Section: Prospective Students
Science and technology pervade all aspects of modern life. Think of the impact of vaccines, mobile phones, jet travel or the internet on how we interact with one another and understand own place in society. How have theories of natural selection, advances in quantum physics or new medical theories and technologies changed the way we see ourselves? How have the politics of climate change influenced the science of climate change? Scholars in Science, Technology and Innovation Studies tackle such thorny issues. We seek to answer the big questions about how societies both influence and are influenced by science, medicine and technology.
The University of Edinburgh has an international reputation in all aspects of the study of science, technology and innovation in society. Founded in 1964 as the Science Studies Unit, it is here that pioneering work was done in the sociology of scientific knowledge. Likewise, Edinburgh has been the home for ground-breaking studies of the shaping of technology by cultural, economic, political and organisational factors. We continue this tradition of excellence today. Edinburgh scholars are working on the social and historical aspects of a range of issues including, bioscience, genomics, history of science and medicine, psychiatry, emerging technologies and innovation, information and communication technologies, science and technology policy, international development and artificial biology.
There is no undergraduate degree programme in science, technology and innovation. Rather, we offer very popular one-semester options that focus on various aspects of the historical and social dimensions of science and technology. These courses are open to all students and are an excellent addition to almost any degree programme found across the University. Students visiting from overseas are very welcome to join our courses. For more information see the course list below, discuss these options with your DOS or contact the course secretary. The Undergraduate Teaching Office in the School of Social and Political Science can offer further information and assistance.
Our undergraduate courses provide a strong foundation for careers in the private or public sector, e.g. in business, media, or government, where a sociological perspective on science and technology is an asset. Many who begin studies in this area chose to go on to do postgraduate work. At postgraduate level we offer a taught MSc/Diploma in Science and Technology Studies, Science and Technology Policy and Management, and Science, Technology and International Development. It is also possible to pursue a MSc by Research in Science and Technology Studies which can be taken on its own or be the stepping stone to an MPhil or PhD. We have various funding opportunities available. Please contact the Graduate School for more information or see the specific programme pages below.
School of Social and Political Science
The University of Edinburgh
Chrystal Macmillan Building
15A George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LD
phone: 0131 650 3925
fax: 0131 650 3945
email: ssps@ed.ac.uk
This page was published on 11 December 2009