NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA
SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
COURSE CODE: GST 105:
COURSE TITLE: HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
,GST 105: HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
COURSE DEVELOPMENT
Course Developer
Dr Mrs F. I Akaneme
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Unit Writer
Dr Mrs F. I. Akaneme
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Course Coordinators
Professor I. A. Olaofe
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Dr Mrs. F. I. Akaneme
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA
II
,National Open University of Nigeria
Headquarters
National Open University of Nigeria
14/16 Ahmadu Bello Way
Victoria Island
Lagos
Branch office
245 Samuel Adesujo Ademulegun Street
Central Business District
Opposite Arewa Suites
Abuja
e- mail:
URL: www.nou.edu.ng
© National Open University of Nigeria 2004
First published 2004
ISBN 978-058-000-X
Published by Longman Nigeria Plc
For
National Open University of Nigeria
Published by Longman Nigeria Plc for National Open University of Nigeria
III
, Contents Guide
Introduction
What you will learn in this course
Course aims
Course objectives
Course requirements
Course materials
Study units
Recommended textbooks
Assignment file
Assessment
Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
Final examination and grading
Course overview
Strategies for studying the course
Tutors and tutorials
Summary
Introduction
GST 105 ‘History and Philosophy of Science’ is a one semester, two-unit, foundation
(100) level course. Students of Science and non-science programmes are expected to take
this course. It is a prerequisite to your obtaining your B.A. or B.Sc. degree. The course
will consist of eighteen units. The material has been developed to suit Nigerian students
by using more practical examples from the local environment. Thereare no compulsory
prerequisites for the course.
This course guide tells you briefly what the course is about, what course materials you
will be using and how you are to use them. It provides some general guidelines for the
amount of time you might be spending in order to successfully complete each unit of the
course. It also gives you some guidance on your tutor-marked assignments, details of
which are to be found in a separate ‘Assignment File’. The course involves regular
tutorials and you are advised to attend the sessions. Dates and locations of tutorials are
included in the ‘Assignment File’.
What you will learn in this course
The general aim of GST 105 ‘History and Philosophy of Science’ is to:
1. Stimulate your interest in science by encouraging you to think critically.
2. Help you attain a personal philosophy of life – that is to develop some set of
principles that will guide your actions in relation to other people.
While going through this course, you will learn about how science a
branches originated, the contributions of ancient Africans to science, and how the use of
various
scientific knowledge has helped to improve or mar our lives.
The study of the history of science and its philosophy is very important. This is
because the knowledge of today incorporates the discoveries of the past and the method
IV
SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
COURSE CODE: GST 105:
COURSE TITLE: HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
,GST 105: HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
COURSE DEVELOPMENT
Course Developer
Dr Mrs F. I Akaneme
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Unit Writer
Dr Mrs F. I. Akaneme
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Course Coordinators
Professor I. A. Olaofe
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Dr Mrs. F. I. Akaneme
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA
II
,National Open University of Nigeria
Headquarters
National Open University of Nigeria
14/16 Ahmadu Bello Way
Victoria Island
Lagos
Branch office
245 Samuel Adesujo Ademulegun Street
Central Business District
Opposite Arewa Suites
Abuja
e- mail:
URL: www.nou.edu.ng
© National Open University of Nigeria 2004
First published 2004
ISBN 978-058-000-X
Published by Longman Nigeria Plc
For
National Open University of Nigeria
Published by Longman Nigeria Plc for National Open University of Nigeria
III
, Contents Guide
Introduction
What you will learn in this course
Course aims
Course objectives
Course requirements
Course materials
Study units
Recommended textbooks
Assignment file
Assessment
Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
Final examination and grading
Course overview
Strategies for studying the course
Tutors and tutorials
Summary
Introduction
GST 105 ‘History and Philosophy of Science’ is a one semester, two-unit, foundation
(100) level course. Students of Science and non-science programmes are expected to take
this course. It is a prerequisite to your obtaining your B.A. or B.Sc. degree. The course
will consist of eighteen units. The material has been developed to suit Nigerian students
by using more practical examples from the local environment. Thereare no compulsory
prerequisites for the course.
This course guide tells you briefly what the course is about, what course materials you
will be using and how you are to use them. It provides some general guidelines for the
amount of time you might be spending in order to successfully complete each unit of the
course. It also gives you some guidance on your tutor-marked assignments, details of
which are to be found in a separate ‘Assignment File’. The course involves regular
tutorials and you are advised to attend the sessions. Dates and locations of tutorials are
included in the ‘Assignment File’.
What you will learn in this course
The general aim of GST 105 ‘History and Philosophy of Science’ is to:
1. Stimulate your interest in science by encouraging you to think critically.
2. Help you attain a personal philosophy of life – that is to develop some set of
principles that will guide your actions in relation to other people.
While going through this course, you will learn about how science a
branches originated, the contributions of ancient Africans to science, and how the use of
various
scientific knowledge has helped to improve or mar our lives.
The study of the history of science and its philosophy is very important. This is
because the knowledge of today incorporates the discoveries of the past and the method
IV
