Department of
Science and Technology Studies
Local Rules STS BSc degrees
Rev: October 2012, July 2014
These local rules are applied by the Department of Science and Technology Studies to the MAPS overarching scheme of award for undergraduate course-unit degrees.
They apply for entry from the 2012-13 session.
For V550, V551, and L391
1. Table 1 lists compulsory HPSC modules for V500 and L391.
Table 2 lists compulsory HPSC modules for V551.
2. Students must pass a minimum of 3.0 course units (HPSC3004 inclusive) in advanced HPSC courses
(3000-level).
3. In the event a compulsory module is not available, others may be substituted. These must contribute
to a coherent programme of study within the degree.
4. Many HPSC modules are interdisciplinary, so one substitution per year is allowed between the HPS
and SAS lists.
5. Up to 0.5 compulsory course units at 2000-level and 3000-level each may be replaced with a module
elsewhere in UCL provided those units contribute to a coherent programme of study within the
degree. Or, a history or philosophy module for a HPS module; a policy module for a SAS module.
Students should apply through their personal tutor for a written decision by the Undergraduate Tutor.
6. For students transferring into an STS degree, a written agreement must be in place, prior to the start
date, on which previously earned course units (if any) will be substituted for compulsory courses. If no
approval exists, no substitutes to the prescribed programme will be permitted.
7. The Undergraduate Tutor must approve all substitutions. Decisions are subject to review by the STS
Board of Examiners.
For intercalated BSc in Philosophy, Medicine and Society
1. Students must complete 4.0 course units
2. Students must pass 3.0 course units, including HPSC3026
3. Students must attempt HPSC2020 and HPSC3028. In exceptional circumstances, other STS modules
may be substituted if they create a coherent programme of study. Substitutions require the approval of
the Undergraduate Tutor.
4. Students must attempt no fewer than 3.0 course units at the 3000-level, including HPSC3026.
Introductory (1000-level) modules cannot be taken as part of this degree.
5. The scheme of awards for this degree is prescribed by UCL Medical School.
Approval
Undergraduate Teaching Committee
Prof Joe Cain
______________________________
(Chair)
date
_____________
STS Board of Examiners
Dr Brendan Clarke
______________________________
(Chair)
date
_____________
1
Table 1: HPSC courses compulsory for BSc degrees
V550
L391
Year 1
Compulsory modules
1001 History of Science: Antiquity to Enlightenment
1003 Philosophy of Science 1
1004 Science Policy
1007 Investigating Science & Society
1008 Fundamentals of Science Communication
1010 Revealing Science
1011 History of Modern Science
1012 Sources in History of Science
Years 2 and 3
Years 2 and 3
Compulsory modules
2017 Global Citizenship in Action
3004 Dissertation
Compulsory modules
2017 Global Citizenship in Action
3004 Dissertation
In addition
In addition
at 2000-level
1.5 course units in HPS modules
1.0 course units in any HPS or SAS modules
at 2000-level
1.5 course units in SAS modules
1.0 course units in any HPS or SAS modules
at 3000-level
1.5 course units in HPS modules
1.0 course units in any HPS or SAS modules
at 3000-level
1.5 course units in SAS modules
1.0 course units in any HPS or SAS modules
Table 2: HPSC courses compulsory for BSc degrees
V551
Compulsory modules
1001 History of Science: Antiquity to Enlightenment
1003 Philosophy of Science 1
1004 Science Policy
1007 Investigating Science & Society
1008 Fundamentals of Science Communication
1010 Revealing Science
1011 History of Modern Science
1012 Sources in History of Science
Compulsory modules
2017 Global Citizenship in Action
3004 Dissertation
In addition
2.5 course units in HPS or SAS modules at 2000-level
2.5 course units in any HPS or SAS modules at 3000-level
V551 is no longer accepting students. The last year of entry is 2012-13.
Table 3: Option modules in HPS and SAS streams (Revised July 2014)
History and Philosophy of Science
HPS option modules
Science and Society
SAS option modules
2000-level
2003 Philosophy of Science 2
2005 Philosophy of Biology
2012 Science, Religion and Revolution
2018 History of Life Sciences
2019 History of Modern Physical Sciences
2020 Philosophy of Medicine
2022 Philosophy of Social Science
2024 Special Topics in History and Philosophy of Science
2000-level
2001 Policy Issues in the Life Sciences
2002 Science in the Mass Media
2006 Science and Ethics
2011 Science, Communication and the Citizen
2014 Science Policy Issues in Global Perspective
2015 Investigating Science on a Global Scale
2016 Globalization in Theory and Practice
2023 Sociology of Science *
2025 Special Topics in Science and Society
3000-level
Running in 2014/15
3015 History of Astronomy and Cosmology
3020 Philosophy of Natural Sciences
new title
3028 Philosophy of Medicine *
(Students who took HPSC2020 in 2013/14 may not enrol on
HPSC3028 in 2014/15)
new title
3029 History of Medicine *
3034 Science, Art and Philosophy
3030 Science and Global History
3040 Science, Politics and the State in Russia and the Soviet Union
*new
3041 Disease in History
*new
3045 Philosophy of Information
*new
3049 Sleep and Dreaming
*new
3050 Science in Nineteenth Century London
Not running in 2014/15 but may have been taken previously to count
towards the degree
3007 Topics in History of the Physical Sciences
3014 Magic to Science
3022 Frontiers of Knowledge in HPS
3027 Evolution in Science and Culture
3031 Philosophy of Chemistry
*new
3000-level
Running in 2014/15
3003 Communication of Scientific Ideas
3032 Investigating Contemporary Science
3033 Communicating Science in Digital Environments
3036 Governing Emerging Technologies
*new
3046 Science and Film Production
new course code
3053 Globalization in Theory and Practice *
(Students who took HPSC2016 in 2013/14 may not enrol
on HPSC3053 in 2014/15)
Not running in 2014/15 but may have been taken previously
to count towards the degree.
3002 Science, Warfare and Peace
3006 Advanced Sociology of Science
3010 Popularisation of the Physical Sciences
3011 Science Writing and Reporting
3013 New Genetics and Society
3024 Frontiers of Knowledge in Science and Society
Some modules vary in content from one offer to the next, so the STS Undergraduate Tutor has discretion to assign categories to these
modules as appropriate, subject to review by the STS Board of Examiners. These modules are listed here.
3035
Major Internship
Please note: Not all options are offered every year. Students need to monitor announcements on availability.