, and science communication
Module #22 Feminist Philosophy of Science Feminist critiques of science, perspectives on science and knowledge, and feminist epistemology
Module #23 Philosophy of Science in Practice Case studies of philosophical issues in science, including debates, controversies, and examples
Module #24 Current Debates in Philosophy of Science Overview of current debates, including Bayesianism, structural realism, and perspectivism
Module #25 Course Wrap-Up & Conclusion Planning next steps in Philosophy of Science career
