Science, Technology, and Society/Second Major (STS)

Science, Technology, and Society Program

Bachelor of Science in Science, Technology, and Society
(Second Major)

The full major in Science, Technology, and Society (STS) may be pursued only as a second major in conjunction with another degree program in a field of engineering or science, or in other fields on a case-by-case basis.

General Institute Requirements (GIRs)

The General Institute Requirements include a Communication Requirement that is integrated into both the HASS Requirement and the requirements of each major; see details below.

Summary of Subject Requirements Subjects
Science Requirement 6
Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) Requirement [between three and six subjects can be from the Departmental Program]; at least two of these subjects must be designated as communication-intensive (CI-H) to fulfill the Communication Requirement. 8
Restricted Electives in Science and Technology (REST) Requirement 2
Laboratory Requirement (12 units) 1
Total GIR Subjects Required for SB Degree 17
Physical Education Requirement
Swimming requirement, plus four physical education courses for eight points.

Departmental Program

Choose at least two subjects in the major that are designated as communication-intensive (CI-M) to fulfill the Communication Requirement.

Required SubjectsUnits
Tier I
STS.004Intersections: Science, Technology, and the World (CI-M)12
Select one of the following:12
Technology in American History
Finance and Society
Ancient Greeks to Modern Geeks: A History of Science
Data and Society
Bioethics
Technology and Experience
Evolution and Society
Engineering Life: Biotechnology and Society
Science in Action: Technologies and Controversies in Everyday Life
Embodied Education: Past, Present, Future
Tier II
Select one subject from the list of Tier II subjects 19-12
STS.THTUndergraduate Thesis Tutorial6
STS.THUUndergraduate Thesis (CI-M)12
Restricted Electives
Select a coherent group of four elective subjects in STS, plus four subjects related to the historical and social study of science and technology, in consultation with the STS undergraduate officer87-96
Units in Major138-150
Unrestricted Electives 266-78
Units in Major That Also Satisfy the GIRs(36-72)
Total Units Beyond the GIRs Required for SB Degree180

The units for any subject that counts as one of the 17 GIR subjects cannot also be counted as units required beyond the GIRs.

1

See list of Tier II subjects on department's website.

2

This chart has been calculated based on an overlap of 36 units (three subjects) between the HASS General Institute Requirement and the departmental requirements. Students who develop a program of study with more overlap will be able to select more unrestricted electives to meet the number of total units beyond the GIRs required for an SB degree.