History of Biology
Code: 101902Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Biomedical Sciences | OP | 4 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Carlos Tabernero Holgado
- Email :
- carlos.tabernero@uab.cat
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
None
Objectives
History of Biology is taken in the 4th year and is part of the group of optional subjects.
The main objectives are:
Introduce the student to the consideration and experimentation of history as a vehicle for reflection and cultural construction, as an instrument of research, documentation and popularization, and as a pedagogical tool in the field of science. Within the specific scope of the history of biology, give the student the necessary tools to identify and critically analyze the main historiographical currents related to the natural sciences.
Introduce the student to the knowledge of the processes of generation, circulation, communication and management of scientific knowledge (particularly in the natural sciences), as well as his impact on socio-cultural transformations throughout history.
Introduce the student to the analysis of the role and the situation of the natural sciences and their social relations today and throughout history. Consider the social, cultural, strategic and economic importance of life sciences in society. And thus, give the student the necessary tools to synthesize, from the historical consideration of the natural sciences, a perspective of the current and future reach of these sciences.
Learning outcomes
- Work as part of a group with members of other professions, understanding their viewpoint and establishing a constructive collaboration.
- Analyse and describe, in general terms, the role and position of biology and its presence in society, now and across history.
- Identify and critically analyse the principal historiographic currents in biology.
- Students must have and understand knowledge of an area of study built on the basis of general secondary education, and while it relies on some advanced textbooks it also includes some aspects coming from the forefront of its field of study.
- Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
- Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.
- Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
- Students must develop the necessary learning skills to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.
- Make changes to methods and processes in the area of knowledge in order to provide innovative responses to society's needs and demands.
- Take account of social, economic and environmental impacts when operating within one's own area of knowledge.
- Act with ethical responsibility and respect for fundamental rights and duties, diversity and democratic values.
- Take sex- or gender-based inequalities into consideration when operating within one's own area of knowledge.
Contents
Distributive blocks
1. History, science, history of science.
2. Ways of looking.
3. East / West.
4. Universe, printing, anatomy.
5. Narratives of nature.
6. The two cultures.
7. Specialization and institutionalization
8. The historical vision of life.
9. The death of nature.
10. Individual, society and information.
11. Chaos, order and dinosaurs.
12. Conclusions and perspectives.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solving problems and tasks autonomously, participation in discussions | 7.5 | 0.3 | 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12 |
| Theoretical classes / Discussion sessions with TIC support | 45 | 1.8 | 2, 3 |
| Independent study, consultation of bibliography and realization of works | 90 | 3.6 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| The course will be taught using a theoretical/practical approach based on in-class discussions of primary sources, readings, and audio/visual materials that will be provided throughout the semester. |
|
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final assay | 40% | 3.5 | 0.14 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 |
| Short essay 1 | 30% | 2 | 0.08 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 |
| Short essay 2 | 30% | 2 | 0.08 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 |
Assessment for this course is ongoing and based on:
- Active participation in class discussions, which will include:
a) The creation of a portfolio to be compiled in class at the end of each theory block, which will be given sufficient advance notice (20% of the final grade).
b) The preparation of a short individual essay to be assigned during the semester, in which students must demonstrate their ability to place any topic related to the history of biology in its historical context and analyze it critically (40% of the final grade).
- The preparation of a final written essay in teams (40% of the final grade) on a specific topic within the course’s content and competencies, in which students must demonstrate their ability to place any topic related to the history of biology in its historical context and analyze it critically.
The final grade will be the sum of the points obtained. For the assessment to be valid, students must pass each of the different assessments separately. Students who have not passed the course may take a resit exam. To be eligible for the resit exam, the student must have previously been evaluated on the thematic blocks whose combined weight is equivalent to at least two-thirds of the course’s total grade. Additionally, to be eligible for the resit exam, students must have earned a grade of at least 3.5 on the course’s overall grade.
Students who do not take the theoretical and practical exams will be considered “not evaluated” and will have exhausted their right to enroll in the course.
At the time each assessment activity is conducted, the professor will inform students (via Moodle) of the procedure and date for reviewing grades.
A student will receive a grade of “Not Evaluated” if they have not submitted more than 30% of the assessment activities.
If a student commits any type of irregularity that could lead to a significant change in the grade for an assessment, that assessment will be graded as 0, regardless of any disciplinary action that may result. If multiple irregularities are found in the assessments for the same course, the final grade for that course will be 0.
In this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted exclusively for support tasks, such as bibliographic or information searches. Students must clearly identify, where applicable, which parts were generated using this technology, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these tools influenced the process and the final outcome of the assignment. Failure to disclose the use of AI in the assignment will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a partial or total penalization in the course grade, or more severe penalties in serious cases.
Single Assessment:
If necessary, a single assessment will be administered for students who, for justified reasons, are unable to complete the course’s continuous assessment items. This exam will consist of the in-person completion, on a date, time, and in a classroom to be determined, of a brief final written essay (in this case, 100% of the grade) on a specific topic within the course’s content and competencies, in which the student must demonstrate their ability to place any issue related to the history of biology in its historical context and analyze it critically. The faculty will assist students who opt for the single assessment with a specific tutorial related to each of the main modules. The same resit system as for the continuous assessment will apply. Students who opt for the single assessment and do not take the indicated exam will be considered “Not Assessed,” thereby exhausting their rights to enroll in the course.
Bibliography
Bibliographic sources of digital access will be provided during the semester. However, below are reference works that may also be used.
General references:
Alexander, Denis R.; Numbers, Ronald L. (eds.) Biology and ideology from Descartes to Dawkins. Chicago: University of Chicago Press; 2010.
Barona, Josep Lluís. Història del pensament biològic. València: Universitat de València; 2003.
Brunton, Deborah (eds). Medicine transformed: health, disease and society in Europe, 1800-1930. Manchester: Manchester University Press in association with the Open University; 2004.
Giordan, André (eds.) Conceptos de Biología (vols. 1&2). Madrid: Labor; 1988.
Jahn, Ilse, Löther, Rolf; Senglaub, Konrad. Historia de la biología: teorías, métodos, instituciones y biografías breves. Barcelona: Labor; 1990.
Jardine, N.; Secord, J.A.; Spary E.C. (eds). Cultures of natural history. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1996.
Further specific bibliography will be offered throughout the semester.
Software
In addition to web and Office tools, such as the campus online, email, Google docs, word, powerpoint and excel, tools such as wetransfer, dropbox or the VLC audiovisual file reader will be used.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE