History and Philosophy of Science and Technology

Published 2016-17 SGS Calendar for editing purposes only [exported July 28, 2016]

History and Philosophy of Science and Technology: IntroductionFaculty Affiliation

Arts and Science

Degree ProgramsHistory and Philosophy of Science and Technology

MA

PhD

Fields:History of Mathematics and Physical SciencesHistory of Medicine and Life SciencesHistory of TechnologyPhilosophy of Science

Collaborative Programs

The following collaborative programs are available to students in participating degree programs as listed below:

1. Book History and Print Culture

0. History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, MA, PhD

1. Sexual Diversity Studies

1. History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, MA, PhD

Overview

The Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (IHPST) offers two degree programs: Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy. IHPST conducts research, offers advanced studies programs, and serves as a focus for University-wide interest in its field.

Courses are open to all graduate students and are suitable complements for specialists in science or the humanities. Students participate in the IHPST colloquia, which are open to the University of Toronto community.

Admission is highly selective and competitive. Acceptance is based on a combination of grades, references, academic and professional accomplishments, areas of interest, and a sample of written work.

All the forms required for application, including the standard application form, can be downloaded from IHPST's website. The website also contains detailed instructions for completing applications. Applications must be accompanied by transcripts, a statement of interest, letters of reference, and a writing sample of no more than 3,000 words. The application deadline is January 15.

Applicants who wish to take one or more of the courses offered by IHPST as non-degree students should apply for admission as Special Students. The application procedures are the same as for those of the MA program, but the deadline for applications is May 1.

Contact and Address

Web: www.hps.utoronto.caEmail: ihpst.info@utoronto.caTelephone: (416) 978-5397Fax: (416) 978-3003

Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (IHPST)University of TorontoOld Victoria CollegeRoom 316, 91 Charles Street WestToronto, Ontario M5S 1K7Canada

HPST: History and Philosophy of Science and Technology MAMaster of ArtsMinimum Admission Requirements

1. Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy IHPST's additional admission requirements stated below.

1. An appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university with an average grade of at least B+ in the final two years of undergraduate work. While the majority of accepted students exceed this standard, the very broad scope of the field and the variety of fruitful approaches to it also imply that many different backgrounds are appropriate. Accordingly, grades are only one criterion used to judge applicants.

1. Applications must be accompanied by a 300- to 500-word statement of interest indicating the applicant's areas of interest in history and/or philosophy of science and technology at the graduate level. A writing sample is required.

1. Application deadline is January 15.

1. Applicants whose primary language is not English and who are not graduates of a university whose language of instruction is English must submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Test of Written English (TWE) with the following minimum scores:

4. paper-based TOEFL: 580 and 5 on the TWE

4. Internet-based TOEFL: 93/120 and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.

Program Requirements

1. Minimum of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs). A students curriculum is arranged in consultation with the students faculty advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies. Students make course choices consistent with a commitment to either:

0. one of the three history fields (History of Mathematics and Physical Sciences; History of Medicine and Life Sciences; History of Technology), or

0. the philosophy field (Philosophy of Science).

1. Students in a history field must:

1. complete HPS 1000H Introduction to the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (in the first session)

1. complete 1.0 FCE from the HPS 2000 series and 0.5 FCE from the HPS 3000 series

1. demonstrate a reading knowledge of French or German; language instruction courses are not counted in the 3.0 FCEs required for the degree.

1. Students in the philosophy field must:

2. complete HPS 1000H Introduction to the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (in the first session)

2. complete 0.5 FCE from the HPS 2000 series and 1.0 FCE from the HPS 3000 series

2. demonstrate proficiency in introductory logic, a reading knowledge of French, or a reading knowledge of German; logic and language instruction courses are not counted in the 3.0 FCEs required for the degree.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S);15 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;6 years part-time

HPST: History and Philosophy of Science and Technology PhDDoctor of PhilosophyMinimum Admission Requirements

1. Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy IHPST's additional admission requirements stated below.

Full-Time PhD

1. Applicants must be admitted via one of the following routes:

0. Direct entry: an appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university, with an average grade of at least a B+ in the applicant's overall program and of at least an A- in the applicant's final two years of study

0. A University of Toronto master's degree in History and Philosophy of Science and Technology or its equivalent from a recognized university with an average grade of at least an A in the applicant's program and with no individual grade less than B+. While the majority of accepted students exceed this standard, the very broad scope of the field and the variety of fruitful approaches to it also imply that many different backgrounds are appropriate. Accordingly, grades are only one criterion used to judge applicants.

1. Applications must be accompanied by a 300- to 500-word statement of interest indicating the applicant's areas of interest in history and/or philosophy of science and technology at the graduate level. A writing sample is required.

1. Application deadline is January 15.

1. Applicants whose primary language is not English and who are not graduates of a university whose language of instruction is English must submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Test of Written English (TWE) with the following minimum scores:

3. paper-based TOEFL: 580 and 5 on the TWE

3. Internet-based TOEFL: 93/120 and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.

Flexible-Time PhD

1. With the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies, some applicants may be admitted to a flexible-time PhD option. Applicants to the flexible-time PhD option are accepted under the same admission requirements as applicants to the full-time PhD option. This option will benefit mature students who remain active in their professional careers during the PhD, such as physicians, engineers, educators, and IT professionals. The option will enable them to engage in supervised research in the history and/or philosophy of their profession.

1. Students will be admitted on the basis of a master's degree in History and Philosophy of Science and Technology; admission based on a bachelor's degree is not available.

Program RequirementsFull-Time PhD

1. Students admitted on the basis of a bachelor's degree (direct-entry) must:

0. Complete 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in total; of these, students must complete all of the MA program requirements including language proficiency, normally in Year 1.

0. Complete all required courses by the end of Year 2. The exception is HPS 1100Y, which should be completed at the end of Year 3.

1. Students admitted on the basis of a master's degree must:

1. Complete 3.0 FCEs; a student whose MA degree does not exhibit sufficient breadth is required to take additional courses.

1. All students must:

2. Make course choices consistent with a commitment to either:

0. one of the three history fields (History of Mathematics and Physical Sciences; History of Medicine and Life Sciences; History of Technology). Students in the history fields must demonstrate reading knowledge of French or German; language instruction courses are not counted in the FCEs required for the degree.

or

0. the philosophy field (Philosophy of Science). Students in the philosophy field must demonstrate proficiency in introductory logic, a reading knowledge of French, or a reading knowledge of German; logic and language instruction courses are not counted in the FCEs required for the degree.

1. Arrange the balance of their curriculum in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies and faculty instructors.

1. Submit a proposal for an extended research paper (required for HPS 1100Y), by end of Year 1 for students who enter with a master's degree and by end of Year 2 for students who enter with a bachelor's degree. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have an appropriate supervisor. All supervision arrangements are reviewed and approved by the Director of Graduate Studies who assists in the search for a supervisor, if necessary. Proper supervision is a prerequisite for continuation in the program.

1. Maintain a cumulative average of at least A- with no individual grade less than B+. In addition, all students should receive at least an A- on the HPS 1100Y research paper. Students falling below these standards may be recommended for termination from the program.

1. Demonstrate other competencies crucial to conducting research in the student's thesis area, as determined by the supervisory committee in consultation with the student and the Director of Graduate Studies. This may include, for example, competence in another language; mathematics; and a physical, life, or social science.

1. Pass a qualifying examination in areas related to the field of expected research. Examination is conducted by the student's specialist committee, normally three faculty members.

1. Submit a thesis proposal approved by the student's thesis supervisory committee and the Director of Graduate Studies.

Flexible-Time PhD

1. Degree requirements for the flexible-time option are identical to those listed above for the full-time PhD program, except that the program of study will relate to the student's work and vice versa.

1. Students in the flexible-time option are required to register full-time for the first four years of the program. Thereafter, they may register part-time.

1. Transfers between the full-time PhD program and the flexible-time PhD option are not permitted.

1. Students in the flexible-time option must satisfy the SGS General Regulations and Degree Regulations in the SGS Calendar, including good academic standing, supervision, and candidacy regulations.

1. The student will develop a thesis proposal, which must be approved by the student's thesis supervisory committee and the Director of Graduate Studies.

Program Length

4 years full-time; 5 years direct-entry (full-time); 6 years flexible-time

Time Limit

6 years (full-time); 7 years direct-entry (full-time); 8 years flexible-time

HPST: History and Philosophy of Science and Technology MA, PhD Courses

Not all courses are offered every year. Consult IHPST regarding course offerings.

History and Philosophy of Science and Technology

HPS 1000H

Introduction to the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (pro-seminar: required for all students in their first session)

HPS 1001H

Individual Reading and Research in History and Philosophy of Science and Technology

HPS 1002H

Individual Reading and Research in History and Philosophy of Science and Technology

HPS 1003H

Individual Reading and Research in History and Philosophy of Science and Technology

HPS 1005Y

Individual Reading and Research in History and/or Philosophyof Science and Technology

HPS 1010H

Theory of Scientific Change

HPS 1100Y

Advanced Research Paper (required for all students)

HPS 1500H+

Research Paper (available only to pre-2005 admitted students)

HPS 2000H

Introduction to the History of Mathematics

HPS 2001H

Introduction to the History of Physics

HPS 2002H

Introduction to the History of Chemistry

HPS 2003H

Introduction to the History of Biology

HPS 2004H

Introduction to the History of Medicine

HPS2005H

Introduction to the History of Technology I

HPS 2006H

Introduction to the History of Technology II

HPS 2007H

Introduction to the History of Astronomy

HPS 2008H

Introduction to the History of Psychology

HPS 2009H

Introduction to the History and Philosophy of the Social Sciences

HPS 3000H

Introduction to Philosophy of Science

HPS 3001H

Introduction to the Philosophy of Biology

HPS 3002H

Introduction to the History and Philosophy of Science

HPS 3003H

Social Studies of Medicine

HPS 4000H

Historical Introduction to the Sociology of Scientific Knowledge

HPS 4001H

The Scientific Revolution: Galileo to Newton

HPS 4002H

History of Systematics

HPS 4003H

History of Evolutionary Biology

HPS 4004H

The Intellectual Context of Nineteenth-Century Science

HPS 4005H

History of Physiology

HPS 4006H

History of Immunology

HPS 4007H

Body, Medicine, and Society in Early Modern Europe

HPS 4008H

Chemistry from Lavoisier to Mendeleev

HPS 4009H

The Invention of Modern Biology

HPS 4010H

Newton and Mechanics

HPS 4011H

History of Engineering

HPS 4012H

Science in Canadian History

HPS 4013H

History of Medical Microbiology

HPS 4014H

The Biology of Death: Experimental Biology and Experimental Medicine, 18601940

HPS 4015H

Science in the Renaissance

HPS 4016H

Human Genetics and the Eugenics Movement

HPS 4017H

The Rise of Eugenics: A Comparative History

HPS 4018H

The Emergence of Modern Mathematics in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries

HPS 4019H

Studies in Ancient and Medieval Science

HPS 4020H

Medieval Technology and Society

HPS 4021H

Technology and War: 10901918

HPS 4100H

Historical Topics in Scientific Methodology

HPS 4101H

Topics in the History of Physics in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries

HPS 4102H

Topics in the History of Technology

HPS 4103H

Topics in the History of Chemistry, 16001950

HPS 4104H

Topics in Ancient Greek and Scientific Revolution Mathematics

HPS 4105H

Topics in the History of the Social and Behavioural Sciences

HPS 4300H

Historical Research: Methods, Sources, Approaches

HPS 4500H

Religion and Science on Human Sexuality

HPS 4501H

Biology and Human Nature

HPS 4502H

Teleology, Adaptation, and Design

HPS 4503H

Philosophy Applied to History of Science

HPS 4504H

Laws of Nature

HPS 4505H

Complexity, Reduction, and Emergence in Contemporary Biology

HPS 4506H

Philosophy of Medicine

HPS 4508H

Philosophy of Physics

HPS 4509H

Philosophy of Probability

HPS 4510H

Philosophy of Economics

HPS 4511H

Philosophy of Science and Religion

HPS 4512H

Thought Experiments

HPS 4513H

The Marxist Theory of Knowledge and History

HPS 4514H

Conceptual and Theoretical Foundations of Historiography

HPS 4600H

Topics in the Philosophy of Science

HPS 4601H

Topics in the Philosophy of Science: Empiricism

+ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

Outside Courses of Possible Interest

Check with individual departments for course availability during the academic year.

Book History and Print Culture

BKS 1001H

Introduction to Book History

BKS 1002H

Book History in Practice

BKS 2000H

Advanced Seminar in Book History and Print Culture

Classics

CLA 5013H

Studies in Ancient Science

History

HIS 1269H

The Social History of Medicine in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries

HIS 1270H

History of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Illness

See the History entry for more course offerings.

McLuhan Program in Culture and Technology

C&T courses offered only if there is sufficient enrolment.

C&T 1004H

Communications in History, Theory, Technology

Philosophy

PHL 2010H

Late Greek Philosophy

PHL 2051H

The Rationalists

PHL 2131H

Ethics

PHL 2132H

Seminar in Ethics

PHL 2133H

Topics in Ethics

PHL 2145H

Bioethics

PHL 2171H

Philosophy of Mind

PHL 2172H

Seminar in Philosophy of Mind

PHL 2190H

Philosophy of Language

PHL 2191H

Seminar in the Philosophy of Language

PHL 2196H

Topics in the Philosophy of Science

PHL 2199H

Seminar in Philosophy of Science