Science and Technology Studies explores the relationship between science, technology, and society using a variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches. Research in STS analyzes how society affects the development and implementation of scientific, technological, and medical knowledges and practices and how scientific, technological, and medical pursuits affect society. The research and scholarly interests of STS faculty cross a wide range of disciplinary boundaries: some rely on fieldwork, others are immersed in historical or governmental archival research, while others develop social and conceptual analyses to answer theoretical or ethical questions.

 

Graduate students in STS come from a wide range of backgrounds including the natural and physical sciences, engineering, numerous professional disciplines, liberal arts and humanities, history, anthropology, sociology, political science, and philosophy. Graduates emerge with an ability to identify and examine the conceptual, social, cultural, historical, and policy dimensions of science and technology.

Courses leading to an M.S. or a Ph.D. in STS are available at two sites, Virginia Tech's main campus in Blacksburg and the National Capitol Region (NCR) in the greater D.C. metro area.

 

Participating Units

 

The STS program is a cooperative venture of the Departments of History, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, and Science & Technology in Society. STS is also a member unit of the School of Public and International Affairs. Additional participating faculty in the program come from such diverse disciplines as Appalachian Studies, Architecture, Communication Studies, English, Mathematics, Teaching and Learning, Urban Affairs and Planning, and Women's Studies.

The Administrative Structure of the STS Graduate Program is designed to maximize participation and responsibility among STS teaching faculty and STS students in the everyday business of the STS Graduate Program while also affirming the 5-unit collaboration.

 

Diversity Programs and Opportunities

 

The Department of STS and the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences understand that we must be diverse in all aspects of community and work in order to be truly outstanding. Please visit the Virginia Tech Diversity Resources site for more information.