Master brochure History and Philosophy of Science (pdf download)

M A S T E R ´ S P R O G R A M M E U T R E C H T U N I V E R S I T Y
History and Philosophy of
Science
G r a d u a t e S c h o o l o f N a t u r a l S c i e n c e s
Realise your master plan

Welcome
The Master´s programme in History and Philosophy of Science
at Utrecht University offers a unique opportunity to pursue an
intensive course of study of the historical and philosophical
dimensions of science. Science is one of the major determinants
of modern society. Students of the history and philosophy of
science aim to acquire a deeper understanding of the nature of
the scientific enterprise and the knowledge it produces.
The historical approach focuses on the development of scientific
thought and practice in times past. It does not limit itself to the
problems, methods and solutions that scientists engage in, but
extends its scope to include the interplay with cultural, social and
institutional features at particular times and places. The philosophy
of science is the study of general questions relating to the nature
of scientific knowledge and scientific methods, but it also includes
conceptual analyses of fundamental theories such as relativity,
quantum mechanics, evolution and modern genetics.
The curriculum
The first year is dedicated to deepening and complementing your
current knowledge. You will take the equivalent of eight courses,
some of which may involve internships or limited periods of practical
work. During the second year, you will have the opportunity to
embark on a research project, culminating in your Master´s thesis.
Several thematic approaches are possible within the programme. You
can specialise in history of science, in the foundations of physics, in
the philosophy of science, or in the foundations of mathematics
This well-known image shows how man leaves behind the medieval
worldview and discovers a new reality beyond the world of daily
appearances. The picture itself is often thought to be medieval, but it is
actually of nineteenth-century origin. It illustrates how people in early
modernity saw the past development of science.
and logic. The programme has been so structured that, by choosing
courses that lead in a particular direction, you can specialise within
certain defined tracks. You are not required to follow a standard
track. You can basically construct your own study programme in
consultation with your tutor.
Utrecht University
• Is one of Europe´s most prominent institutes of research and
education. It engages in an extensive range of high-quality,
innovative research and collaborates with universities and
research centres all over the world. Interdisciplinarity, personal
teaching and the benefits of an international environment are
the main principles of education and research.;
• Is one of Europe´s top-rated research universities: in 2008
Utrecht was ranked the best university in the Netherlands,
the 9th best in Europe and the 47th best in the world in
the prestigious Shanghai ´Academic Ranking of World
Universities´;
• Is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands, located
in the historical city of Utrecht. Next to the city centre is a
modern campus hosting its own sports and cultural centres;
• Offers an international environment: each year thousands
of students from all over the world come to study at Utrecht
University.
City of Utrecht
Utrecht is a lively city in the geographical centre of the
Netherlands. It is not only an important junction where traffic,
trade, distribution and services meet and mingle, but also a true
knowledge centre. In addition to Utrecht University, it is home
to important research institutes and several other institutes of
higher education. With a population of 300,000, Utrecht is the
fourth largest city in the Netherlands and with no fewer than
50,000 students, Utrecht is a real university city.
More information about our city is displayed on www.uu.nl/
internationalstudents > Living in the Netherlands > Utrecht city.
Cover photo
Renaissance fresco with Plato and Aristoteles.

Study Programme
This programme involves a full year of solid training in the history
and philosophy of science, mostly in the form of seminars, plus
another full year of research, at the end of which you will submit
a substantial Master´s thesis. The programme is sufficiently broad
and flexible to allow you to tailor it to your particular interests
and background. Apart from two core courses, which provide a
general introduction at graduate level to the history and philosophy
of science, all of the courses in the programme are optional. By
carefully selecting courses, you can put together a programme that
emphasizes either the history or the philosophy of any branch of
science, while adding interdisciplinary aspects.
your thesis supervisor.
After completing your thesis you will hold a public colloquium on the
topic you have selected. Research topics related to the foundations
of physics include space and time, philosophy of quantum mechanics,
probability and statistics, topics in the general philosophy of science
such as rationality, the structure of theories and determinism.
Research topics in the history of science include the general history
of science, the history of physics, the history of biology, the Darwinian
revolution, the philosophy of biology, and the history and philosophy
of mathematics.
Teaching
At the start of the programme your tutor will help you select courses
that fit your scientific interests and meet the requirements of the
various research projects. There is a clear distinction between the
topics that you are taught and the research-oriented part of the
programme. You should be able to work independently and we
expect you to take a critical approach to the literature and be ready
to express your views in open discussions.
Research thesis
At the end of the programme you will write a substantial thesis that
is potentially publishable, based on your own original research. Your
tutor/study advisor will help you select a suitable thesis supervisor,
who will either be a member of staff at the Institute for History and
Philosophy of Science, or at the Department of Philosophy. You will
refine the research question in your final paper in consultation with
Depending on your topic and your research requirements, you may
arrange to carry out your research partly at other institutions, in the
Netherlands or abroad, subject to the approval of your supervisor.
Why choose Utrecht?
The courses that are available cover a wide range of topics, including
the foundations of quantum mechanics and thermodynamics, the
history of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology, and science
and religion. This range of subjects is unique to the Utrecht Institute
for History and Philosophy of Science and cannot be found anywhere
else in this form.
Saskia Klerk - masterstudent
“I like checking my preconceptions and discussing my
findings with others”
“This programme focuses on knowledge
and those who produce it. How do
people determine what is reliable, true
knowledge? Who decides what is scientific?
What purpose does scientific research
have? These are some of the questions we
ask. As a historian, I find it fascinating to
see that people throughout history have
answered and debated these questions
in such different ways. Because this is an
interdisciplinary programme with people
with diverse backgrounds and interests,
we have very lively discussions. Personally,
I like checking my preconceptions against
the historical sources and then discussing
my findings with others students. It´s
always interesting to see what question
authors in the past were investigating,
what arguments they used to make a
point, and how they presented themselves
and their knowledge to readers.
There are some mandatory courses in the
first year, so all students receive the same
basic knowledge of the key topics. That
way you also get a general idea of fellow
students´ research subjects and the range
of issues you can investigate yourself. If
you´re interested in contributing to the
history and philosophy of science, this is a
great place to get started.”

