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Section outline

    • Course Description

      The Universal History of Biological Sciences explores the remarkable journey of biology, tracing its development from the earliest human interactions with nature to the advanced sciences of today.

      This module covers the evolution of biological thought through key historical periods: prehistory, antiquity, middle ages, renaissance, and modern times.

      Through this module, you will gain insight into how the field of biology has continuously evolved, influenced by philosophical, cultural, and technological advancements. You'll explore key figures, theories, and discoveries that have shaped modern biological sciences and examine how biology has grown into a vast and interconnected discipline that continues to unravel the complexities of life

       

    • Content

      - Chapter I: Prehistory

      - Chapter II: Antiquity

      - Chapter III: Middle Ages

      - Chapter IV: Renaissance 

      - Chapter V: Modern times

    • Module informations:

      MODULE COEFFICIENT : 01.
      •MODULE CREDIT : 01.
      •WEEKLY HOURS: 01H30.
      •TIMING: 15 WEEKS.
    •  

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      Teacher : Dr. AMROUN-BOUARIDJ Djouher.

          Contact : djouher.amroun@univ-bejaia.dz / djoudjoubouaridj@gmail.com

         Availability: Office 228, Sundays from 11:20 AM to 12:50 PM.

    • General Objectives of the Course

      • Understand the Evolution of Biological Sciences: Trace the historical development of biology from ancient practices to modern scientific disciplines.

      • Recognize Key Figures and Milestones: Identify influential scientists and discoveries that have shaped our understanding of life and its processes.

      • Appreciate Interdisciplinary Contributions: Explore how advancements in technology, medicine, and other sciences have influenced biological knowledge.

      • Develop Critical Thinking: Analyze how historical contexts shaped scientific progress and the interplay between cultural, philosophical, and technological factors.

      • Inspire Scientific Inquiry: Encourage a deeper appreciation for the biological sciences and their impact on understanding and improving life.

    • Chapter I: Introduction to Universal History of Biological Sciences and History of biology in the prehistoric era

      Specific Objectives

      • Understand Early Human Interaction with Nature: Explore how prehistoric humans observed and utilized plants, animals, and their environment for survival, including food, shelter, and medicine.

      • Examine the Roots of Biological Knowledge: Identify the origins of fundamental biological practices, such as plant domestication and animal breeding, in prehistoric times.

      • Analyze Early Medical Practices: Understand how prehistoric humans used empirical methods to treat illnesses and injuries based on their observations of the natural world.

      • Recognize Symbolism and Cultural Influence: Investigate how early humans incorporated biological phenomena into their art, rituals, and mythology.

      • Trace the Transition to Early Civilizations: Highlight how the accumulation of biological knowledge during prehistory set the stage for more structured scientific approaches in ancient civilizations.

    • Exchange area

      This area is reserved for exchanges between students.

    • This space is dedicated to exchanges regarding Chapter I. If you have any questions or need clarification, please don't hesitate to reach out.

    • Chapter II: Antiquity

      Specific objectives 


      1. Trace the Origins of Biological Thought

      • Explore early contributions to biology by ancient civilizations, such as:
      • Greek thinkers like Aristotle, often considered the "Father of Biology," for his work on taxonomy and animal observation.
      • Hippocrates, the "Father of Medicine," and his approach to natural causes of disease.
      • Roman and Egyptian advancements in anatomy, medicine, and pharmacology.

      2. Study Early Practices in Medicine and Health

      • Investigate ancient medical practices, including surgical techniques, herbal remedies, and early understandings of disease prevention.
      • Analyze Egyptian medical texts like the Ebers Papyrus, which documented treatments and diseases.

      3. Understand Contributions to Anatomy and Physiology

      • Learn how ancient dissections and anatomical studies, such as those conducted by Herophilos and Erasistratus, shaped the field of human biology.
      • Examine Egyptian mummification processes and how they contributed to knowledge about human anatomy.

