STS Programs: Malaysia

University of Malaya: Department of Science and Technology Studies

Faculty of Science, University of Malaya

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

  • University of Malaya: Department of Science and Technology Studies

Introduction

Department of Science and Technology Studies: About Us

About Us

  • We attempt to combine the history and philosophy of science, sociology of S&T, the economics of S&T, S&T policy studies, development of S&T, entrepreneurs in S&T and sustainability in S&T in order to forge a multi-disciplinary perspective on S&T studies, which is holistic but equally pragmatic. Here, we are focusing on the 4Es approach: Environment, Epistemology, Ethics, and Entrepreneurship.
  • The focus on Environment helps students learn essential concepts such as sustainability and the importance of preserving the natural environment. From the Epistemology perspective students will be accustomed with roots of the history and philosophy of science and technology. The Ethical focus of this department will equip students with knowledge about issues regarding bioethics and environmental ethics. The final focus of the department on Entrepreneurship will teach students how to become successful entrepreneurs not solely to make profit but to learn how to socially and sustainably valuable for the society.
  • Such a versatile and innovative approach would provide students with the necessary resources to face a challenging working environment after graduation. Our programmes are structured in such a way as to allow students to acquire a diversity of perspectives on S&T. Through a combination of lectures, presentations, class discussions and guided research programs, students will find the courses taught in the Department to be intellectually stimulating as well as practically useful.

Our History

  • Although the Department is the youngest in the Faculty of Science, it has actually a long history. In the beginning the Department was known as the History and Philosophy of Science Unit and its administration was under the purview of the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Science. The Unit was initiated by the then Vice Chancellor, Royal Professor Ungku A. Aziz. The History and Philosophy of Science Course was introduced as a compulsory component of the B.Sc. and B.Sc. Ed. Degrees for the term 1975/76 and it was offered throughout the four years of the undergraduate curriculum.
  • The Department of Science and Technology Studies began to offer its own full-fledged degree program upon accreditation and approval by the University Academic Planning Committee and the Senate of the University of Malaya in year 1997. Henceforth the department began to offer both the Bachelor of Science Degree (Science & Technology Studies) and Master of Science Degree (Philosophy of Science/ Science & Technology Policy Studies).
  • Science and Technology Studies Programme was offered as two modules (1) History and Philosophy of Science and (2) Management and Policy S&T. The Management and Policy S&T module represents a pioneering program both nationally and regionally and it basically fuses both the management discipline and policy studies in S&T.

Our Strength

  • University of Malaya is the only university in Malaysia that offers broad-based studies in Policy and Management of S&T, and History and Philosophy of Science. These modules are conducted by the Department of Science and Technology Studies in the Faculty of Science which is at the forefront in equipping students with the necessary generic skills and holistic approaches in the management of S&T for both the public sector as well as industry. The expertise of the Department in forging a multidisciplinary teaching approach towards S&T provides students with the necessary analytical framework to confront an external environment where uncertainty is the norm.
  • Our expertise can be categorized in the 4Es which are Environment, Epistemology, Ethics and Entrepreneurship. Our staffs have considerable teaching and research expertise in a number of areas including philosophies of science, environmental ethics, sociology of science, S&T policy in Malaysia, national innovation systems, knowledge-based economy, technology foresight studies, etc. We have developed close linkages with staff from other faculties in the successful conduct of its programmes. Additionally, collaborations with public organisations and industry are pursued to enhance our programmes as well as to provide avenues for students to participate in industrial attachments.

