Science, Technology, and Society, BS

First Semester

• ENGL 101 Composition I Credits: (3-0) 3 ¹
• BIOL 151 General Biology I Credits: (3-0) 3 ¹
• BIOL 151L General Biology I Lab Credits: (0-1) 1 ¹
• General Education Math Elective Credits: 3 ¹
• General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective(s)  Credits: 3 ¹

Second Semester

• General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective(s) Credits: 6 ¹
• General Education Science Elective Credits: 3 ¹
• Free Elective Credits: 5

Select one course from the following:

• MATH 281 Introduction to Statistics Credits: (3-0) 3
• MATH 381 Introduction to Probability and Statistics Credits: (3-0) 3

First Semester

• STS 201 Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society Credits: (3-0) 3
• ENGL 279 Communication in the STEM Workplace Credits: (3-0) 3 ¹
• General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective(s)  Credits: 3 ¹
• Free Elective Credits: 6

Second Semester

• HUM 200 Connections: Humanities & Technology Credits: (3-0) 3
• ENGL 289 STEM Communication for Technical and Public Audiences Credits: (3-0) 3 ¹
• Upper Level Humanities or Social Science Elective Credits: 3 ²
• Free Elective Credits: 6

First Semester

• HUM 375 Computers in Society Credits: (3-0) 3
• BIOL 311 Principles of Ecology Credits: (3-0) 3
• PHIL 335 History and Philosophy of Science Credits: (3-0) 3
• Upper Level Science or Engineering Elective Credits: 3 ³

Select one course from the following:

• POLS 407 Environmental Law & Policy Credits: (3-0) 3
• HIST 409 Environmental History of the US Credits: (3-0) 3

Second Semester

• ENGL 300 Environmental Literature & Culture Credits: (3-0) 3
• BIOL 375 Current Bioethical Issues Credits: (3-0) 3
• Upper Level Humanities or Social Science Elective Credits: 3 ²
• Upper Level Science or Engineering Elective Credits: 3 ³

Select one course from the following:

• SOC 351 Criminology Credits: (3-0) 3
• SOC 411 Licit and Illicit Drugs Credits: (3-0) 3

First Semester

• STS 401 Writing and Research in Science, Technology, and Society Credits: (3-0) 3
• Upper Level Humanities or Social Science Elective Credits: 3 ²
• Upper Level Science or Engineering Elective Credits: 6 ³

Select one course from the following:

• PSYC 451 Psychology of Abnormal Behavior Credits: (3-0) 3
• PSYC 461 Theories of Personality Credits: (3-0) 3

Second Semester

• STS 498 Research Credits: (3-0) 3 ⁴
• Upper Level Humanities or Social Science Elective Credits: 6 ²
• Upper Level Science or Engineering Elective Credits: 3 ³
• Free Elective Credits: 3

Notes:

¹ Fulfills General Education requirement. Students should consult the “General Education Requirements ” section of this catalog for a complete listing of all general education requirements.

² Select 15 total credits from: six to nine credits of courses with a Social Science prefix (see gen ed Goal 3 for approved prefixes) and six to nine credits of courses with a Humanities prefix (approved prefixes include those in gen ed Goal 4, as well as STS). All must be at the 300 or 400 level.

³ Select 15 credits of 300 or 400 level courses in natural sciences or engineering. Students should consult with their advisors to make these selections.

⁴ Students must have an approved Intent to Graduate form and STS worksheet on file in the department office before registering for STS 498, the senior capstone project. Students should consult with their advisors for the graduation requirements of this program. 

Recommended Electives:

Objectives and Outcomes

Program Objective 1:

1. Identify, describe, and use key concepts and tools from across multiple disciplines, including science, humanities, and social science fields.

Student Outcomes:

1. Utilize and apply key concepts and skills appropriately across assignments in discipline-specific courses.

Program Objective 2: 

1. Analyze and evaluate the social, cultural, and political dimensions of scientific and technological knowledge, and their applications in historical and contemporary contexts.

Student Outcomes:

1. Design, conduct, and present capstone projects that present complex analyses of a topic or issue from multiple disciplinary backgrounds.
2. Demonstrate understanding of how scientific and technological knowledge interacts with overlapping and/or competing social, cultural and/or political perspectives as applied to real-world issues.

Program Objective 3:

1. Recognize and analyze how scientific and technological issues are framed, applied, and interpreted by individuals and groups in public contexts.

Student Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the roles and responsibilities of individuals to their communities and how this can be interpreted differently across groups.
2. Assess claims, arguments, and perspectives regarding the implications of scientific and technological issues for both individuals and communities.