ES Primer: Life Science

Course Description: Empirical Science Primer: Life Science covers the fundamentals of observational scientific methodology as it guides students to explore their immediate surroundings, and imbues in them the proper attitudes of the scientist. The course includes nature study, field notes, sketching, identification, taxonomy, data collection, collation, and basic inductive/causal argumentation. The hope is to connect the students native wonder and curiosity with the scientist's respect for reality and zeal for truth. Numerous opportunities will be found to impart terminology and practices that will prepare students for higher level courses in the sequence, without overburdening the students with a bulk of soon forgotten facts. The students are introduced to the microscope and its uses.