About

The History & Philosophy of Science graduate program provides professional training in the interdisciplinary subject of history of science, technology, and medicine. It bridges the humanities, social sciences, and the natural sciences by studying the social and cultural contexts within which science is practiced and has developed.  

Its successful pursuit requires an understanding of the development of the sciences and technology within particular historical settings, as well as the ability to synthesize knowledge from seemingly disparate fields of study. In addition to engaging in the teaching and research of a challenging academic discipline, historians of science may also work to help reform the teaching of science by placing science in a broader context and illustrating and explaining the processes of science.  

History & Philosophy of Science graduates are teachers at high school, colleges and universities; they are archivists, museum curators, and editors; they are analysts of science and technology policy, and historians for government agencies, for research facilities, and for business corporations.

What are your particular strengths at OSU? 

We have faculty with a range of interests and you should spend some time with our online faculty profiles. However, OSU should be a particular attraction if you are interested in life sciences, environmental sciences, public health and medicine, science and politics, or the philosophy of science.The extensive Ava Helen and Linus Pauling collection, as well as the Nuclear History collection, both at OSU’s Valley Library, makes OSU an ideal place to do original research in the history of biology, biochemistry, chemistry, and nuclear issues in the second half of the twentieth century.

The School of History, Philosophy, and Religion offers M.A., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in History & Philosophy of Science. The school also participates in the graduate program in Interdisciplinary studies (M.A.I.S.). History and History & Philosophy of Science may be used as a major or minor in the MAIS degree program or as a direct minor in other graduate programs.


Northwest Lifestyle

Corvallis, a University town of 55,000, lies at the center of a nature-culture axis. Corvallis offers spectacular scenery, superb outdoor recreation, and a host of locally grown dining, craft breweries, and artistic opportunities. With over 60 miles of biking and hiking trails throughout town and into surrounding countryside, it’s never hard to get away from it all.

In case that is not enough, Corvallis is also only about an hour from the Pacific ocean to the west, the high Cascade mountains to the east, the city of Portland to the north and the city of Eugene to the south, so you will not run out of things to do...ever. But, we not only talk the talk, we also walk the walk with one of the most innovative, environmentally conscious, and inclusive campuses in the nation.     

Top five ‘Best Cities for Entrepreneurs’ (Entrepreneur, 2013)
#1 Green campus in Oregon (#11 nationwide)  (Sierra Club, 2013)
“Gold” for bicycle commuting (League of American Bicyclists, 2011)
A five-star campus (LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index, 2011)
#1 Green Power community in the nation (EPA, 2009)
A top-20 ‘most livable’ town (Outside magazine, 2008)
The fifth smartest city in the U.S. (Forbes magazine, 2008)

Click here to read the graduate program handbook

Program Tabs

Note: 

Important

The Graduate School announced two major admissions processing improvements that became available on October 26, 2012:

     1.  After submitting an application, applicants are now able to directly upload unofficial documents, including unofficial transcripts, resumes, etc.

Applicant uploads of unofficial documents will greatly speed processing and availability of files for review. Uploaded documents can be viewed immediately in the existing graduate admissions self-service application. 

      2.  An electronic letter of reference system is now available

The electronic reference letter system will send requests to three reference writers indicated by the applicant on their admission application.

Additional details and screen views are available on the Graduate School web site

 We ask that new applications take advantage of these two new systems!

Links to Additional Information