UVa Course Catalog (Unofficial, Lou's List)
Complete Catalog for the Science, Technology and Society Department    
Class Schedules Index Course Catalogs Index Class Search Page
These pages present data mined from the University of Virginia's student information system (SIS). I hope that you will find them useful. — Lou Bloomfield, Department of Physics
Science, Technology, and Society
STS 1500Science, Technology, and Contemporary Issues (3)
This course introduces students to contemporary issues involving science, technology, and engineering as well as the core ideas of STS. Emphasis is on three ideas: a) engineering is a social endeavor; b) technology shapes and is shaped by society; and c) technologies are sociotechnical systems. The course also teaches writing and public speaking, skills needed in engineering.
STS 1501Special Topics in Engineering & Society (1)
Student led special topic courses which vary by semester.
STS 2050Introduction to Sustainable Energy Systems (3)
Offered
Fall 2024
This course investigates a major source of human impact upon the Earth - energy consumption to fuel human activity. The course a) provides a cross-disciplinary perspective on the challenge of human-centered energy use, b) explains the historical origins of today's energy systems, c) describes current energy systems, d) examines the components of sustainable energy systems, and e) considers keys to their deployment.
STS 2070Technology and Disability (3)
From Wheelchairs, to Prozac, to Closed Captions, to depictions in Media, disabled people interface with technology in many ways. These ways are not always beneficial to disabled people, and they are often left out of the conversations about how to design, build and implement these technologies. In this course, students will investigate these relationships, learning from disabled people themselves about their experiences with technology. Prerequisite: STS 1500 or ENGR 1020
STS 2101Social Foundations Engineering (3)
Offered
Fall 2024
STS 2101 examines the relationships of engineering, technology, and society, with a specific focus on the multiple forms of expertise required for socially responsible engineering practice and career advancement, including (1) sociotechnical systems thinking, (2) ethical awareness, and (3) the ability to communicate and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders in both formal and informal settings.
STS 2500Science and Technology in Social and Global Context (3)
Offered
Fall 2024
This course invites students to explore the implications of STS core concepts within a specific topical or disciplinary area. The course explores the social and global context of engineering, science and technology. Although writing and speaking skills are emphasized, more attention is given to course content and the students' analytical abilities.
STS 2600Engineering Ethics (3)
Offered
Fall 2024
The mission of UVA - SEAS is "to make the world a better place by creating and disseminating knowledge and by preparing engineering leaders to solve global challenges." In alignment with that mission, this course seeks to equip undergraduates with knowledge, understanding, and practice to prepare them for ethical leadership now, as students, and for their future as engineering leaders. Prerequisite 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year Engineering student
Course was offered Summer 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
STS 2620Science and Technology Public Policy (3)
Examines the development of public policies aimed at promoting and regulating science and technology. Topics include historical evolution of the federal government's involvement in science policy; the players, organizations, and agencies who make science policy; the reasons the government funds the research it does; how science and technology is regulated by the government. Prerequisites: STS 1500 or equivalent.
STS 2740Earth Systems Technology and Management (3)
Introduces students to earth systems technology and management, and related concepts such as industrial ecology (the objective, multidisciplinary study of industrial and economic systems and their linkages with fundamental natural systems).  The requirements of this course include regular and prepared participation in class and discussions, two semester projects, homework as assigned, and substantial reading and analysis of case studies and articles.  Additionally, students will become familiar with design methodologies, and apply those methodologies to case studies as part of a class project.  Prerequisite: STS 1500 or equivalent.
STS 2750Engineers as Consultants (3)
This course will challenge students to take the role of engineering consultants. Students will learn skills pertinent to the end-to-end process of client side interactions, as well as survey project management theories and learn how to co-develop a project in an efficient and ethical manner. Experiential learning will be emphasized, and heavy student participation will be expected.
STS 2760Technology and Policy: Where Intent Meets Process (3)
Offered
Fall 2024
In this course, we will explore four case studies illustrative of the potential disharmony between intent and process. In each case, the action is a public policy initiative with scientific or technological dimensions, where good intentions either led to unwelcome collateral consequences, or the process of implementation failed to fulfill the intent of the policy.
STS 2781Making the Machine Age: Technology in American Society, 1890-1990 (3)
Social history of American technology in the twentieth century. Primarily concerned with the interplay between society and technology. Historical perspectives on the causes of technological change and the ways in which technologies extend or upset centers of social power and influence. Prerequisites: STS 1500 or equivalent
STS 2870Scientific and Technological Thinking (3)
Explores the ways scientists and inventors think, using concepts, theories, and methods borrowed from several disciplines, but focusing especially on psychology. Topics include experimental simulations of scientific reasoning, a cognitive framework for understanding creativity, and modeling discovery on a computer. Students read and discuss articles and conduct a short research project. Prerequisite: STS 1500 or equivalent.
STS 2993Independent Study: Technology and Society (1 - 3)
Special tutorial with a topic declared in advance. Limited to undergraduate SEAS students with third- or fourth-year standing. Not to substitute for STS 4500, 4600. The topic, work plan, and conditions are arranged by contract between instructor and student and approved by the department chair, with a copy to be filed in the department office. Prerequisites: STS 1500 or equivalent, a 2000-level STS course.
STS 3020Science and Technology Policy for Interns (3)
This Socratic course prepares undergrads for internships in science, engineering and technology (SET) in Washington, DC. A core objective is to increase knowledge, oral and written skills for assessing SET and their impacts on public policy. Engineering students accepted into the SEAS Policy Internship Program in Science and Technology must take the course. Students from Batten School, the College and other schools are also welcome to enroll.
STS 3046Sustainability Models and Human Needs (3)
What is a globally sustainable standard of living? How should governments balance the desire to create national income and provide for the human needs of their citizens, against the desire to conserve natural resources and the environment for future generations? This course takes a systematic approach to answering these questions by evaluating sustainability in the context of human needs.
