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 History of Science Museum 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 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 HSMT and a varied programme of seminars, lectures, and conferences will enable you to obtain knowledge of subjects beyond your chosen speciality and to meet visitors from elsewhere in Britain and abroad.
Course Organisation
The programme consists of:
Core Courses
Methods and Themes in the History of Science, Medicine and Technology
An introduction to ways of interpreting some of the main traditions in the gathering, manipulation, and application of natural knowledge, and to the key themes and methodological issues in the history of medicine, including concepts of health and disease, and the relationship between patients and practitioners of health care in different settings and periods.
Option Courses
MSc in History of Science, Medicine and Technology
Two advanced option papers are taken for the MSc.
MPhil in History of Science, Medicine and Technology
Four option papers are taken for the MPhil (two in both years).
Option papers are taught in small classes and assessed by examination or by an extended essay.
Students may also take options from the Economic and Social History programme.
Please note that not every option will be available each year, and that they are subject to change
Dissertation
MSc in History of Science, Medicine and Technology
Not more than 15,000 words on a topic of the student's choice, approved by their supervisor, and submitted in August. Students will begin to formulate and plan their dissertation in conjunction with their supervisors from the beginning of the course.
MPhil in History of Science, Medicine and Technology
Not more than 30,000 words on a topic of the student's choice, approved by their supervisor, and submitted at the beginning of Trinity (Summer) Term in the second year of the programme.
