Fundamentals of the History and Epistemology of Science

This course combines historical and epistemological approaches to critically analyze the construction of scientific knowledge, as well as the use of these approaches in didactics. It is based on a presentation of the major milestones in the history of science and introduces fundamental notions of epistemology, without neglecting the cultural dimensions of scientific knowledge. This historical and epistemological overview of scientific disciplines cannot claim to be exhaustive.

The program is divided into three parts:

History of science and technology

• introduction to the major currents in the history of science
•  history of mathematics
•  history of physics
•  history of biology 

Epistemology

• logical positivism, verificationism, falsificationism
•  scientific realism and anti-realisms
•  paradigm and scientific revolution

History of science and epistemology in didactics

• parallel between the historical evolution of science and the evolution of students' conceptions
• epistemological analysis and the investigative approach to science teaching
• using the history of science in the classroom

Certified cross-disciplinary skills :

• Develop a critical awareness of knowledge in one field and/or at the interface of several fields
• Communicate orally and in writing in French and at least one foreign language for training or knowledge transfer purposes

Specific certified skills :

• Mobilizing and sharing specialized knowledge
• Identify the process of producing, disseminating and promoting knowledge