Scientific knowledge, hypothesis testing, scientific texts, observations and experiment, explanation and laws, models and simulation, paradigms. Short history of computation and computers, writing technical reports and thesis reports, overview of important journals and textbooks, library search within some specific area.
DA2205 Introduction to the Philosophy of Science and Research Methodology 7.5 credits
Information per course offering
Choose semester and course offering to see current information and more about the course, such as course syllabus, study period, and application information.
Information for Autumn 2025 scimet25 programme students
- Course location
KTH Campus
- Duration
- 25 Aug 2025 - 12 Jan 2026
- Periods
- P1 (3.0 hp), P2 (4.5 hp)
- Pace of study
25%
- Application code
50376
- Form of study
Normal Daytime
- Language of instruction
English
- Course memo
- Course memo is not published
- Number of places
Places are not limited
- Target group
Open for all programmes from year 3 and for all master's programmes as long as it can be included in your programme.
- Planned modular schedule
- [object Object]
- Schedule
- Schedule is not published
- Part of programme
Contact
Course syllabus as PDF
Please note: all information from the Course syllabus is available on this page in an accessible format.
Course syllabus DA2205 (Spring 2019–)Headings with content from the Course syllabus DA2205 (Spring 2019–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
Intended learning outcomes
The aim of the course is to provide a deeper understanding of the methodological and underlying philosophical issues that arise in science, in particular the computational sciences, and inspire to reflection on such issues within the student's own area of study. The course introduces key concepts in the philosophy and methodology of science such as knowledge, truth, belief, subjectivity, intersubjectivity and objectivity, causality vs. covariation, scientific explanation, the nature and epistemology of models and simulation, the path from science to policy, hypothesis testing, verifying and falsifying hypotheses, research ethics.
After having taken the course the student should be able to
- present the foundational issues in the methodology and philosophy of science, especially as regards the natural, technological and computational sciences.
- present the history of computation and computers
- do a library search within the subject
- write a technical report within the subject
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
No information inserted
Recommended prerequisites
Courses in Scientific computing (Numerical Analysis and Computer science).
Literature
You can find information about course literature either in the course memo for the course offering or in the course room in Canvas.
Examination and completion
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Grading scale
A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Examination
- HEM1 - Assignments, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
- HEM2 - Assignments, 3.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
- TEN1 - Examination, 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.
Other requirements for final grade
Examination: (TEN1; 3 university credits)
Home assignments: (LAB1; 1,5 university credits, LAB2; 3 university credits)
Examiner
Ethical approach
- 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.
Further information
Course room in Canvas
Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.
Offered by
Main field of study
Computer Science and Engineering
Education cycle
Second cycle
Supplementary information
In this course, the school's honor code is applied, see:
https://www.kth.se/en/eecs/utbildning/hederskodex/inledning-1.17237