Academic Requirements

Courses Required
STS.210/21H.991: Theories and Methods in the Study of History STS.250: Social Theory and Analysis STS.260: Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society
Students will typically take the three core classes in the fall of their first year.
Recommended methods/writing sequence
STS.380: “Methods Seminar” (Fall) STS.390: “Writing Seminar” (Spring)
Remaining Course Work
Five other courses to be chosen in consultation with advisor; these should fit into a coherent course of study. Or, if a student in consultation with their advisor has elected not to participate in the methods/writing sequence, two additional electives must be taken to complete a total of 10 courses.

First Year Paper
The first-year paper, which usually comes out of one of the three core subjects, should demonstrate the student's ability to write in a clear and organized fashion and to analyze a subject in an intelligent and sustained manner.

Second Year Paper
The second-year paper should be a substantial research paper of publishable quality

Language Requirement
In order to satisfy the HASTS language requirement, students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of one language other than their native language. For international students this language may be English.

General Examinations
In the third year, students are expected to take a general examination with both a written and oral component.

The written component of the general examination consists of three parts:

Field 1: Each student selects one of the following three general areas for examination: social and cultural perspectives on science and technology; history of technology; or history of science.

While this has not yet been formalized (as of June 2008), it is expected that the HASTS Common Exam List will be recommended to use for Field 1 going forward, and required for students matriculating in September 2008 and later. The list is being posted now so that students who are interested in using it for their upcoming general exams can start using it.

Field 2: Treats a field of history or the social sciences.

Field 3: This part, tailored to each student, examines the range and depth of understanding of the history or social study of a particular science or field of engineering

The written exams are followed by an oral exam, usually about two hours in length.

Dissertations
Dissertation Proposal/Dissertation Committee
Ordinarily students should complete their dissertation proposal by the end of the term following the term in which general exams were taken. The proposal must be approved by the dissertation committee, which is selected by the student in consultation with the principal advisor. Members of the dissertation committee become readers of the dissertation.

Dissertation Defense
The dissertation defense is an open presentation consisting of a fifteen-to-thirty-minute summary of the dissertation, followed by questions from the student’s committee and the audience.

The Graduate Student Office lists institute requirements for thesis completion at MIT, including information on thesis research in abstentia.

Timeline and Course Loads
Ordinarily, all coursework is completed in four to six semesters. Pursuit of a graduate degree at MIT on a part-time basis is not permitted, and HASTS students are required to take a full course load in order to remain eligible for financial aid. International students are required to consistently register fully and within the deadlines, in order to maintain their legal visa status. A full course load is usually defined as three subjects (36 units) per semester, although students who are working as Teaching Assistants are only required to enroll in two subjects (24 units.)

Required Element	Target Deadline	Hard Deadline
First-Year Paper	End of second semester	End of second semester
Second-Year Paper	End of fourth semester	End of fifth semester
General Examinations	End of sixth semester	End of eighth semester
Dissertations	End of fifth to sixth year	n/a
For purposes of above chart, only fall and spring count as semesters (therefore, summer semesters are not factored into the above timeline).

* Current HASTS students should refer to the Student Handbook for more detailed information about the above requirements and other important program information. Please see the Academic Administrator if you do not have a copy of the Student Handbook.