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Students in the College of Liberal Arts's Science, Technology and Society Minors Program explore the interconnections of science, technology and society, and how each impacts and influences each other and the world.

Through a deeper understanding of these connections, students are equipped to tackle the multifaceted global challenges and questions we face today.

From climate change to cyber-warfare, and from health inequalities to the future of interactive and collaborative storytelling, STS students are positioned to create better policy and risk communication, more inclusive science and technology, and cutting-edge digital media.

With a project-based, hands-on approach, STS students align their passions and goals to customize one of four interdisciplinary minor paths:

• Ethics, Public Policy, Science and Technology (EPPST)
• Gender, Race, Culture, Science and Technology (GRCST)
• Media Arts, Society and Technology (MAST)
• Science Communication (SC)

The STS Minors Program prepares students for success in fast-paced, evolving and interdisciplinary careers. Through team-based Learn by Doing experiences, STS minors work with students and faculty from across campus, and engage with project partners in our community and around the world. STS students learn how to innovate and create bridges between diverse disciplines and professions to solve complex problems — empowering students to change the world.

Why STS? A Vision

Today’s global challenges — like climate change, cyber-warfare, health inequalities, and the future of interactive and collaborative storytelling — are complex, hard to define, and multifaceted; they are “wicked.” Wicked problems involve a high degree of uncertainty and a large number of stakeholders with competing perspectives, values and goals.

A critical theme that STS minors explore is the complicated role of science and technology in “wicked” problems. New scientific breakthroughs and technological developments contribute to both the creation and solution of wicked problems.

STS graduates are able to understand and navigate the complex relationships between science, technology and society; bridge diverse disciplines and professions; and work successfully with diverse individuals and communities in challenging and shifting environments. Whether in business, engineering, biotechnology, law, medicine, education, or new industries and areas of research, STS graduates are ready to create better policy and risk communication, more inclusive science and technology, and cutting-edge digital media.

In short, STS graduates lead efforts to solve today’s most pressing, wicked problems and change the world.