Subplan in History and Philosophy of Science

Undergraduates may major in Philosophy with a subplan in History and Philosophy of Science. This field of study is declared on Axess and is printed on the transcript.

To declare the subplan, please email the Student Services Officer (ksahgal [at] stanford.edu (ksahgal[at]stanford[dot]edu)) or visit building 70, 71K for all declaration forms. Please check the Stanford Bulletin (ExploreDegrees) for the most up-to-date requirements.

B.A. in Philosophy (History and Philosophy of Science Subplan)

Course Requirements (minimum 61 units):

Science Courses

Three science courses (for example, biology, chemistry, physics) for 12 units.

Core Courses

The following Philosophy (PHIL) core courses completed with a letter grade by the end of the junior year:
 

  1. PHIL 80 Mind, Matter, and Meaning (5 units).
     
  2. Logic: Select one of the following. More advanced logic courses may also be counted for this requirement by petition.
  3. Philosophy of Science: This requirement may be satisfied by either
    • PHIL 60 Introduction to Philosophy of Science (5 units)
    • PHIL 61 Philosophy and the Scientific Revolution (5 units)
Additional Courses
  • Three history of science courses.
  • Three philosophy of science courses, of which one must be PHIL 164 Central Topics in the Philosophy of Science: Theory and Evidence.
  • Three additional courses related to the major, in philosophy or history, to be agreed on by the advisor.

Additional Requirements:


At least six courses in the major must be completed at Stanford with a letter grade. Units for Tutorial, Directed Reading (PHIL 196 Tutorial, Senior Year, PHIL 197 Individual Work, Undergraduate), or The Dualist (PHIL 198 The Dualist Undergraduate Journal) may not be counted in the 61-unit requirement.

No more than 10 units completed with grades of 'satisfactory' and/or 'credit' may be counted in the 61-unit requirement. Any courses taken for a letter grade in fulfillment of the core requirements must be taken for a minimum of 3 units and completed with a grade of 'C-' or higher.

Transfer units must be approved in writing by the Director of Undergraduate Studies at the time of declaring a major. Transfer courses are strictly limited when used to satisfy major requirement.

For more information on courses, see the Stanford Bulletin (ExploreCourses)