If I may interject, here's a good webcomic regarding the relationship among fields being discussed in this thread:
http://xkcd.com/435/ On 15 April 2013 09:41, J. Michael Nolan <[email protected]>wrote: > Carlos..... > > Not trying to start a full-scale war here. Not trying to put You and > anyone on the spot. You say: > > Broadly speaking, I understand that biology is not physics or chemistry. > > Even in simple ways, Biology is Physics and Chemistry. I think about some > things we know about Biology today. How much have we learned about Biology > through all kinds of Chemistry, not sure where to start. When it comes to > Physics and the like, how much Biology have we learned through things like > Electron Microscopy. I think of a video I've seen many times by Doc > Edgerton of MIT. He is credited by many for developing the very high speed > strobe or flash for Photography. How much Biology have we learned from > that? You can toss Math in there with the Photography as well. > > About language, I might even disagree with You about English being the > language of Science. Things have or already changing, maybe not too many > Papers you can't get in the language of your choice. I still know that at > the 4 year undergrad school I went to....4 years of Latin were required, > along with 4 years of another language. I am guessing here, but I have many > more non-American friend and colleagues who speak English better than many > Americans, and also have many friends and colleagues that are completely > lost outside of the English language. Thanks, not picking on you. > > Mike Nolan > > Forgive me if I'm a bit simple but as I don’t have educational > responsibilities allows me to be reckless (Unfortunately I have not any > responsibility in science now too). Broadly speaking, I understand that > biology is not physics or chemistry. Many physics study plays with the > infinite term since its field of action is the universe, "infinites > universes". So if something happens and it is shown mathematically, based > on statistical probabilities, has to happen. The infinity has a very > limited application in biology since their field is the life on earth. So > if something happens and it is shown mathematically don´t have to occur in > biology. Here acts the common sense and empirical experimentation. This has > led, in my opinion, to some biologists and education systems to > underestimate, stupidly, to mathematics. I say stupidly because mathematics > is the language of science and the biological facts need besides common > sense be refuted mathematically. I.e. The undergraduate study of biology in > Spain mandatory had at first year with 12 credits of mathematics, 12 > credits of chemistry, and 12 credits of physics (applied to biological > processes). In recent years the studies have been adapted to "european > system", seeking unification towards more practical and less theoretical. > Currently undergraduate study of biology have 4.5 credits of math, 6 > credits of chemistry and 6 credits of physics applied to biological > processes. In my opinion to prioritize the practical knowledge reducing > basic theoretical knowledge in undergraduate studies of biology is a > mistake. To implement their practical knowledge the students could do a MS > and PhD. Almost in Spain we have gone from a system with few practical > knowledge to a system that prioritizes the practical over the theoretical > knowledge. We tipped the balance the other side. > > > > Pd.- Regarding to teachers who don’t speak good English. I can understand > to the students, but more difficult is having to explain and defend an idea > in a language that isn’t your mother language. How many scientists English > speakers have tried to defend his doctoral disertation or their results at > a congress or journal in French, German or Spanish…? This could be a > mandatory exercise in every good university UK, USA... I think that it > would make to some ones more cautious, more understanding and more polite > when listening to a non-English speaking or acting as referee. > > > > I know that English is currently the language of science. But the fact that > science can not be done unless you have a good level of English is a huge > handicap for many scientists who studied others languages as Spanish, > French or German when they were child. I.e. for a Spanish who don’t studied > English when was child is almost impossible to speak good English. It is a > problem of brain. The Spanish language use 5 vowels and the English > language12. How many great ideas and scientific have been lost because of > that English is the only one language of science? > > > > All the best. > > > > Carlos > > > > ---------- > > If we are on another line or away from the phone, please leave your > number, best time to return your call and your e-mail address. > > After hours and weekend phone appointments are available upon request. > > Sincerely, > > J. Michael Nolan, Director > > Rainforest and Reef > > > ****************************************************************************************** > "Outstanding-Affordable Field Courses in Rainforest & Marine Ecology" > > Destinations and Field Courses that we Specialize in: > > North America....Alaska (Southeast and the Interior), Hawaii, British > Columbia, the Florida Keys and Everglades National Park > > Caribbean....The Islands of Curacao and Dominica > > Central America....Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and > Panamá > > South America....Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador and The Galápagos Islands and > Péru > > Mexico....The Baja Peninsula (especially during the Spring Whale Migration > and Breeding season) > > East Africa....Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar Island > > Australia and New Zealand > > Birding, Photography, Botanical Garden Tours are available upon request to > most Destinations that we offer. > > The following "Research Expeditions" are now also available upon > request...Endangered Species of Brazil; Macaws and Primates of the Peruvian > Amazon (Tambopata-Candamo Reserve Zone) and Endangered Sea Turtles of Costa > Rica (widecast.org). > > Spanish/Cultural Immersion Programs are available in Costa Rica, Panamá, > Ecuador, Perú, Bolivia and Spain. > > Sea Kayaking is available in British Columbia, Southeast Alaska, Baja > Mexico, Belize and The Galápagos Islands. > > References/Comments from past Group Leaders and Individual Participants > can be found at our Website (http://rainforestandreef.org/comments.htm), > many more are available upon request. > > Rainforest and Reef > 161 Main St. > Coopersville, MI 49404 > Local/International Phone: 1.616.604.0546 > Toll Free U.S. and Canada: 1.877.255.3721 > Fax: 1.616.604.0546 > Google Talk/Skype: travelwithrandr > AOL IM: buddythemacaw > E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected] > Note: Please send inquiries to both e-mail addresses > Web: http://rainforestandreef.org (under revision for 2013 and beyond) > > ****************************************************************************************** > -- M.S. 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