Philosophy (Science, Nature and Mind) ,BA
Biology, Cognition, Doctor, Ecology, Environment, Health, Knowledge, Medicine, Psychology, Society, Sustainability, Technology, bioethics, logic, medical
Natural and social sciences raise interesting philosophical questions. How do science and pseudoscience differ? Can a physical system be conscious? How should we think about climate change and new technologies? Combine your interest in science, nature and the mind with philosophical thinking to better understand our complex world.
The BA program in philosophy with a concentration in science, nature and mind combines training in philosophy with an emphasis on questions raised by the natural, social and cognitive sciences.
Scientific investigation of the physical world and the mind inevitably makes assumptions about what sorts of things are real, the relationship of physical systems to conscious thought, and the nature of scientific explanation. The natural and social sciences are thus connected with philosophical views in metaphysics and epistemology. In addition, more applied areas of science, such as those concerned with sustainability and new technologies, raise ethical and policy questions as well as questions about humans' moral relationship to the natural world.
Students enrich their understanding of the natural and social sciences through courses in philosophy as well as courses from related disciplines. This program is a great fit for students who want to complement a science major with a second major in the humanities and for students who wish to do postgraduate work in medicine, sustainability or technology.
In addition to the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, students interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are advised to visit The College's website for more information and requirements.
- College/school:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Location: Tempe
- Second language requirement: Yes
- First required math course: MAT 142 - College Mathematics
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Math intensity:
General
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First-year | Transfer | International | Readmission
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form for information about how to change a major to this program.
ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU® to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.
ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and they help students save time and money in their college journey.
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Present and defend a philosophical view about a specific sub-topic in philosophy using concepts, technical terminology, and methods acquired in an advanced topical seminar as well as skills in logical analysis and civil and respectful argumentation.
- Evaluate how well such different theories of mind as dualism, behaviorism, identity theory, functionalism and eliminativist materialism solve the mind-body problem and the problem of explaining phenomenal consciousness.
- Evaluate different approaches to understanding the nature of scientific justification, the aims of science and how they can be achieved, and what makes some theories preferable to others.
- Apply the concept of formal validity and the rules of deductive inference to evaluate the deductive validity of prose arguments and to construct formalized proofs in symbolic logic.
Students can explore the diverse range of cultures and philosophies around the globe. With over 300 unique study abroad programs available to them, students can tailor their experience to their interests and skill sets. Study abroad programs help students gain valuable skills such as problem solving, communication, adaptability and cultural competency --- skills that enhance their resumes.
More information on available programs can be found on the Global Education Office website. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recommends these study abroad programs for students majoring in philosophy with a concentration in science, nature and mind.
The analytical, writing and problem-solving skills gained through a philosophy major are highly transferable to a wide range of jobs, and students with a degree in philosophy have the highest median income of all humanities graduates.
Graduates of the science, nature and mind concentration are prepared for career opportunities in medical and mental health fields, climate change and sustainability, information and policy analysis, and scientific and nature education and writing. For example, graduates may find employment with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
This program also provides excellent preparation for students interested in medical school.
Career example titles and salaries listed below are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience, geographical location, and required advanced degrees or certifications may affect pay scales.
| Career | *Growth | *Median salary |
|---|---|---|
|
6.1%
|
$76,480
|
|
|
4.8%
|
$144,440
|
|
|
4.8%
|
$50,470
|
|
|
6.1%
|
$76,480
|
|
|
2.5%
|
$214,460
|
|
|
9.8%
|
$99,930
|
|
|
18.4%
|
$49,710
|
|
|
5.1%
|
$106,420
|
|
|
4.1%
|
$75,990
|
|
|
6.9%
|
$79,960
|
Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch
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COOR 4591
SHPRSadvising@asu.edu
480-965-8364
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
