Science Literacy from Coursera

Fake news or good science? In a world where we have access to unlimited information, it is hard to sift through the echo chamber of opinions fueled by emotions and personal biases, rather than scientific evidence. Science Literacy will teach you about the process of science, how to think critically, how to differentiate science from pseudoscience, how indigenous wisdom can inform science, how to understand and design a scientific study, and how to critically evaluate scientific communication in the media. Every module will build your new skill-base with real life examples, and at the end of each module you will have to apply these skills to scientific questions, talking points and controversies in the world. Warning: this course requires an open mind and the ability to self-reflect.

In Science Literacy, you’ll hear from special guests:

Timothy Caulfield, Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy and star of Netflix’s “A User's Guide to Cheating Death” on pseudoscience

Dr. Torah Kachur, Scientist and CBC journalist on science communication (and miscommunication!)

Christian Nelson, Citizen Scientist and creator of Edmonton Weather Nerdery, on experimental design

Metis Elder Elmer Ghostkeeper and Cree Elder Kokum Rose Wabasca, on the holistic nature of Indigenous wisdom and how it can work with the scientific process

Associate Professor in Psychology, Dr. David Rast on uncertainty and decision making

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to Science

Welcome to Science Literacy! In a world where we have access to unlimited information, it is hard to sift through the echo chamber of opinions fueled by emotions and personal biases, rather than scientific evidence. Science Literacy will teach you about the process of science, how to think critically, how to differentiate science from pseudoscience, and how to critically evaluate scientific communication in the media. In this first module, we'll hear from indigenous elders about the traditional process of knowledge collection, and how it can be used to inspire, consolidate, and validate scientific hypotheses. We'll introduce the process and purpose of scientific thought and give you some tips and tricks for identifying biases in arguments, as well as how to distinguish common sense and intuition from genuine scientific theories. You'll also meet your presenters Claire and Rachel in the first video, so let's get started, and get scientifically literate!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches critical thinking and how to differentiate science from pseudoscience, highly relevant to living in a world of fake news

Examines how indigenous wisdom can inform science, offering a unique perspective on knowledge creation

Teaches how to understand and design a scientific study, empowering learners to engage with science actively

Covers fundamental topics in science literacy, such as critical thinking, scientific methods, and pseudoscience

Provides insights into scientific communication and how media influences public understanding of science

Reviews summary

Science literacy: critical thinking for today

According to learners, Science Literacy from the University of Alberta is a highly positive course for developing critical thinking skills and navigating today's information overload. Students praise its relevance in identifying pseudoscience and evaluating media communication. The instructors are noted for making complex topics accessible via engaging modules and practical exercises. While excellent for beginners, some advanced learners found parts basic. Overall, it's an essential course for real-world application of scientific thought.

Features unique insights, including indigenous wisdom.

"I particularly appreciated the section on indigenous wisdom, which offered a unique perspective."

"I loved the variety of guest speakers."

Instructors make complex topics easy to grasp.

"The instructors did a great job explaining complex ideas in an accessible way."

"The videos were clear and the materials were well-organized."

"The instructor's tone was always encouraging and balanced."

"I loved the variety of guest speakers. It’s an important subject for everyone."

Directly applicable to real-world information challenges.

"Highly recommend for anyone wanting to navigate today's information overload."

"It covers important topics like pseudoscience and media bias, which are so relevant today."

"This course is a must-take in the current information landscape."

"It's not just about science; it's about life skills."

Develops vital skills for navigating information.

"This course was truly eye-opening! It taught me how to critically evaluate information, especially news articles and social media claims."

"Excellent course! It really challenged my assumptions and taught me to be more skeptical without being cynical."

"I feel much better equipped to identify fake news and understand scientific claims."

"Learning to question information, identify biases, and understand the scientific process is invaluable."

Some felt it leaned towards a specific viewpoint.

"The course has good intentions, but it occasionally felt a bit preachy."

"While it aims for neutrality, some examples seemed to push a particular viewpoint."

May be too basic for those with prior scientific knowledge.

"It's a decent overview for beginners, but if you already have a background in logic or scientific method, you might find it too basic."

"Honestly, I found this course somewhat disappointing. It rehashes many basic concepts I already knew. Not for advanced learners."

"I was hoping for more rigorous analysis, but it stayed fairly high-level."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Science Literacy with these activities:

Read a paper on the scientific method

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Become familiar with the structure and components of a scientific paper, and to understand the process of scientific inquiry.

Browse courses on Science Literacy

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Choose a paper related to the course topic.
Read the paper and identify the main argument, methods, and results.
Discuss the paper with classmates or the instructor.

Watch videos on the history of science

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Gain a deeper understanding of the historical context and evolution of scientific thought.

Browse courses on History of Science

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Choose videos that cover different periods and topics in the history of science.
Watch the videos and take notes on the key concepts.
Discuss the videos with classmates or the instructor.

Read "Bad Science" by Ben Goldacre

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Enhance understanding of the importance of critical thinking and skepticism in evaluating scientific claims.

View Statins on Amazon

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Read the book and identify the main arguments.
Discuss the book with classmates or the instructor.
Apply the principles of critical thinking to evaluate scientific claims in the media.

Five other activities

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Solve problems on scientific reasoning

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Practice applying critical thinking and logical reasoning skills to solve problems related to scientific concepts.

Browse courses on Critical Thinking

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Identify the problem and the relevant information.
Analyze the information and identify patterns.
Develop a logical argument to support a solution.
Evaluate the solution and consider alternative perspectives.

Participate in a study group to discuss course material

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Enhance understanding of course material through discussions and collaborative learning with peers.

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Form a study group with classmates.
Meet regularly to discuss course material and assignments.
Help each other understand concepts and solve problems.

