Master of Science in Science, Technology, and Society
About the Program
Master of Science: 45.0 quarter credits
The graduate program in Science, Technology, and Society (STS) integrates the study of history, science and technology, public policy, and contemporary social and political issues. It combines core courses in the history of science and technology with classes that focus on gender and race, democratic institutions, ethics, and future challenges to industry and government. The program also provides a unique international orientation, which recognizes the crucial context of globalization in the advancement of science and technology and the broad implications of scientific research and innovation in the politics and history of the modern world.
The increasingly complex nature of modern life has steadily eroded the distinctions traditionally made between social and technical issues. Leaders among scientists, engineers, policy-makers, managers, investors, and educators must base their decisions on a diverse array of data, new tools for gathering and evaluating this data, integrated systems of information, and interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving. In an era of expanding global investment and complex regulation, opportunities will accrue to those who can identify potential problems early and formulate multifaceted, long-term, and viable solutions.
The graduate program in Science, Technology, and Society (STS) targets this new leadership cadre. STS at Drexel integrates the study of history, science and technology, public policy, and contemporary social and political issues. It combines core courses in the history of science and technology with classes that focus on gender and race, democratic institutions, ethics, and future challenges to industry and government. The program also provides a unique international orientation, which recognizes the crucial context of globalization in the advancement of science and technology and the broad implications of scientific research and innovation in the politics and history of the modern world.
Prospective students for the MS in STS see this educational opportunity as an essential factor in their skill enhancement and career advancement. They are recent college graduates in the social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and engineering; middle and high school teachers; and professionals in businesses, city and state government offices, and area hospitals. Students can attend full time or part time and complete all coursework in the evening.
For additional information, visit the Masters Program in Science, Technology, and Society web page.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the program must meet the general requirements for admission to graduate studies at Drexel. Applicants whose undergraduate grade point average is below 3.0 must provide GRE scores.
Prospective students must also submit a 500-word essay explaining why they want to enter the program. These statements are read carefully by the faculty screening committee to evaluate each applicant’s sense of purpose. Entering students typically begin during the fall quarter.
Visit the Graduate Admissions website for more information about requirements and deadlines, as well as instructions for applying online.
Degree Requirements
The program requires 45.0 credits of coursework. At least 36.0 credits must be in the Department of History & Politics. Required courses total 27.0 credits (including a 3-credit research seminar, a 3-credit practicum, and 6 credits of research and writing for the thesis, which may be tied to the practicum). Remaining credits are chosen from a list of electives.
| Basic Requirements | ||
| HIST 501 | Introduction to Science, Technology and Society | 3.0 |
| HIST 585 | Technology in Historical Perspective | 3.0 |
| HIST 586 | Explorations in Technology and Gender | 3.0 |
| or PSCI 573 | Gender, Race and Science | |
| PSCI 555 | International Political Economy and Technology | 3.0 |
| Select one of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Science and Technology Policy | ||
| Globalization and Transition | ||
| Technology in Developing Nations | ||
| International Environmental Policy | ||
| Advanced Requirements | ||
| HIST 696 | Seminar in Science, Technology, and Society | 3.0 |
| or PSCI 696 | Seminar in Science, Technology, and Society | |
| HIST 697 | Practicum: Science and Technology in Action | 3.0 |
| HIST 698 | Master's Thesis | 0.5-9.0 |
| or PSCI 698 | Science Technology and Society Thesis | |
| Suggested Electives | 9.0 | |
| Select three of the following: | ||
| History of Information Science and Technology | ||
| History of Medicine and Disease | ||
| Historiography of Science | ||
| Explorations in Technology and Gender | ||
| Themes in the History of Science | ||
| Themes in the History of Technology | ||
| Technology in Developing Nations | ||
| International Political Economy and Technology | ||
| Globalization and Transition | ||
| International Environmental Policy | ||
| Gender, Race and Science | ||
| Alternative Policy Perspective | ||
| Appropriate Technology for Development | ||
| Telecommunications Policy in the Information Age | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Managing Technology Innovation | ||
| Psychology of Human-Computer Interface Design | ||
| Remaining Electives | 9.0 | |
| Any remaining electives may be taken in the Department of History & Politics or other departments and colleges in the university, chosen in consultation with the STS faculty. | ||
| Total Credits | 45.0 | |
History Courses
HIST 501 Introduction to Science, Technology and Society 3.0 Credits
Introduces the study of science, technology, and society. Samples different approaches to the study of STS, including methods of problem selection and research.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
HIST 550 History of Comparative Industrialization 3.0 Credits
While the specific topics vary by instructor, this reading seminar considers the development of industrial nations though time: the earliest industrial nations; the political, economic, military, and social causes and consequences of industrialization; and the processes of industrialization and technology transfer. Undergraduate seniors may be allowed to take the course with permission of the instructor.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
HIST 560 History of Information Science and Technology 3.0 Credits
