The major consists of three components: courses offered within the Science in Society Program (SISP) in the history, philosophy, and social studies of the sciences, medicine, and technology; at least two years of coursework in a single scientific discipline; and an area of concentration to provide depth in a related discipline. Students can either complete their area of concentration in anthropology, FGSS, history, philosophy, religion, or sociology, or they can concentrate in a scientific discipline by completing a major in that science as part of their SISP major (the first two years of the science major satisfy the SISP science requirement).
First- and second-year students interested in the Science in Society Program should begin their science courses as soon as possible. Most students take their first course in the program as a sophomore. The core courses in the history of science or sociocultural studies of science are especially recommended as first courses in the program.
Students who declare their major in SISP must specify the fields in which they plan to complete their science requirement and their area of concentration. Students who seek to add the major after their sophomore year will only be admitted after review to ensure that they are in a good position to complete the major. All students who declare the major must submit a statement of their goals in the major, for advising purposes, and for later evaluation of how well those goals were met. There are no other requirements for admission to the major.