Our Contact

Department of Science and Technology Studies

Faculty of Science

University of Malaya

50603 Lembah Pantai

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Phone: (603)7967 4166,(603)7967 4396

Fax  : (603)7967 4396

Email: [email protected]

Academic Programme

Undergraduate Programme

Department of Science and Technology Studies: Undergraduate Programme

  • In the Bachelor Degree of Science (Science and Technology Studies), students are exposed to an integrated study of the philosophical aspects of S&T and Management and Policy Studies in S&T. The curriculum was developed in reflection of current and latest advancements in S&T as well as the management of research and development of S&T that draws upon global awareness of the Sustainability of the Society and the Community. To add dynamism and rigor to the program, guest lecturers from government and private sectors as well as various relevant industries with expert knowledge in their fields of specialization will periodically join the teaching staff.
  • Among the main objectives of Science and Technology Studies is to help expand and enhance the mobility of the intellect of science students. By offering courses that include the dimensions of history, philosophy, social science and policy as well as integrated packages from pure science courses in biology, chemistry, physics, geology and mathematics, students will be able to attain soft skill, such as critical thinking and life-long learning. Such skills and the mastery of reflective knowledge in S&T Studies would prepare the student the necessary character-building as well as the intellectual and mental energy to assist the nation to formulate and enact effective policies related to the development of science and technology.

Postgraduate Programme

Department of Science and Technology Studies: Postgraduate Programme

  • Coursework programme
    • MSc (Science, Technology and Sustainability)
      • This programme is newly revised from the older programme which was known as Master of Science (Philosophy and Science and Technology Policy Studies). This programme is designed to equip post-graduate students with the core knowledge, tools and skills to achieve the transition to sustainability via science, technology and innovation. It will enrich their understanding and experience to enable the individual and societal change required.
      • Candidates are required to do 30 credit hours of coursework, and a Research Project (12 credit hours), for a total of 42 credits. Candidates are required to take 6 Compulsory Courses (27 credit hours) and 5 Elective Courses (15 credit hours).
      • The medium of instruction is in English. International students are required to attend and pass a basic course in Malay Language before the degree can be conferred. If they intend to write their dissertation/thesis in English they must possess at least band 6 IELTS or a score of 550 TOEFL if they had obtained their Bachelor’s degree from a university in which the medium of instruction is other than English.
      • Applicants who wish to enrol for taught Masters programme must submit an application about three months earlier before the commencement of Semester I (in the month of May) or Semester II (in the month of November) in any given academic session. However, fees are required to be paid on a semester basis. Application must be made through online using the appropriate application form obtainable from the website at Institute of Postgraduate Studies, Unievrsity of Malaya
  • Dissertation programme
    • MSc and PhD
      • The PhD and MSc by research programmes provide a strong foundation in research on specific fields pertaining to history and philosophy of science as well as science and technology policy and management. The duration of study for the MSc programme is a minimum of 2 semesters and not exceeding 10 semesters. For the PhD programme it is not less than 4 semesters and a maximum of 16 semesters.
      • Upon completion of the research, the candidate is required to submit a report his/her research findings for examination. The Masters research will be examined by an external examiner as well as an internal examiner both of whom will be appointed by the University’s Senate on the advice of the Faculty of Science. In the case of the PhD thesis, two external examiners and an internal examiner will be appointed to examine the thesis.
      • The research projects undertaken to date reflect the expertise and experience of the teaching staff as well as those from outside the department. Some of the more recent PhD and Masters research include topics related to:Innovation/Technology Management; Technology Foresight; Intellectual Property Management; Philosophy and Philosophy of science; Science and Religion; Science, Technology and Modernity; Food Science and Nutrition Policy; Bioethics/Biomedical Ethics; Environmental Management and Philosophy; etc.
      • The minimum requirement for entry to the MSc programme is a Bachelor’s degree (Honours) from University of Malaya or an equivalent qualification from other universities and to the PhD programme, the minimum qualification is a Masters degree in any discipline.
      • If you have any inquiry related to application, please contact:

The Post Graduate Admissions Unit, Institute of Postgraduate Studies, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: 603-79674600/4601 Fax: 603-79568940/79674606 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://ips.um.edu.my

