Rationale

• The nature of the course
  • Consider the possibility that the goals of the course are worthwhile
  • Consider the possibility that the goals of the course are achievable
  • Consider the possibility that the route to the goals may actually works
• The nature of scientific truth
  • Learn how to find research articles (a major tool in life, if liberally interpretted)
  • First pass at how to read research articles
  • How to distinguish a result from a conclusion
• Expanding your interaction with nature
  • Embrace confusion
  • Struggle to break out of preconceived boxes
• Learn how to use BioBIKE (a major tool in this course)

Readings and Investigations

• The course
  Web Site: Course at a Glance
   
• Scientific truth
  Web Site: How to find articles
  Web Site: Pub Med Help
  Web Site: How to read articles
   
• Grappling with reality
  Article: Schwartz MA (2008). The importance of stupidity in science. J Cell Sci 121:1771
              (Link works only on campus. Otherwise go through the library.)
  Practice: Working through confusion
  Practice: Shedding preconceptions
  Practice: Results vs Conclusions Part 1 and Part 2
  Practice: Thinking with your fingers -- a game that works if you just do it
   
• Scientific concepts have an underlying physical reality
  Investigation: What is a Gene? (including its companion)
              Practice learning how to learn from reality rather than from a book
              The companion helps you get started with BioBIKE

Things to do and hand in
    20 Aug: Personal Questionnaire (if not by or on 20 Aug then as soon thereafter as possible)
    25 Aug: Exam - What is this course? (hard deadline, but any time Sunday is OK)
    30 Aug: Problem Set 1 - Strategies of Life, Finding Articles
      4 Sep: Investigation - What is a Gene? (including its companion)