Faculty of Arts
History and philosophy of science

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Faculty of Arts

1. Prerequisites
2. Requirements for a major
    2.1. History and philosophy of science major
    2.2. Logic and philosophy of science major
3. Honours entry
4. Honours requirements
    4.1. Pure honours
    4.2. Combined honours
5. Further study
6. For more information
Subject Lists
    First-year subjects
    Second/third-year subjects
    Third-year subjects
    Third/fourth-year subjects
    Fourth-year subjects

Teaching in the history and philosophy of science (HPS) began at the University of Melbourne in 1946. The program has developed since then to become the leading HPS department in Australia. HPS offers students a learning environment that bridges the gap between the two cultures of science and the humanities. Students have the opportunity to explore historical, philosophical and sociological perspectives on science and technology. This unique mix of literacies helps prepare students for a wide range of science-related professional careers.

Teaching in HPS is closely linked to current research, which ranges from the foundations of statistics and the nature of scientific reasoning, through a variety of historical projects, to the social impact of new technologies.

The high profile enjoyed by the department, both nationally and internationally, attracts staff, students and visiting scholars of the highest calibre, to create a rich and vibrant culture of learning and research.

1. Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for first-year HPS subjects.

For science students there are no prerequisites for second-year HPS subjects beyond admission to second year.

For other students the prerequisite for a second/third-year HPS subject is usually 75 points of first-year study in any discipline area.

The prerequisite for a third-year subject in HPS is usually two second/third-year subjects in HPS.

2. Requirements for a major

2.1. History and philosophy of science major

The requirements for a co-major in science are set out in Majors. An arts major in HPS usually consists of nine 12.5-point subjects, totalling 112.5 points. It comprises:

two first-year subjects in HPS (25 points); and
seven second/third-year subjects in HPS (totalling 87.5 points), which must include 12.5 points in two of the following areas:
- history of science
- philosophy of science
- sociology of science; and
at least one of the following:

BA students may take up to three philosophy subjects towards their major in HPS. Subjects from the list below will be approved automatically. Other subjects may be approved by the Head of Department if the content is deemed appropriate.

2.2. Logic and philosophy of science major

A major in logic and philosophy of science combines subjects taught by the Department of Philosophy and the Department of History and Philosophy of Science. Logic and philosophy of science is an area of study which addresses questions about the structure of inference, the nature of knowledge, and the methodology and metaphysics of science. Students who undertake a major in logic and philosophy of science are able to pursue a course of study which draws together subjects in logic and the philosophy of science, and related areas.

A major in logic and philosophy of science consists of nine 12.5-point subjects, totalling 112.5 points, see Logic and philosophy of science major.

Students who complete a major in logic and philosophy of science at a satisfactory level (minimum of H2A average within the major) may undertake combined honours in philosophy and HPS. They may not however be eligible for admission to pure honours in either department. Students wishing to undertake pure honours in either department should consult with the relevant honours coordinator for advice on how to design their course to meet departmental entry requirements for pure honours. For full details of the list of subjects which may be taken as part of this major, see Logic and philosophy of science major.

3. Honours entry

The requirements for science honours are set out in Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Bachelor of Information Systems (Honours). The prerequisites for entry to the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in HPS are:

completion of all the requirements for the BA; and
completion of a major in HPS, which includes 12.5 points in two of the following areas:
- history of science
- philosophy of science
- sociology of science; and
at least one of the following:
An average grade of H2B or higher over the second/third-year subjects within the major.

4. Honours requirements

4.1. Pure honours

Students undertaking pure honours in HPS must complete:

136-501 HPS Thesis (50 points) or 136-520 HPS Thesis (MYE) (50 points); and
four honours subjects in HPS (totalling 50 points); and
participation in a research methodology unit.

Honours and postgraduate diploma students may take up to two existing honours subjects offered by the Department of Philosophy towards their fourth-year studies in HPS. Subjects from the following list will be approved automatically. Other subjects may be approved on a case-by-case basis.

Enrolment in all cases must be approved by the HPS fourth-year coordinator and a Faculty of Arts course adviser.

No more than three philosophy and/or philosophy of science subjects may be taken as part of HPS honours. That is, pure honours in HPS must include at least one subject in an area other than the philosophy of science (or philosophy).

4.2. Combined honours

Students intending to undertake combined honours in HPS and another area of study should consult the HPS honours coordinator about structuring their course.

5. Further study

A BA with honours in HPS can lead to an MA by advanced seminars and shorter thesis or by research thesis alone, or to a PhD. Students interested in postgraduate study should collect a copy of the separate postgraduate brochure and contact the departmental office to make an appointment to see the postgraduate coordinator.

6. For more information

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

First-year subjects

136-101 History of Astronomy
136-103 Human Values, Science, and Nature
136-105 Science, Philosophy and History
136-175 The Ecological History of Humankind
136-110 The Risk Society: Remaking Everyday Life

Second/third-year subjects

103-005 Cybersociety
136-029 Darwinism
136-033 Science, Reason and Reality
136-034 Science, Life and Mind
136-035 A History of Nature
136-036 Philosophy of Science
136-037 Issues in the Modern Life Sciences
136-038 The Scientific Revolution
136-039 Medicine and Society
136-040 Science Technology and Society
136-042 Science in Australian Society
136-043 Modern Scientific Controversy
136-044 Current Issues in Philosophy of Science
136-045 Fact, Fiction & Fraud in the Digital Age
136-076 Social Theory and Political Analysis
136-077 Psychoanalysis and Social Theory
136-207 Philosophy of Biology
136-208 History and Philosophy of Mathematics
136-213 Environmental History of Australia
136-260 God and the Natural Sciences
161-115 Introduction to Formal Logic

Third-year subjects

136-052 Science as Practice and Culture
136-054 Controversies in Philosophy of Science
136-055 Approaches to the History of Science
136-307 Philosophy of Biology (Science 3)
136-308 History and Philosophy of Maths (Sci.3)
136-313 Environmental History of Australia (Sc3)
136-329 Darwinism (Science 3)
136-333 Science, Reason and Reality (Science 3)
136-334 Science, Life and Mind (Science 3)
136-335 A History of Nature (Science 3)
136-336 Philosophy of Science (Science 3)
136-337 Biotechnology in Modern Society (Sci.3)
136-338 The Scientific Revolution (Science 3)
136-340 Science Technology & Society (Science 3)
136-342 Science in Australia (Science 3)
136-343 Scientific Controversy (Science 3)
136-344 Current Issues in Phil of Science (Sci3)
136-360 God and the Natural Sciences (Science 3)

Third/fourth-year subjects

136-442 Directed Study

Fourth-year subjects

136-501 HPS Thesis
136-520 HPS Thesis (MYE)
136-496 HPS Research Project (Science)
136-497 HPS Advanced Coursework (Science)
136-527 Ecology and the Environmental Movement
136-528 Disease and Culture
136-531 Genetics in Society
136-535 Special Lecture Program
136-536 Realism, Relativism and Naturalism
136-416 Beyond Realism and Relativism
136-417 Science in the Classical World
136-418 Risk, Environment and Modernity
136-460 Physical Science in the 18th Century
136-464 Philosophical Problems in Statistics
136-465 Institutions of Australian Science
136-466 Scepticism, Fallibilism and Relativism