Graduate Field
Science and Technology Studies
Program Description
Science and Technology Studies is a growing academic field dedicated to historical and social analysis of science and engineering. STS builds on humanistic and social science traditions to examine systematically the social and cultural dimensions of science and technology (including health, medicine, and environmental science). Ph.D. students explore topics at the cutting edge of science and technology studies and learn how to conduct empirically-grounded research on science and technology in historical and/or contemporary contexts. The field thus contributes to our understanding of the place of science and technology in societies, with attention to historical, sociological, philosophical, and political issues.
The field has specific course requirements. All students are expected to take, prior to their Admission to Candidacy examination, four specifically introductory theoretical and methodological courses in three of four subject areas: history, philosophy, sociology, and politics of science and technology, as well as a one-semester seminar intended as an introduction to the field as a whole. At least four of the courses taken during the student's first year should be Science and Technology Studies courses.
Students are expected to achieve a level of competence in at least one foreign language sufficient for reading the literature in their research area. The Special Committee will decide how this competence is to be demonstrated; competence should be established prior to the Admission to Candidacy examination. Additional languages may be required at the discretion of the Special Committee.
All students are expected to take an active part in departmental life, engaging in such activities as a weekly discussion group, a colloquium series, and other special training events and workshops.
Concentrations
- History and philosophy of science and technology
- Social studies of science and technology
Program Information
- Instruction Mode: In Person
- Location: Ithaca, NY
- Minimum Credits for Degree: 165
Program Requirements
- Minimum Semesters for Degree: 10
Graduate School Milestones
- Responsible Conduct of Research Training: Required
- Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID): Required
- Student Progress Reviews (SPR) begin: Second Year
- Examination for admission to candidacy (A Exam): Fall of third year
- Defense of Dissertation (B Exam): By the end of the fourteenth semester
Field Specific Milestones
- Qualifying Examination (Q Exam): Spring of first year
- Pre-B Exam: At least four weeks in advance of B Exam
- Field progress review conducted every year
Course Requirements
Additional course requirements may be set by the student’s Special Committee. Program specific requirements that apply to all students are included below.
Year 1 (Fall)
- STS 7005 STS Perspectives
- STS 7111 Introduction to Science and Technology Studies
- Two additional graduate level courses, at least one of which is designated as STS
Year 1 (Spring)
- STS 6311 Qualitative Research Methods for Studying Science, Technology, and Medicine or Chair-approved methods course
- Two additional graduate level courses, at least one of which is designated as STS
Year 2 (Fall)
- STS 7006 STS Research I: A Course for Second-Year PhD Students in the Field
- Two to three additional graduate level courses
Year 2 (Spring)
- STS 7007 STS Research II: A Course for Second-Year PhD Students in the Field
- Two to three additional graduate level courses
Year 3 (Fall)
- Must have seven STS graduate level courses completed by the end of this term
University Graduation Requirements
Requirements for All Students
In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.
Academic Requirements
A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.
Non-academic Requirements
Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.
Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.
