University of the Punjab, Lahore
Course Outline
Credit
Programme BS Course Code NIS-105 3
Hours
Course Title Natural Science II (NS-II)
Course Introduction
This course imparts a basic understanding of everyday science to the students (science +
other discipline)
This course is intended to give students a broad understanding of those sub-disciplines that
comprise the natural sciences and to provide students with an understanding of the history,
philosophy, and social contributions of science. It will introduce students to current issues
of particular concern to both science and society. This course will cover the following
topics and student will have knowledge of;
Overview of the philosophical background of natural science development
Survey of historical events that contributed to the development of natural science
Description and explanation of the main branches of natural science
Importance of interdisciplinary fields in natural science
Relationship between natural science and modern technology
Understanding the position and role of natural science in modern society
Issues regarding the interface between society and natural science
Reciprocal influence of natural science and culture in today’s society
Ethical, social, and cultural aspects of natural science and technology today
Definition and Categorization of Natural Sciences: Introduction to natural sciences:
Definition and scope, Categorization of natural sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth
Sciences, and Astronomy, Interdisciplinary fields and their importance, Philosophical
Background of Natural Science Development:, Overview of the philosophical foundations
of natural sciences, Key philosophers and their contributions to the development of science,
The scientific method and its evolution. Historical Development of Natural Sciences: Major
historical events that shaped the natural sciences, Significant discoveries and their impact on
scientific progress, The role of key figures in the advancement of natural sciences, Main
Branches of Natural Science, Detailed exploration of the main branches: Physics, Chemistry,
Biology, Earth Sciences, and Astronomy, Key concepts and principles in each branch,
Recent advancements and ongoing research in these fields. Natural Science and Modern
Technology: Relationship between natural sciences and technological advancements,
Examples of how natural science drives technological innovation, Impact of technology on
scientific research and vice versa. Natural Science in Modern Society: The role and
importance of natural sciences in contemporary society, Contributions of natural sciences to
societal development, Public perception and understanding of natural sciences. Science and
Society Interface: Major issues at the interface between science, technology, and society,
Case studies of science influencing societal change, The reciprocal influence of society on
scientific research. Ethical, Social, and Cultural Aspects of Natural Science: Ethical
considerations in scientific research and technological development, Social and cultural
impacts of scientific discoveries, Current debates on ethical issues in natural sciences.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Identify and define key elements of the sub-disciplines that comprise the natural
sciences.
2. Discuss the natural sciences, particularly their historical context, philosophical
background, and role in society.
3. Explain some of the major issues arising from the interface between natural science,
technology, and society.
4. Recognize the ethical, social, and cultural concerns connected to certain modern
developments/discoveries within the natural sciences.
Course Content Assignments/Readings
Definition and Categorization of Natural
Sciences:
Introduction to natural sciences: Definition and
scope
Week 1 Categorization of natural sciences: Physics,
Chemistry, Biology, Earth Sciences, and
Astronomy
Interdisciplinary fields and their importance
Continue……
Continue……
Week 2
Continue……
Philosophical Background of Natural Science
Development:
Overview of the philosophical foundations of
natural sciences
Week 3 Key philosophers and their contributions to the
development of science
The scientific method and its evolution
Continue……
Continue……
Week 4
Continue……
Historical Development of Natural Sciences:
Major historical events that shaped the natural
sciences
Significant discoveries and their impact on
Week 5 scientific progress
The role of key figures in the advancement of
natural sciences
Continue……
Continue……
Week 6
Continue……
Main Branches of Natural Science
Detailed exploration of the main branches:
Week 7 Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth Sciences, and
Astronomy
Key concepts and principles in each branch
Recent advancements and ongoing research in
these fields
Continue……
Continue……
Week 8
Continue……
Midterm exam
Natural Science and Modern Technology:
Relationship between natural sciences and
Week 9 technological advancements
Examples of how natural science drives
technological innovation
Impact of technology on scientific research and
vice versa
Continue……
Week 10
Continue……
Natural Science in Modern Society:
The role and importance of natural sciences in
contemporary society
Contributions of natural sciences to societal
Week 11 development
Public perception and understanding of natural
sciences
Continue……
Continue……
Week 12
Continue……
Science and Society Interface:
Major issues at the interface between science,
technology, and society
Case studies of science influencing societal
Week 13 change
The reciprocal influence of society on scientific
research
Continue……
Continue……
Week 14
Continue……
Ethical, Social, and Cultural Aspects of Natural
Science:
Ethical considerations in scientific research and
technological development
Week 15 Social and cultural impacts of scientific
discoveries
Current debates on ethical issues in natural
sciences
Continue……
Continue……
Week 16
Final term exam
Reading Material
1. Gal, O. (2021). The origins of modern science: From antiquity to the scientific
revolution. Cambridge University Press.
2. Bryson, B. (2003). A short history of nearly everything. Broadway Books.
3. Kuhn, T. S. (1970). The structure of scientific revolutions. University of Chicago Press.
4. Cantor, G. N., Christie, J. R. R., Hodge, M. J. S., & Olby, R. C. (Eds.). (2006).
Companion to the history of modern science. Taylor & Francis.
5. Cohen, H. F. (2010). How modern science came into the world: Four civilizations, one
17th-century breakthrough. Amsterdam University Press.
6. Brush, S. G. (1988). The history of modern science: A guide to the second scientific
revolution, 1800-1950. Iowa State University Press.
7. Zilsel, E., & Zilsel, P. (2013). The social origins of modern science. Springer
Netherlands.
Teaching Learning Strategies
1. Class lectures
2. Quiz
3. Assignments
4. presentation
Assignments: Types and Number with Calendar
1. Assignment # 1: Before mid
2. Assignment # 2: Before final
Assessment
Sr. No. Elements Weightage Details
1. Midterm
Assessment
2. Formative
Assessment
3. Final
Assessment