This course examines the industrialization of information since the Enlightenment. Methodologies from material culture, political economy, and social theory will be among the analytical tools students employ in deepening their understanding of the mutual shaping between historical circumstances and society’s approach to information processing, storage, and retrieval.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
HIST 583 History of Medicine and Disease 3.0 Credits
Focuses on the ways sickness and medical treatment touch larger political, social, and cultural questions in the modern period, with special attention to epidemic disease. Takes a comparative approach, devoting considerable attention to both Western and non-Western contexts.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman or Pre-Junior or Sophomore
HIST 584 Historiography of Science 3.0 Credits
An introduction to the advanced study of the history of science. This course explores major themes, debates, and theoretical approaches in the discipline.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
HIST 585 Technology in Historical Perspective 3.0 Credits
Surveys the history of technology in the modern, industrial Western world. Uses humanities techniques to analyze various factors that have shaped the development of technology.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman or Pre-Junior or Sophomore
HIST 586 Explorations in Technology and Gender 3.0 Credits
Explores the interconnections of technological change and conceptions of gender.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman or Pre-Junior or Sophomore
HIST 590 Themes in the History of Science 3.0 Credits
Examines a particular theme in the history of science.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 1 times for 6 credits
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman or Pre-Junior or Sophomore
HIST 591 Themes in the History of Technology 3.0 Credits
Examines a particular theme in the history of technology.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 1 times for NaN credits
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman or Pre-Junior or Sophomore
HIST 696 Seminar in Science, Technology, and Society 3.0 Credits
Provides an in-depth research seminar in science, technology, and society, organized around a particular theme selected by the instructor.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 1 times for 6 credits
HIST 697 Practicum: Science and Technology in Action 3.0 Credits
Provides a practicum in science, technology, and society. Focuses on practice in a science or engineering discipline through study of a recent invention or scientific project.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: HIST 696 [Min Grade: C]
HIST 698 Master's Thesis 0.5-9.0 Credits
Independent research supervised by an STS faculty member toward completion of a required Master's Thesis.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 1 times for 18 credits
HIST 699 Independent Study in History 0.5-12.0 Credits
Independent study on a topic selected by the student. Independent study is supervised by a faculty member and guided by a plan of study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
Political Science Courses
PSCI 541 Technology in Developing Nations 3.0 Credits
Examines the nature of access to technology in developing nations, causes of the North-South technology gap, and possibilities for change in today's global economy.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman or Pre-Junior or Sophomore
PSCI 555 International Political Economy and Technology 3.0 Credits
Enables students to comprehend the ever-changing technology-driven global political economy.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
PSCI 557 Globalization and Transition 3.0 Credits
Covers the impact of globalization on the politics and economies of states and populations and the changing dynamics of interactions among them.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman or Pre-Junior or Sophomore
PSCI 570 International Environmental Policy 3.0 Credits
Examines the prospects for effective environmental policymaking in the contemporary nation-state system. Reviews international environmental issues, agreements, and institutions. Studies theories of international relations in order to develop a conceptual framework for analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the nation-state system.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
PSCI 571 Science and Technology Policy 3.0 Credits
Examines science and technology policy as a challenge for democracy. Addresses competing social-scientific models of the relationship between politics and technology, focusing on science policy (research and development), communications, and biotechnology.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman or Pre-Junior or Sophomore
PSCI 573 Gender, Race and Science 3.0 Credits
Examines the role of gender stratification in scientific professions, with emphasis on barriers to marginalized groups.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman or Pre-Junior or Sophomore
PSCI 574 Alternative Policy Perspective 3.0 Credits
Provides students with a nontraditional foundation for the analysis of public policy. Covers topics such as postmodernism, feminism, and critical theory, and examines these critiques and their implications for policy analysis as a tool for achieving progressive social and policy change.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman or Pre-Junior or Sophomore
PSCI 575 Appropriate Technology for Development 3.0 Credits
Studies technological solutions that meet the needs of developing countries. Involves project exercises in technologies appropriate to specific countries and regions.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman or Pre-Junior or Sophomore
PSCI 696 Seminar in Science, Technology, and Society 3.0 Credits
Provides an in-depth research seminar in science, technology, and society, organized around a particular theme selected by the instructor.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
PSCI 698 Science Technology and Society Thesis 0.5-9.0 Credits
Independent research supervised by an STS faculty member toward completion of a required master's thesis.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 1 times for 19 credits
PSCI 699 Independent Study in Political Science 12.0 Credits
Independent study on a topic selected by the student. Independent study is supervised by a faculty member and guided by a plan of study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
