Science, Technology, and Ethics, B.S.
In an era of artificial intelligence, climate change, and zoonotic disease, our world requires citizens who understand both the technical and humanistic sides of emerging challenges. Will generative AI solve the problem of online misinformation, or make it worse? How did the scientific consensus on climate change become entangled with partisan politics? What role should scientific and technical expertise play in a democratic society?
Students in the Science, Technology, and Ethics (STE) program explore these kinds of questions, taking courses that cross the divide between STEM and the humanities.
As part of the requirements for the STE major, students take 20–40 units (approximately 5–10 courses) in a STEM field of their choice, such as Data Science, Biology, or Public Health. On the humanities side, requirements include Ethics as well as Philosophy of Science and Technology, with opportunities to take designated electives from other social science and humanities programs. The required sequence of STE-specific courses integrates students’ STEM and humanities training, developing skills in the analysis of the ethical, legal, and social implications of novel technologies and scientific developments. Double majors are welcome in the program, including STEM-STE double majors.
A major in Science, Technology, and Ethics is an excellent stepping stone to a wide range of different careers, depending on which STEM field students engage with. Potential career paths that may not require a graduate degree include science policy, public health communication, research ethics administration, user experience (UX) research, and AI ethics. Potential career paths that would likely require a graduate degree include environmental or technology law and clinical bioethics.
Upon graduation, you might become:
*these occupations typically require additional education/training
Employment Outlook for Program Graduates
