Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge facts for kids
| Type | Department |
|---|---|
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Parent institution
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University of Cambridge |
| Postgraduates | c. 70 |
| Location | , , |
The Department of History and Philosophy of Science (often called HPS) at the University of Cambridge is the biggest department in the UK that studies the history and ideas behind science. It's located in old, historic buildings in Cambridge. Here, students can take courses to earn degrees like a Masters or a PhD in HPS. They also help younger students who are part of the Cambridge Tripos system. The department shares its home with the Whipple Museum and Whipple Library. These places have amazing collections that help students learn and do research.
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Who Teaches at HPS?
The HPS Department has many teachers and researchers. They work full-time or as special helpers from other parts of the University of Cambridge. Some important people have led the department over the years. Professor Peter Lipton was a well-known head until 2007. After him, Professor John Forrester led the department. He was an expert in the history of the mind and studied Sigmund Freud and psychoanalysis. Today, Professor Tim Lewens is the head of the department.
Courses You Can Study
The department offers different courses for students.
Masters and PhD Degrees
If you want to study HPS more deeply after your first degree, you can take a nine-month Masters course. This course focuses on the history, philosophy, and social study of science, medicine, and technology. The department also helps students who want to earn a PhD. A PhD is the highest university degree you can get. It involves doing a lot of original research.
Courses for Younger Students
Students who have finished their first year at Cambridge can also study HPS. Because of the special Cambridge Tripos system, students from many different subjects can choose HPS. Most students who study HPS come from the Natural Sciences Tripos. The Whipple Museum has many old scientific tools. Students can study these tools up close, and they often use them for their research projects.
Studying Medicine's Past
The HPS department is also a very active place for studying the history of medicine. They also look at the ideas behind medical science and medical ethics (which is about what is right and wrong in medicine). The department has worked on big projects, like one that looked at how ideas about having children changed over time. They also have many old medical notes from the 1500s and 1600s that students can study.
