STS Major

The STS Major is broadly interdisciplinary, combining knowledge from the natural sciences, technology, the humanities, and the social sciences. STS’s broader viewpoint equips students to make progress with respect to complex problems of great social relevance by integrating different disciplines’ assumptions, goals, and strategies. What unifies STS is a focus on questions regarding the impact of science and technology on societies, and the impact of societies on science and technology.

The Major prepares students for jobs that require both scientific and technological literacy and an ability to solve problems and communicate from a broad perspective on science and technology that is informed by history, ethics, policy, and culture. Students completing the STS Major receive a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Student Learning Outcomes for the STS Major

1. Students employ scientific literacy;
2. Students are proficient in skills in reasoning (including the explicit substantiation of claims with well informed reasons);
3. Students are proficient in skills in written and oral presentation (including the development of a well organized and clearly articulated line of reasoning);
4. Students show developed ability to place changes in science and technology in historical context;
5. Students show developed ability to place changes in science and technology in social and cultural context;
6. Students show developed ability to critically evaluate normative considerations relevant to science and technology.
7. Students are proficient in research skills applied to issues relating to science, technology, and society.
   
   Mapping of STS student learning outcomes (SLOs) to STS courses

Program Learning Outcomes for the STS Major

1. Facility with scientific concepts and scientific methods of reasoning;
2. Development of critical thinking skills;
3. Competence in written and oral communication;
4. Ability to contextualize science and technology in order to identify, analyze, and influence the interrelation between science and society;
5. Development of research skills.

Alignment matrix for Student Learning Outcomes and Program Learning Outcomes

Major Advising Information

The 2023-2024 Road Map for the STS Major (PDF) provides a detailed model for completing the major in 4 years. This Advising Tips sheet highlights important program information for STS majors to keep in mind, and gives a list of Fall 2023 courses (for more detailed information about Fall 2023 courses, see "Major Curriculum" below).  Please contact Peter Ross, with advising questions about the STS Major.