      4. Explore the Evolution of Scientific Methodology

      • Study how early thinkers combined observation, experimentation, and philosophical reasoning to develop biological concepts.
      • Understand the foundations laid by ancient scholars for the modern scientific method.

      5. Analyze Agricultural and Environmental Practices

      • Learn about early agricultural innovations, such as irrigation systems in Mesopotamia and Egypt, and their impact on ecosystems.
      • Study how ancient civilizations managed biodiversity through selective breeding of plants and animals.

      6. Investigate Early Ideas About Ecology and Natural History

      • Explore ancient views on ecosystems and interspecies relationships, such as Aristotle's classification system and ideas about the "Great Chain of Being."
      • Understand how ancient thinkers conceptualized the balance between humans and nature.

      7. Examine the Legacy of Ancient Biological Knowledge

      • Trace how ancient knowledge influenced later scientific revolutions, such as the Renaissance and Enlightenment.
      • Identify biological principles from antiquity that persist in modern biology, like the classification of organisms or basic anatomical structures.

      8. Develop a Multidisciplinary Perspective

      • Integrate history, philosophy, and biology to understand how cultural and scientific ideas co-evolved.

      • Appreciate the role of historical contexts in shaping the development of biological sciences.

    • In this folder, you will find all the civilizations studied in the course, notably:

      • Mesopotamian Civilization
      • Egyptian Civilization
      • Greek and Roman Civilization
      • Indian, Chinese, and Mayan Civilizations
    • Exchange area

      This area is reserved for exchanges between students.

    • This space is dedicated to exchanges regarding Chapter II. If you have any questions or need clarification, please don't hesitate to reach out.

    • Chapter III: Middle Ages

      Specific objectives:

      1. Preservation and Transmission of Knowledge

      • Study how ancient biological texts (e.g., works of Hippocrates, Galen, Aristotle, and Theophrastus) were preserved, translated, and expanded by medieval scholars.
      • Explore the role of Islamic scholars (e.g., Avicenna, Al-Razi) in preserving and advancing biological knowledge.

      2. Advances in Medicine and Anatomy

      • Examine medieval medical practices, including surgical techniques, bloodletting, and the humoral theory of health and disease.
      • Study the role of medical schools, such as those in Salerno, Baghdad, and Montpellier, in advancing anatomy and medicine.
      • Explore the impact of religious beliefs on dissection and anatomical studies.

      3. Botany and Herbal Medicine

      • Analyze medieval herbals and their role in documenting plant-based remedies.
      • Study monastic contributions to botany, including the cultivation of medicinal plants in monastery gardens.
      • Discuss the work of Hildegard of Bingen and her contributions to natural history and herbal medicine.

      4. Agricultural Practices and Environmental Interactions

      • Investigate medieval innovations in agriculture, such as the three-field system, crop rotation, and improvements in soil management.
      • Study the impact of medieval farming on ecosystems and biodiversity.
      • Examine the domestication and use of animals for farming, transport, and food.

      5. Natural Philosophy and Zoology

      • Explore medieval interpretations of animal behavior, anatomy, and classification, influenced by Aristotle’s works.
      • Study medieval bestiaries and their blend of natural observation and allegory.
      • Analyze the influence of religious texts on understanding life and nature.

      6. The Role of Universities and Scholarly Exchange

      • Study the rise of medieval universities and their role in shaping biological thought.
      • Explore the interplay of Islamic, Jewish, and Christian scholars in the exchange of ideas.

      7. Epidemics and Public Health

      • Analyze the understanding and management of diseases, such as the Black Death and leprosy.
      • Explore medieval public health practices and their biological underpinnings.

      8. Legacy of Medieval Biological Sciences

      • Reflect on how medieval biological knowledge bridged ancient and modern science.
      • Evaluate the long-term impact of medieval scholars and texts on the Renaissance and beyond.

       

    • Exchange area

      This area is reserved for exchanges between students.

    • This space is dedicated to exchanges regarding Chapter I. If you have any questions or need clarification, please don't hesitate to reach out.

