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B.S. in Science, Technology and Society

Overview

What is the impact of science and technology on humanity? How do globalization issues such as global warming and pollution affect societies from an ethical, legal and policy standpoint? Students in the B.S. in Science, Technology and Society degree program will explore these and other societal questions.

This innovative degree provides students with a strong understanding of social systems and theory, and the history and development of science and technology with emphasis on:

  • societal control of science and technological pursuits
  • analytical techniques required for a sophisticated study of science and society
  • basics of science and technology studies

ASU is the only higher education institute in Arizona offering this type of comprehensive, interdisciplinary degree, which is designed to complement ASU’s emerging Ph.D. program in human and social dimensions of science and technology.

The B.S. in Science, Technology and Society degree offers three tracks tailored to meet the needs of specific fields:

  • Science, Technology and Governance
  • Global Technology and Development
  • General Science and Technology Studies
Career paths for graduates include government at all levels, international organizations such as the United Nations, business, and non-profit organizations.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the B.S. in Science, Technology and Society consists of the following:

Requirements Semester Hours
General studies + 1st-year composition + ASU 101 42
Science and Technology Studies core (including internships/capstone) 24
Selected track* 18
Required minor 18
Free electives 18
Total 120


*Pre-Law preparation and the requirements for state certification for secondary education can be accommodated in the General STS track.


At least 45 of the 120 required semester hours must be completed in upper-division courses. All students are expected to complete a capstone experience, which will be either a project or an internship.  The student, along with the faculty advisor(s), will designate the appropriate requirement as part of the student’s approved program of study.

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STS Core

The STS Core consists of 24 semester hours:

Core Courses Semester Hours
STS 301 Research in Science and Technology Studies 3
STS 302 Philosophy of Science 3
STS 303 History of Science and Technology 3
STS 304 Science, Technology, and Society (or STS 101)* 3
STS 305 Science and Social Theory 3
STS 306 Social Effects of Science and Technology 3
STS 317 Science, Technology, and Global Engagement (or STS 110) * 3
STS 484 Capstone/Internship 3
Total 24


*Students who begin the STS program as freshmen will take STS 101 and 110. STS 304 and 317 are for transfer students with 64 semester hours who need upper-division credit.

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Tracks

The B.S. in Science, Technology and Society has three tracks, each of which requires a minimum of 18 semester hours of approved coursework:

Track 1: Science, Technology, and Governance

This track is designed for students who are generally interested in the interaction of science and technology with issues of governance. The track addresses issues such as:

  • The impact of science and technology on the structure and mechanisms of government.
  • The impact of science and technology on public policy, policy institutions, and the policy process.
  • The impact of science and technology on intergovernmental relationships, and information flow.
  • The impact of science and technology on legal processes and judicial outcomes.
  • The impact of science and technology on citizenship in democratic governance.
  • The impact of science and technology on democratic governance in diverse environments, including issues of distributive justice.
  • The impact of science and technology on achieving public safety, including food safety, drugs, national security, and product safety.
  • The impact of government decisions on the trajectory of modern science, including setting the research agenda, funding research, and using regulatory mechanisms such as the anti-trust laws to advance or discourage technological pursuits.

Students in this track will complete the following coursework or their equivalents:

  • POS 310 American National Government
  • STS 318 Science, Technology, and Government
  • STS 325 Science, Technology, and Public Policy
  • STS 327 Ethical Issues in Science and Technology
  • STS 364 Science, Technology, and National Security
  • STS 425 Law, Values, and Science and Technology

 

Track 2: Global Technology and Development

The Global Technology and Development Track is designed to develop expertise in the understanding of how technology, processes of globalization and society influence one another. It provides a comprehensive understanding of systems of technology, how they interface and their role in global economic, political and social development and change.

Students in this track will learn the answers to questions such as:

  • How is the rapid pace of technological change affecting societies around the world?
  • How does social change direct technological advance and innovation?
  • Can we predict global change based on past and current trends in technological development and from evidence of the technological impact on societies?
  • Will the expansion of technology increase or decrease the disparity of wealth around the world?
  • How can technological solutions be applied to problems in developing countries?
  • What will the new century hold in store for societies around the globe?
  • Are we really witnessing a new world system defined by a globalization and integration of economies, cultures and political power?

Students in this track will complete the following coursework or their equivalents:

  • STS 328 Science, Technology, and Culture
  • STS 329 Cultivating Technology in Newly Industrializing Countries
  • STS 330 Information Technology and Globalization
  • STS 327 Ethical Issues in Science and Technology
  • STS 332 Seminar: Global Issues in Science and Technology
  • STS 364 Science, Technology, and National Security

 

Track 3: General STS

The General STS Track has been designed as the integrative component of the STS degree program. It can be used to design dual degrees and double majors with other programs. For instance, the General STS Track can be employed in establishing a pre-law degree program with more emphasis on a science and technology curriculum. Students seeking secondary teaching certification can incorporate social science pedagogy courses. In each instance, when this Track is chosen, the student will work in conjunction with faculty advisors within Social and Behavioral Sciences and other units to work out an appropriate program of study. Students can utilize courses available at any unit within ASU for this purpose. 

Besides STS courses, a student interested in using this track to construct a pre-law program can choose from the following electives:

  • ENG 301 Writing for the Professions
  • SOC 360 Sociological Psychology
  • SOC 429 Sociology of Law
  • PHI 307A Philosophy of Law
  • PHI 333 Introduction to Symbolic Logic
  • POS 310 American National Government
  • POS 315 The Supreme Court
  • POS 333 Interest Groups
  • POS 370 Law and Society
  • POS 471 Constitutional Law I
  • POS 472 Constitutional Law II

 

Required Minor

Each approved program of study in the STS program must include at least one minor in a substantive field, with a total of 18 semester hours. STS students are encouraged to take minors in actual career fields such as business, technology, technical communication or education. The minor is to help prepare the student for a career upon graduation.

 

Free Electives

The STS program allows students 18 semester hours of free electives. Each student will work with a faculty advisor to develop the elective package that meets his/her needs. In each case, the package of electives will give graduates a polytechnic character and prepare them for careers and employment.

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