The Center for Science, Technology & Society (STS) will no longer be accepting new students into the Master of Science in STS program after the Fall 2018 term. The Center for STS will remain an active research center in the College of Arts & Sciences and will continue to offer an undergraduate minor in STS.

Students in Drexel’s MS in Science, Technology and Society investigate the co-production of science and society; that is, the many ways cultural, economic, historical, and political contexts influence science, technology and medicine, and how science, technology and medicine influence these contexts. Questioning the taken-for-granted, students hone their skills in humanities and social science research methods to examine the interactions among science, technology, identities and relationships, and how these are rooted in larger structural relationships. Through this program, graduate students explore the impact of new technologies and scientific knowledge, as well as their many social, ethical and legal implications.

A Diversity of Perspectives

STS at Drexel takes on some of our most important questions in contemporary science, technology and medicine with a multidisciplinary toolkit. Faculty in anthropology, criminal justice, history, information sciences, philosophy, political science, public health and sociology contribute to a curriculum that features a broad set of perspectives, all grounded in a foundation of critical thinking, strong research methods expertise, and clear writing and presentation skills. The STS Lab course is a unique feature of the curriculum—it prepares students to work as a team to address meaningful science and technology related topics. Working with a faculty adviser, graduate students develop an individualized plan of study that allows them to pursue their interests in depth.

The STS program emphasizes three interrelated areas of research: environment and sustainability, health and medicine, and information, identities and networks.

Learn about research in the Center for Science, Technology and Society

STS Students

STS students are independent, creative thinkers who are dedicated to understanding the social dimensions of science, medicine and technology. While Drexel’s STS students vary widely in their professional and educational backgrounds and career ambitions, they share a common commitment to a rigorous critical approach to our world’s most pressing technoscientific challenges.

Meet our alumni and see where they are now

Requirements

STS applicants must meet the general requirements for admission to graduate studies at Drexel University. The application also requires a personal statement (up to 500 words) describing the prospective student's interest in STS. Entering students typically begin study during the Fall Quarter with a required introductory course. However, students are able to start the program during any quarter.

The Master of Science in Science, Technology and Society requires 45 credits. The degree can be pursued either full-time or part-time. Soon after matriculation, the student completes a plan of study with the graduate adviser to outline his or her specific program. Students can complete the degree solely through coursework or combine coursework with a master's project or a master's thesis.  For more information on master's projects or master's theses, please consult the STS Graduate Student Handbook.

Learn more about the degree in the Course Catalog
STS Graduate Student Handbook [PDF]

Careers

The career opportunities for science, technology and society graduates are as diverse as the students. The STS program's emphasis on critical thinking, research methods and writing gives students the tools they need for careers as analysts in the private sector, nonprofit organizations or educational settings. STS graduates can also prepare for careers inside the major systems they study: health care and medicine, computing and information systems, urban infrastructure design and oversight, environmental regulation, advocacy, urban planning and risk management.

An STS degree can help engineers, scientists and medical professionals step into policy work by providing essential training in the social influences on and consequences of scientific and technical initiatives. For students from a social science, humanities and/or liberal arts background, an STS degree opens the door to professional advancement in technology or science-oriented organizations and settings. STS students also use the master's degree as a jumping-off point to further graduate studies in a range of fields including, but not limited to, science and technology studies, anthropology, sociology, political science, policy, law and medicine. You can read more about Drexel’s STS alumni online.

Learn more about the degree in the Course Catalog