The Bachelor of Science in Science, Technology and Society (STS) program offers a liberal education for our technological age. The STS major explores the foundations and impact of science and technology by examining the values, language, history, politics, and economics of modern technological society. The major prepares the student to integrate science and technology with the humanities and social sciences. Through its multidisciplinary approach, the STS major explores the interrelated worlds of the scientist, artist, engineer, politician, and citizen. Furthermore, the global, multicultural, and environmental perspective of STS develops ethical awareness and public responsibility.

STS graduates are in demand in many areas. They find employment in fields such as law, medicine, technical communications, government, corporate planning, business management, public policy and administration, urban development, transportation, technology assessment, and environmental planning. In addition, the STS degree provides excellent preparation for graduate study in any of these fields, as well as in liberal arts disciplines such as history, law and political science.

The STS major at NJIT is enriched by a number of special features and opportunities, including access to an electronic music studio that supports classes in music and technology. Major technological issues are discussed by faculty and students at STS colloquia. Opportunities exist for internships, which enable students to develop and apply their knowledge and skills in corporate and government settings.  STS students who are also members of the Albert Dorman Honors College may participate in accelerated and other pre-professional programs allied with Seton Hall University's law school or UMDNJ's programs in Medicine, Physical Therapy (DPT) or the Physician's Assistant program, whose NJIT component can be completed in three or four years.  Students can also elect to participate in NJIT's Cooperative Education program or one of many combined B.S./M.S. programs. STS students have full access to a wide array of Rutgers courses in addition to those at NJIT. Qualified STS students also have access to courses offered at the graduate level.

With the cooperation of the Albert Dorman Honors College, ADHC students can elect to enroll in an STS double major or take a minor in STS, consisting of two electives, STS 307 (Fundamentals of Research in STS), and STS 490 and 491 (Senior Project and Thesis).  During their senior year, ADHC students will prepare for and compose a senior thesis that places an STS contextual wrapper around the senior project work done for their primary majors.

Areas of Specialization:

• Technology, Public Policy, and Globalization (21 kb pdf)
• Media, Aesthetics, and Technology (21 kb pdf)
• Environmental Studies (26 kb pdf)
• Ethics and Philosophy of Technology (21 kb pdf)
• Science Education (21 kb pdf)

The STS major consists of three main components: core courses, major option courses, and the senior seminar.

Core courses, which introduce students to the fundamental connections between civilization, technology, and the global environment, focus on historical and cultural foundations, basic ideas and values, dominant institutions, environmental viewpoints, policy formation, and sustainable development.

Sampling of Courses in STS:

• Technology, Society and Culture
• Writing about STS
• Fundamentals of Research in STS
• Technology and Human Values
• Technology and Policy in Contemporary America
• Philosophy of Science
• Global Evolution of Scientific Thought
• Technology and Society in European and World History
• Technology in American History
• Women in Technological Culture
• Music and Technology

Major option courses allow students to concentrate in one of five areas. Working closely with a faculty advisor, each student selects 18 credits of coursework comprising a coherent program of study designed to fulfill personal interests and potential career goals. Courses may be selected from different disciplines at NJIT and Rutgers-Newark, and qualified students may take graduate-level NJIT courses.

For a detailed curricular plan, please visit the BS STS page in the undergraduate catalog.