Science, Technology & Society
Butler’s Science, Technology, and Society Program (STS) provides students rich experience in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities through a rigorous yet flexible curriculum and practical application.
Students learn how science impacts our world, our lives, and our communities. They also learn how science is influenced by society and its economic, political, and cultural motives. STS majors graduate with the interdisciplinary knowledge, intellectual flexibility, communication, and problem solving skills that are crucial to every career path. Students have the options of completing the degree in three years.
For a description of courses, browse our Course Catalog.
NOTE: Degree requirements for incoming students may not reflect the actual degree requirements of current students.
Majors in Science, Technology, and Society must complete 32 hours of STS courses and 12 hours of natural science and/or technology courses.
REQUIRED COURSES (14 hours)
- ST 200 Introduction to Science and Technology Studies
- ST 205 Science and Society Speakers Series
(This is a 1-credit course offered each semester that must be completed two times for a total of 2 credits prior to graduation.) - ST 310 Social Studies of Science and Technology
- ST 320 Philosophy of Science
- ST 330 Language, Rhetoric and Science
ELECTIVE COURSES (18 hours)
- Elective courses may come from the STS program, or from other departments, if the course has been designated with the STS attribute.
- At least 12 credit hours must be at the 300 level or above.
- No more than 3 hours of independent study and/or internship credit can be used to satisfy this requirement.
- No more than one of the research methods courses may count toward this requirement.
- Elective courses vary each semester.
SCIENCE COURSES (12 hours)
In addition to the 32 hours above, 12 hours in the natural sciences and/or technology (engineering or computer science) must also be completed. One course from The Natural World requirement of the Core Curriculum can be used to satisfy part of this requirement. Natural science and/or technology courses that are also identified as STS electives may be used either to satisfy the natural science/technology requirement or the elective requirement but not both.
Minors in Science, Technology, and Society must complete 19 hours of STS courses and 8 hours of natural science and/or technology courses.
REQUIRED COURSES (7 hours)
- ST 200 Introduction to Science and Technology Studies
- ST 205 Science and Society Speakers Series (one time only)
- One of the following:
- ST 310 Social Studies of Science and Technology
- ST 320 Philosophy of Science
- ST 330 Language, Rhetoric and Science
ELECTIVE COURSES (12 hours)
- Elective courses may come from the STS program, or from other departments, if the course has been designated with the STS attribute.
- At least 9 credit hours must be at the 300 level or above.
- No more than 3 hours of independent study and/or internship credit can be used to satisfy this requirement.
- No more than one of the research methods courses may count toward this requirement.
- Elective courses vary each semester.
SCIENCE COURSES (8 hours)
In addition to the 19 hours above, 8 hours of natural sciences and/or technology (engineering or computer science) courses must also be completed. One course from The Natural World requirement of the Core Curriculum can be used to satisfy part of this requirement. Natural science and/or technology courses that are also identified as STS electives may be used either to satisfy the natural science/technology requirement or the elective requirement but not both.
Current students are encouraged to consult their academic advisement report in my.butler.edu to see their individual requirements and progress toward program completion.