Faculty of Arts

 History and Philosophy of Science

Table of Contents

Subject Lists
    Subject descriptions

History and Philosophy of Science asks questions about the nature of science as an activity, and about the place of science in modern society. For example, how is scientific knowledge established? If science tells the truth, why do scientists sometimes say one thing (for example, that dinosaurs were cold-blooded) and then later say the opposite (dinosaurs were warm-blooded)? Or, when science and religion disagree, which should we believe? Or, can statistics lie? Or, how much influence in society should scientists have?

 1. Prerequisites

There are no specific requirements for entry into History and Philosophy of Science subjects. For second year subjects, there are no prerequisites for science students. For students in other faculties, the normal prerequisite for second-year level HPS subjects is at least one first-year subject (12.5 points), but students who have done suitable alternative first-year subjects may be granted exemption from this. For third year subjects, the normal prerequisite is two second year subjects.

 2. Requirements for a major

A major in History and Philosophy of Science consists of at least five subjects at second and third-year level, totalling 83.3 points, including at least one of 136-321 Science As Practice, Culture and Politics, 136-340 Controversies in the Philosophy of Science or 136-341 Approaches To the History of Science. Intending Honours students must complete a major in HPS including at least one second or third-year level philosophy of science unit and one second or third-year level history of science unit.

 3. Entry to Honours

The prerequisite for entry to Honours in HPS is completion of the Bachelor of Arts degree, completion of a major in HPS including the Honours prerequisite subjects detailed above, and with a minimum H2B average grade calculated over the best five HPS subjects completed at second and third-year level.

 4. Honours requirements

 4.1. Pure Honours

Students undertaking Honours in history and Philosophy of Science complete:

• four single semester Honours subjects (66.7 points), and;
• 136-400 H.P.S. Honours Thesis (33.3 points).

 4.2. Combined Honours

Students undertaking Combined Honours in HPS complete:

• two singe semester Honours subjects (33.3 points), and;
• 136-400 H.P.S. Honours Thesis, or a thesis in the combining department (33.3 points), and;
• subjects in the combining department according to the requirements of that department (33.3 points).

 4.3. Honours seminars

The HPS Department will offer several semester-length honours seminar subjects every year. Details of the subjects on offer will be available in the department's course guide each year.

Each seminar will consist of one lecture-seminar a week during one semester, with written work in the form of seminar papers and essay work (a 5000-word essay or as otherwise arranged).

Students may gain credit for one of the seminars by undertaking a course of directed reading and essay work in an approved topic. Students taking this option will be assigned to a supervisor who will provide guidance, and the choice of essay topics will be subject to the supervisor's approval. Permission to undertake this option must be obtained from the fourth-year coordinator, subject to the availability of willing supervisors.

 5. Opportunities for further study

The Department offers the usual range of advanced studies for students who already have a degree: Diplomas, Masters (by coursework, by advanced seminars and shorter thesis, or by research thesis alone); Doctor of Philosophy. Students interested in postgraduate study should collect a copy of our separate postgraduate handbook, and contact the Departmental office to make an appointment to see our postgraduate coordinator.

 6. For more information

For Further Information, please contact:

Subject descriptions

136-101 History of Astronomy
136-102 Darwinism: Man, Woman and Nature in the History of Biology
136-103 Human Values, Social Change and New Technologies
136-105 Science, Philosophy and History
136-175 Health, Ecology and History
136-202 Science, Reason and Reality
136-203 Science, Life and Mind
136-206 Gender, Science and Technology
136-215 Historical Encounters in a Changing Environment
136-220 Philosophy of Science
136-222 Issues in the Modern Life Sciences
136-224 The Scientific Revolution
136-225 Medicine and Society
136-226 Science, Technology and Society
136-227 Science in Australian Society
136-229 Upheavals in Scientific Thought
136-233 History of Technology
136-238 Current Issues in the History and Philosophy of Science
136-259 Social Theory and Political Analysis
136-260 Psychoanalysis and Social Theory
136-291 Fact, Fiction and Fraud: Survival Skills for the Digital Workplace
103-210 Cybersociety: Information Technology, Society and Self
161-221 Introduction To Formal Logic
136-305 Contemporary Scientific Controversies (Science)
136-307 Philosophy of Science for Scientists
136-308 Scientific Rationality (Science)
136-316 Enhanced History of Science
136-317 Science and Reality (Science)
136-318 Current Issues in the History and Philosophy of Science for Scientists
136-321 Science As Practice, Culture and Politics
136-332 Biotechnology in Modern Society
136-340 Controversies in the Philosophy of Science
136-341 Approaches To the History of Science
136-342 Directed Study
136-358 Inquiring into Science and Technology
136-416 Beyond Realism and Relativism: The New Pragmatist Philosophy of Science
136-417 Science in the Classical World.
136-418 Risk, Environment and Modernity
136-419 Ecology and the Environmental Movement
136-435 Research and Archival Practice
136-451 Disease and Culture
136-482 Imagined Societies: Ideology, Subjectivity and Politics
136-496 HPS Research Project
136-400 H.P.S. Honours Thesis
136-497 HPS Advanced Coursework

Status:                   Official 1998
Last Modified:            Tuesday October 21 17:09
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Authorised by:            Academic Registrar
Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au