Transcript title
Science Literacy
Credits
3
Grading mode
Standard letter grades
Total contact hours
30
Lecture hours
30
Course Description
Introduces the language and process of the scientific method and scientific studies. Provides tools to evaluate scientific information, including identifying pseudoscience and unethical uses of science. Promotes critical evaluation of scientific data and effective science communication.
Course learning outcomes
1. Describe the scientific process.
2. Identify pseudoscience and types of bias.
3. Describe types of scientific studies and their limitations.
4. Evaluate scientific data, including graphs and images.
5. Examine impacts of unethical applications of scientific information.
Content outline
1. Language of science; what science is and isn’t
2. Scientific method and science as a process
3. Identifying pseudoscience and types of bias in science using the fundamentals of information literacy
4. Types of scientific studies
5. Limitations of scientific studies, including non-representative samples, unrepeatability, and data collection errors
6. Evaluating and interpreting graphs and images
7. Applying critical scientific thinking to decision making
8. Identifying impacts of applying science unethically
9. Effective scientific communication
Required materials
Required materials may include a course pack or textbook.
General education/Related instruction lists
