Course syllabus for

Theory of Science, 3 credits

Vetenskapsteori, 3 hp
This course syllabus is valid from autumn 2021.
Please note that the course syllabus is available in the following versions:
Autumn2015 , Autumn2016 , Autumn2021
Course code
2PS034
Course name
Theory of Science
Credits
3 credits
Form of Education
Higher Education, study regulation 2007
Main field of study 
Psychology 
Level 
G2 - First cycle 2 
Grading scale
Fail (U), pass (G) or pass with distinction (VG)
Department
Department of Clinical Neuroscience
Decided by
Programnämnd 8
Decision date
2014-11-07
Revised by
Education committee CNS
Last revision
2021-03-22
Course syllabus valid from
Autumn 2021

Specific entry requirements

To be eligible to advance to this course, students must have no more than 15 credits remaining from the previous term, and no credits remaining from any terms preceding this.

Objectives

On completion of the course, the student should be able to

  • account for the meaning of basic terms and concepts that occur within the philosophy of science
  • relate concepts and theories within the philosophy of science to the psychological research field

Content

The course gives an introduction to the philosophy of science. Example of subjects that are included in the course is: the knowledge concept, induction and deduction, falsificationism and paradigms.

Teaching methods

The course contains teacher-supervised lectures, at least one discussion seminar and writing of individual written assignment. The course assumes independent studies of course literature.

Examination

The course is examined in the following way:
1) written examination (is graded U (Fail), G (Pass) or VG (Pass with distinction)
2) individual written assignment (is graded U, G or VG)

The course is graded U, G or VG.
The grade G requires at least G on examination assignment 1. 
The grade VG requires VG on examination assignment 1 and 2.

Possibility of exception from the course syllabus' regulations on examination
If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus' regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and attitudes may not be changed, removed or reduced.

Transitional provisions

If the course is cancelled or goes through substantial changes, information about interim regulations will be stated here.

Other directives

Course evaluation, based on the expected learning outcomes of the syllabus, takes place according to KI's local guidelines. Results and possible actions are communicated to the students in the course web page.

The course will not be credited in a degree together with another course the student has completed and passed which completely or partly corresponds to the contents of this course. The following course is (partly) overlapping: 2PS010, Theory of Science, 4.5 credits.

Literature and other teaching aids

Johansson, Lars-Göran Introduktion till vetenskapsteorin
Article, up to 100 pages.