University Catalog 2024-2025

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

pasibley@ncsu.edu

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.
Required Course
STS 214Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society3
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 Hours15

*Important Notes:

  • Because of some duplication of subject matter a student may take either one or the other of the following courses but not both: Either STS 301 Science and Civilization or HI 322 Rise of Modern Science
  • A course may fulfill the requirement for only one group.