INTRODUCTION

BI1201 Introduction to Life Sciences and Technology

School of Life Sciences and Technology
January 23rd, 2015

Sub-Topics
Overview

Scientific method
System thinking
Critical thinking
BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Introduction to Life Sciences and Technology

- Course Overview -

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Lecturers and Assistant

Prof. Dr. Tati S. Syamsudin, MS.DEA.

Dr. Achmad Sjarmidi

Arni Rahmawati Fahmi Sholihah (Assistant)

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

About the Course

Syllabus

This course explains the relationship among bioscience

concepts, bioengineering, biomanagement, bioeconomics,
biotechnology and social system as basics of bioindustry in
energy, food, health, materials and environmental aspects.

Students are able to explain how the application of life

sciences and technology in specific bioindustrial
Outcome
development issues selected for the course.

(See detailed information in academic website)

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Contents

Scientific
Methodology

Bio-Industrial
Models
Socio-Cultural
Aspects in BioIndustris

Critical
Thinking

Systems Thinking
Bio-System

Introduction to Life
Sciences and
Technology

Bio-Economy

BioManagement

Bio-Resources

Technologys
System

Final Assesment

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Mid test

30%

Final test

30%

Assignments

30%

Presence

10%

Total

100%

References
Ann Saterbak, Larry V. Mc Intire, Ka-Yiu San. Bioengineering Fundamentals. Pearson
Prentice Hall Bioengineering. 2007 .
Joseph Fiksel. Design for Environment: Creating Eco-Efficient Products and Processes.
McGraw-Hill. 1996.
Bernard W., Taylor III. Introduction to Management Science (Sains Manajemen Edisi 8) Buku
I dan II. Penerbit Salemba Empat. 2005.
William W. Keller dan Richard J. Samuels. Crissis and Innovation in Asian Technology.
Cambridge University Press. 2003.

Other relevant sources (textbooks, journals, websites, etc.)

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Science
What is Science?

An attempt to
discover order in
nature and use
that knowledge to
make prediction
about what is likely
to happen in
nature.
BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

What Scientists DO???

Types of Reasoning Scientists Use

Inductive Reasoning

Deductive Reasoning

Involves using specific

observations and measurements
to arrive at a general observation
and measurements to arrive at a
general conclusion or hypothesis.

Involve using logic to arrive at a

specific conclusion on a
generalization of premise.

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Example of Experiment:
Inductive Reasoning (1)

Question
You walk into
your bedroom
at night and
flick on the light
switch.The light
does not come
on.

Observation

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Why did the

light not come
on?

Maybe the
power for the
house is out

Hypothesis

Example of Experiment:
Inductive Reasoning (2)

Experiment
If the power
is out, the
lights in
other rooms
should also
be out.

Test of
Hypothesis

To check this
prediction,
go to other
rooms and
click light
switches.

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Conclusion
Lights in
other rooms
come on
when their
switches are
clicked.

Results

Power to
whole house
is not out.

Example of Experiment:
Deductive Reasoning (1)
Observations
Mimicry of
certain fly
species
(prey) to
imitate
jumping
spiders
(predator)

Jumping spiders
wave their legs
in the presence
of potential
competitors
Certain fly
species, when
approached by
jumping spiders,
wave their wings
which have
markings that
resemble spider
legs

Phenomenon
BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Hypothesis
What is
the
function of
the flies
wing
markings
and
waving
behavior?

Question

The
markings
and wing
waving
increase
survival of
the flies by
causing
jumping
spiders to
flee

Example of Experiment:
Deductive Reasoning (2)

Experiment

That the
hypothesis
is correct

The flies
wing
markings
are
masked
with a dye

Prediction

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Then jumping
spiders should
pounce on
the
experimental
flies more
often than
they do on
control flies
with normal
wing

Predicted
Result

Conclusion

Conclusion
Is the
hypothesis
about the
wing
markings
correct?

Example of Experiment:
Deductive Reasoning (3)

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Hierarchy of Scientific Confidence

Scientific
Law/Principle

Scientific
Theory

Designed to test the hypothesis

- Hypothesis fail the test rejected

- Hypothesis survived the test accepted

Experiment

Tentative explanation a scientist proposes for a

specific phenomenon that has been observed

Hypothesis

All the phenotypic characteristic of an organism

Phenomenon

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

When a hypothesis has been tested over and over

again and has not been contradicted
- E = MC

Scientific
Law/Principle

- Law of Thermodynamics
Synthesis of a large body of information that
encompasses well-tested and verified hypotheses
about certain aspect of the natural world.
Evolves in redefinition and refinement.

- Evolution Theory

Hierarchy of Scientific
Confidence
BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Scientific
Theory

Experiment

SYSTEM THINKING

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

What is Systems Thinking?

Scientific field of knowledge for understanding change and complexity
through the study of dynamic cause and effect over time.

As paradigm, its a way of thinking about the world and relationship.

Dynamic
Thinking

Forest
Thinking

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Operational
Thinking

Systems
Thinking

Closed-loop
Thinking

Methodology in Systems Thinking

Casual Loop Maps
Stock and Flow Models

Microworlds (Computer Simulation)

Learning Laboratory
Group Model Building
BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Principles in Systems Thinking

Big Picture

The art of seeing the forest and the trees; the whole is more than the sum of its
part. Any problem is related to the larger forces and interactions.

Short and
Long Term

While habitual short-term fixes can impede long-term outcomes, one cannot ignore
necessary short-term measures.

Soft
Indicators

There is more to a system than can be measured by conventional performance

indicators, known as Key Performance Indicator (KPI), Critical Success Factor (CSF),
Balanced Score Card (BSC).

System as
a Cause

A great deal of problems encountered by organizations are created internally.

We contribute to our own problems not only because of the unintended
consequences but also because of our mental models.

Time and
Space

Cause and effect are often not close in time and space.
Time delays and chain effects of actions often mask the connection between cause
and effect.

Cause vs.
Symptom

Common confussion between cause and symptom of problem leads to

inappropriate treatment.

Either-Or
Thinking

Complex problem or decisions are often presented as either-or choises.

Yet, modern sciences suggests that reality is a potential with multiple outcomes.

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Systems vs. Linear Thinking

Systems Thinking Conventional Linear Thinking

System thinking involves:

Dependent factors
Loops of causes and symptoms; casuality is often circular.
Factors are often not equally important; it could be even
hierarchical.

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Critical Thinking Skill

Critical thinking is a skill

Critical thinking is the capacity to distinguish between beliefs (what we think is true)
and knowledge (facts that are backed by accurate observation) helps us separate
judgment from facts

Critical thinking involves subjecting facts and conclusions to careful analysis, looking
for weaknesses in logic and other errors or reasoning

There is no single formula on how to think critically

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Why Do I Need to Think Critically?

Prof. Karen J. Warren of Macalester College
suggests the following list :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Skepticism and independence

Open-mindedness and flexibility
Contextual sensitivity and empathy
Accuracy and orderliness
Persistence and relevance
Decisiveness and courage
Humility

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

CONCEPTS & RULES

Concept 1

Rule 1

Critical thinking requires

one to know as much
information about an
issue as possible before
rendering an opinion or
making a decision.

Gather all information :

Dig deeper
Learn all you can
before you decide
Dont mistake
ignorance for
perspective

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

CONCEPTS & RULES

Concept 2

Rule 2

To think critically about

an issue, one must
understand the terms
and concepts related to
it.

Understand all terms

Define all terms you
use
Be sure you
understand terms and
concepts others use

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

CONCEPTS & RULES

Concept 3

Rule 3

Critical thinking requires

that we know how
information has been
acquired and that we
question the methods by
which it was derived.

Questions how information

is derived.

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Were they derived from

scientific study?
Were the studies well
conceived and carried out?
Were there an adequate
number of subjects?
Was there a control group
and an experiment group?
Has the study been
repeated successfully?
Is the information
anecdotal?

CONCEPTS & RULES

Concept 4

Rule 4

Critical thinking requires

one to search for hidden
biases and assumptions
that may influence ones
understanding of an
issue or interpretation of
data.

Question the source of

information.
Is the source invested
in the outcome of the
issue?
Is the source biased?
Do underlying
assumptions affect
the viewpoint of the
source?

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

CONCEPTS & RULES

Concept 5

Rule 5

Critical thinking requires

us to question the
conclusion drawn from
facts to see if other
interpretations might be
possible.

Question the conclusion.

Do the facts support
the conclusion?
Correlation does not
necessarily mean
causation

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

CONCEPTS & RULES

Concept 6

Rule 6

Our knowledge of the

world around us is
evolving, so it is
necessary to accept
uncertainty as an
inevitable fact of life and
make decisions with the
best information
possible.

Expect and tolerate

uncertainty.
Hard and fast answers
arent always possible
Learn to be
comfortable with not
knowing

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

CONCEPTS & RULES

Concept 7

Rule 7

To become a critical
thinker it is necessary to
examine the big picture relationships and entire
system.

Examine the big picture.

Study the whole
system
Look for hidden
causes and effects
Avoid simplistic
thinking
Avoid dualistic
thinking

BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Assignment
1. Whats the difference between scientific inquiry and nonscientific inquiry?
2. From your opinion, which one would be better for
understanding life sciences and technology, system thinking
or linear thinking? State your arguments.

3. What is the relationship between systems thinking and

critical thinking? Elaborate your answer.
BI1201 Pengantar Sains dan Teknologi Hayati

Submission
Submit your assignment individually via e-mail
to arni.rahmawati@gmail.com
File type
File name

:
:

Mail subject
Deadline

:
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pdf
PSTH_A1_NIM
e.g. PSTH_A1_16107055
PSTH A1
January 26th, 2015

23.59 WIB
Only submission with relevant format will be
evaluated.

Sulawesi Fanged Frog (Limnonectes larvaepartus)

The only tadpole laying frog species known
A discovery by Prof. Djoko T. Iskandar
(Picture by Jimmy McGuire)
http://www.sith.itb.ac.id/?p=2411

Thank you ...