GENERAL BIOLOGY AND FUNDAMENTALS OF ECOLOGYLecture Review for NORSU LET Takers,

Sept 1, 2012

Reviewer: Ana Carla Trinidad-Villarmente

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Opening Prayer B. Levelling of Expectations C. Objectives of the Review

COURSE OUTLINE

I. Nature and Scope of Science

II. Life Sciences

I. NATURE AND SCOPE OF SCIENCE

What is SCIENCE? Latin, “scientia”- to

know Scientia et veritas =

Knowledge and truth A body of dynamic,

growing knowledge about the principles that govern natural phenomenon

DIFFERENT DIVISIONS OF SCIENCE

1. Natural sciences – study of the natural world

2. Social Sciences – systematic study of human behaviour and society

3. Applied Sciences – scientific knowledge put into practical use

NATURAL SCIENCE

1. Physical Sciences – focus on the nature and behaviour of matter and energy

2. Earth Sciences

http://www.slideshare.net/jessica_villarmente/mgb-guihulngan-report

3. LIFE SCIENCES (Biology) – study of the development, distribution, evolution, function, origin and structure of living things

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Scientist search for answers to problems using the scientific method

To explain phenomena, to search for truth, to formulate new concepts and theories and to solve some problems

Thomas Edison experimented with more than 1,000 materials before successfully making the electric light bulb work!

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD STEP1 :IDENTIFYING AND CLEARLY DEFINING THE PROBLEM: The scientific problem

to be solved, best expressed as an “open-ended” question, not just a mere yes or no.

Example: Which corn variety gives the highest yield? (Bisaya tiniguib, IPB Var-6, Improved Tiniguib)

Example: What is the effect of adding organic fertilizer on rice yield?

Example: Which corn variety gives the highest yield? (Bisaya tiniguib, IPB Var-6, Improved Tiniguib)

2. GATHERING OF PRELIMINARY DATA OR PERTINENT PRELIMINARY INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROBLEM

3. FORMULATING A HYPOTHESIS ON HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM

Should be measurable

Should answer the original question

4. DESIGNING AN EXPERIMENT TO TEST THE HYPOTHESIS ON HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM

The experimental design is used to test the hypothesis

Which corn variety gives the highest yield? (Bisaya tiniguib, IPB Var-6, Improved Tiniguib)

Hypothesis: (Variety) IPB Var-6 will give the highest yield in comparison to Bisaya Tiniguib, IPB Var-6 and improved tiniguib in field trials.

5. ANALYZING AND INTERPRETING THE EXPERIMENTAL DATA

Which corn variety gives the highest yield? (Bisaya tiniguib, IPB Var-6, Improved Tiniguib)

Corn Variety Yield, per plot(in kilos)

Yield, per hectare (in tons)

Bisaya Tiniguib 0.5 0.5

IPB Var 6 2.1 2.1

Improved Tiniguib

1.8 1.8

6. DRAWING OF GENERALIZATION OR CONCLUSION Which corn variety gives the highest yield? (Bisaya

tiniguib, IPB Var-6, Improved Tiniguib)

All conditions being equal (same location, same sunlight availability, same water, same fertilizer:

IPB Var 6 gives the highest yield for corn.

7. VERIFYING CONCLUSION BY APPLYING IT TO SIMILAR SITUATIONS

Using the same scientific design, the experiment can now be conducted in another location or locality, or another season for verification.

SCIENTIFIC ATTITUDES

1. Objectivity2. Critical –mindedness3. Suspended judgment4. Open-mindedness5. Curiousity6. Patience7. Perseverance8. Accepting authority9. Truthfulness10. Humility

“If science is an unfinished project, the next stage will be about reconnecting and integrating the rigor of scientific method with the richness of direct experience to produce a science that will serve to connect us to one another, ourselves and the world...”

Betty Sue Flowers