The Department of History of Science and Technology

In 1962 the History of Science program began at the School of Arts and Sciences.  The Department has since expanded to include the history of technology as well as the main branches of science (physics, chemistry, and biology).  It concentrates on science and technology since the Renaissance and has particular strength in the history of early-modern alchemy and chemistry, and the history of American science and technology.  Faculty interests extend to such subjects as history of architecture, environmentalism, the emergence of science cities, the iconography of science, and science and religion.  The Department is in a house across from the main campus and includes a computer room for graduate students, seminar room, and a common workroom and lounge.

Research interests of the faculty are described on their individual web pages.  In addition the Department encourages applications in two new areas:

Asian Science and Technology.  The Department is developing a new field in East Asian science and technology and particularly encourages student applicants with interests in Japanese, Korean, or Chinese history of science and technology in the modern period.

Museums and Modern Society.  Some of our graduates go on to careers as museum curators or as public historians.  The Department works with curators and research historians at the Smithsonian Institution to sponsor workshops, conferences, and other activities.  Smithsonian staff teach regularly in the Department, and our students do internships and other research projects under the direction of Smithsonian staff.  In addition, the Department is home to the new undergraduate Program in Museums and Society, directed by Elizabeth Rodini of the Baltimore Museum of Art.

The Department's graduate program and undergraduate teaching program are run jointly with the Department of History of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins Medical school.  Applications should be sent to the department matching the student's main area of interest.  Students with a primary interest in the history of science and technology should apply through the Department of History of Science and Technology at the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences.  Students with a primary interest in the history of medicine should apply to the History of Medicine Department at the Medical School.  Check the Graduate Program link for more information and links to online applications.

For a description of the program, faculty, and students in history of medicine, go to the website of the Institute of the History of Medicine of the Johns Hopkins University.

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