Attend a workshop on data analysis

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Develop practical skills in analyzing and interpreting scientific data.

Browse courses on Data Analysis

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Identify a workshop that aligns with the course topics.
Attend the workshop and participate actively.
Apply the skills learned in the workshop to analyze scientific data.

Design an experiment to test a scientific hypothesis

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Develop skills in designing and conducting scientific experiments to test hypotheses.

Browse courses on Scientific Method

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Identify a scientific hypothesis to test.
Design an experiment that can test the hypothesis.
Conduct the experiment and collect data.
Analyze the data and draw conclusions.

Create a poster presentation on a scientific topic

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Develop skills in communicating scientific information effectively and engagingly to a general audience.

Browse courses on Scientific Communication

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Choose a topic and research the relevant information.
Design the poster, including visuals, text, and data.
Practice presenting the poster to classmates or the instructor.

Career center

Learners who complete Science Literacy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Science Researcher

Science Researchers conduct scientific research to advance our understanding of the natural world. They use their knowledge of science and research methods to design and conduct experiments, collect and analyze data, and draw conclusions. This course may be useful to Science Researchers because it helps them understand the scientific process, how to think critically about scientific information, and how to communicate scientific findings to other scientists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Researcher

Science Communicator

Science Communicators translate complex scientific information into a form that is accessible to the general public. They use their knowledge of science and communication to develop and deliver programs, presentations, and other materials that explain scientific concepts in a clear and engaging way. This course may be useful to Science Communicators because it helps them understand the scientific process, how to think critically about scientific information, and how to communicate scientific findings to a variety of audiences.

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Science Journalist

Science Journalists report on scientific research and discoveries for the general public. They use their knowledge of science and journalism to write articles, stories, and other materials that inform and educate the public about science. This course may be useful to Science Journalists because it helps them understand the scientific process, how to think critically about scientific information, and how to communicate scientific findings to a general audience.

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Science Writer

Science Writers communicate complex scientific topics to a general audience. They use their knowledge of science and writing to write articles, books, and other materials that explain scientific concepts in a clear and engaging way. This course may be useful to Science Writers because it helps them understand the scientific process, how to think critically about scientific information, and how to communicate scientific findings to a general audience.

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Science Teacher

Science Teachers teach science to students at all levels, from elementary school to college. They use their knowledge of science and education to create lesson plans, deliver instruction, and assess student learning. This course may be useful to Science Teachers because it helps them understand the scientific process, how to think critically about scientific information, and how to communicate scientific findings to students.

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Science Outreach Specialist

Science Outreach Specialists develop and implement programs that promote science education and awareness. They use their knowledge of science and outreach to create programs that are fun, engaging, and educational. This course may be useful to Science Outreach Specialists because it helps them understand the scientific process, how to think critically about scientific information, and how to communicate scientific findings to a general audience.

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Science Museum Educator

Science Museum Educators develop and deliver educational programs for visitors to science museums. They use their knowledge of science and education to create exhibits, lead tours, and give presentations that explain scientific concepts in a clear and engaging way. This course may be useful to Science Museum Educators because it helps them understand the scientific process, how to think critically about scientific information, and how to communicate scientific findings to a general audience.

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Science Editor

Science Editors oversee the production of scientific publications. They work with authors to develop and refine scientific manuscripts, and they ensure that the manuscripts are accurate, clear, and concise. This course may be useful to Science Editors because it helps them understand the scientific process, how to think critically about scientific information, and how to communicate scientific findings to a variety of audiences.

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Medical Writer

Medical Writers create written materials about medical topics for a variety of audiences, including patients, healthcare professionals, and the general public. They use their knowledge of science and writing to write articles, brochures, and other materials that are accurate, clear, and concise. This course may be useful to Medical Writers because it helps them understand the scientific process, how to think critically about scientific information, and how to communicate scientific findings to a variety of audiences.

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Science Policy Analyst

Science Policy Analysts analyze science policy and its impact on society. They use their knowledge of science and public policy to develop and evaluate policies that promote scientific research and innovation. This course may be useful to Science Policy Analysts because it helps them understand the scientific process, how to think critically about scientific information, and how to communicate scientific findings to policymakers.

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Science Consultant

Science Consultants provide scientific expertise to businesses, governments, and other organizations. They use their knowledge of science and consulting to help organizations solve problems, make decisions, and develop new products and services. This course may be useful to Science Consultants because it helps them understand the scientific process, how to think critically about scientific information, and how to communicate scientific findings to a variety of audiences.

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Science Librarian

Science Librarians help scientists and researchers find and access the information they need. They use their knowledge of science and library science to develop and maintain collections of scientific resources, and they provide reference and research assistance to scientists and researchers. This course may be useful to Science Librarians because it helps them understand the scientific process, how to think critically about scientific information, and how to communicate scientific findings to scientists and researchers.

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Science Grant Writer

Science Grant Writers write grant proposals to secure funding for scientific research. They use their knowledge of science and grant writing to develop proposals that are clear, concise, and persuasive. This course may be useful to Science Grant Writers because it helps them understand the scientific process, how to think critically about scientific information, and how to communicate scientific findings to potential funders.

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Science Administrator

Science Administrators manage the day-to-day operations of scientific organizations. They use their knowledge of science and administration to develop and implement policies, procedures, and programs that support the organization's mission. This course may be useful to Science Administrators because it helps them understand the scientific process, how to think critically about scientific information, and how to communicate scientific findings to a variety of audiences.

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Science Policy Advisor

Science Policy Advisors advise the government on science policy. They use their knowledge of science and public policy to develop and implement policies that promote scientific research and innovation. This course may be useful to Science Policy Advisors because it helps them understand the scientific process, how to think critically about scientific information, and how to communicate scientific findings to policymakers.

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