History and Philosophy of Science, PhD

PhD Degree Requirements:

A minimum of 72 credits with an MA in history and philosophy of science or completion of MA requirements.

1. Further distribution of studies requirements: At least nine hours at the 2000 level, or a graduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh in one of the following:
   • Philosophy, exclusive of philosophy of science and logic
   • History, exclusive of history of science
   • A field of natural sciences, social science, mathematics, or computer science
     (courses taken toward the MA degree may be counted toward the requirement for the PhD)
2. Formal Methods Requirement: (a) Proficiency in basic symbolic logic (equivalent to PHIL 2499), and (b) further coursework, at either the upper-level undergraduate or graduate level, involving formal methods in an area approved by the DGS.Language requirement: Good reading knowledge of one foreign language (Latin, Greek, German, French, or approved substitute). The foreign language exam must be passed before the student completes the comprehensive requirements.
3. Satisfactory fulfillment of the comprehensive requirements, which are:
   • Core Seminar Examinations: A pass in end-of-term examinations in each of the Core Seminars.
   • Research papers: Students must submit a research paper in the history of science and a research paper in the philosophy of science. Both must pass at the PhD level.
4. Submission of a significant and acceptable dissertation on a topic in history and philosophy of science.
5. All students must acquire some supervised teaching experience during their tenure at the University.

These requirements are specific departmental requirements, in addition to the general requirements for the MA and PhD degrees laid down by the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.