Science, Technology, and Society (Minor)
A Science, Technology, and Society minor is a 15 hour, interdisciplinary minor providing students an opportunity to appreciate and understand better the roles that science and technology play in the larger sociocultural context. A goal of the minor is to help students develop the ability to order and integrate the diverse aspects of their educations. Two essential components of this ability are sensitivity to the moral dimensions of scientific and technological inquiry, as affecting how people may live or want to live, and an appreciation of the practical implications of scientific and technical theory. In addition, the Science, Technology, and Society minor enables students to increase the breadth of their interest in science and technology. No courses for the minor may be taken for S/U credit.
Admissions
Students interested in the Science, Technology and Society minor should contact the minor advisor by their junior year or earlier, if possible. To be admitted to the program, a student must have a GPA of at least 2.0. Application for admission to any University minor program is now available via MyPack Portal. Admission will be based upon the student’s academic record, and in most cases no longer requires departmental review. Go to Add a Minor to apply.
Certification
The minor must be completed no later than the semester in which the student expects to graduate from their degree program.
Contact Person
Dr. Madhu Katti
Director, STS
mkatti@ncsu.edu
Dr. Patsy Sibley
Director of Undergraduate Advising
1911 Building, Room 106-C
919.515.7999
SIS Code: 16STM
Plan Requirements
- Completion of 15 hours of relevant courses, including:
- at least one course from each of the category groupings,
- one additional course from any of the categories, and
- STS 214 Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society
- In order to receive an introduction to the field and to promote communication among themselves, STS minors are required to take STS 214 Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society in their junior year or as soon as possible after declaring their intention to pursue the STS minor.
- A maximum of TWO (2) courses may double-count between major departmental requirements and courses counting toward the minor.
- A maximum of TWO (2) courses may double-count between courses counting toward this minor and additional minors.
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required Course | |||
| STS 214 | Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society | 3 | |
| Elective Courses | |||
| Select one from each group and one additiional courses from any group: | 12 | ||
| Group I – Developmental Context of Science and Technology: | |||
| Science and Civilization | |||
| Contemporary Science, Technology and Human Values | |||
| Technology and American Culture | |||
| Scientific Revolution and European Society, 1500-1800 | |||
| Rise of Modern Science | |||
| Science, American Style | |||
| Technology in History | |||
| Dinomania: Dinosaurs in Culture and Science | |||
| U.S. Agricultural History | |||
| History of the Life Sciences | |||
| Darwinism in Science and Society | |||
| Science and Religion in European History | |||
| Science in European Culture | |||
| History of American Technology | |||
| Science and Empire | |||
| Group II – Ethical Issues: | |||
| Contemporary Science, Technology and Human Values | |||
| Bio-Medical Ethics | |||
| Environmental Ethics | |||
| Philosophy of Science | |||
| Group III – Theories, Methodologies, Implications of Science and Technology: | |||
| Science Communication and Public Engagement | |||
| Philosophy of Science | |||
| Science, Technology and Public Policy | |||
| Humans and the Environment | |||
| World Population and Food Prospects | |||
| Peace and War in the Nuclear Age | |||
| Genetics in Human Affairs | |||
| Technology in Society and Culture | |||
| Total Hours | 15 | ||
*Important Notes: