Our discipline is devoted to using a wide variety of historical and philosophical approaches to understand two of the most important conceptual and cultural enterprises of the modern world—science and its related discipline, medicine. Our studies share a common aim of understanding how science works.

While we do not currently offer a major degree, we encourage undergraduates to pursue either a minor in Medical Humanities or Scientific Skills and Research Integrity in our department. Our minors pair well with a broad variety of majors in related field in both the sciences and the humanities. If you are interested in the specific study of the history and philosophy of science and medicine, you can pursue a major through the Individualized Major Program (IMP).

The Medical Humanities minor examines the “human side” of medicine with the goal of helping those who aspire to enter careers in medicine become more empathic and humane health practitioners. This minor helps you to develop competencies and skills required to conduct medical research responsibly, to collaborate and communicate effectively, to develop empathy, and to reflect on urgent questions that arise during encounters between medical providers and patients.

Learning about science involves more than learning facts. You need to be able to consider facts within various contexts and think about their impact on society. This minor helps you gain a broader understanding of how science works in relation to questions of ethics, authorship, evidence, policy decisions, and such urgent topics as sustainability or justice in science and beyond 

Through the IMP program, you can pursue a major in our area that gives your degree unique interest and critical depth, helping you address ethical questions in science and medicine as you consider the impact of these domains of study. A major in IMP focused on the history and philosophy of science and medicine provides research experience that can give you an edge in applying to graduate or professional schools.