Information Package / Course Catalogue
History of Science in Biology
Course Code: BYL326
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 3
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to examine the historical development of the science of biology through the scientists and key discoveries that played important roles in shaping the field, and to enable students to understand the processes through which scientific knowledge is formed, the evolution of biological thought, and the foundations of modern biology.

Course Content

This course examines the scientists and scientific developments that have shaped the history of biology, from Aristotle to modern biotechnology. The historical development of anatomy, physiology, microbiology, biological classification, evolution, genetics, molecular biology, and gene-editing technologies is explored, and the transformation of biological science is evaluated from a chronological perspective.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Understands the historical development and dynamics of science.
2.Uses theoretical knowledge in research.
3.Possesses knowledge of the origins and developmental processes of science related to their field.
4.Possesses comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of theory and practice in education in general and in subject-specific education in particular, as well as knowledge of the fundamental concepts and theories of related disciplines that contribute to this knowledge.
5.Learns how to access the information necessary for lifelong learning.
6.Uses theoretical and practical knowledge of the field of education to effectively plan, organize, and evaluate instruction in line with educational objectives and student needs.
7.Examines field-related studies from a scientific perspective, evaluates data, and develops solution proposals.
8.Follows scientific discussions related to the field and provides interpretations through scientific inquiry.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Hüseyin Gazi Topdemir-Yavuz Unat, Bilim Tarihi.
2.Colin A. Ronan, Bilim Tarihi. Dünya Literatüründe Bilimin Gelişmesi.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
What are Science and the History of Science? The emergence of the discipline of the history of science.
Week 2 - Theoretical
Ancient Egypt, the ideas of Mesopotamian civilizations, and their contributions to the development of later scientific thought.
Week 3 - Theoretical
Aristotle and the first systematic studies of biology.
Week 4 - Theoretical
The contributions of Galen and Andreas Vesalius to science, the discovery of human anatomy, and the birth of modern anatomy.
Week 5 - Theoretical
Ibn Sina's contributions to science include the systematization of medical and biological knowledge.
Week 6 - Theoretical
Robert Hooke's contributions to science include the discovery of the cell and the invention of the microscope.
Week 7 - Theoretical
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek's contributions to science include the discovery of microorganisms and the birth of microbiology.
Week 8 - Theoretical
Carl Linnaeus's contributions to science, the birth of taxonomy, the modern classification system (midterm exam)
Week 9 - Theoretical
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck's contributions to science, the emergence of the idea of evolution, and the first comprehensive theory of evolution.
Week 10 - Theoretical
Charles Darwin's contributions to science, the foundations of evolutionary biology, and the theory of natural selection.
Week 11 - Theoretical
Gregor Mendel's contributions to science, the birth of genetics.
Week 12 - Theoretical
Louis Pasteur's contributions to science include the germ theory and infection biology.
Week 13 - Theoretical
The contributions of Rosalind Franklin, James Watson, and Francis Crick to science, the birth of molecular biology, and the molecular basis of genetic information.
Week 14 - Theoretical
Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier's contributions to science include biotechnology, genome engineering, and the biology of the future.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures1%5
Verbal Examination1%5
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory140228
Midterm Examination120121
Final Examination125126
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)75
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
OÇ-1
4
2
2
2
3
OÇ-2
4
2
3
3
1
2
OÇ-3
4
3
2
4
3
OÇ-4
4
2
5
3
2
OÇ-5
5
3
4
3
4
1
1
OÇ-6
5
3
3
2
4
1
OÇ-7
4
4
3
4
4
2
OÇ-8
5
4
3
4
4
2
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026