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
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 program in this discipline in Australia. History and philosophy of science 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 history and philosophy of science 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 program, 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 commitment is needed to complete the academic requirements of each subject.

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 history and philosophy of science subjects.

For science students there are no prerequisites for second-year history and philosophy of science subjects beyond admission to second year.

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

The prerequisite for a third-year subject in history and philosophy of science is usually two second/third-year subjects in history and philosophy of science.

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 an undergraduate 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 history and philosophy of science usually consists of eight 12.5-point subjects, totalling 100 points. It comprises:

• two first-year subjects in history and philosophy of science (25 points); and

• six second/third-year subjects in history and philosophy of science (totalling 75 points).

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

• 161-009 Knowledge, Truth and Relativism

• 161-104 Critical Thinking: The Art of Reasoning

• 161-115 Logic

• 161-210 Philosophy of Logic

• 161-212 Non-Classical Logic

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 history and philosophy of science are:

• completion of all the requirements for the BA; and

• completion of a major in history and philosophy 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 history and philosophy of science must complete:

• 136-529 HPS Thesis (37.5 points); and

• five honours subjects in history and philosophy of science (totalling 62.5 points).

Honours and postgraduate diploma students may take up to two existing honours subjects offered by the School of Philosophy towards their fourth-year studies in history and philosophy of science. 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 history and philosophy of science honours. That is, pure honours in history and philosophy of science must include at least two subjects 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 history and philosophy of science and another area of study should consult the School of Social and Environmental Inquiry honours coordinator about structuring their course.

7. Further study

A BA with honours in history and philosophy of science 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 contact the School's office to make an appointment to see the postgraduate coordinator.

8. For more information

School of Social and Environmental Inquiry
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

136-103 The Good Life and Science
136-105 Science, Philosophy and History
136-111 From Plato to Einstein
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
136-039 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
136-288 History of Astronomy

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)
136-311 Asian Civilisations & Science (Science3)
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)
136-340 Science Technology & Society (Science 3)
136-344 Current Issues in Phil of Science (Sci3)
136-360 God and the Natural Sciences (Science 3)
136-388 History of Astronomy (Science 3)

Third/fourth-year subjects

136-442 Directed Study

Fourth-year subjects

136-529 HPS Thesis
136-505 Philosophical Problems in Statistics
136-506 Pacific History, Environment & Science
136-517 Science in the Classical World
136-527 Ecology and Environmentalism
136-528 Medicine, Biology and Culture
136-531 Genetics in Society
136-536 Realism, Relativism and Naturalism
136-537 The Scientific Revolution
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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