The Undergraduate Program
Science and technology are at the core of many of the most important issues of our day, from the control of military technology, to the ethics of assisted reproduction, to privacy on the internet, to problems of environmental sustainability. The Department of Science & Technology Studies at Cornell University is concerned with understanding the larger social, ethical, historical, and political dimensions of science and technology. The Department offers two undergraduate majors: the Biology & Society Major and the Science & Technology Studies Major. The Department also offers a Minor in Science & Technology Studies appropriate for students in the natural or social sciences, engineering, or the humanities who are interested in the social dimensions of science & technology.
The Biology & Society Major
Many of the most critical social concerns of our time are linked to the recent remarkable gains in biological knowledge, from new medical technologies and their implications for medical ethics, to the safety of the genetically manipulated foods, to debates over biodiversity and global climate change. The Biology & Society major equips students with the skills and perspectives needed to address these complex problems and go on to further training for careers in medicine, genetic counseling, public health, environmental studies, or law to name just a few. Students combine the study of the biological sciences with courses that explore the social and ethical dimensions of biological knowledge, providing an understanding of ethics, social science, and history as they relate to biological issues.
The Science & Technology Studies Major
The S&TS major encourages a sound background in science, along with the core courses in history, philosophy, and social science. After graduation, students are well prepared for careers in information technology, biotechnology, law, environmental policy, or communications, to name just a few possibilities. The number of S&TS majors is relatively small and allows close interaction with the department’s faculty, while at the same time there are also links to the larger group of students in the Biology & Society major through shared classes.
The Science & Technology Studies Minor
The undergraduate minor in Science & Technology Studies is designed for students who wish to engage in a systematic, interdisciplinary exploration of the role of science and technology in modern societies. The minor is intended for students with varied academic interests and career goals and permits students to develop an individualized program of study closely related to their major field.
Cornell Career Services
Arts and Sciences Career Services is the primary resource for A&S undergraduates seeking jobs, internships, graduate/professional school information, and assistance with career exploration.
http://as.cornell.edu/academics/careers/index.cfm
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Career Services
http://cals.cornell.edu/current/career/
College of Human Ecology Career Services
http://www.human.cornell.edu/career-development/index.cfm
