History & Philosophy of Science

College of Arts and Sciences

History and Philosophy of Science (HPS) studies the theories, methods, practices, and institutions of science from historical and philosophical perspectives. It strives to provide a genuinely interdisciplinary structure for critical reflection on science in all its aspects.

Major category: Minimum requirements

Topic: Social sciences

website   Degree requirements

Applicant type

Freshman

Freshmen can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)

Read more about applying to the UW as a freshman, including details for programs that provide high school students with college credit (like Running Start).


Transfer

Quarters of general admission to UW: autumn / winter (U.S. applicants only) / spring

Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.

  • Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree
  • Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
  • Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
  • UW college and school graduation requirements

Department admission information

  • Departmental application deadline:
  • You must enroll at the UW before applying to this major. Please contact the department for additional details.

This major has minimum admission requirements.

Transfer students must be enrolled at the UW before applying.

Suggested first- and second-year college courses: PHIL 120, PHIL 160, courses that develop writing skills,  introductory science courses and mathematics courses through calculus.

Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.

Courses required for the major:

  • HSTCMP 311 SSc – Science in Civilization – Antiquity to 1600
  • HSTCMP 312 SSc – Science in Civilization – Modern
  • One course: PHIL 160 SSc – Perspectives on Science OR PHIL 460 SSc – Phil of Science
  • PHIL 120 SSc NSc RSN – Intro to Logic
  • 10 credits of Natural World
  • 10 credits of composition / writing courses

Entering transfer information:

Total undergraduates: 0
Total from Washington community colleges: 0

Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):

3.75 – 4.00: 0
3.50 – 3.74: 0
3.25 – 3.49: 0
3.00 – 3.24: 0
2.75 – 2.99: 0
2.50 – 2.74: 0
2.49 and below: 0


Career outcomes