Michigan State University is expanding opportunities for students to explore the connections between science and philosophy with a new undergraduate major launching in Fall 2026. The program will challenge students to consider not only what science can tell us, but also how scientific knowledge is produced and the ethical and societal questions surrounding scientific discovery.

The Department of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Letters is launching a new Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and the Sciences. Designed to complement study in biology, physics, chemistry, psychology, engineering, and other STEM fields, the new major brings scientific inquiry and philosophical thinking together to help students better understand the foundations, methods, and implications of science.

“Some of the most important challenges facing our world cannot be understood through a single discipline,” said Thomas Stubblefield, Dean of the College of Arts and Letters. “The Philosophy and the Sciences major reflects the kind of interdisciplinary education that Michigan State is uniquely positioned to offer. It brings the humanities and sciences together so students can examine not only what is possible, but what is responsible, meaningful, and beneficial to society.”

By combining the rigor of scientific reasoning with the reflective depth of philosophy, the major helps students develop skills in critical analysis, communication, and interdisciplinary thinking while examining the logic, history, ethics, and impact of science.

“The Philosophy and the Sciences major…brings the humanities and sciences together so students can examine not only what is possible, but what is responsible, meaningful, and beneficial to society.”

Thomas Stubblefield, Dean of the College of Arts and Letters

Students in the major will explore questions such as: What distinguishes science from pseudoscience? How do models, experiments, and data shape what we know? How does culture shape the scientific research agenda? What are the ethical and social implications of scientific discovery? How should we treat human and animal research subjects? How do human values influence the practice of science?

Building on MSU’s Strengths in Philosophy and Science

MSU offers a strong interdisciplinary environment for studying the ethics, nature, and societal impact of science. The Department of Philosophy is known for its engaged approach to the discipline and is home to the Socially Engaged Philosophy of Science research group, a world-renowned group dedicated to understanding science and its role in society.

Students can combine the Philosophy and the Sciences major with a major or minor in dozens of science or engineering disciplines across the university. Across MSU, more than 60 scholars study science through fields including history, philosophy, sociology, and context of the sciences.

“Philosophy teaches you to use concepts with precision and to think about what you ought to do, not just what you can do. This makes philosophical training especially valuable for anyone studying the sciences.”

Heather Douglas, Professor of Philosophy

“Science is an exciting and impactful force on society and culture. But in our post-COVID era, and with the arrival of AI, it’s more important than ever to ask: How should we think about science and its relationship to the broader society in which it functions?” said Heather Douglas, Professor of Philosophy, Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and member of the International Science Council’s Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science. “Philosophy teaches you to use concepts with precision and to think about what you ought to do, not just what you can do. This makes philosophical training especially valuable for anyone studying the sciences.”

Majoring in Philosophy and the Sciences

The flexible structure of the Philosophy and the Sciences major allows students to complete it in as little as two years, making it particularly well suited as a second major for students already studying a science or engineering discipline.

Students will begin by taking a survey course examining the nature of science before moving into more specialized courses. They also develop knowledge in at least one scientific field, with six to nine credits of coursework in a science discipline counting toward the major. In their final semester, students complete a capstone course that brings together the philosophical approaches and methods they have learned throughout the program.

Throughout the curriculum, students examine not only as a form of knowledge, but as a human practice with ethical and societal consequences.  

“This major will help students become more thoughtful scientists, researchers, and decision-makers who are prepared to navigate the complex questions surrounding science and technology.”

Matt McKeon, Chair of the Department of Philosophy

“Students studying science learn how to investigate the world, test ideas, and build knowledge. Philosophy gives them another set of tools for asking what that knowledge means, how it should be used, and what responsibilities come with it,” said Matt McKeon, Chair of the Department of Philosophy. “By bringing those ways of thinking together, this major will help students become more thoughtful scientists, researchers, and decision-makers who are prepared to navigate the complex questions surrounding science and technology.”

Careers for Philosophy and the Sciences Graduates

The Philosophy and the Sciences major prepares students for careers in science and technology as well as fields where scientific knowledge intersects with communication, ethics, policy, and decision-making.

Graduates of the major are prepared for work in fields including:

• Public policy
• Science writing and communication
• Technology
• Research
• Government and nonprofits
• Science administration
• Ethical oversight or assistance for research

Whether students pursue careers as scientists or work in fields influenced by scientific and technological change, the major prepares them to critically evaluate evidence and assumptions, navigate complex ethical questions, and consider the broader consequences of scientific discovery.

“The Philosophy and the Sciences major will equip students to answer some of the most important questions facing us today and to understand scientific work and its ethical and societal implications,” Douglas said.

Learn more about the Philosophy and the Sciences major, including course requirements and advising information, on the Department of Philosophy website.

By Austin Curtis and Kim Popiolek