The Department of the History of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Department of the History of Medicine, offers an undergraduate major and minor in the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology.

There is also a History of Science, Medicine, and Technology track for majors in Medicine, Science and the Humanities and East Asian Studies.

Major Requirements

Offered in cooperation with the Institute of the History of Medicine, this major allows students to combine substantive work in science with study of the social and historical context of modern science, medicine, and technology.

Two Survey Courses (select from the following)*: 

  • AS.140.105: History of Medicine
  • AS.140.106: History of Modern Medicine
  • AS.140.301: History of Science: Antiquity To Renaissance
  • AS.140.302: Rise of Modern Science
  • AS.140.321: Scientific Revolution

Additional History of Science, Medicine & Technology Courses: **

  • Two history of science, medicine & technology courses at any level
  • Four 200-400 level history of science, medicine & technology courses

Science, Math, or Engineering Courses (N, Q, or E):

  • Nine credits of 200-level or higher N, Q, or E courses 9
  • Twenty-one credits of N, Q, or E courses at any level

* Other courses might serve to fulfill the survey course requirement with permission of the director of undergraduate studies.
** The courses AS.140.411 Senior Research Seminar and AS.140.412 Research Seminar may not be used towards this requirement.

Honors and Thesis

Students who demonstrate excellence in coursework may write a senior thesis for honors credit. The thesis, a yearlong research project of about 40 pages, is done under close faculty supervision. Topics reflect student interests, and in the past have explored such themes as medieval Islamic spiritual medicine, debates about life on Mars, medical humanitarianism in Rwanda, bridge design and engineering, and the history of palliative care in the U.S.

Minor Requirements

To minor in the history of science, medicine, and technology, students must earn 18 credits (six courses) in the department.

One Survey Courses (select from the following)*: 

  • AS.140.105: History of Medicine
  • AS.140.106: History of Modern Medicine
  • AS.140.301: History of Science: Antiquity To Renaissance
  • AS.140.302: Rise of Modern Science
  • AS.140.321: Scientific Revolution

Five history of science, medicine & technology courses at any level

Track Requirements

Medicine, Science, and the Humanities Majors

  1. At least one survey course selected from among the following:
    • AS.140.105 – History of Medicine
    • AS.140.106 – History of Modern Medicine
    • AS.140.301 – History of Science: Antiquity-Renaissance
    • AS.140.302 – Rise of Modern Science
    • AS.140.321 – Scientific Revolution
  2. Three elective courses in History of Science, Medicine and Technology. Electives may be from among the upper-level survey courses listed above. Of the four total classes for the track, which should amount to 12 credits, at least two must be at the 300-400 level.

Note: Completion of two additional courses results in a minor in History of Science, Medicine and Technology.

East Asian Studies Majors

  1. A track requires at least 4 courses in History of Science, Medicine, and Technology
    • At least two of the courses should be from the following list:
      • AS.140.105 – History of Medicine
      • AS.140.106 – History of Modern Medicine
      • AS.140.301 – History of Science: Antiquity-Renaissance
      • AS.140.302 – Rise of Modern Science
      • AS.140.321 – Scientific Revolution
      • AS.140.305 – Science & Technology in East Asia
    • Two additional courses on the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology
  2. Courses taught by Profs. Y. Frumer, M. Hanson, and Y. Kim may be applicable even if not coded AS.140, pending permission from your EAS advisor.
  3. Students may be eligible to write a honors thesis in East Asian Studies on the topic of History of Science, Medicine, and Technology in East Asia, if they have met EAS requirements and pending their guiding professor’s approval.