Major
Undergraduate students in the Program in History and Philosophy of Science and Technology do their coursework either in the Department of History, through its interdisciplinary major in History, Science and Medicine, or in the Department of Philosophy, through its major in History and Philosophy of Science.
The interdisciplinary structure of requirements also allows students to do coursework in other departments that house the humanistic and social study of science, such as Anthropology, Classics, English, Political Science and in scientific disciplines.
Undergraduate Major in Science, Technology, Environment and Medicine within the History Department
Faculty Coordinator: Paula Findlen
The Science, Technology, Environment and Medicine major is a collaboration of the Department of History with the Program in the History and Philosophy of Science. The major is designed for students interested in both sciences and humanities, and in the interactions between the two. It is also especially useful for students contemplating medical school, since it allows them to study the history of medicine, biology, and allied sciences in conjunction with fulfilling the pre-med science requirements. The requirements for the major are listed within the History section of the bulletin under the subsection: Science, Technology, Environment and Medicine. (The student's advisor must approve his/her choice of courses for each cluster).
Undergraduate Major in History and Philosophy of Science within the Philosophy Department
Faculty Coordinator: Thomas Icard
History & Philosophy of Science
Bulletin information about the major supercedes this information, consult Stanford Bulletin, Philosophy section
Undergraduates may major in Philosophy with a degree field in History and Philosophy of Science under the Department of Philosophy. Each participating student is assigned an adviser who approves the course of study. A total of 61 units are required for the sub-major, to be taken according to requirements 1 through 5 below. Substitutions for the listed courses are allowed only by written consent of the under-graduate adviser for History and Philosophy of Science. Students are encouraged to consider doing honors work with an emphasis on the history and philosophy of science. Interested students should see the description of the honors thesis in Philosophy and consult their advisers for further information.
Three science courses (for example, biology, chemistry, physics) for 12 units.
The following Philosophy (PHIL) core courses must be completed with a letter grade by the end of the junior year:
- one from 49, 150, 151, 154
- 60 or 61
- 80
Three history of science courses.
Three philosophy of science courses, of which one must be PHIL 164.
Three additional courses related to the major, in philosophy or history, to be agreed on by the adviser.
At least six courses in the major must be completed at Stanford with a letter grade.
Units for Tutorial, Directed Reading, or The Dualist (196, 197, 198) may not be counted in the requirement. No more than 10 units completed with grades of "satisfactory" and/or "credit" may be counted in the requirement.
Transfer units must be approved in writing by the Director of Undergraduate Study at the time of declaring a major. Transfer courses are strictly limited when used to satisfy major requirements.
Courses offered in the area of History and Philosophy of Science
See the official Stanford Bulletin for the latest course updates
Introductory Courses
No courses offered in the current year.
Science in History
This sequence is designed to introduce students to the history of Science from antiquity to the 20th century. Students are advised to take most or all of this sequence as a core foundation.
Levinson-Sela, Y. (PI)
Riskin, J. (PI)
Levinson-Sela, Y. (PI)
Riskin, J. (PI)
Kiadan, J. (PI)
Kiadan, J. (PI)
Kiadan, J. (PI)
Medicine in History
This sequence is designed to introduce students to the history of medicine from antiquity to the 20th century.
Philosophical Perspectives on Science, Medicine, and Technology
This sequence is designed to introduce students to the philosophy of science. Students are advised to take HPS 60 Introduction to Philosophy of Science above as a starting point, and combine a number of the electives listed below in conjunction with courses in the other concentrations that address their specific interests.
Bible, M. (TA)
Bible, M. (TA)
Wiltsche, H. (PI)
Advanced Course Sequences
Contemporary Perspectives on Science, Medicine and Technology
The following courses focus on contemporary cultural and social science approaches to science, technology, and medicine.
Riskin, J. (PI)
For Undergraduate Admissions applications, please visit the Stanford undergraduate admissions page.