Course was offered Summer 2021
STS 3110Societal Dimensions of Nanotechnology (3)
Students will explore the societal dimensions of a new technology through a combination of readings and discussions and a simulation of nanotechnology policy. Students should have an interest in the management of nanotechnology and other emerging technologies, including how these technologies might transform our ways of living and even ourselves.
STS 3210The Global Context of Clean Energy Materials (3)
Clean energy (CE) systems require far more minerals than their fossil fuel-based counterparts, minerals sourced, refined, and disposed of globally. The course examines which minerals are needed for the CE transition and why. It considers social, economic, and environmental sustainability challenges from use of these materials and highlights the sociotechnical reality of sustainability, i.e., Success depends upon social and technical advance. 3rd year standing or instructor permission
Course was offered Spring 2023, Spring 2022
STS 3300STS Research Methods (3)
Development of knowledge and skills needed to conduct qualitative research. Grounded in science and technology studies (STS), feminism, anthropology, and ethnic studies, students will engage questions of authority, representation, critical consciousness, and power. Lays the intellectual groundwork for students to use research methods as tools for catalyzing reflexivity in scientific and technological disciplines.
STS 3500Advanced Topics in Technology and Society (1 - 4)
Specific topics vary. Advanced level examination of the relationships among science, technology and society.
STS 4500STS and Engineering Practice (3)
Offered
Fall 2024
This course engages students with the idea that success in posing and solving engineering problems requires attention to the social dimensions of professional endeavors and practice. STS theories and methods are applied to student thesis projects. Students produce a prospectus for the undregraduate thesis project. Students must be in residence to take this course. Students are not permitted to take STS 4500 and STS 4600 simultaneously. Prereq: STS 2600 and STS 2000 or STS 3000 level (or writing requirement equivalent) course. 4th Year Engineering or by instructor permission for early graduation.
STS 4600The Engineer, Ethics, and Professional Responsibility (3)
Offered
Fall 2024
This course focuses on ethical issues in engineering. The key theme is that ethics is central to engineering practice. The professional responsibilities of engineers are examined. Students produce an STS Research paper linked to their technical thesis project and complete all of the requirements for the undergraduate thesis. Students must be in residence to take this course. Students are not permitted to take STS 4500 and STS 4600 simultaneously. Prerequisites: STS 4500.
STS 4993Open Science (1 - 3)
Students in this independent study work with the Center for Open Science learning how to develop tools that scaffold sharing in science, and considering the broader implications of the Center and its work. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
STS 5200Technical Writing& Professional Communication for Engineering Grad Students (3)
This course teaches ESL graduate students in engineering to communicate effectively with a wide variety of specialized and non-specialized audiences and will provide ESL-specific help with grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation in these different contexts. In addition, this course introduces engineering graduate students to the expectations of writing in the workplace and academic writing conventions in their discipline.
Course was offered Fall 2019
STS 5500Topics in Technology and Society (1 - 3)
A first-level graduate/advanced undergraduate course relates technology or engineering to the broader culture. The specific subject will differ from time to time.
STS 5600Responsible Conduct of Research (1)
Responsible conduct of research is defined as "the practice of scientific investigation with integrity. It involves the awareness and application of established professional norms and ethical principles in the performance of all activities related to scientific research." (NIH) This course will follow the NIS recommended format of substantial face-to-face discussions, with case studies being used as the primary focus of these conversations.
Course was offered Spring 2018
STS 5610Knowledge Entrepreneurship: Launching Your Career in Engineering Research (1)
This course introduces new graduate students to engineering research providing them with an intellectual framework which will help them to succeed as innovators and leaders. Students will understand the process and skills needed to successfully launch their research, develop their communication skills and map out their education and long-term career goals.
Course was offered Fall 2019, Fall 2018, Fall 2017
STS 5620Government Contracting Opportunities (1)
he course will cover the terminology, basic regulations and ethics, and the people, processes and procedures of government contracting. We will discuss how the government determines, develops and communicates their requirements, and how they evaluate potential solutions and contractors. The students will learn the basics of how to read and interpret the goals and objectives of government solicitations and making responsive bids.
Course was offered Fall 2018
STS 5993Independent Study: Technology and Society (1 - 12)
Detailed study of graduate course material on an independent basis under the guidance of a faculty member.
Course was offered Spring 2021, Spring 2020, Spring 2014
STS 6000Effective Communication in English (3)
This course is designed to teach reading/writing/ speaking/ listening skills required for success in technical communication for graduate students whose first language is not English, and scored less than 50 on the SPEAK Test. Specialized instruction in academic/content area writing as well as personal expression in a variety of settings will enable students to complete academic programs in a more efficient and timely manner.
Course was offered Spring 2019
STS 6592Special Topics in Engineering and Sociotechnical Systems (3)
The purpose of these courses is to address and discuss the sociotechnical systems of engineering, and how engineering impacts diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Course was offered Fall 2022
STS 6610Technology Innovation: From Discovery to Product Concept (3)
Designed for graduate students. Explore how to take a high value opportunity and use the fundamentals entrepreneurship to develop a commercialization plan. Learn the unique aspects of "supply-push" innovation -- the process of converting new discoveries and knowledge into products. This involves both an awareness of how scientists and engineers create new knowledge as well as a willingness to listen and learn from customers/stakeholders.
Course was offered Spring 2019, Fall 2017
STS 6993Topics in Socio-Technical-Natural Systems (0 - 4)
This independent study is designed to accommodate graduate students from SEAS, Architecture and potentially other schools whose work would benefit STS and/or Earth Systems Engineering Management principles and applying them to their thesis, or to a related project.
Course was offered Spring 2018