History and Philosophy of Science BSc (Hons)

University College London

This degree investigates the history of science from antiquity to the present and globally. The goal is to better understand science's many methods, fundamental concepts, logic, and ethics. We aim to provide our students with the ability to build a broad perspective on the origins of science and its role in our modern world.

Degree benefits

• Explore the history of science from antiquity to the present and across the world. This includes following changes as scientific knowledge moves between different cultures.

  Through our research-led teaching, acquire transferable skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, arguing, well adapted to the 21st century job market.

• Investigate how scientific knowledge is intertwined with culture and society, and how historians and sociologists understand the past based on evidence from archives, libraries, museums and oral testimonies.

• Investigate science as a way of knowing, including its many methods, fundamental concepts, logic, and ethics, and use science to develop expertise in areas of philosophy from aesthetics to metaphysics.

• Learn how to use history and philosophy to access, understand, and challenge positions in contemporary debates about science and technology.

Your learning

We consistently excel in student evaluations, obtaining 100% student satisfaction for the STS degrees from the National Student Survey in 2017, 2016, 2014, and 2013. Our teaching methods adapt to specific needs of students. Many modules include small-group discussions and active participation. The student-to-tutor ratio is approximately 10:1.

Assessment

Coursework ranges from short position pieces to significant research papers. In addition to essays, we assess using posters, blogs, and multimedia projects. Practical work includes mock parliamentary reports, radio programmes, film production, oral presentations, and internet projects. Group work sometimes is used, as are unseen examinations.

Careers

The programme is designed to enable you both to gain understanding of the discipline, and to develop intellectual, practical and transferable skills, such as critical thinking; retrieving, researching and analysing material; time and project management; and working effectively both independently and as part of a team.

In this scientific and technological world, this programme provides an excellent foundation for many careers, especially those at the interface of professional science and the wider culture transnationally.

This may include science communication in print or broadcasting, education or museums; and employment in science policy or commercial posts such as in research administration, technology transfer, regulatory agencies, governments or charities. Further study, either within the discipline, or to acquire professional training for example for financial or legal careers, is popular among our graduates.