REPRODUCIBILITY CRISES AND OPEN SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Why trust science? Examine critically the strengths and weaknesses of Western science in light of new efforts at overcoming the reproducibility crisis. Examine successes and failures in fostering open science focusing on ecological research in its broadest sense, although relevant to many fields of inquiry. In line with the mission of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, take an interdisciplinary look at reproducibility and scientific integrity. Find out why and why not to rely on the scientific communications of individual researchers and interest groups that showcase their preferred evidence.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: Junior standing Course Designation: Breadth - Natural Science Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2025 Learning Outcomes: 1. Master the principles of open science and reproducibility for biological and social sciences. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Practice the concepts of open science in preparation for a career in research or research administration. Audience: Graduate 3. Gain and practice skills in critical thinking about research design and scientific communication. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Integrate methods and ways of knowing from two or more fields of inquiry in social sciences and ecology. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Communicate professionally about effective open science practices, reproducibility, and scientific integrity. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Gain familiarity with retraction processes in scientific publication. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 7. Practice critical close reading of scientific methods for the identification of bias or irreproducible methods Audience: Graduate 8. Disentangle value-based from evidence-based reasoning. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad Learning Outcomes: 1. Master the principles of open science and reproducibility for biological and social sciences. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Practice the concepts of open science in preparation for a career in research or research administration. Audience: Graduate 3. Gain and practice skills in critical thinking about research design and scientific communication. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Integrate methods and ways of knowing from two or more fields of inquiry in social sciences and ecology. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Communicate professionally about effective open science practices, reproducibility, and scientific integrity. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Gain familiarity with retraction processes in scientific publication. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 7. Practice critical close reading of scientific methods for the identification of bias or irreproducible methods Audience: Graduate 8. Disentangle value-based from evidence-based reasoning. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027