Course Form
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
Wildlife Biology
Course Title
Conducting strong inference science
Prefix and Course #
WBIO 545
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces)
Strong inference science
Summarize the change(s) proposed
Switch from 595 to new course number
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Requestor:
Thomas E Martin
Phone/ email :
Tom.martin@umontana.edu
Program Chair/Director:
Daniel Pletscher
Other affected programs
Dean:
Date
Perry Brown
Are other departments/programs affected by this
Please obtain signature(s) from the
modification because of
Chair/Director of any such department/
(a) required courses incl. prerequisites or corequisites,
program (above) before submission
(b) perceived overlap in content areas
(c) cross-listing of coursework
III: To Add a New Course Syllabus and assessment information is required (paste syllabus into
section V or attach). Course should have internal coherence and clear focus.
NO
Common Course Numbering Review: Does an equivalent course exist elsewhere YES
X
in the MUS? Do the proposed abbreviation, number, title and credits align with
existing course(s)? Please indicate equivalent course/campus 
http://mus.edu/transfer/CCN/ccn_default.asp
Exact entry to appear in the next catalog (Specify course abbreviation, level, number, title, credits,
repeatability (if applicable), frequency of offering, prerequisites, and a brief description.) 
Offered every fall. Graduate level, or consent of instructor for advanced undergraduates. Teach principles
and philosophy of conducting strong inference science. Practical application to student’s own thesis research.
Justification: How does the course fit with the existing curriculum? Why is it needed?
The course provides a graduate student education component that advances rigor of thesis research that is not
provided in other courses.
Are there curricular adjustments to accommodate teaching this course?
No.
Complete for UG courses. (UG courses should be assigned a 400 number).
Describe graduate increment (Reference guidelines: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm)
Fees may be requested only for courses meeting specific conditions determined by the
Board of Regents. Please indicate whether this course will be considered for a fee.
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee?
Justification:
IV. To Delete or Change an Existing Course – check X all that apply
Deletion
Title
Course Number Change
From:
Level U, UG, G
To:
Description Change
Repeatability
YES
From:
To:
NO
X
Change in Credits
From:
To:
Prerequisites
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
Cross Listing
(primary program
initiates form)
Is there a fee associated with the course?
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed) 
3. If cross-listed course: secondary program & course
number
4. Is this a course with MUS Common Course Numbering? If yes, then will this change eliminate the
course’s common course status? Please explain below.
5. Graduate increment if level of course is changed to
UG. Reference guidelines at:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm
(syllabus required in section V)
Have you reviewed the graduate increment
guidelines? Please check (X) space provided.
6. Other programs affected by the change
7. Justification for proposed change
V. Syllabus/Assessment Information
Required for new courses and course change from U to UG. Paste syllabus in field below or attach and send
digital copy with form.
See attached.
VI Department Summary (Required if several forms are submitted) In a separate document list course
number, title, and proposed change for all proposals.
VII Copies and Electronic Submission. After approval, submit original, one copy, summary of
proposals and electronic file to the Faculty Senate Office, UH 221, camie.foos@mso.umt.edu.
Revised 11-2009
Conducting Strong Inference Science
WBIO
Fall 2010
Instructors:
Thomas E Martin
Natural Sciences 205; phone 243-4393; email: tom.martin@umontana.edu
Office Hours: MF 9 – 10:00; 1-3:00
Objectives:
The purpose of this course is to teach graduate students in natural resources and biological sciences
to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Understand strong inference and hypothetico-deductive approaches to science.
Induction vs deduction; statistical vs research hypotheses
How to construct/develop alternative hypotheses and the predictions for falsifying them.
Elucidate and make explicit assumptions and how to treat them.
Learn how to identify and espouse major gaps in knowledge.
Give presentations that incorporate these principles.
Learn to evaluate and provide feedback on these principles for presentations.
References:
Platt, J.R. 1964. Strong inference. Science. 146:347-353.
Popper, K. R. (1982), Realism and the Aim of Science, Hutchinson, London.
Course Grades will be based on the following proportions:
Active participation in discussion
Presentations
0.50
0.50
University policies on drops, adds, changes of grade option, or change to audit status will be strictly
enforced in this course. These policies are described on page 21 of the 2007-2008 Catalog. Students
should specifically note that after the 30th day of the semester, such changes are NOT automatically
approved. They may be requested by petition, but the petition MUST be accompanied by
documentation of extenuating circumstances. Requests to drop a course or change the grade basis to
benefit a student's grade point average will not be approved.
All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by
the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the University.
All students should be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online.
DATE
SCHEDULED TOPIC
6 September
Introduction to basic ideas and structure of the course
13 September
Strong inference and hypothesis testing, predictions
20 September
Deductive/inductive approaches, stating assumptions, developing gap in
knowledge – example presentation on offspring size
27 September
5 min presentations of each student: integrating all principles above and
critiques by other students – learning how to critique/interact
4 October
Continued 5 min presentations and critiques
11 October
Barton – full presentation and critique
18 October
Heers – full presentation
25 October
Crandell – full presentation
1 November
Johnson – full presentation
8 November
Majewska – full presentation
15 November
Ton – full presentation
22 November
Me – new full example presentation
29 November
Boyce – full presentation
6 December
Full presentation