On this page: Introduction | Programs |
See also: Faculty Members | Course Descriptions | Course Winter Timetable | Prospective Student Guide to Academic Programs | More on Department

Introduction

The history and philosophy of science and technology cuts across traditional disciplines of the sciences and the humanities. HPS courses treat the sciences and technology, including mathematics and medicine, as being historically and philosophically significant in themselves, and also as being integral components of the general development of knowledge, culture, and society. The undergraduate courses serve to introduce the student to this discipline, and also to provide a wider context for understanding science and technology. All courses have a substantial historical component, and many deal with philosophical, economic and related issues. For example, students of history will find courses in the history of science to be an important part of social and intellectual history, while students of economic history may be especially interested in the history of technology. For philosophy students, history of science courses form a natural adjunct to issues in the theory of knowledge, philosophy of science and history of philosophy. Students of the humanities with particular interests in the physical or biological sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics, or medicine will naturally be interested in HPS courses, and students in these scientific disciplines will benefit from the broad historical and philosophical perspective on their studies that HPS courses can provide.

Some students may wish to plan their entire programs around a core of HPS courses. The Specialist and Major programs listed are suitable training for graduate study in this field, and for elementary and secondary school teaching, museum and library work, science writing and editing, and other fields where competence in both science and humanities is valuable. For more information consult the IHPST Undergraduate Handbook, available at the Institute.

Undergraduate Coordinator:

Professor M.P. Winsor, Victoria College, Room 322 (978-6280)

Enquiries:

Victoria College, Room 316 (978-5397)

HPS PROGRAMS

Enrolment in the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology programs requires the completion of four courses; no minimum GPA required.

HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE (B.A.)

Specialist program (Hon.B.A.):
(11.5 full courses or their equivalent)
1. Three 200+ series courses in science, choices subject to the approval of the Undergraduate Coordinator
2. HPS 200Y, 250H; PHL/PHI 210Y, 245H
3. 2.5 additional HPS courses. Students may substitute courses in the history of science or the history of thought offered in other departments for up to two courses, with approval of the Undergraduate Coordinator
4. Four PHLI/PHI half-courses in epistemology, logic and formal semantics, philosophy of science
5. One additional 400 series HPS/PHL/PHI course. Of the other HPS/PHL/PHI courses, three must be 300+ series

Major program (B.A.):
(7 full courses or their equivalent)
1. Two 200+ series courses in science, choices subject to the approval of the Undergraduate Coordinator
2. HPS 200Y, 250H, PHL/PHI 210Y, 245H
3. One 300+ series PHL/PHI course in epistemology, logic and formal semantics, philosophy of science
4. One other HPS 300+ series course

Minor program (B.A.):
R16151 (4 full courses or their equivalent)
1. HPS 200Y, 250H; PHL/PHI 210Y, 255H
2. One HPS/PHL/PHI 300+ series course

HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (B.A.)

Specialist program (Hon.B.A.):
(11 full courses or their equivalent)
1. Two 100+ series and three 200+ series courses in science, choices subject to the approval of the Undergraduate Coordinator
2. HIS 109Y plus one other course in history, choice subject to the approval of the Undergraduate Coordinator
3. Three HPS courses, of which two may be courses in history of science offered by another department, subject to the approval of the Undergraduate Secretary. CLA 203H will be treated as an HPS course
4. One HPS 400-series course
NOTE: At least three of the above ten courses must be 300+series

Major program (B.A.):
(7 full courses or their equivalent)
1. Two 200+ series courses in science or technology, choices subject to approval of the Undergraduate Coordinator
2. Five HPS courses, at least two of which must be 300+ series courses; up to two courses in history or the history of science offered in other departments may be substituted with the approval of the Undergraduate Coordinator

Minor program (B.A.):
(4 HPS full courses or their equivalent)
Four HPS courses, of which at least one must a 300+ series course. One course may be replaced by a course in the history of science offered by another department, but requires approval of the Undergraduate Coordinator.