The Master’s in the Philosophy of Science, Technology and Society (PSTS) is a two-year programme worth 120 credits. The programme is taught entirely in English and leads to the title ‘Master of Science’ (MSc). If you have a Bachelor’s degree in Natural or Engineering Science, Social Science, Philosophy or another appropriate background, you are welcome to enrol in this programme.
YEAR 1
The first year is a common programme for all students. Regardless of your background (whether in Science, Engineering, Social Sciences or Philosophy), you will be introduced to the typical PSTS approach by investigating various domains in Social Sciences and Engineering at the University of Twente’s research institutes. You will be introduced to relevant Philosophical theories and methods, Philosophy of Technology and the multidisciplinary field of Science, Technology and Innovation Studies. You will have the opportunity to become acquainted with a more detailed investigation of topics related to PSTS and to prepare for the research-oriented courses in the second year.
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Year 1: Semester contents
Semester 1
In the first semester of your first year, you will start your investigation of the various domains and views in a TechnoLab project. In this project you will learn first-hand how researchers and technologists approach certain problems. You will also be introduced to philosophical and ethical theories and methods and the multidisciplinary field of Sciences and Technology Studies.
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TechnoLab
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Philosophy of Technology
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Science and Technology Studies
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Ethics and Technology I
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Philosophical theories and methods (only for students with a technical and social sciences background)
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Methods of Social Sciences, Engineering Sciences and Technology (only for students with a philosophy background)
Semester 2
The second semester deals with the more detailed investigation of topics related to PSTS and will prepare you for the research-oriented courses in the second year.
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Philosophy & History of Science & Technology
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Philosophical Anthropology & Technology
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Ethics and Technology II
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Social Order and Technology
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Society, Politics & Technology
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PhiloLab (Workshop Philosophy of Technology)
Table of contents
Semester 1
Semester 2
Block 1A
Block 1B
Block 2A
Block 2B
Philosophy of Technology (201200063) 5 EC
TechnoLab (201200058)
10 EC
Technology and Social Order (191622510)
5 EC
Science and Technology Studies
(2012000)
5 EC
Philosophy and History of Science and Technology
(201200064)
5 EC
Philosophical Anthropology and Technology (191612550) 5 EC
Ethics and Technology II
(191612580) 5 EC
Philosophical Theories and Methods
(201200059)
5 EC
Ethics and Technology I (191612540) 5 EC
Society, Politics and Technology (191612560) 5 EC
PhiloLab (201200062) 5 EC
YEAR 2
In your second year you will have the opportunity to choose one or two specialization profiles. These profiles represent an important field or research line in the domain of philosophy of technology. Four different profiles have been compiled. Depending on the profile (or profiles) you choose, you will take a cluster of required courses and choose your own electives, resulting in a personalized programme. You may also include modules from partner institutes abroad. You will be expected to participate in research group activities that are related to their specialization profile. The three profiles are:
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Year 2: Semester contents and Master’s Thesis
Semester 1
In the first semester of the second year you will be assigned a mentor, choose one or two profiles and take courses that are relevant to your profile. You will also have the option of enhancing your programme by including modules from partner institutes abroad.
Semester 2
In the second semester of your second year, you will take on an active role in your profile’s research endeavours, participating in activities such as colloquiums and research meetings. Depending on your career preferences (academic or professional), you will choose an internship or a research project. You will also prepare your final project proposal during the semester and complete your Master’s thesis.
- Research Group Activities
- Internship or Research Project
- Master’s Thesis
Example of Final Master’s Thesis
A comparative analysis of human mental functioning in treatments with deep brain stimulation, Wessel Woldman
Patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease are sometimes treated by inserting an electrode deep inside the brain, where it stimulates the surrounding areas (DBS).
In his thesis, Wessel Woldman investigated the philosophical implications of this technology: how does Deep Brain Stimulation influence the way patients relate to their own mental functioning? How do they experience themselves and the changes to their identity? In what sense can identity changes be understood as side-effects? Which philosophical perspectives can we use (materialism, functionalism, postphenomenology) to give us insight into what DBS is and actually does?
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