MA in HPS at Leeds
Steven French
UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
DIVISION OF HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
MA IN THE HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
The Division of History and Philosophy of Science at the University
of Leeds welcomes applications for the 2006/07 class of our MA
Programme in the History and Philosophy of Science.
This one-year (two years part-time) degree brings together the
history of science and the philosophy of science in a stimulating and
supportive environment. Students take a core set of modules in both
the history and philosophy of science and may then specialise in
either, or continue to study both. Together with a research based
dissertation it offers an excellent grounding for further (PhD) study
in the field, or related careers in museums work, science journalism
etc.
STRUCTURE OF THE HPS MA
The programme has four components:[1] The CORE, comprising two
compulsory modules:· Modern Science: Historical Emergence and
Philosophical Interpretations· Current Research in History and
Philosophy of Science
[2] OPTION: one of the following two modules:· Historical Skills and
Practices· Issues in Philosophy of Science
[3] ELECTIVE: one of the following modules:· Advanced Topics in
History and Philosophy of Biology· Concepts in Gender, Science and
Technology· The Development of Modern Science Communication· History
and Philosophy of Modern Physics· Science and Religion Historically
Considered· Historiography of Science· The Origin of Modern Medicine
(Birth of the Clinic)
· Whichever of Historical Skills and Practices and Issues in
Philosophy of Science was not taken as an OPTION
[4] DISSERTATION [60 credits]:
· Dissertation Semesters 1 and 2
The Dissertation is 60 credits; all other modules are 30 credits each.
THE HPS DIVISION
The Division is situated within the School of Philosophy and students
can draw on all the support and resources such a large, thriving
School can offer. There are two sets of 'senior' seminars with
external speakers in Philosophy and History and Philosophy of Science
and a wide range of weekly informal seminars, research workshops and
reading groups. The School received the highest mark in the 2001
teaching assessment (QAA 24 points) and the high evaluation of 5 in
the 2001 national Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).
The research interests of members of the Division include:
Philosophy of Science, especially models and scientific realism
Philosophy of Physics, especially quantum mechanics, quantum
information theory and space-time physics
History of Physics, especially 19th and early 20th century
History of Chemistry
History and Philosophy of Biology and Evolution
History of Medicine, especially 18th century
History and Philosophy of Technology
Science and Religion
Related research interests in the School of Philosophy include
metaphysics, modality, truth, causality and laws, the nature of time,
medical ethics, aesthetics and representation and the history of
philosophy.
ASSOCIATED COURSES
· MA in Philosophy of Physics: The Division intends to offer this new
course for the first time in 2006-07 (details are currently being
finalised).
· MA in Gender Studies with HPS: This MA, which has been running for
several years, is administered by the Centre for Interdisciplinary
Gender Studies (CIGS). For details see the website http://
www.leeds.ac.uk/gender-studies/study/mahps.shtml.
· MA in Science Communication: This degree, which started in 2005, is
offered jointly by the HPS Division (which administers the programme)
and the Centre for Communication Studies. See the website http://
www.hps.leeds.ac.uk/PostgraduateInfo/sciencecommunication.htm.
LEEDS AND THE UNIVERSITY
Leeds University is one of the largest in the country and offers
excellent resources for study in the history and philosophy of
science. Its library has extensive and in some cases unique holdings
in the history of science and the Boston Spa annex of the British
Library is only a short drive away. Leeds itself is a large, thriving
city with a vibrant culture and a wide range of music, theatre, clubs
and restaurants on offer. It is within easy reach of Manchester,
Edinburgh and London (2 1/2 hours by train) and sits on the doorstep
of the Yorkshire Dales, an area of outstanding natural beauty.
ADMISSION
The MA programme in History and Philosophy of Science admits students
from a wide variety of backgrounds, including science, philosophy and
HPS itself. In some cases we may invite applicants to visit the
Division and there is an annual Postgraduate Open Day (February 18th
2006) at which potential applicants can meet the staff and current
students and obtain further information about postgraduate study in HPS.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
The School of Philosophy offers up to four postgraduate studentships
each year, and students taking the HPS MA and the MA in Science
Communication are eligible to compete for these awards. The deadline
for applications is 10 March 2006. In addition, outstanding
candidates are encouraged to apply for support from the AHRC (for
which the deadline is the same; applications for AHRC awards have to
proceed through the School of Philosophy).
APPLYING
Intending applicants are strongly urged to attend the HPS
Postgraduate Open Day, to be held on Saturday 18 February 2006.
Details from the HPS MA Director, Adrian Wilson
(A.F.W...@leeds.ac.uk). Travel bursaries are available for this event.
· How to apply for the MA: You can apply either through the School of
Philosophy, or online at http://www.leeds.ac.uk/students/apply.htm
· How to apply for studentships: Contact Katie Lanceley at the
address given below.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact Katie Lanceley, Postgraduate Secretary, School of Philosophy
(tel 0113-343-3263; e-mail phl...@leeds.ac.uk).
Messages to the list are archived at http://listserv.liv.ac.uk/archives/philos-l.html.
Prolonged discussions should be moved to chora: enrol via
http://listserv.liv.ac.uk/archives/chora.html.
Other philosophical resources on the Web can be found at http://www.liv.ac.uk/pal.