UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies facts for kids
| Established | 1921 |
|---|---|
| Director | Professors Jon Agar and Emma Tobin |
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Administrative staff
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21 academics 4 administrators |
| Students | 80 undergraduates, 45 MScs, 30 MPhil/PhDs |
| Address |
22 Gordon Square, London, WC1E 6BT
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| Website | STS UCL |
The UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS) is a special part of University College London (UCL) in London, England. It's where students learn about how science, technology, and society are all connected. This department is part of UCL's Faculty of Mathematics and Physical Sciences. Students can study here after high school (undergraduate degrees) or for more advanced studies (graduate degrees like MSc and MPhil/PhD).
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What is STS?
The UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies, often called STS, helps students understand more than just facts about science. They explore how science and technology have changed over time, how they affect people's lives, and how society influences science. It's like looking at science from many different angles!
A Look Back: How STS Got Its Name
The department has been around for a long time, but its name has changed a few times.
- It started in 1921 as the "Department of History and Method of Science." This means they focused on the history of science and how scientists think.
- From 1938 to 1995, it was known as the "Department of History and Philosophy of Science." This added the study of big ideas and questions about science.
- Finally, in 1995, it got its current name: the "Department of Science and Technology Studies." This name shows that they now look at an even wider range of topics, including technology and its impact on society.
What Students Learn at STS
UCL was the first university in the UK to offer a special degree just for this subject. In 1993, they started a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in the history and philosophy of science. Soon after, they added two more related BSc degrees.
At UCL, STS focuses on three main areas of research:
- History of Science: This looks at how scientific ideas and discoveries have changed throughout history.
- Philosophy of Science: This explores the big questions about science, like "What is scientific knowledge?" or "How do we know if something is true in science?"
- Science, Culture, and Democracy: This area studies how science affects society and how society influences science. It also looks at how science connects with things like politics and public decisions.
In 2022, the department also started a new Master of Science (MSc) program in Science Communication. This helps students learn how to explain science clearly and excitingly to everyone, not just other scientists.
Where to Find STS
The department's offices are located on UCL's main campus. You can find them in Gordon Square, which is in the Bloomsbury area of London.
