Students pursuing the B.S. in Science, Technology, and Society investigate the social and historical dimensions of science, engineering, and medicine.
Program Overview
The STS major is designed for intellectually curious, socially conscious, and self-motivated students who seek a well-rounded education. STS provides students with an interdisciplinary curriculum in history, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, political science, and design studies.
Outstanding students at Rensselaer have the option to complete a dual major, for a distinctive career profile. These combinations of degree programs - for example, Computer Science and STS - are designed so that you can complete the requirements for both majors in just four years.
Employers value good communicators and critical thinkers. STS prepares students to work in any technical field that benefits from understanding its human dimensions.
Law, policy, and ethics are core themes of this degree program. Students learn to think in sophisticated ways about complex topics like illicit drug use, the global food system, robotics, genetics, water pollution, and climate change.
With an emphasis on research, STS is a great preparation for graduate school. Many graduates go on to law or medical school.
For more information about the requirements for this degree, please consult the Rensselaer Catalog for your starting year at Rensselaer or contact the STS Undergraduate Programs Director, Professor Matthew Wolf-Meyer (wolfmm@rpi.edu). To change your major or to declare a dual major, book a meeting at the HASS Student Services Advising Hub. If you have already declared this major, you can direct questions to your faculty advisor and the HASS Student Services Advising Hub.
Program Outcomes
Students who graduate from this program will have the ability to:
- Think critically about contemporary social problems, recognizing the matrix of factors that shape problems and constrain solutions.
- Research, write, and communicate effectively about complex social issues.
- Identify applications of social science and humanities knowledge to careers in industry, law, medicine, and public policy.
- Develop a research project that can launch graduate and professional studies.
- Cultivate a global perspective and an understanding of cultural differences.
- Analyze and respond to multiple viewpoints.
After Graduation
Graduate studies
Our graduates go on to advanced study in law, medicine, public health, and the social sciences.
Career Opportunities
An STS degree opens doors to careers that are meaningful and change-oriented. Our graduates are able to step into professions that require knowledge of society and politics, research and communication skills, and a multidimensional understanding of science and technology. Many graduates with dual majors work in science, engineering, and other fields, and find that their education in STS helps them excel as versatile and creative professionals, focusing on issues and ideas that matter to them.