Degree and Diploma Programs by Graduate Unit
2014-15 SGS Calendar
History and Philosophy of Science and Technology
Faculty Affiliation
Arts and Science
admission as Special Students. The application
procedures are the same as for those of the MA program,
but the deadline for applications is May 1.
Degree Programs Offered
Contact and Address
History and Philosophy of Science and Technology—
MA, PhD
Fields:
 Philosophy of Science
 History of Mathematics and Physical Sciences
 History of Medicine and Life Sciences
 History of Technology
Web: www.hps.utoronto.ca
Email: ihpst.info@utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 978-5397
Fax: (416) 978-3003
Collaborative Programs
The following collaborative programs are available to
students in participating degree programs as listed below:
1. Book History and Print Culture
 History and Philosophy of Science and Technology,
MA, PhD
2. Sexual Diversity Studies
 History and Philosophy of Science and Technology,
MA, PhD
Overview
The Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science
and Technology (IHPST) offers two degree programs:
Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy. IHPST
conducts research, offers advanced studies programs,
and serves as a focus for University-wide interest in its
field.
Courses are open to all graduate students and are
suitable complements for specialists in science or the
humanities. Students participate in the IHPST colloquia,
which are open to the University of Toronto community.
Admission is highly selective and competitive. Acceptance
is based on a combination of grades, references,
academic and professional accomplishments, areas of
interest, and a sample of written work.
All the forms required for application, including the
standard application form, can be downloaded from
IHPST's website. The website also contains detailed
instructions for completing applications. Applications must
be accompanied by transcripts, a statement of interest,
letters of reference, and a writing sample of no more than
3,000 words. The application deadline is February 1.
Applicants who wish to take one or more of the courses
offered by IHPST as non-degree students should apply for
2014-2015 School of Graduate Studies Calendar
www.sgs.utoronto.ca/calendar
Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and
Technology (IHPST)
University of Toronto
Old Victoria College
Room 316, 91 Charles Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1K7
Canada
Degree Programs
History and Philosophy of Science and
Technology
Master of Arts
Minimum Admission Requirements
 Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations
of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also
satisfy IHPST's additional admission requirements stated
below.
 An appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized
university with an average grade of at least B+ in the
final two years of undergraduate work. While the majority
of accepted students exceed this standard, the very
broad scope of the field and the variety of fruitful
approaches to it also imply that many different
backgrounds are appropriate. Accordingly, grades are
only one criterion used to judge applicants.
 Applications must be accompanied by a 300- to 500word statement of interest indicating the applicant's
areas of interest in history and/or philosophy of science
and technology at the graduate level. A writing sample is
required.
 Application deadline is February 1.
 Applicants whose primary language is not English and
who are not graduates of a university whose language of
instruction is English must submit results of the Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Test of
History and Philosophy of Science and Technology
1
Degree and Diploma Programs by Graduate Unit
Written English (TWE) with the following minimum
scores:
o paper-based TOEFL: 580 and 5 on the TWE
o Internet-based TOEFL: 93/120 and 22/30 on the
writing and speaking sections
Program Requirements
 Minimum of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs). A
student’s curriculum is arranged in consultation with the
student’s faculty advisor and the Director of Graduate
Studies. Students make course choices consistent with a
commitment to either:
o one of the three history fields (History of Mathematics
and Physical Sciences; History of Medicine and Life
Sciences; History of Technology), or
o the philosophy field (Philosophy of Science).
 Students in a history field must:
o complete HPS 1000H Introduction to the History and
Philosophy of Science and Technology (in the first
session)
o complete 1.0 FCE from the HPS 2000 series and 0.5
FCE from the HPS 3000 series
o demonstrate a reading knowledge of French or
German; language instruction courses are not counted
in the 3.0 FCEs required for the degree.