    • Chapter IV: Renaissance

      Specific objectives:

      1. Examine the key features of the Renaissance, including the rediscovery of ancient knowledge, development of the scientific method, and technological advancements.
      2. Highlight the contributions of revolutionary scientists in the 16th century, such as Andreas Vesalius and Leonardo da Vinci, and their impact on fields like anatomy and microbiology.
      3. Analyze the significant scientific advancements and discoveries of the 17th century, focusing on scientists like William Harvey and Robert Hooke, and their contributions to medicine and biology.
      4. Explore the fundamental revisions in biology and medicine during the Renaissance, including corrections to misconceptions about blood circulation and human anatomy, and the adoption of rigorous observational and experimental methods.

    • HUSB COURSE

      HUSB COURSE
      Wednesday, December 4 · 6:00 – 7:00pm
      Google Meet joining info
      Video call link: https://meet.google.com/xsa-qzfy-ccb



       

    • CONTACT FORM

      Teacher : Dr.ARAB Radia

      Contact :radia.arab@univ-bejaia.dz/radiaarab06@gmail.com

      Availability: Sunday from 13 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Monday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Meeting room in the department

       

    •                                TARGETED SKILLS

      A course on biological science history can cover a wide range of topics, from evolutionary theory to the history of scientific discovery in biology. Targeted skills for students taking such a course would typically aim to foster both deep understanding of biological concepts and the ability to analyze and interpret historical developments in biology. Below is a list of key skills that might be developed:

       

      1. Understanding of Key Biological Concepts

      2. Critical Analysis of Scientific Theories

      3. Chronological Understanding of Major Biological Discoveries

      4. Integration of Multidisciplinary Knowledge

      5. Research and Methodological Skills

      7. Knowledge of Current Trends in Historical Biology

       



    • INTRODUCTION

      Biological sciences have their roots in the curiosity of early humans about the living world—observing plants, animals, and the body, and pondering questions about life, death, and the natural world. From the foundational ideas of ancient philosophers like Aristotle to the groundbreaking work of Darwin, Mendel, and beyond, the history of biology reveals a fascinating story of discovery, debate, and revolution. This course will explore how key figures, discoveries, and theories have evolved, while also examining how the biological sciences have influenced and been influenced by culture, politics, ethics, and technology over the centuries.

      Through this course, you will:

      1. Explore Major Milestones: Trace the history of biology from its origins in ancient natural history to the modern age of genetics, molecular biology, and ecology.
      2. Understand the Evolution of Ideas: Analyze the development of key biological concepts, such as the nature of life, evolution, heredity, the cell, and ecosystems, and how these ideas have changed over time.
      3. Assess the Role of Technology and Society: Investigate how technological innovations—like the microscope, DNA sequencing, and CRISPR gene editing—have propelled the biological sciences forward, while also considering how biology has impacted society (e.g., medicine, agriculture, conservation, and ethics).
      4. Apply Historical Insights to Contemporary Issues: Gain a deeper understanding of how the history of biology informs current biological challenges, from climate change and biodiversity loss to the ethics of genetic modification and medical research.

      The history of biological sciences is a story of intellectual curiosity, profound insights, and, at times, controversy. It is a story that not only helps us understand the past but also sheds light on the future of life sciences. By the end of this course, you will not only have a deeper appreciation for the science of biology but also a greater understanding of the historical forces that have shaped our modern understanding of life on Earth.

       

    • CHAPTER I: PREHISTORY

    • CHAPTER II: ANTIQUITY

    • CHAPTER III: MIDDLE AGE

    • CHAPTER IV :RENAISSANCE

    • CHAPTER V MODERN TIME

    • Final cours HUSB
      Mercredi 18 déc.  •  8:00 – 9:00 PM
      Informations de connexion Google Meet
      Lien de l'appel vidéo : https://meet.google.com/qyx-cyua-gjz
      Ou composez le +1 707-518-0781 CODE : 464 965 591#