ESA-32303 Seminar Interdisciplinarity in Scientific Research and Education

Course

Credits 3.00

Language of instruction:

English

Contents:

Finding solutions to pressing problems such as climate change, food security, the energy crisis and worldwide water shortages, requires the input of scientists with various disciplinary backgrounds. Interdisciplinary approaches in which knowledge from biophysical, socio-economic aspects and human behaviour are combined, provide better answers to complex problems than mono-disciplinary approaches. Besides, interdisciplinary research might lead to new scientific insights. Although interdisciplinarity has been advocated for years, the practice of interdisciplinary scientific research is still difficult and evolving.
In this course a brief introduction to the history and philosophy of science is given. The differences among disciplines and the need for interdisciplinary approaches are explained. Examples of interdisciplinary research projects will be presented and assessed. Major potentials as well as constraints of interdisciplinary research will be discussed. Specific attention will be paid to methods of integration of scientific knowledge and the characteristic skills of scientists involved in interdisciplinary projects.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- explain what interdisciplinarity is, and why it is important in finding sustainable solutions to complex problems;
- distinguish the differences between disciplines (natural sciences, social sciences, humanities);
- indentify key requirements for successful interdisciplinary research;
- indentify the characteristic skills of an ' interdisciplinary' scientist;
- evaluate an interdisciplinary research project and identify constraints as well as potentials for successful integration of knowledge.

Activities:

Attend and actively participate in evening lectures scheduled during the whole academic year; search and study literature; write an individual paper that will be peer reviewed; review ca. 4 papers written by other students; attend one peer review session.

Examination:

Based on attendance and active participation in lectures and individual paper.

Literature:

A reader with start literature is available. Students are expected to search for additional literature for their paper.