 Students in the philosophy field must:
o complete HPS 1000H Introduction to the History and
Philosophy of Science and Technology (in the first
session)
o complete 0.5 FCE from the HPS 2000 series and 1.0
FCE from the HPS 3000 series
o demonstrate proficiency in introductory logic, a reading
knowledge of French, or a reading knowledge of
German; logic and language instruction courses are
not counted in the 3.0 FCEs required for the degree.
Program Length
3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence:
F/W/S);
15 sessions part-time
Time Limit
3 years full-time;
6 years part-time
Doctor of Philosophy
Minimum Admission Requirements
 Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations
of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also
satisfy IHPST's additional admission requirements stated
below.
Full-Time PhD
 Applicants must be admitted via one of the following
routes:
o Direct entry: an appropriate bachelor's degree from
a recognized university, with an average grade of at
2014-2015 School of Graduate Studies Calendar
www.sgs.utoronto.ca/calendar
least a B+ in the applicant's overall program and of at
least an A- in the applicant's final two years of study
o A University of Toronto master's degree in History
and Philosophy of Science and Technology or its
equivalent from a recognized university with an
average grade of at least an A in the applicant's
program and with no individual grade less than B+.
While the majority of accepted students exceed this
standard, the very broad scope of the field and the
variety of fruitful approaches to it also imply that many
different backgrounds are appropriate. Accordingly,
grades are only one criterion used to judge applicants.
 Applications must be accompanied by a 300- to 500word statement of interest indicating the applicant's
areas of interest in history and/or philosophy of science
and technology at the graduate level. A writing sample is
required.
 Application deadline is February 1.
 Applicants whose primary language is not English and
who are not graduates of a university whose language of
instruction is English must submit results of the Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Test of
Written English (TWE) with the following minimum
scores:
o paper-based TOEFL: 580 and 5 on the TWE
o Internet-based TOEFL: 93/120 and 22/30 on the
writing and speaking sections
Flexible-Time PhD
 With the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies,
some applicants may be admitted to a flexible-time PhD
option. Applicants to the flexible-time PhD option are
accepted under the same admission requirements as
applicants to the full-time PhD option. This option will
benefit mature students who remain active in their
professional careers during the PhD, such as physicians,
engineers, educators, and IT professionals. The option
will enable them to engage in supervised research in the
history and/or philosophy of their profession.
 Students will be admitted on the basis of a master's
degree in History and Philosophy of Science and
Technology; admission based on a bachelor's
degree is not available.
Program Requirements
Full-Time PhD
 Students admitted on the basis of a bachelor's degree
(direct-entry) must:
o Complete 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in total; of
these, students must complete all of the MA
program requirements including language
proficiency, normally in Year 1.
o Complete all required courses by the end of Year 2.
The exception is HPS 1100Y, which should be
completed at the end of Year 3.
History and Philosophy of Science and Technology
2
Degree and Diploma Programs by Graduate Unit
 Students admitted on the basis of a master's degree
must:
o Complete 3.0 FCEs; a student whose MA degree
does not exhibit sufficient breadth is required to take
additional courses.
 All students must:
o Make course choices consistent with a commitment
to either:
 one of the three history fields (History of
Mathematics and Physical Sciences; History of
Medicine and Life Sciences; History of
Technology). Students in the history fields must
demonstrate reading knowledge of French or
German; language instruction courses are not
counted in the FCEs required for the degree.
or
 the philosophy field (Philosophy of
Science). Students in the philosophy field
must demonstrate proficiency in introductory logic,
a reading knowledge of French, or a reading
knowledge of German; logic and language
instruction courses are not counted in the FCEs
required for the degree.
o Arrange the balance of their curriculum in consultation
with the Director of Graduate Studies and faculty
instructors.
o Submit a proposal for an extended research paper
(required for HPS 1100Y), by end of Year 1 for
students who enter with a master's degree and by end
of Year 2 for students who enter with a bachelor's
degree. Students are responsible for ensuring that they
have an appropriate supervisor. All supervision
arrangements are reviewed and approved by the
Director of Graduate Studies who assists in the search
for a supervisor, if necessary. Proper supervision is a
prerequisite for continuation in the program.
