Faculty of Arts History and Philosophy of Science

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Faculty of Arts

Table of Contents

1. Time commitment to study
2. Prerequisites
3. Diploma in Arts (History and Philosophy of Science)
4. Requirements for a major
    4.1. History and philosophy of science major
    4.2. Logic and philosophy of science major
5. Honours entry
6. Honours requirements
    6.1. Pure honours
    6.2. Combined honours
7. Further study
8. 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 professional careers.

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

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. Time commitment to study

As well as scheduled contact hours for lectures, tutorial and seminars a considerable additional time committment is needed to complete the academic requirements of each subect.

A subject-specific time commitment to study will be provided by your lecturer or tutor at the beginning of semester to help you schedule your workload and successfully manage your time during the semester. In addition, general estimates of the total time commitment required to study a 12.5-point single semester subject in the Faculty of Arts can be found on Time commitment to study.

2. 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.

3. Diploma in Arts (History and Philosophy of Science)

The Diploma in Arts (History and Philosophy of Science) is only available to students who are currently enrolled in a degree course at the University of Melbourne. It consists of a three-year sequence of study, and adds one year to the duration of your degree.

Students must complete 25 points of first-year subjects and 75 points of second/third-year subjects in history and philosophy of science. Alternatively, students who have completed appropriate background studies at first year may complete 100 points of second/third-year subjects in history and philosophy of science.

4. Requirements for a major

4.1. History and philosophy of science major

The requirements for a major in science are set out in Planning a science major. 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 at least one subject in each of the following areas:

  • history of science

  • philosophy of science

  • sociology of science

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.

• 161-009 Knowledge, Truth and Relativism

• 161-033 Philosophical Problems of Space and Time

• 161-104 Critical Thinking: The Art of Reasoning

• 161-115 Introduction to Formal Logic

• 161-210 Philosophy of Logic

• 161-212 Non-Classical Logic

4.2. 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.

BA 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.

5. Honours entry

The requirements for science honours are set out in Bachelor of Science (Degree with Honours) and Bachelor of Information Systems (Degree with 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 must include at least one subject from each of the following areas:

  • history of science

  • philosophy of science

  • sociology of science

• and a minimum average grade of H2B or higher over the second/third-year subjects within the major.

6. Honours requirements

6.1. Pure honours

Students undertaking pure honours in HPS must complete:

• 136-520 HPS Thesis (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.

• 161-434 Epistemology and Metaphysics

• 161-436 Issues in Analytic Metaphysics

• 161-440 Philosophical Psychology

• 161-445 Current Issues in Philosophy

• 161-447 Topics in Advanced Logic

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).

For information on how to apply see Applying for Honours.

6.2. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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 The Good Life, Science, and Nature
136-105 Science, Philosophy and History
136-175 The Ecological History of Humankind

Second/third-year subjects

136-029 Darwinism
136-033 Science, Reason and Reality
136-034 Science, Life and Mind
136-035 A History of Nature
136-037 Biotechnology in Modern Society
136-038 The Scientific Revolution
136-039 Blood, Guts and Science
136-040 Science Technology and Society
136-044 Current Issues in Philosophy of Science
136-076 Social Theory and Political Analysis
136-077 Psychoanalysis and Social Theory
136-205 Cybersociety
136-207 Philosophy of Biology
136-208 History and Philosophy of Mathematics
136-209 Intimacy and Technology
136-210 Minds and Madness
136-211 Asian Civilisations and Science
136-213 Environmental History of Australia
136-260 God and the Natural Sciences

Third-year subjects

136-305 Cybersociety (Science 3)
136-307 Philosophy of Biology (Science 3)
136-308 History and Philosophy of Maths (Sci.3)
136-310 Minds&Madness (Science 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)
136-337 Biotechnology in Modern Society (Sci.3)
136-338 The Scientific Revolution (Science 3)
136-340 Science Technology & Society (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

136-520 HPS Thesis
136-496 HPS Research Project (Science)
136-497 HPS Advanced Coursework (Science)
136-416 Beyond Realism and Relativism
136-505 Philosophical Problems in Statistics
136-506 Science and Discovery in the Pacific
136-517 Science in the Classical World
136-527 Ecology and Environmentalism
136-528 Disease and Culture
136-531 Genetics in Society
136-535 Special Lecture Program
136-536 Realism, Relativism and Naturalism
136-540 Science, Conflict and Globalisation
136-541 The Risk Society: Remaking Everyday Life
136-543 The Ethics of Science
136-544 Beyond the Spin:Technoscientific Failure
136-566 Scepticism, Fallibilism and Relativism

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