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We offer classes for students who have broad
interests, who seek an interdisciplinary approach to education, and
who want to learn how scientists and engineers influence the world.
The Program in Science, Technology, and Society appeals to students
who want to extend MITãs world-class education in science or
engineering with studies of broader social concern: this includes
students considering careers in business, medicine, law,
journalism, consulting, public service, and teaching as well as in
scientific research and engineering practice.
STS became an undergraduate area of study at MIT in
1980. It can be a concentration or a minor, or may be combined with
a science or engineering field to form a joint major or double
major.
Regular faculty: 15; Undergraduate majors: 3;
Graduate students: 30.
Why STS ? Nine out of ten MIT undergraduates major
in the sciences or engineering and many will spend their lives in
careers where doing science and engineering plays a central role.
MIT graduates also need to understand how science and technology
fit into the bigger picture ó how they developed, and how
they are related to social forces, cultural values, economic
possibilities, and political influences. The STS perspective has
become of critical importance in understanding a host of public
issues such as privacy, democracy, environment, medicine,
education, and national and global security. Leaders in the future
will be individuals who can place their technical expertise into a
broader context. STS prepares you to be those leaders. But
regardless of your aspirations, STS will give you perspective on
your chosen field. The Program in Science, Technology, and Society
brings together historians, social scientists, natural scientists,
humanists, and engineers who share the same objective:
understanding how science and technology are connected with the
rest of society.
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Concentration in STS
Three STS
Subjects, at least one of which is a HASS-D
Minor in STS
Six STS Subjects, as follows:
One STS HASS-D subject
Four undergraduate STS subjects
One reading seminar (STS.091 or STS.092)
Joint Major in STS
(Leading to one diploma; an SB
in Humanities and Science OR an SB in Humanities and
Engineering)
Ten STS subjects as follows:
One STS HASS-D subject
Five other STS subjects
Two reading seminars (STS.091 and STS.092)
Pre-thesis tutorial
Thesis
(plus: 6 science subjects or 6 engineering subjects)
Double Major in STS
(Leading to two diplomas; an SB
in Science or Engineering AND an SB in Humanities)
Fourteen subjects as follows:
One STS HASS-D subject
Five other STS subjects
Two reading seminars (STS.091 and STS.092)
Pre-thesis tutorial
Thesis
Four related humanities subjects
Note about "majoring" in STS:
STS may be joined with any science or engineering field to form
a "joint major". A joint major leads to one degree: an SB in
Humanities and Science (Course 21S) OR an SB in Humanities and
Engineering (Course 21E).
The full major in STS may be pursued only as a second degree
program in conjunction with another degree program in a field of
engineering or science. This "double major" arrangement allows a
student to obtain interdisciplinary competence on an even larger
scale than the joint major. A double major leads to two degrees: an
SB in Science, Technology, and Society AND an SB in a specific
field of science or engineering.
How to Learn More About the STS Program
Seminars: STS has a weekly colloquium series, occasional
brown-bag lunch talks, and monthly workshops on various topics
(deep-sea archaeology; psychological dimensions of cyberspace;
medicine and technology).
STS Email List: Call the STS Program (253-4062) and ask to be
added to the STS email list if you wish to receive details of
upcoming events and miscellaneous notices.
Visit our website: http://web.mit.edu/sts
Classes to Visit: Any class that seems interesting to you; just
email the professor first and request permission to attend.
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