Faculty of Science
History and philosophy of science

Search : Index : Faculty of Science

Faculty of Science

Science studies nature: HPS studies science.

The Department of History and Philosophy of Science studies science by asking such questions as:

If science tells the truth, why do scientists sometimes say one thing (for example, dinosaurs were cold-blooded) and then later say the opposite (dinosaurs were warm-blooded)?
What determines which diseases are given priority in medical research?
Can science usefully work with Aboriginal beliefs about nature to better conserve the environment?
Is it really true that people in medieval Europe believed the earth was flat?
When science and religion disagree, which should we believe?
How many scientific theories have been biased against women, religious, or racial minorities?
Are science students well trained to think for themselves or are they just trained to apply the current popular scientific theories?
How much influence in society should scientists have?

1. Suggested subjects

Students should consult the full list of history and philosophy of science subjects and their detailed descriptions ( see History and philosophy of science).

Not all history and philosophy of science subjects receive science credit. The history and philosophy of science subjects listed below do qualify for science credit towards the Bachelor of Science. Where a student elects to complete a history and philosophy of science subject that does not appear in this list, science credit will be not be awarded towards the Bachelor of Science degree.

Note that:

Students enrolled in a combined Bachelor of Science course are not entitled to count non-science points towards the Bachelor of Science component.
History and philosophy of science subjects count toward the arts component of both the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science combined course and the Bachelor of Arts and Sciences course.

Science students are not able to major in history and philosophy of science, but can do a co-major in the discipline, provided that they also complete an approved science major, as detailed in Majors.

1.1. 100-level subjects

All 100-level subjects are available to science students without prerequisites.

1.2. 200-level subjects

Students are generally required to have completed at least 62.5 points at the 100-level before enrolling in 200-level subjects. Completion of 100-level HPS is not required.

1.3. 300-level subjects

Students doing a co-major or seeking entry to honours in HPS are required to complete 12.5 points at second/third year level in two of the following areas: history of science, philosophy of science and sociology of science; and should select at least one 300-level subject from 136-052, 136-054, 136-055 [note that these subjects do have prerequisites].

2. Bachelor of Science (Honours)

For information about the faculty and departmental entry requirements for honours, please refer to Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Bachelor of Information Systems (Honours). These requirements should be considered when planning your course.

3. Further Information

Department of History and Philosophy of Science
Ground Floor, Old Arts Building
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Tel: +61 3 8344 6556
Fax:+61 3 8344 7959
Web: http://www.hps.unimelb.edu.au

HPS Subjects available for science credit

Careful attention should be paid to the level and number of science credit points that will be awarded for the completion of these subjects.

Note: History and philosophy of science subjects count toward the Bachelor of Arts component of both the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science combined course and Bachelor of Arts and Sciences course. Refer to the arts section of this Handbook for points details.

Status:                   Official 2002
Last Modified:            Tuesday May 07 22:11
SGML to HTML Conversion:  Information Technology Services
Authorised by:            Academic Registrar
Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au

Table of Contents