MSc History of Science, Medicine and Technology
MSc Science, Technology, Medicine and Society
These two MSc courses aim to provide a thorough training for students in the history of science, medicine and technology. The degrees are offered under the auspices of the London Centre for the History of Science, Medicine and Technology, and taught by staff from the Department of Science and Technology Studies at University College London, and the Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine at Imperial College.
These MSc programmes aim to train students in the history of science, medicine and technology. A core course provides general introductions, as well as a very strong methodological and historiographical component. Option courses focus on particular topics ranging from philosophy of science to the scientific revolution. All lectures take place during the day.
A number of our students have backgrounds in the museum and educational worlds. Most of our students are full-time but we have a substantial number of part-timers.
The programmes last a full calendar year and run from October to September. For part-time students the courses take two full years. The programmes are intensive: as well as attending lectures, students are required to do a great deal of reading and to write four short and four long essays, as well as a dissertation. There are examinations on the core course and on the two options studied in the spring and summer terms. Students take the core course (Introduction to the history of science, medicine and technology), and two options from the following list of topics:
- Science, Technology and Medicine in Antiquity;
- The Scientific Revolution, 1450-1750;
- Ideas of Health and Sickness in Industrial Society;
- The Sciences in the Age of Industry, 1750-1920;
- History of the Human Sciences;
- Philosophy of Science;
- Science, Medicine and Technology in the Twentieth Century;
- Sociology of Science and Technology; and
- Science, Governance and the Public.
For the MSc in History of Science, Medicine and Technology, students must choose at least 2 from options from 1-7; for the MSc in Science, Technology, Medicine and Society, students must choose at least 2 from options from 7-9.
In addition, all full-time students are required to audit a third option, following the lectures and texts but not doing the essays and exam. Part-time students are encouraged to do so. All of the options listed will usually be offered every year, although this will depend partly on demand. We reserve the right not to offer certain courses in a given year.
A Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma are not available on this programme.
For further information, visit the London Centre's Web site: www.londoncentre-hstm.ac.uk
