The minor in Sustainability Studies focuses on the interactions between various systems—social, political, cultural, economic, technological, and ecological —that undergird environmental sustainability. Students use interdisciplinary approaches to investigate environmental problems.
The minor in Science, Technology, and Society (STS) is designed for students broadly interested in the social and political dimensions of science, technology, engineering, and medicine. Students use political and social science methods to investigate scientific and technological developments.
The M.S. in Science and Technology Studies (STS) builds on the diverse backgrounds and interests of our faculty, internationally renowned for their social understanding of science and technology, and for their global reach, theoretical breadth, and ethical engagement. The degree is well suited to students who are seeking positions in the public policy arena or who wish to continue in a Ph.D. program in STS or related discipline at other institutions.
Graduates of the M.S. in STS may enter directly into the Ph.D. program on the recommendation of the Admissions & Awards Committee and with the approval of the Graduate Program Director
Making sense of social and technoscientific change requires conceptual and methodological tools honed within a vibrant intellectual community. The STS PhD program combines anthropology, cultural studies, history, and sociology to examine science, technology, media, and medicine from multiple perspectives. The program emphasizes community engagement with the politics of science and transdisciplinary investigation of research and policy cultures. We document how science and technology are shaped by social forces—and how we might shape them back!
Students who earn a PhD in Science and Technology Studies at Rensselaer translate new understandings of science and technology into improved scientific and technological practices and policies. Graduates of this program are known for their global reach, theoretical breadth, and critical ethical engagement. They pursue research into questions and problems that extend beyond the boundaries of any single discipline.
STS graduate education empowers PhDs to engage in social and political change. STS PhDs think on their feet with theoretical grounding. They influence current dialogue over how science, technology, and medicine might be used to promote human flourishing and resilience. They work in academic and policy settings on wide-ranging topics that matter for social justice.
Recent graduates hold postdocs or faculty appointments at: Arizona State University; College of William & Mary; Drexel University; Indiana University; Michigan State; New Mexico Tech; Rockefeller Institute of Government; Smith College; Stanford University; Temple University; University of Texas at Austin; University of Utah; Yale University; and others. Alumni are publicly engaged intellectuals all over the world: IIT Hyderabad; Nanyang Technological University in Singapore; University of Chittagong in Bangladesh; Kyung Hee University in South Korea; and Concordia University and University of British Columbia in Canada.
The M.S. in Science and Technology Studies (STS) builds on the diverse backgrounds and interests of our faculty, internationally renowned for their social understanding of science and technology, as for their global reach, theoretical breadth, and ethical engagement. The degree is well suited to students who are seeking positions in the public policy arena or who wish to continue in a Ph.D. program in STS or related discipline at other institutions.
Students pursuing the B.S. in Sustainability Studies examine human-environment interactions and develop sustainability strategies through policy, community engagement, and hands-on projects.
Sustainability Studies is a degree designed for environmentally conscious students seeking an education that blends social and natural sciences, humanities, and technology.
Outstanding students at Rensselaer have the option to complete a dual major, for a distinctive career profile. These combinations of degree programs - for example, Chemical Engineering and Sustainability Studies - are designed so that you can complete the requirements for both majors in just four years.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this program are prepared for careers in environmental and public policy, nonprofit research and advocacy, and green industries.
Students pursuing the B.S. in Science, Technology, and Society investigate the social and historical dimensions of science, engineering, and medicine.
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.
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.
The B.S. in Design, Innovation, and Society at Rensselaer provides creative, socially conscious students with a broad education in design. This is not your typical design program.
The B.S. in Design, Innovation, and Society (DIS) is a unique liberal arts-focused and studio-based design program: