BSc in History and Philosophy of Science in Pasadena United States | California Institute of Technology

The HPS (History and Philosophy of Science) program enhances comprehension of how the physical and biological sciences have progressed historically, along with the philosophical viewpoints shaping them, while exploring the interplay between science, technology, and broader human activities.

Historical HPS coursework examines the roots of theoretical and experimental approaches, the societal and organizational frameworks of scientific work, the emergence and uses of quantitative techniques, and key advancements from ancient times in mathematics, physics, life sciences, geography, mapping, and space exploration. Students gain skills in applying social, political, biographical, and comparative analysis to these disciplines. Philosophical HPS courses explore topics like causality and interpretation, probability and statistical reasoning fundamentals, and conceptual challenges in biology, mathematics, medicine, neuroscience, and physics. These classes also tackle important ethical concerns, including research integrity violations and human-technology relationships. An HPS minor is available for interested students.