Academic Programs Catalog

College of Arts and Letters

Department of Philosophy

Undergraduate Programs
Minor in Philosophy and the Sciences

The Minor in Philosophy and the Sciences, which is administered by the Department of Philosophy, will provide students with majors in science and technology the opportunity to examine their foundations and methods as well as ethical issues regarding research and applications.

This minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy or Philosophy and Law or Philosophy and the Sciences. With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree. Courses that are used to satisfy the requirements of this minor may not be used to satisfy the requirements of the Minor in Philosophy or the Minor in Philosophy and Law.

Students who plan to complete the requirements of the minor should consult the undergraduate advisor in the Department of Philosophy.

Requirements for the Minor in Philosophy and the Sciences

Students must complete 18 credits from the following:

1. The following course (3 credits):      
            PHL 380 Nature of Science 3
2. At least two of the following courses (6 credits):      
             PHL 342 Environmental Ethics              3
             PHL 344 Ethical Issues in Health Care  3
            PHL 355 Philosophy of Technology (W)          3
             PHL 442 Ethics and Animals                3
             PHL 453 Ethical Issues in Global Public Health            3
             PHL 462 Philosophy of Mind -  3
PHL 463 Introduction to Cognitive Science 3
PHL 480 Philosophy of Science 3
PHL 482 Topics in Ethics in Science 3
PHL 484 Philosophy of Biological Science 3
PHL 486 Biotechnology in Agriculture: Applications and Ethical Issues
3. At least one PHL course at the 400-level excluding PHL 492 or PHL 499. The courses used for this requirement may also satisfy requirement 2.
4. Science Disciplinary Requirement: Complete 3 to 6 credits from one particular science discipline in the agricultural, engineering, environmental, medical, natural, or social sciences from any of the following colleges: College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Engineering, Lyman Briggs College, College of Natural Science, College of Nursing, College of Social Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, or other colleges subject to approval of the department. ISS, ISB and ISP, MTH 101, MTH 102, MTH 103, STT 200, and STT 201 cannot be counted for this requirement. Courses in the College of Social Science or other colleges may be used for this requirement only if offered by a department that offers a Bachelor of Science degree. Courses in Lyman Briggs College that can be used for the major or minor in Science and Society cannot be counted for this requirement.
5. Additional PHL courses to reach a total of 18 credits.