o Maintain a cumulative average of at least A- with no
individual grade less than B+. In addition, all students
should receive at least an A- on the HPS 1100Y
research paper. Students falling below these standards
may be recommended for termination from the
program.
o Demonstrate other competencies crucial to conducting
research in the student's thesis area, as determined by
the supervisory committee in consultation with the
student and the Director of Graduate Studies. This
may include, for example, competence in another
language; mathematics; and a physical, life, or social
science.
o Pass a qualifying examination in areas related to the
field of expected research. Examination is conducted
by the student's specialist committee, normally three
faculty members.
o Submit a thesis proposal approved by the student's
thesis supervisory committee and the Director of
Graduate Studies.
2014-2015 School of Graduate Studies Calendar
www.sgs.utoronto.ca/calendar
Flexible-Time PhD
 Degree requirements for the flexible-time option are
identical to those listed above for the full-time PhD
program, except that the program of study will relate to
the student's work and vice versa.
 Students in the flexible-time option are required to
register full-time for the first four years of the program.
Thereafter, they may register part-time.
 Transfers between the full-time PhD program and the
flexible-time PhD option are not permitted.
 Students in the flexible-time option must satisfy the
SGS General Regulations and Degree Regulations in
the SGS Calendar, including good academic standing,
supervision, and candidacy regulations.
 The student will develop a thesis proposal, which must
be approved by the student's thesis supervisory
committee and the Director of Graduate Studies.
Program Length
4 years full-time; 5 years direct-entry (full-time); 6 years
flexible-time
Time Limit
6 years (full-time); 7 years direct-entry (full-time); 8 years
flexible-time
Course List
Not all courses are offered every year. Consult IHPST
regarding course offerings.
History and Philosophy of Science and
Technology
HPS 1000H
Introduction to the History and Philosophy
of Science and Technology (pro-seminar:
required for all students in their first
session)
HPS 1001H
Individual Reading and Research in
History and Philosophy of Science and
Technology
HPS 1002H
Individual Reading and Research in
History and Philosophy of Science and
Technology
HPS 1003H
Individual Reading and Research in
History and Philosophy of Science and
Technology
HPS 1005Y
Individual Reading and Research in
History and/or Philosophy of Science and
Technology
HPS 1100Y
Advanced Research Paper (required for all
students)
HPS 1500H+
Research Paper (available only to pre2005 admitted students)
History and Philosophy of Science and Technology
3
Degree and Diploma Programs by Graduate Unit
HPS 2000H
Introduction to the History of Mathematics
HPS 4014H
The Biology of Death: Experimental
Biology and Experimental Medicine, 1860–
1940
HPS 2001H
Introduction to the History of Physics
HPS 2002H
Introduction to the History of Chemistry
HPS 4015H
Science in the Renaissance
HPS 2003H
Introduction to the History of Biology
HPS 4016H
Human Genetics and the Eugenics
Movement
HPS 2004H
Introduction to the History of Medicine
HPS 4017H
HPS 2005H
Introduction to the History of Technology I
The Rise of Eugenics: A Comparative
History
HPS 2006H
Introduction to the History of Technology II
HPS 4018H
The Emergence of Modern Mathematics in
the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries
HPS 2007H
Introduction to the History of Astronomy
HPS 4019H
Studies in Ancient and Medieval Science
HPS 2008H
Introduction to the History of Psychology
HPS 4020H
Medieval Technology and Society
HPS 2009H
Introduction to the History and Philosophy