Research

Department of Science and Technology Studies: Research

  • Our Research Strengths may best be illustrated as encompassing four areas of discipline, aptly coined as the 4Es – Epistemology, Environment, Ethics and Entrepreneurship.
  • Research in Epistemology complements the Department which has been conducting teaching and learning activities in the Philosophy of Science since 1979 when the Department first emerged as a Unit for History and Philosophy of Science within the Faculty of Science. A range of Complementary Science courses were offered to science undergraduates where an understanding of the History of Science was regarded as useful and essential knowledge for potential scientists.
  • Research in Ethics illuminates and extends current studies in the philosophy of ethics which include ethical issues on healthcare, and biomedical innovations. Research also focuses on a re-examination of mainstream moral theories in an attempt to present a fresh and alternative perspective on non-western ethics. Research in ethics in particular is especially important as this year marks the initiation of the Malaysian National Bioethics Committee.
  • Research on Environment is clearly described through the works of members of our staff who embark in the area of Environmental Science and Management, Innovation Management, Waste Management and Urban Planning. Notable research endeavors in the field of S&T Policy Studies are illustrated through works that consider the adoption of policy and institutional reforms as given in selected countries under study.
  • Lastly, research interests on Entrepreneurship will deliberate and reassign the meaning of successful entrepreneurship not solely to make profits but how it can socially sustain inherent societal values.
  • Our staffs have valuable experience and expertise in the following areas of research:
    • Bioethics Society
    • Environmental Ethics and Environmental Development
    • Colonial Science and Ethnic Science
    • Modern Science and Religion
    • Food and Dietary Studies in Islam and Science
    • Gender and Science
    • History and Philosophy of Islamic Science
    • Media and Journalism in S&T
    • Logic and Critical Thinking
    • Science, Technology and Innovation Policy and Management
    • Techno-preneur Studies in S&T
    • Innovation systems

Publication

Department of Science and Technology Studies: Publication

Malaysian Journal of Science and Technology Studies

  • About the Journal – Malaysian Journal of Science and Technology Studies (MJSTS) is an multi- and inter- disciplinary journal devoted to analyzing, understanding and responding to history and philosophy of science; science, technology and society and science and public policy. MJSTS articles examine theoretically and empirically the social and historical context of science and technology. MJSTS publishes original studies, short communications, letters to the editor and book/article reviews on science and technology studies. Main subjects covered:
    • History and philosophy of science and technology
    • Science, technology and society
    • Science, technology and public policy studies
    • Innovation, sustainability and development
    • Techno-entrepreneurship
    • Religion and science
    • Research, bio- and environmental ethics
  • Notes for Contributors: Manuscript – Manuscript should be written as accurately as possible and should be type in double spacing on one side of an A4 paper with margins of at lease 25mm. Two copies of the paper should be submitted together. Manuscripts will be reviewed by a panel of referees. Comments will be made available to the contributors without disclosing the referee’s name.
  • Abstract – The abstract should be brief, self-contained, explicit and should not exceed 200 words. Local contributors are required to submit two abstract, one in Malay and the other in English.
  • Reference – The references are to be cited in the text in the author-date format – APA style. As for notes the preferred notes are “endnotes” and not “footnotes”.
  • Abbreviations – Full title should be used for the first citation in any articles. Accepted abbreviations or acronyms may be used for subsequent citations.
  • Tables – Tables should be numbered with Arabic numerals. Titles and column headings should be brief.
  • Illustrations – Illustrations should be in camera-ready form. Captions should be typed double-spacing in sequence, on a separate sheet of paper. Photographs, if any, should be large, glossy prints, showing high-contrast. Each should be identified on the back, complete with the author’s name and the number of the illustrations.
  • Contributors – Contributors must provide their full names, academic qualifications and addresses. A contributor will received a complimentary copy of the issue in which his/her articles appear and 10 off-prints.
  • Submission of Manuscript – Manuscript and enquiries should be directed to:

Chief Editor,

Malaysian Journal of Science and Technology Studies,

Department of Science and Technology Studies,

Faculty of Science, University of Malaya,

50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

(Attn: Dr. Wong Chan Yuan)