10/24/2023
L2: The Science of Zoology
Zoology (/zoʊˈɒlәdʒi/, zoh-OL-luh-jee) or
animal biology, is the branch of biology that
relates to the animal kingdom, including the
structure, embryology, evolution,
classification, habits, and distribution of all
animals, both living and extinct, and how
they interact with their ecosystems.
-- Wikipedia, April 2015
Prof Stephen Wroe
FEARlab
Zoology, School of Environmental and
Rural Sciences
1
NO prac this week
Starting next Thursday (2nd Nov) I’ll give a weekly
ZOOM for an hour beginning at 1 pm to go over the
prac and field any general questions.
Link in Virtual Classroom block in Moodle.
This will be recorded for those who can’t attend.
There will be one extra lecture next week on
Wednesday (plant evolution). No animals without plants!
PS remember that the Intensive School is NOT
mandatory.. Although you’re encouraged to attend.
2
1
, 10/24/2023
Lecture objectives
• To understand the process of
scientific enquiry.
– how do zoologists understand the
world around them?
• To recognise that many tools
are required for this process to
be successful.
– making observations
– inductive reasoning
– hypothesis testing
– deductive reasoning
– Statistical testing
• What questions science can,
and cannot, test and assess.
Reminder: Important definitions
• Scientific Method – A body of techniques for investigating
phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating
previous knowledge
• Hypothesis – A proposed explanation for a phenomenon, which is
(i.e., it must be!) testable by the scientific method. If it’s not testable it’s
not science!
• Theory – A well‐substantiated explanation of some aspect of the
natural world that is acquired through the scientific method and repeatedly
tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation.
• Fact – A repeatable careful observation or measurement (by
experimentation or other means), also called empirical evidence.
2
L2: The Science of Zoology
Zoology (/zoʊˈɒlәdʒi/, zoh-OL-luh-jee) or
animal biology, is the branch of biology that
relates to the animal kingdom, including the
structure, embryology, evolution,
classification, habits, and distribution of all
animals, both living and extinct, and how
they interact with their ecosystems.
-- Wikipedia, April 2015
Prof Stephen Wroe
FEARlab
Zoology, School of Environmental and
Rural Sciences
1
NO prac this week
Starting next Thursday (2nd Nov) I’ll give a weekly
ZOOM for an hour beginning at 1 pm to go over the
prac and field any general questions.
Link in Virtual Classroom block in Moodle.
This will be recorded for those who can’t attend.
There will be one extra lecture next week on
Wednesday (plant evolution). No animals without plants!
PS remember that the Intensive School is NOT
mandatory.. Although you’re encouraged to attend.
2
1
, 10/24/2023
Lecture objectives
• To understand the process of
scientific enquiry.
– how do zoologists understand the
world around them?
• To recognise that many tools
are required for this process to
be successful.
– making observations
– inductive reasoning
– hypothesis testing
– deductive reasoning
– Statistical testing
• What questions science can,
and cannot, test and assess.
Reminder: Important definitions
• Scientific Method – A body of techniques for investigating
phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating
previous knowledge
• Hypothesis – A proposed explanation for a phenomenon, which is
(i.e., it must be!) testable by the scientific method. If it’s not testable it’s
not science!
• Theory – A well‐substantiated explanation of some aspect of the
natural world that is acquired through the scientific method and repeatedly
tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation.
• Fact – A repeatable careful observation or measurement (by
experimentation or other means), also called empirical evidence.
2