of the Social Sciences
HPS 4021H
Technology and War: 1090–1918
HPS 3000H
Introduction to Philosophy of Science
HPS 4100H
Historical Topics in Scientific Methodology
HPS 3001H
Introduction to the Philosophy of Biology
HPS 4101H
Topics in the History of Physics in the
Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries
HPS 3002H
Introduction to the History and Philosophy
of Science
HPS 4102H
Topics in the History of Technology
HPS 4000H
Historical Introduction to the Sociology of
Scientific Knowledge
HPS 4103H
Topics in the History of Chemistry, 1600–
1950
HPS 4001H
The Scientific Revolution: Galileo to
Newton
HPS 4104H
Topics in Ancient Greek and Scientific
Revolution Mathematics
HPS 4002H
History of Systematics
HPS 4105H
Topics in the History of the Social and
Behavioural Sciences
HPS 4003H
History of Evolutionary Biology
HPS 4300H
HPS 4004H
The Intellectual Context of NineteenthCentury Science
Historical Research: Methods, Sources,
Approaches
HPS 4500H
Religion and Science on Human Sexuality
HPS 4005H
History of Physiology
HPS 4501H
Biology and Human Nature
HPS 4006H
History of Immunology
HPS 4502H
Teleology, Adaptation and Design
HPS 4007H
Body, Medicine, and Society in Early
Modern Europe
HPS 4503H
Philosophy Applied to History of Science
HPS 4008H
Chemistry from Lavoisier to Mendeleev
HPS 4504H
Laws of Nature
HPS 4009H
The Invention of Modern Biology
HPS 4505H
Complexity, Reduction and Emergence in
Contemporary Biology
HPS 4010H
Newton and Mechanics
HPS 4506H
Philosophy of Medicine
HPS 4011H
History of Engineering
HPS 4508H
Philosophy of Physics
HPS 4012H
Science in Canadian History
HPS 4509H
Philosophy of Probability
HPS 4013H
History of Medical Microbiology
HPS 4510H
Philosophy of Economics
2014-2015 School of Graduate Studies Calendar
www.sgs.utoronto.ca/calendar
History and Philosophy of Science and Technology
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Degree and Diploma Programs by Graduate Unit
HPS 4511H
Philosophy of Science and Religion
PHL 2132H
Seminar in Ethics
HPS 4512H
Thought Experiments
PHL 2133H
Topics in Ethics: Theories of the Good
HPS 4513H
The Marxist Theory of Knowledge and
History
PHL 2145H
Bioethics
PHL 2171H
HPS 4514H
Conceptual and Theoretical Foundations
of Historiography
Philosophy of Mind: Embodied and
Extended Mind Theories
PHL 2172H
HPS 4600H
Topics in the Philosophy of Science
Seminar in Philosophy of Mind:
Conscious Life
HPS 4601H
Topics in the Philosophy of Science:
Empiricism
PHL 2190H
Philosophy of Language
PHL 2191H
Seminar in the Philosophy of Language:
Contextualism
PHL 2196H
Topics in the Philosophy of Science
PHL 2199H
Seminar in Philosophy of Science
+ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is
extended into session following academic session in which
course is offered.
Outside Courses of Possible Interest
Check with individual departments for course availability
during the academic year.
Book History and Print Culture
BKS 1001H
Introduction to Book History
BKS 1002H
Book History in Practice
BKS 2000H
Advanced Seminar in Book History
and Print Culture
Classics
CLA 5013H
Studies in Ancient Science
History
HIS 1269H
The Social History of Medicine in the
Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries
HIS 1270H
History of Psychiatry and Psychiatric
Illness
See the History entry for more course offerings.
McLuhan Program in Culture and
Technology
(C&T courses offered only if there is sufficient enrolment)
C&T 1004H
Communications in History, Theory,
Technology
Philosophy
PHL 2010H
Late Greek Philosophy: Plotinus
PHL 2051H
The Rationalists: Spinoza's Metaphysics
PHL 2131H
Ethics
2014-2015 School of Graduate Studies Calendar
www.sgs.utoronto.ca/calendar
History and Philosophy of Science and Technology
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