This plan is only available to students commencing 2009 onwards

The major in HPS promotes excellence in research, teaching and interdisciplinary study of science and technology. HPS applies the knowledge and techniques of the humanities and social sciences to investigate the history, philosophy, politics and broader socio-cultural dimensions of science, technology and biomedicine. As the primary intellectual domain bridging the natural sciences and humanities the HPS major aims to provide a rigorous grounding in HPS for both science and arts undergraduates. The HPS major seeks to provide academic content equal to the world’s best and impart a broad skills base in addition to the attributes articulated in UNSW’s Graduate Attribute Policy. The salience of HPS has grown with globalisation, the spread of contemporary socio-technical networks and environmental and risk concerns, all of which are reflected in the curriculum at appropriately developed levels.

Aims of the HPS Major

1. To make the benefits of an education in HPS available to students across the University;
2. Provide a major informed by current HPS/STS research comparable in depth and quality to the best available in the world;
3. To ensure that HPS monitors and develops its work through dialogue with students and related disciplines and fields, and with other stakeholders inside and outside the University.

A student who wishes to gain a major in History and Philosophy of Science must complete 48 units of credit.


Level 1

6uoc of Level 1 History and Philosophy of Science courses, from:

Level 2

24uoc of Level 2 History and Philosophy of science courses from:

including at least 12uoc from:

Level 3

18uoc of Level 3 History and Philosophy of Science courses, from: