Degrees Offered: Philosophy, with Concentration in History and Philosophy of Science
Overview
Offering both a MA and PhD in Philosophy with a concentration in the History and Philosophy of Science.
Nationally, there is great interest in science and in understanding the nature of science and the forces that change scientific research. The job market in philosophy is strong for philosophers of science (and especially in the life sciences) with some positions remaining unfilled even when the market is intensely competitive in other areas. In addition, the history and philosophy of science is becoming a strong disciplinary emphasis within growing professional societies. Some programs elsewhere focus on just philosophy or just history, but those that bring the two together are regarded as among the strongest in each area. The objective here is to provide a program for students who come to HPS from the humanities and who seek a career based in philosophical analysis of the sciences. We have the research strength competitive with any program internationally.
Faculty
- Brad Armendt – Philosophy of Science, Epsitemology, Decision Theory
- Richard Creath – Philosophy of Science, Epistemology, History of Philosophy, Director of HPS Program
- Karen Ellison –History of Technology and Responsible Conduct of Research Initiatives
- Eli Fenichel – Human Dimensions of Biology
- Andrew Hamilton – evolutionary theory and systematics, relationships between science and public policy
- Steve Hoffman – Immunology, Immunophilosophy
- 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
MA Coursework (Master´s of Arts)
This Concentration combines solid training in the core areas of philosophy with an emphasis on interdisciplinary studies of the sciences, their history, epistemology, conceptual structure, and their impacts on society. This degree program is especially appropriate for students with a background in philosophy or those who wish to pursue a degree in Philosophy, and who seek to broaden their disciplinary studies with an historical perspective. Applicants will typically come from undergraduate programs that have included philosophical training. Science students are eligible as well, and will make up the core courses during their first years. Application is through the Department of Philosophy.
Students will complete 30 hours of graduate coursework for the MS which include:
- History of Science (3 Hours)
- Philosophy of Science (3 Hours)
- Topics in the History of Science (3 Hours)
- Topics in the Philosophy of Science (3 Hours)
- Research Methods in HPS (3 Hours)
- Prospectus Writing (3 Hours)
- Research and Thesis (12 Hours)
PhD Coursework (Doctor of Philosophy)
This Concentration combines solid training in the core areas of philosophy with an emphasis on interdisciplinary studies of the sciences, their history, epistemology, conceptual structure, and their impacts on society. This degree program is especially appropriate for students with a background in philosophy or those who wish to pursue a degree in Philosophy, and who seek to broaden their disciplinary studies with an historical perspective. Applicants will typically come from undergraduate programs that have included philosophical training or with a Master´s degree in philosophy. Science students are eligible as well, and will make up the core courses during their first years. Application is through the Department of Philosophy.
Students will complete 84 hours of graduate coursework for the PhD which include:
- History of Science (3 Hours)
- Philosophy of Science (3 Hours)
- Topics in the History of Science (3 Hours)
- Topics in Philosophy of Science (3 Hours)
- Research Methods in HPS (3 Hours)
- Prospectus Writing (3 Hours)
Additional courses required for the degree include:
- A Course in History of Philosophy (3 Hours)
- A Course in Value Theory (3 Hours)
- Advanced Logic or Approved Equivalent (3 Hours)
- Approved Philosophy Or Other Relevant Courses (9 Hours)
- HPS 600 Lab (3 Hours, One Credit Each)
- Research or Elective Courses Approved By Dissertation Chair (33 Hours)