Science & Technology Studies Major

Have you ever wondered about: 

• The ethical issues surrounding new medical technology (such as stem cells)
• The politics of climate change
• The new social forms surrounding computers
• The interaction between biotechnology and the law
• The history of modern technology

The major in Science & Technology Studies aims to further students' understanding of the social and cultural meanings of science and technology. Ideal for students pursuing careers in law, public policy or management, as well as for scientists, engineers and others interested in science, technology and society.

At the time of graduation, students majoring in Science & Technology Studies should be able to:

• Identify, describe, and use key concepts and disciplinary tools from the field of science and technology studies;
• Analyze and evaluate the social, cultural, and political dimensions of scientific, technological, and medical knowledge, and their uses in historical and contemporary contexts;
• Critically assess technical, scientific, engineering, and medical knowledge;
• Recognize and analyze how scientific, technological, engineering, and medical issues are framed in public and professional contexts;
• Develop proficiency in the natural sciences or engineering (including computer science) in addition to the science requirement of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Graduates of the program have moved on to careers in government, education, financial services, healthcare services, communications, law, manufacturing, and technology.

Prerequisites:

Note: No AP Credits are allowed to fulfill any A&S Distribution Requirements

I. Completion of one S&TS course.  

There are no other prerequisites, but students should plan to fulfill the BIO-AS, PHS-AS, SDS-AS, and SMR-AS distribution requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences early in their college careers in order to be in a position to take additional science or engineering courses as outlined below (VI. Science Requirement).

NOTE: It is the student's responsibility to check the college requirements.

S&TS Course Requirements:

Note: All courses used to fulfill major requirements must be taken for a letter grade and must be a C- or above.  One course may not be used to fulfill two major requirements. 

II. Core Course: One course: STS 2011 What is Science?

III. Eight additional STS courses to fulfill Theme for major. One of which must be 4000 level or above.

Science & Technology Studies Themes:

Data and Society; Health and Society; Gender, Sexuality and Science; Race, Science, and Medicine; Environment and Society; Mind, Brain, and Artificial Intelligence; Engineering, Design, and Society

IV. Science Requirement: In addition to the science requirement of the College of Arts and Sciences, Science & Technology Studies majors are required to take an additional three courses of at least 3 credits each in natural science or engineering (including computer science). If a mathematics class is a required pre-requisite for the additional science classes, that class should be completed before the science classes. Choice of these courses should be made in consultation with the student's major advisor. 

NOTE: All courses chosen to fulfill Major requirements must be taken for a letter grade.

Major Forms:

• STS Course Checklist (Major Requirements)
• Petition for STS Off-Campus Credit
• Petition for STS On-Campus Credit

Major Resources:

• STS Course Offerings
• Suggested Curriculum

Key Requirements:

• Completion of ONE STS Course. There are no other prerequisites, but students should plan to fulfill the BIO-AS, PHS-AS, SDS-AS, and SMR-AS distribution requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences early in their college careers in order to be in a position to fulfill science requirements for major.

The Application Includes:

• Personal and academic information
• Elected Theme in the Major

• Tentative plan of courses that fulfill the Science & Technology Studies requirements, including courses you have taken and those you plan to take.

  Science & Technology Studies Major Application 

The Honors Program is designed to provide independent research opportunities for academically talented Science & Technology Studies majors. Students who enroll in the honors program are expected to do independent study and research, with faculty guidance, on issues in science & technology studies. Students who participate in the program should find the experience intellectually stimulating and rewarding whether or not they intend to pursue a research career.

Honors Program Application Requirements

1. Formation of Honors Committee: Two Cornell Faculty members to act as Project Supervisor and Project Advisor, one of which must be an STS faculty member
2. Project Description: ~300 words
3. Minimum GPA: 3.3 at time of applying and maintained through duration of program
4. Outstanding Major Requirements: Honors Program applicants must have 4 or fewer outstanding major requirements to complete during their senior year.

Science & Technology Studies Honors Program Application

The undergraduate minor in Science & Technology Studies (S&TS) 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. Majors in the natural sciences and engineering have an opportunity to explore the social, political, and ethical implications of their selected fields of specialization, while students majoring in the humanities and social sciences have a chance to study the processes, products and impacts of science and technology from multiple disciplinary perspectives.

S&TS Minor Application 

Director of Undergraduate Studies

Associate Professor, Rebecca Slayton, (sts-bsoc-dus@cornell.edu)

Undergraduate Coordinator

David Ryan (dwr28@cornell.edu)