Skip to main content
Unit of study_

HPSC3108: Hist and Phil of the Physical Sciences

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study deals with some central problems in the history and philosophy of the natural sciences. It covers two areas in detail, and several others in less depth. The two main topics are (1) evidence in science, especially how evidence is understood within a Bayesian model, and (2) the representation of nature with scientific models and other theoretical tools. We will also look at the role of truth as a scientific goal, links between scientific theories and policy decisions, and the formation and role of consensus within science. Upon completion of the unit, students will have developed a range of skills that will allow them to explore the natural sciences with a more critical attitude.

Unit details and rules

Unit code HPSC3108
Academic unit History and Philosophy of Science Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
HPSC1X01 or HPSC2X01
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Peter Godfrey-Smith, peter.godfrey-smith@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay 2
Written essay
40% STUVAC
Due date: 03 Jun 2021 at 22:00
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3
Assignment Exercise 1
Short written exercise
2.5% Week 04
Due date: 18 Mar 2022 at 23:00
Approx 200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Exercise 2
Short written exercise
2.5% Week 05
Due date: 25 Mar 2022 at 23:00
Approx 200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Assignment Exercise 3
Written exercise
2.5% Week 06
Due date: 01 Apr 2022 at 23:00
Approx 200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Assignment Essay 1
Written essay
40% Week 07
Due date: 22 Apr 2011 at 23:00
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Assignment Exercise 4
Short exercise
2.5% Week 08
Due date: 15 Apr 2022 at 23:00
Approx 200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Participation Participation
Participation
10% Week 13 Throughout
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Writing task (essay): This assignment will require you to integrate information from lectures and readings to create a concise written argument.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Overview of the course and its themes Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 02 2. Some different views of evidence Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO3
Week 03 3. The Bayesian model, part 1 Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1
Week 04 4. The Bayesian model, part 2 Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1
Week 05 5. Beliefs, values, and policy choices Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 06 6. Bayesianism and social structure Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 07 7. Evidence and truth Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 08 8. Models and simulations Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 09 9. Models and fictions Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2
Week 10 10. Models, fictions, and conditionals Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 11 11. Putting some pieces together (evidence, belief, truth, models, conditionals, policies) Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 12 12. Wrap-up. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance policies will be discussed when we reach the start of term.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Readings will be made available on the Canvas website.

You should read the material for that week before the Monday lecture.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Understand a leading model of how evidence works in science (the Bayesian model) and how it relates to a variety of other problems and topics.
  • LO2. understand current views on the nature of scientific models, and how they represent the world
  • LO3. demonstrate an understanding of some of the most pressing issues in contemporary philosophy of science.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Only minor changes have been made since the last time the unit was offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.