Curriculum

Upon completion of the certificate program students will have attained a measure of understanding of the broad societal context of science and technology as well as an introduction to methodologies of policy analysis that are used in decision settings related to science and technology. The Program emphasizes two inter-related aspects of the societal context of science and technology, policy context and societal context. These subjects are covered in the first two required courses of the program, which are coordinated. The third required course focuses on surveying and gaining basic proficiency in various methodological approaches to policy analysis and research.

The certificate is awarded upon completion of degree requirements and requires completion of 18 hours of approved coursework. Internship credit is encouraged and up to 3 hours may count toward the 18 hours of credit needed to complete the certificate. PhD students are expected to incorporate science and technology policy, in some manner (e.g., in one chapter), into their PhD dissertation and include on their committee a member from outside their home department with science and technology policy expertise.

Each year, the certificate program will begin with a capped enrollment of 18 students per cohort. Experience with other interdisciplinary efforts (e.g., specifically, the ENVS graduate program and CCSI IGERT) suggests that this is an appropriate maximum size for graduate courses that necessarily cover a wide range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary materials. These 18 students will take three required courses, (Science and Technology Policy Certificate, or STPC) STPC 6000/ENVS 5100, STPC 6010/ENVS 5110, STPC 6020/ENVS 5120 as well as 3 additional courses from a list of approved electives. Successful completion of the certificate program requires the completion of 18 hours of coursework (or coursework plus internship credit).

For required and elective courses, please refer to the Certificate Course listing.