UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies

IBSc

Want Time To Think?

Intercalated BSc in Philosophy, Medicine and Society

(more information)

Our intercalated BSc in Philosophy, Medicine, and Society explores philosophical, historical and sociological dimensions of modern medicine. 

You will:

• investigate social and ethical issues arising from globalisation, the relationship between science and war, the relationship between magic and science, evolutionary studies related to medicine.
• tie thinking today into broader historical and multi-national perspectives
• develop your communication skills in many formats
• develop your critical thinking skills
• be an active participant in your learning

We help you achieve these aims by delivering a highly participatory mode of teaching, based on primary sources as well as textbooks.

You do not need a background in history, philosophy, or sociology to apply – a desire to learn more about these subjects will take you a long way.

STS is an interdisciplinary centre for the integrated study of science's history, philosophy, sociology, communication and policy. It is a centre of award winning teaching, research, and public engagement. Students at every level rate their experiences with us as outstanding.

UCAS

UCAS Applications for entry in 2012

We are currently taking applications, via UCAS, for entry in 2012

• BSc History & Philosophy of Science. UCAS Code: V550
• BSc History, Philosophy & Social Studies of Science. UCAS Code: V551
• BSc Science in Society. UCAS Code: L391
  

On our degrees students investigate what scientists do, their role in our society, history and culture and the policies and debates that shape our modern scientific and technological world. Our graduates have gone on to a wide variety of careers including broadcasting, law, education, environmental protection, science policy research, museums and science centres, as well as academic research and teaching.

Find out more via the links below

• Our degrees
• UCL Prospectus
• UCAS Website
  
• STS careers

Study Abroad

Applications are open for our study abroad programmes for 2011/12.

Affiliate Programme in Science and Technology Studies

The STS affiliate programme offers a unique array of interdisciplinary subjects concerning science and technology: from history of science to philosophy of science; from science policy to sociology of technology; from science communication to public understanding of science.

Studying in our department - recognised internationally for the excellence of its research and teaching - you will have access to outstanding academic resources. Nearby also are the British Library, the Science Museum, the Royal Society, the Royal Institution, and much more.

We welcome students from both humanities and sciences backgrounds. Affiliate students coming from diverse academic backgrounds can expect to find the truly interdisciplinary nature of our research expertise especially relevant.

Links

• Courses and application information
  

Affiliate Programme in Global Citizenship

UCL offers the chance to spend time in one of the most vibrant capitals in the world, exploring one of the most prominent issues of our time: citizenship in a global context. This undergraduate programme draws on UCL's world class teaching and research in areas from politics, geography, anthropology, philosophy, media studies and history, with a core of science studies. Come for a year or a semester. The course features brand new tailor-made courses, which will enable you to understand citizenship as a significant intellectual concern of our time, and empower you to make real changes for a better world.

Our new and innovative programme in Global Citizenship draws on UCL's strong record of interdisciplinary research and teaching, as well as additional experts and professional institutions.  Brand new courses have been designed to explore cutting edge issues such as global climate change, mobile phones, the internet and globalisation.

Links

• Courses and application information
• Global Citizenship website
• Watch past students talk about the programme

If you can't find the information you're seeking, e-mail us: sts@ucl.ac.uk 

HPSC Modules?

Our catalogue of modules for the 2011-12 session now is available: 

• 2011-12 HPSC module catalogue (download) 

This is v3. It's been updated. If your copy doesn't say v3 on it; it's out-of-date. Get the new one.

We use the prefix "HPSC" for all modules in Science and Technology Studies. 

For more information, you have three routes. Start with: 

• tutors (link); feel free to e-mail them for more information
• syllabi for our modules (link)
• timetable (link)

Incoming head of department, Dr Joe Cain, sums up the catalogue with a smile, "This is an exciting list. We've plenty of long time favourites. Plus, we have many new modules, some offered by staff new to the department. There's something for everyone at UCL."

OneBook

The STS OneBook for September 2011

This year's selection:

• Jon Turney (2010) The Rough Guide to The Future 
  Order Amazon UK | other

Our OneBook programme selection for 2011 uses the present and past to look ahead. 

We ask all STS students and staff to read this OneBook for the start of the session in September. This will be an element in Year1 coursework and in discussions across the whole curriculum during the year. We'll also have special events centred around the book and a visit from the author.

Why OneBook?

The goals of our 'OneBook' programme are:

1. increase intellectual integration across disparate courses
2. increase common ground for students in different year groups
3. encourage informal learning

Each year, the Department asks all staff and students to read one book in common during the summer, then arrive for the new session ready to discuss both its substance and its broader value. Incoming students should read this prescribed book. It will be the subject of activities during induction week and will be used in Year1 courses.

More

Jon Turney is a science writer, editor and reviewer living in Bristol, UK. He's a former tutor and colleague in our department, too. 

• more on author
• follow the blog about the book

We're in our sixth year

Past books in the series include:

• Bill Bryson's Seeing Further: The Story of Science and the Royal Society: 350 Years of the Royal Society and Scientific Endeavour
• Ben Goldacre's Bad Science
• Thomas Dixon's Science and Religion: A Very Short Introduction
• Jenny Uglow's The Lunar Men
• Jared Diamond's Collapse