Overview of our degrees

This page summarises the components of our two degrees and explains how components contribute to the whole degree.

Degrees as a Whole

Our two MScs each have 5 components, weighed in proportion to their credit value:

1. One core course: compulsory for both degrees; contributes 25% to the whole degree; assessed by 4 essays of 2,500 words each (together comprising 70% of the core course mark), and 1 exam (30%). Undertaken during the Autumn Term.

2-4. Three option courses: together these contribute 50% to the degree. Each option course is assessed by 2 essays of 5,000 words each, equally weighted. Begun during the Winter Term and submitted during the Spring Term.

5. Dissertation: contributes 25% to the degree. Begun in the Spring and submitted at the end of the Summer.

Different option courses are required for different degrees. General timetabling information is provided below (here). Courses are taught at different locations. Expect to have lectures at Imperial College (South Kensington) and UCL (Bloomsbury).

For the MSc in History of Science, Medicine and Technology, students must choose at least 2 of their options from 1-7 below.

For the MSc in Science, Technology, Medicine and Society, students must choose at least 2 of their options from 7-9 below.

1. Science, Technology and Medicine in Antiquity
2. The Scientific Revolution, 1450-1750
3. Ideas of Health and Sickness in Industrial Society
4. The Sciences in the Age of Industry, 1750-1920
   For 2010-11, "Science, Technology and Global History"
   will be substituted for SAI
5. History of the Human Sciences
6. Philosophy of Science
7. Science, Medicine and Technology in the Twentieth Century
8. Sociology of Science and Technology
9. Science, Governance and the Public

One of the options may be substituted with a relevant course of equivalent weight from another modular master's degree; such substitutions must be approved on a case-by-case basis by the London Centre board of examiners.

Synopses of courses are provided here.

Both programmes last a full calendar year, running October to September. Most of our students are full-time, but we have a substantial number of part-timers who attend the programme over two full years. All lectures take place during the day.

Our programmes are intensive: as well as attending lectures, students are required to do a great deal of reading, writing, and thinking. The core course also has an examination.

The 2010-11 timetable is structured as follows:

The MSc generally follows the calendar set by Imperial College:

2010-11

Autumn Term: Saturday 2 October to Friday 17 December 2010
Spring Term: Saturday 8 January to Friday 25 March 2011
Summer Term: Saturday 30 April to Friday 1 July 2011

Full-time students will follow the Core course in the Autumn Term, then select three Option courses, which will have lectures only in Winter Term. Spring Term will require individual meetings and independet research. Notes for part-time students regarding schedules.

Degree Results

Three results are possible once the degree requirements are met: distinction, pass, fail.

A mark of 70% or more in all components will gain a distinction. An overall average mark of 70% or more may gain a distinction at the discretion of the exam board. A distinction may be awarded at the discretion of the exam board if a student narrowly fails to gain 70% overall but achieves well over 70% for the dissertation. In borderline cases, the overall breadth of a student's work might also be taken into consideration.

The minimum passing mark for all elements of the course is 50%.

A student will be deemed to have passed the degree after passing: (1) the core course, (3) three option courses, and (3) the dissertation. An overall pass may be granted at the exam board's discretion in the case of a borderline fail in one of the options courses, if the overall weighted average for the degree is 50% or higher.

Structure for Part-time Students

Applicants for part-time study are welcome. These students follow the degree as follows:

Year 1

1. half the core course
   following the 'content' lectures
   completing essays 1 and 2
2. one or two option courses
   completing all coursework for these courses
3. begin work on dissertation

Year 2

1. half the core course
   following the 'methodology' lectures
   completing essays 3 and 4
   sit core course exam
2. the remaining option courses
   completing all coursework for these courses
   (a total of three courses are completed over the two years)
3. dissertation