Science in a Changing World
engaging with scientific, technological, educational and social change
This 15-credit Graduate Certificate serves students who want to focus on science in the context of social change or in the context of a people's intellectual development.
Course material, classroom activities, teaching/learning interactions, and projects on real-world problems are designed to provide students opportunities:
- to learn about science in context
- to gain a set of models for their own work in education, policy, and other areas of civic engagement
- to discuss practices and philosophies of science, education, and social change; and
- to undertake research with a view to engaging with science in a changing social and personal world.
SICW students graduate well prepared to move across the persistent divide between sciences and humanities, to participate in questioning and shaping the direction of science and society, and to teach and engage others to participate in this important endeavor.
SICW Certificate students take two core or foundation courses, three other courses, and complete an exit performance as part of one of the courses taken.
CCT Masters students, graduate students from other programs, advanced undergraduates, and special students are welcome to enroll in individual courses. See description of CCT M.A. degree with a "Science in a Changing World" emphasis.
This certificate is offered in partnership with Continuing Education.
(Note: Students can also complete a Graduate Certificate in Critical and Creative Thinking with an emphasis in "science in a changing world" without choosing the SICW track.)
Courses
For timing and frequency of course offerings, see upcoming semesters' schedules and provisional longer-term plan.
F2F = face-to-face sections; OL = online sections; F2FD = distance ed option to join in face-to-face sections
Required courses (Certificate students choose two of the four)
Either CrCrTh 640, Environment, Science and Society: Critical Thinking
Or CrCrTh 645/Biol 545, Biology in Society: Critical Thinking
CrCrTh 650, Mathematics Thinking Skills
Pub Pol 749/CrCrTh 649, Scientific & Political Change
CrCrTh 652, Children and Science
Recommended Electives
CrCrTh 611 Seminar in Critical Thinking (Problem-based learning focus), F2F
CrCrTh 619 Biomedical Ethics, F2F, OL
CrCrTh 640 Environment, Science, and Society, F2F, F2FD
CrCrTh 645 Biology in Society, F2F, F2FD
CrCrTh 649 Scientific and Political Change ( (crosslisted as PPol 749), F2F, F2FD
CrCrTh 652 Children and Science, F2F
PPol/Nursing 753 Epidemiological Thinking & Population Health, F2F, F2FD
WoSt 597 Gender, Race, and the Complexities of Science and Technology, F2F, F2FD
(See longer list of electives and listing of related courses from other graduate programs)
For more information, please contact the Program Office, email sicw@umb.edu, or view the handbook of the CCT Program, of which SICW is a track.