Theoretical life sciences

Theoretical Biology both analyses the process of formulation of theories and formulates theories itself. These theories are of a general and fundamental nature. Theoretical Biology is the logical counterpart of Experimental Biology, a situation that is well known from physics. Both disciplines are extremes of the empirical cycle, where data (observations) are collected and evaluated in hypotheses about cause and effect; predictions for new situations are made on the basis of these hypotheses, and data are collected to test and improve the hypotheses. The need for Theoretical Biology increases with the distance (the number of evaluation steps) between data and hypotheses. This happens when hypotheses become more abstract and/or general, and when large and diverse sets of data are involved.

For more information take a look at the departmental website:

Website Theoretical Life Sciences

Contact

Director Department of Theoretical Life Sciences
Prof. dr. S.A.L.M. Kooijman
Phone: +31 (0)20 59 87130
E-mail: bas.kooijman@falw.vu.nl 

Secretary Department of  Theoretical Life Sciences
Mrs. K.J.M. Uyldert
Phone: +31 (0)20 59 87005
Fax: +31 (0)20 59 87123
E-mail: karin.uyldert@falw.vu.nl