History of Science, Medicine, and Technology Major Requirements
(Also see Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree.)
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. The aim of the program is to produce graduates who are scientifically literate and technically competent, and who at the same time understand science and medicine not as static, autonomous enterprises but rather as modes of thought that have developed in specific social contexts.
The major is appropriate for any student planning a career in medicine or other areas of the health care industry. It is also flexible enough to serve as a basis for a variety of careers where an informed knowledge of science and technology and their impact on society is important. Such careers include broad areas of business and industry, journalism, teaching, museum work, and specialized areas of law and public policy.
- Sciences: Students are required to have a total of 30 credits in science, engineering, and mathematics courses (with area designator coding of E, N, or Q) of which at least nine credits must be above the 100-level. Laboratory courses in science count toward this requirement. Calculus I is strongly recommended.
- History of Science, Medicine and Technology: A total of 24 credits of course work in the history of science, medicine and technology are required. These must include at least two survey courses and four additional courses above the 100-level.
- At least fifteen of the combined total of 54 credits in the major must be above the 300-level, and at least nine of those fifteen credits must be for history of science, medicine, or technology courses.
- Students must complete at least 6 credits of Writing and Communication foundational ability coursework in one major. They could fulfill this requirement by selecting two elective courses in the major that are designated as Writing and Communications courses.
- Students in their senior year may take graduate courses with permission.
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A minimum grade of C- is necessary in all courses applied toward the requirements of the major and requirements may not be taken satisfactory/unsatisfactory. Courses taken at another institution that are not directly equivalent to a JHU course may not apply towards these requirements without permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Each course must be at least 3 credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Survey Courses 1 | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| History of Medicine | ||
| History of Modern Medicine | ||
| History of Science: Antiquity To Renaissance | ||
| Rise Of Modern Science | ||
| Scientific Revolution | ||
| Additional History of Science, Medicine & Technology Courses 2 | ||
| Two history of science, medicine & technology courses at any level | 6 | |
| Four 300 level or above history of science, medicine & technology courses | 12 | |
| 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 | 21 | |
| Total Credits | 54 | |
- 1
Other courses might serve to fulfill the survey course requirement with permission of the director of undergraduate studies.
- 2
Courses that apply must be offered by the department (AS.140.xxx) or cross-listed by it. AS.140.411 Senior Research Seminar and AS.140.412 Research Seminar may not be used towards this requirement.
Sample Program of Study
A typical program might include the following sequence of courses:
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| AS.140.1xx First Year Seminar or other AS.140.xxx elective | 3 | AS.140.xxx HSMT elective above 100 level | 3 |
| Any level N,Q,E course | 3 | Any level N,Q,E course | 3 |
| Any level N,Q,E course | 3 | ||
| 6 | 9 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| Survey course such as AS.140.105 or AS.140.321 | 3 | Survey course such as AS.140.106 or AS.140.302 | 3 |
| 200 level or above N,Q,E course | 3 | 200 level or above N,Q,E course | 3 |
| 200 level or above N,Q,E course | 3 | ||
| 6 | 9 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| 300 level or above AS.140.xxx HSMT elective | 3 | 300 level or above AS.140.xxx HSMT elective | 3 |
| 300 level or above AS.140.xxx HSMT elective | 3 | Any level N,Q,E course | 3 |
| Any level N,Q,E course | 3 | Any level N,Q,E course | 3 |
| 9 | 9 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| AS.140.411 (Optional) | 3 | AS.140.412 (Optional) | 2 |
| 300 level or above AS.140.xxx HSMT elective | 3 | Any level N,Q,E course | 3 |
| 6 | 5 | ||
| Total Credits 59 | |||
Honors in the Major
Students who demonstrate excellence in course work are eligible to write an honors thesis (AS.140.411 Senior Research Seminar and AS.140.412 Research Seminar) in their final year for additional credits. Students must have outstanding recommendations from two department members to be eligible for the thesis. Departmental honors are conferred if a student has a GPA of 3.5 or better in major requirements and receives a grade of A- or better on the thesis.