2025-2026 General Catalog
Source: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/science-technology-studies/science-technology-studies-ab/ Parent: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/#programsanddegreestext
The Science & Technology Studies (STS) major brings the perspectives of the humanities and social sciences together with science, technology, and medicine. It considers science, technology, and medicine in relation to their social, political, and economic contexts. The major combines history, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, cultural studies, environmental studies, law, business, literature, and media studies to address the impacts and implications of science, technology, and medicine. The major allows students to pursue a broader understanding of science than is available within a traditional science major, and it provides important skills for interpreting science, technology, and medicine with regard to society and culture.
The Major
Graduation with a degree in Science & Technology Studies requires completion of courses in the social sciences and the humanities, as well as courses in the natural sciences. Upper division work includes 16 units in STS theories and methods, 20 units in a particular STS emphasis area, and 8 units of upper division science coursework (plus prerequisites) providing depth, concentration, and field work in the sciences. The STS emphasis areas are:
- Law & Innovation
- Health & Environment
- Data & Media Technologies
- History & Philosophy of Science
Students may alternatively choose not to specialize and instead pursue a more general STS emphasis. Prerequisites for courses in the sciences can be extensive and may require substantial advance planning. Students are encouraged to take advantage of faculty and staff advising to develop their plans of study.
Career Alternatives
The STS major enables students to analyze science and allied practices from historical, philosophical, sociological, political, anthropological, and cultural perspectives. STS prepares students for careers that address the broader ramifications of science, technology, and medicine. STS majors often pursue careers in health care & medicine, law, journalism, public policy, economics, government, media & technology industries, science education, non-profit health organizations, libraries & museums, public health administration, management consulting, and teaching. STS majors are also well prepared for advanced research careers in the sciences, the humanities, and the social sciences.
Major Advisor
Staff advisors are located in the Blue Ridge Office Building. For information about how to contact a major advisor; see Major Advising.
Faculty Advisor
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