Academic Life
The One-Year MA
One year is a very short time in which to absorb a lot of information,
especially in an interdisciplinary program like ours.
Courses
The IHPST Graduate Handbook lists several courses for our department -
in late summer there will be a list posted showing the courses offered
for the current academic year. Currrently, you are required to take at
least three "Fundamentals" courses as well as the introductory
Philosophy of Science course. Beyond that you have some freedom, so
check out History, Philosophy and other departments - they may have
something of interest to you. For those worried about writing papers in a completely new subject area, have a look at this.
TA-ships and RA-ships
Since our department offers several undergraduate courses and we have a
relatively small graduate student population, there are many TA
positions to go around. Many students will be assigned TA positions as
a part of their funding package, but even if you are not assigned a
position, there may be other positions available.
Colloquia
Notices for various talks and colloquia in other departments are listed
in the IHPST Newsletter distributed to students by e-mail, and on the
bulletin boards in the hall across from the Common Room. The upcoming
IHPST Colloquia are also posted on the IHPST web page.
These talks are normally scheduled on Wednesdays at 4 pm. While
attendance is not mandatory, you should plan to go to as many as you
can.
Each April, there is be a Spring Council Meeting at which the faculty and students present reports of their activities for the past year. However, most of the action occurs prior to this meeting, at HAPSAT meetings and various Institute committee meetings, the most important of which is the Graduate Curriculum Committee. Two students and three faculty members sit on this committee which meets at least once per term. It is here that HAPSAT can, as a collective group, voice its concerns regarding the structure and content of the program. You are urged to voice your opinions; they cannot hurt, and silence certainly won't help.
The main office also publishes the IHPST Newsletter, a brief list of news and happenings of interest to the Institute. You will receive it via e-mail every week and a hardcopy is always posted just outside the main office. If you have news or items of interest to add, slip the note into the pouch in the office.
Each April, there is be a Spring Council Meeting at which the faculty and students present reports of their activities for the past year. However, most of the action occurs prior to this meeting, at HAPSAT meetings and various Institute committee meetings, the most important of which is the Graduate Curriculum Committee. Two students and three faculty members sit on this committee which meets at least once per term. It is here that HAPSAT can, as a collective group, voice its concerns regarding the structure and content of the program. You are urged to voice your opinions; they cannot hurt, and silence certainly won't help.
The main office also publishes the IHPST Newsletter, a brief list of news and happenings of interest to the Institute. You will receive it via e-mail every week and a hardcopy is always posted just outside the main office. If you have news or items of interest to add, slip the note into the pouch in the office.
Conferences
Going to academic conferences is a great way to network, to see what is going on in your field, and to get feedback on your own research. See here for conference tips.