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University of Oxford: History of Science, Medicine and Technology

Institution University of Oxford
Department History
Web http://www.ox.ac.uk/study
Email graduate.admissions@admin.ox.ac.uk
Telephone +44 (0)1865 270059
Study type Taught

Summary

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2024). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.

MSc

This specialist one-year course offers a range of options in the history of science, medicine and technology. You may specialise in the history of science and technology or the history of medicine, although the boundaries between these areas are deliberately permeable.

The history of science, medicine, and technology is a long-established discipline in Oxford. R. T. Gunther and Charles Singer were among the pioneers of the subject early in the twentieth century, and since the 1920s the Museum of the History of Science has housed an outstanding collection of scientific instruments and a fine specialist library. In the early 1970s, the creation of the chair of the history of science and the establishment of the Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine gave the subject additional strength and allowed important new departures. The Oxford Centre for the History of Science, Medicine and Technology (HSMT) was created in 2017 in order to build on the teaching and research capacity of the numerous historians working on HSMT subjects in Oxford-based projects and in various museums, colleges and faculties.

The expertise of scholars in Oxford covers most of the main areas and periods of the history of science, medicine, and technology. A varied programme of seminars, lectures, and conferences enables you to obtain knowledge of subjects beyond your chosen speciality and to meet visitors from elsewhere in Britain and abroad.

  • Core course: Methods and Themes in HSMT, taught in classes during Michaelmas term, and reinforced by lectures on specific issues

  • Option courses: Two advanced option courses, usually taught in small classes and mostly during Hilary term.

  • Research project: You will work on on your original research project throughout the year, under the guidance of your supervisor and you are expected to commit the Easter vacation to archival research and writing.

Please note that not every optional subject listed may be on offer every year, depending in part on levels of student demand.

If you wish to apply for the DPhil you will be encouraged to develop your doctoral proposal during the first few months of the course, so that you will be well placed to make a doctoral application.

MPhil

This two-year programme offers a range of options drawing on the expertise of Oxford large community of scholars working in the history of science, medicine and technology. You may specialise in the history of science and technology or the history of medicine, although the boundaries between these areas are deliberately permeable.

The course comprises a compulsory core course, option subject courses, and a research project.

  • Core course: Methods and Themes in HSMT is taught in classes during Michaelmas term, and reinforced by lectures on specific issues.

  • Option courses: You will take four advanced option courses which are usually taught in small classes and mostly during Hilary term of both years. Examples of the option courses are given on course webpage of the faculty's website (see the Further information and enquiries section for further details). Please note that not every optional subject listed may be on offer every year, depending in part on levels of student demand.

  • Research project: You will work on your original research project throughout both years, under the guidance of your supervisor, and you are expected to commit the summer vacation between the two years and the Michaelmas term in the second year to archival research and writing.

For the full descriptions, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas

MSc

Master of Philosophy - MPhil

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