• The basic concepts within philosophy of science and research methodology, such as causality, data, correlation, hypothesis, inductive-deductive methods.
• Special methods and problems within computer science and mathematics.
• Research methodology within engineering projects.
• Experimental methodology.
• Ethics in science and the role of science in society.
• How to read and write scientific reports.
• Practical training in writing of scientific reports (similar to degree projects).

Having passed the course, the student should be able to:

• explain and analyse scientific theories relevant for research in computer science,
• explain and analyse scientific methods relevant for research in computer science,
• review scientific articles in computer science with regard to theory, method and result critically
• identify methodological problems in a study
• identify ethical problems in different scientific situations and discuss them
• plan and carry out the writing of a scientific report.

The course is based on active participation and continuous reflection.

Learning takes place through lectures, homework assignments, seminars, and peer reviews.

Lectures and placement of related quizzes 

The lectures introduce the theoretical foundations of the course. Each quiz is related to specific lectures. Lecture topics include:

1. Introduction and Philosophy of Science

2. Induction, Falsification and the Hypothetico-Deductive Method

Quiz 1 (All quizzes are online and can be taken after Friday’s seminars on Monday from 9 AM to 7 PM)

3. Scientific Explanations and Causation

4. Probability and Statistics I

Quiz2

5. Probability and Statistics II

6. Deductive Methods, Realism and Anti-realism

Quiz3

7. Research Ethics I

8. Research Ethics II

Quiz4

9. Research Methodology I and  II

Quiz5

Students are expected to prepare by reading the assigned literature before each lecture.

Homework Assignments

The course contains nine mandatory homework assignments.

The purpose of the homework is to:

• deepen understanding of lecture material,
• prepare students for seminar discussions,
• practice scientific reasoning,
• develop academic writing skills.

Homework assignments must be submitted before the associated seminar.

Seminars

Students work in fixed seminar groups throughout the course and attend nine different seminars. The purpose of the seminars is to:

• discuss scientific concepts,
• analyze arguments,
• reflect on ethical and methodological issues,
• and practice academic communication.

Active participation is expected, and attendance requires completed homework.

Peer Review

Two homework assignments will be reviewed (HW3 and HW6). The purpose of peer review is both to receive feedback and to develop the ability to evaluate scientific work critically.

Corresponding the qualification requirements for Master of Science in Computer Science or Machine Learning.

The course assumes basic knowledge of computer science, programming, and probability and statistics.
Students should be familiar with fundamental concepts in computing and have completed introductory coursework in probability and statistics.
The course does not assume prior knowledge of philosophy of science or research methodology.

Course Literature: Required literature
James Ladyman:
Understanding Philosophy of Science.
Routledge.
ISBN 9780415221573.

Nicholas Walliman:
Research Methods – The Basics.
Routledge.
ISBN 9780415489942.

'Additional scientific articles may be assigned during the course.
Lecture slides will be made available in Canvas.

Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:

Funka - compensatory support for students with disabilities

• HEM1 - Exercises, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• HEM3 - Essay, 1.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• QUI1 - Digital quizzes, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Written and oral examination is done for higher grades on QUI1.

HEM1 - Exercises, 1.5 credits

Homework, Seminars, and Peer Reviews: The homework assignments and seminar participation are assessed on a Pass/Fail basis. To earn the 1.5 credits, you should attend 9 seminars, submit 9 homework assignments, and complete 2 peer reviews. Peer reviews will not be assessed by the teacher, but they are a compulsory activity to get the E.

What alternative does the student have if they missed one of the activities in HEM1?

• If you missed a seminar and/or homework and/or peer review due to illness or other unavoidable circumstances, you have two makeup seminars (1-4) and (5-9) throughout the course. The makeup seminar for four seminars is four hours, so if you missed, e.g., seminar 1, then you go to group 1, and so on. 
• If you missed the homework, you have to come to the makeup seminar. You will be given an assignment to work on and submit before the makeup seminar later in Canvas (P/F). Then the standard HW grade will be updated from F to P. If you missed one of the peer reviews, then you have to present a peer-review presentation in the makeup seminar, and then it will be updated in Canvas as completed.
• If not, and you continue missing one of the HEM1 activities and miss their makeup also, then you will fail the course, and you can cover the shortage in the next year’s course, starting in P1 

HEM3 - Essay, 1.5 credits

The essay serves as a bridge between DA2210 and future thesis work. Students analyze a completed bachelor's thesis in computer science from scientific, methodological, statistical, ethical, and philosophical perspectives.

The essay consists of three parts:

• Popular science summary
• Scientific analysis
• Suggestions for improvement and future work

The essay will be assessed on six aspects using the rubric below, with G (0) and VG (1) for each aspect, except that the sixth criterion is N/A for VG. Pass (G) must be achieved for all aspects to get an E. The final grade for HEM3 (A–E) is determined by the total number of aspects assessed as Pass with Distinction (VG): 0 = E, 1 = D, 2 = C, 3 = B, and 4 or 5 = A. 

If 1-3 aspects are failed, the grade will be Fx. It is then possible to submit an updated version of the essay within 3 weeks, and if the updated version meets the criteria, the grade E will be awarded.

What alternative does the student have if they missed the Essay?

If you missed or failed the Essay. Then you have to submit it during the period of re-examination from March 30th to April 2nd, 2027.

QUI1 - Digital quizzes, 3.0 credits

The examination consists of: 

• Five online quizzes/miniexams in Canvas during the course for grade E.
• Each quiz lasts for 30 minutes ( Funka: 40 min)
• Passing all quizzes is sufficient for Exam grade E.
• This grade can be raised to D or C in the C exam.
  This exam is not mandatory, but it is necessary if you would like to raise your course grade. 
• Students with a grade of C on the C exam can choose to take an oral exam in January with the teacher Johan Karlander to possibly raise the grade to B or A. The oral exam is a short exam and is based on a discussion of a single exam question that is revealed to the student 20 minutes before for preparation. 

The examination assesses understanding of: philosophy of science, scientific reasoning, statistics, ethics, and research methodology. The quiz assignments assess the student's ability to explain, apply, and analyse scientific theories, methods, and ethical issues. The C exam and oral exam assignments assess the student's ability to compare, critically evaluate, and justify scientific theories, methods, and ethical reasoning. The C exam is an open-book exam, and the oral exam is a closed-book exam. The following intended learning outcomes are assessed in QUI1. The criteria used for the assessment in the quizzes and C exam/oral exam are also shown.

Grading criteria for QUI1:

What alternative does the student have if they missed part of QUI1?

1. You have makeup quizzes: one on 21st Oct and the second on 4th Dec, which are the same days as the makeup seminars, but the makeup quizzes are open from 9 AM to 7 PM, and they are digital.
2. No alternative options for the C-examination. If you passed the quizzes but missed the C-Exam, you keep the E grade.
3. If you missed the oral examination, you keep the grade from the C-Exam.

FINAL GRADE

Both QUI1 and HEM3 must be passed, and  HEM1 must be completed 

The final grade includes your QUI1, which is 5 quizzes(E), and the C exam if you take it, the oral examination if you take it, and HEM3 and all HEM1 completed. The final grade is the average of QUI1 and HEM3, if needed, rounded up to the higher grade.

Attendance at the seminars is mandatory.

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.