Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Major: History and Philosophy of Science

Program Overview

The Department of Philosophy and the Department of History together offer an undergraduate major in the history and philosophy of science. The purpose of the major is to develop a humanistic understanding of the nature and development of science through the combined use of philosophical and historical methods. The major provides a foundation for graduate study in a range of academic disciplines and for careers in such areas as business, medicine, law, public policy, and science journalism. It also may be profitably combined with a program in one of the sciences. Within the major, a student may seek an emphasis on the philosophy of science, the history of the physical sciences, or the history of the biological and medically related sciences.

Undergraduate Policies

For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Office of Undergraduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.

Accelerated Master's Programs

Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Office of Undergraduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.

Department Faculty

Program Requirements

Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the latter set of requirements.

The history and philosophy of science major requires 30 credit hours from courses in philosophy and in history of science and technology:

Students who major in the history and philosophy of science are not permitted to take a second major in philosophy or to minor in philosophy.