Degrees Offered: Biology and Society (concentrations within the Biology degrees)
Overview | Apply
Special emphasis on
BPL: Bioethics, Policy, and Law
HPS: History and Philosophy of Science
Within the Biology degree programs, students may choose a formal program in the areas where Biology intersects with Society. This includes especially BPL: Bioethics, Policy, and Law, which trains students in the pressing moral, policy, and legal issues raised by the biosciences and biomedicine and in the disciplinary methods necessary to address these issues; and HPS: History and Philosophy of Science, which trains students in the conceptual foundations of science, including especially the epistemological and methodological assumptions that shape science and its progress. The program is richly interdisciplinary, drawing from biology, history and philosophy of science, religious studies, history, philosophy, political science, justice studies, nursing, law, health administration of policy, anthropology and other disciplines to develop skills for analyzing and addressing the problems where biology intersects with society. The program tailors individual programs of study to individual needs and interests, with a solid grounding in the life and related sciences and with rigorous analytical and multi–disciplinary education. The two tracks offer suggestions for those wishing to focus on these areas. Follow the link for the application process. (Biology subject GRE is not required, but we strongly encourage submission of a writing sample and a statement of background and interest relevant to this degree concentration).
Faculty
- Primary School of Life Sciences Faculty
- Brad Armendt – Philosophy of Science, Epsitemology, Decision Theory
- Richard Creath – Philosophy of Science, Epistemology, History of Philosophy, Director of HPS Program
- Eli Fenichel – Human Dimensions of Biology
- Andrew Hamilton – Evolutionary Theory and Systematics, Relationships Between Science and Public Policy
- Steve Hoffman – Immunology, Immunophilosophy
- Karin Ellison – History of Technology and Responsible Conduct of Research Initiatives
- Mark Jacobs – Dean of Barrett Honors College, physiological and molecular control of plant development
- Ann Kinzig – Urban Ecology, Human – Environment Interactions
- Bernard Kobes – Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Social Studies
- Manfred Laubichler – Theoretical Biology, Evolutionary Developmental Biology, History of Biology
- Anton Lawson – Organismal, Integrative, & Systems Biology
- John Lynch – History of Science, Contemporary Anti-Evolutionism, Catholic Responses to Evolution, Science Education
- Jane Maienschein – History and Philosophy of Science, Director of the Center for Biology and Society
- Gary Marchant – Environmental Law, Law, Science & Technology, Genetics and the Law, and Environmental Justice
- Tom Martin – History of Science
- Ben Minteer – Environmental Ethics, History and Philosophy of Conservation
- Charles Perrings – Environmental, Resource, and Ecological Economics
- Stephen Pyne – Environmental History, History of Fire, History of Exploration
- Jason Robert – Bioethics, Philosophy of the life sciences
- Dan Sarewitz – Science and Technology Policy, Managing Director of CSPO
- Andrew Smith – Conservation Biology, Population Biology, Mammalogy
- Hoyt Tillman – History of Chinese Science and Medicine
- Michael White – History of Philosophy, History and Philosophy of Science, Mathematical Logic
Suggested/Typical Course Work
This degree is appropriate for students wanting advanced education in the areas of Biology and Society, with a research thesis requirement at the Master's level.
Degree Requirements: 30 hours, following the general requirements for the M.S. in Biology, with additional requirement that the program of study, the committee, and the research prospectus and thesis focus on the area of concentration
BPL Bioethics, Policy, and Law Track
3 hours – Bioethics (BIO/PHI 591)
3 hours – Policy (BIO/GEO 591/PAF 547)
3 hours – Law (from a list of options related to science,
technology, and law)
6 hours – Two seminars, approved by the committee
3 hours – Readings and Conference
6 hours – Research
6 hours – Thesis
Total: 30 hours
HPS History and Philosophy of Science Track
3 hours – History of Science (HPS 591)
3 hours – Philosophy of Science (HPS 591)
3 hours – Logic, Decision Theory, or Epistemology
(HPS 591 or PHI 591)
6 hours – Two seminars, approved by the committee
3 hours – Reading and Conference
6 hours – Research
6 hours – Thesis
Total: 30 hours
Ph.D. (a research degree, culminating in the dissertation, which must draw on multiple disciplinary perspectives grounded in the life sciences)
Degree Requirements: 84 hours, of which at least 24 hours are for research study and dissertation, and of which 30 hours may be transferred from an appropriate masters degree. The remaining hours should concentrate in areas relevant to the selected track within the concentration.
Same coursework as a Ph.D. in Biology, including:
BPL Bioethics, Policy, and Law Track
3 hours – Bioethics (BIO/PHI 591)
3 hours – Policy (BIO/GEO 591/PAF 547)
3 hours – Law (from a list of options related to science,
technology, and law)
6 hours – Two seminars, approved by the committee
9 hours – Approved Life Sciences related coursework
36 hours – Research related or other coursework,
to be approved
24 hours – Dissertation (BIO 799)
Total: 84 hours
HPS History and Philosophy of Science Track
3 hours – History of Science (HPS 591)
3 hours – Philosophy of Science (HPS 591)
3 hours – Logic, Decision Theory, or Epistemology
(HPS 591 or PHI 591)
6 hours – Two seminars, approved by the committee
9 hours – Electives appropriate to individual program of study
36 hours – Research related or other coursework,
to be approved
24 hours – Dissertation (BIO 799)
Total: 84 hours