History and Philosophy of Science MSc

This programme is custom-built for two sorts of people: (1) those seeking advanced training in the field in preparation for further work, such as PhD research, and (2) those who love the subject and want enrichment.

All modules are designed for efficient use of your time. Each is structured around 20 classroom hours (normally 2 hours per week over a 10-week teaching term). Assessment work varies between modules. Some ask for one 5,000 word essay. Others ask for combinations of shorter writing, or they develop different types of projects. A full-time student's week typically involves 4x2-hour seminars, independent study, research and writing time, plus participation in the busy social and intellectual life of London's largest department in the field.

UCL information for this degree (link).

Programme structure (degree)

One compulsory module

HPSCGA01 Introduction to Science and Technology Studies
This module introduces key concepts and literature associated with HPS and related specialties.

Three HPS options

Students select three option modules from our HPS catalogue.

This includes modules in history of science, philosophy of science, and integrated history and philosophy of science. Some modules survey the discipline. Others are research-led, using our expertise to develop your skills at the cutting edge.

Our catalogue of modules includes:

Science in Antiquity
Medieval Science and Medicine in Global Perspective
Early Modern Science
Material Culture and Science in the Eighteenth Century
Science in the Nineteenth Century
Science, Art, and Philosophy
Models and Facts in Science
Knowledge, Evidence, and Explanation in Science
Causality, Mechanism, and Classification in Science
Special Topics Seminar in HPS

Not every HPS module is taught every year, and these titles are subject to change. They do provide a sense of the depth and breadth on offer in the degree.

Also, because some of the STS options we offer may equally be useful for HPS students, we will consider substitutions that create a coherent programme of study. We want to be flexible, and we know ours is a broad and interdisciplinary field.

Two electives

Students select two elective modules from within our department or across UCL.

UCL has Masters-level modules in many, many fields. We've built our programme with flexibility so you can explore in directions you choose. If you want, you can focus in the department on HPS and STS, selecting other modules within our programme. If you seek complementary topics, we can guide you to the right choices.

Dissertation

Students undertake a research project of their own design, completing a 10,000-12,000 word dissertation. They work under the supervision of our academic staff.

Part-time option

Full-time students complete the degree in one year. Part-time student complete the degree in two years, normally following this plan:

Year 1
-HPSCGA01 plus one other module in Term 1
-two or three modules in Term 2

Year 2
-two or three modules in Term 1
-any remaining modules in Term 2
-Dissertation

Other options

Post-Graduate Diploma (PG Dip) follows the same structure as the degree, without the dissertation.

Post-Graduate Certificate (PG Cert or PGC) requires three modules only, including HPSCGA01, our programme-wide survey module, plus two HPS options from our catalogue.

Diplomas and Certificates have no part-time option.

MSc History and Philosophy of Science

Programme Code: TMSHPSSSMT01

Faculty Code: MAPS

PG Dip Code: TPPHPSSING01

PG Cert Code: TCPHPSSING01

Page last modified on 03 mar 13 16:05 by Joe Cain

UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS)
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