Major Requirements

NOTICE

Please note that the Dietrich School maintains the AUTHORITATIVE STATEMENT OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS. For the most current course requirements, please refer to the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Studies Department's program requirements sheet for the History and Philosophy of Science major. The information provided below is for your convenience only. You should download the official requirements using the link above. Please contact Director of Undergraduate Studies Prof. Paolo Palmieri for advising and further information about the HPS major.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Because HPS majors are expected to complete 15 hours of science credits, a double major in HPS and one of the sciences is especially attractive. 

A minimum of 37 credit hours are required for the major, and include: 

  • Four elective courses in HPS, one of which must be at the 1xxx level. Additionally, one of these electives must be a history of science course, e.g. HPS 0427 Myth and Science; HPS 0545 Space-Time-Matter; HPS 0515 Magic, Medicine and Science; or any other suitable course approved by the director of undergraduate studies.
  • Logic requirement, which may be fulfilled by taking HPS 0611 or Philosophy 0500.
  • HPS 1653 Introduction to Philosophy of Science. The logic requirement must be fulfilled before taking 1653.
  • HPS 1702 Junior/Senior Seminar for HPS Undergraduate Majors. HPS 1703 Writing Workshop for Undergraduate Major. This is a one-credit course that is taken in conjunction with HPS 1702.
  • Fifteen credit hours in the natural or social sciences. Majors must pursue at least one science at an advanced (non introductory) level.

Writing Requirement

The writing requirement for the major is fulfilled by taking HPS 1703, which is offered in conjunction with HPS 1702. 

Declaring an HPS Major

Before declaring an HPS major, students must complete two HPS courses with a B- or better or receive permission of the major advisor. 

Grade Requirements for Courses in the Major 

Students who wish to graduate with a major in HPS must maintain a 2.0 quality point average in courses to be used toward the major. 

Double Majors 

HPS is easily combined with a major in any science as a double major. This provides the student with a deeper historical and conceptual understanding of the science(s) he or she is studying. 

Related Areas

Any of the natural or social sciences may be used as a related area. 

S/N Grading Option 

No courses to be counted toward the major may be taken on a Satisfactory/Audit basis. 

Language Requirement 

There are no language requirements beyond those required by the School of Arts and Sciences. However, students who plan to continue in graduate studies should remember that language competency may be required at that level. French, German, Latin, or Greek are especially useful.