Department of
Science and Technology Studies
Local Rules STS BSc degrees
Rev: September 2013, 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 2013-14 session.
For V550, 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
*new module title
2017 STS in Practice
3004 Dissertation
Compulsory modules
*new module title
2017 STS in Practice
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 3: Option modules in HPS and SAS streams (running in 2014)
Following a detailed review of the curriculum by the Undergraduate Teaching Committee and the launch of a number of new
modules the following revised list of options has been issued. A list of module option module designations will be issued
at the beginning of each academic year.
History and Philosophy of Science
HPS option modules
Science and Society
SAS option modules
2000-level
HPSC2003 Philosophy of Science 2
HPSC2006 Science and Ethics
HPSC2012 Science and Religion
HPSC2026 Science and Empire
HPSC2028 Thinking About Technology
2000-level
HPSC2001 Policy Issues in the Life Sciences
HPSC2002 Science and the Media
HPSC2006 Science and Ethics
HPSC2023 Sociology of Science and Technology
HPSC2028 Thinking About Technology
3000-level
HPSC3020 Philosophy of Natural Sciences
HPSC3015 History of Astronomy and Cosmology
HPSC3028 Philosophy of Medicine
HPSC3029 History of Medicine
HPSC3034 Science, Art and Philosophy
HPSC3040 Science, Politics and the State in Russia and the
Soviet Union
HPSC3041 Disease in History
HPSC3045 Philosophy of Information
HPSC3049 Sleep and Dreaming
HPSC3050 Science in Nineteenth Century London
3000-level
HPSC3003 Communication of Scientific Ideas
HPSC3032 Investigating Contemporary Science
HPSC3033 Communicating Science in Digital Environments
HPSC3036 Governing Emerging Technologies
HPSC3046 Science and Film Production
HPSC3053 Globalization in Theory and Practice
Table 2: Option modules in HPS and SAS streams (2013)
For information only.
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
3007
Topics in History of the Physical Sciences
3014
Magic to Science
3015
History of Astronomy and Cosmology
3020
Philosophy of Natural Sciences
3022
Frontiers of Knowledge in HPS
3027
Evolution in Science and Culture
3028
Advanced Philosophy of Medicine
3029
Medicine, Disease, and History
3030
Science and Global History
3031
Philosophy of Chemistry
3034
Science, Art and Philosophy
3000-level
3002
Science, Warfare and Peace
3003
Communication of Scientific Ideas
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
3032
Investigating Contemporary Science
3033
Communicating Science in Digital Environments
3036
Governing Emerging Technologies
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.