Research
This Research Master´s programme, which lasts two years, is
supported by the Utrecht Institute for History and Foundations
of Science (IHPS), which is the leading centre for teaching
and research in the history and philosophy of science in the
Netherlands. The programme includes important contributions
from the Faculty of Science and the Utrecht Department of
Philosophy. The latter has a research group specialising in the
history of philosophy and a Chair in Logic and Foundations of
Mathematics, both unique in the Netherlands.
Research in Foundations of Physics
The nineteenth and twentieth century have seen dramatic changes
in our perception of the way physics describes the world. These
developments led to the formulation of modern theories of statistical
mechanics, relativity and quantum physics. The revolutionary
conceptual shifts implied by those theories are so profound and
far-reaching, that many questions can and have been raised about
their interpretation and foundations, and their consequences for
our view of the world. Moreover, the continual development of new
theories in theoretical physics, such as gauge theories and quantum
gravity, introduces further conceptual and fundamental problems.
The main themes of our research on the foundations of physics
are the interpretation of Quantum Mechanics (including quantum
measurement theory), the foundations of statistical mechanics
(including analysis of the concept of probability), and the philosophy
of space and time.
Research in History of Mathematics and the Natural Sciences
Science is not just a framework of theories. It is an ensemble of practices
as well as ideas, institutions and concepts, which cannot be isolated from
the context in which it is practised. Insight into these aspects requires
an historical approach. History offers a view of science which is quite
distinct from the philosophical approach. At the Institute for History
and Foundations of Science, we are interested in the development of
concepts, ideas and theories in the natural sciences from about 1500
onwards. We pay special attention to the development of the natural
sciences in the culture of the Netherlands. Specific projects include the
history of mathematics in antiquity and in the Middle Ages (within its
astronomical and cultural context), mathematics in the Netherlands
between 1500 and 1700, the interaction between modern genetics
and practices of stock-breeding in the Netherlands, the emergence of
images of science as a way for scientists to conceptualise their work,
and the way social and religious ideas interact with the development of
scientific concepts such as energy.
Research in History of Natural Philosophy
Whereas developments in twentieth-century physics were nothing
short of revolutionary, the seventeenth century perhaps witnessed
even greater upheavals in the then held view of reality. Research at
the Department of Philosophy focuses on the mechanical philosophy
of this period, which has it roots in, but also reacts to, Aristotelian
scholasticism and Renaissance philosophy. Alongside studies on
mechanist and materialist thought, several critical editions and/
or translations are being prepared. The influence of mechanical
philosophy in the eighteenth century is also included.
Schedule
Year 1 Required course (7.5 ECTS) Primary optional course (7.5 ECTS)
Required course (7.5 ECTS)
Primary optional course (7.5 ECTS)
Primary optional course (7.5 ECTS)
Primary optional course (7.5 ECTS)
Primary or secondary optional course (7.5 ECTS)
Primary or secondary optional course (7.5 ECTS)
Year 2 Seminar "History and philosophy of science" (7.5 ECTS) Thesis (52.5 ECTS)
Required courses
History, Role and Impact of the Natural Sciences
In this course, you will study and discuss texts on, among
others, the Scientific Revolution of the seventeenth century
and its historiographical traditions, as examples of the working
methods of the historian of science.
Philosophy of Science
This course addresses central issues in the philosophy of science,
including the relation between theory and evidence, the laws
of nature, scientific explanation, and the controversy about
empiricism and scientific realism.

Research in Theoretical Philosophy
In philosophy of science, general methodological issues in the sciences
are studied, such as the nature of inter-theoretic relations, as well as
more specific subjects from the physical sciences, such as quantum
computation. In logic, we study pure logic, which comprises modal
logic, constructive logic, arithmetical theories and proof theory, as
well as applied logic. Another important theme is the History of
Logic, in which research focuses on the work of the famous Dutch
mathematician L.E.J. Brouwer. Finally, in Philosophy of Logic, research
is carried out on subjects such as confirmation theory, decision theory,
the realism debate, and on naturalist and empiricist approaches to
semantics.
Founding father
In 1935 Erwin Schrödinger, one of the founding fathers of modern
quantum mechanics, proposed his notorious cat and cyanide thought
experiment in order to elucidate the role of observation in quantum
theory . The prevailing interpretation of quantum mechanics says that
the result of an observation does not correspond to something that
was already there before the observation. But, if that´s true, what can
we say about a cat that – if observed – can surely be found to be alive
or dead, both with a probability of 50%? Is it not self-evident that the
cat must have been dead (or alive) before anyone looked? Now, more
than 70 years later, discussion is still raging on this question. Recently
experimental scientists have joined the debate with experiments on
physical systems that are analogous to Schrödinger´s with the cat.
Dennis Dieks, Professor of Philosophy and Foundations of Science at the Institute of History and Philosophy of Science
“I´ve always wanted to get to the heart of things –
to understand their essence.”
”I´ve always been fascinated by
fundamental questions like “what is
space, time, mass and energy?” Of course,
the natural sciences have a lot to say
about such issues, but they do not tell us
everything. Scientific theories themselves
need to be interpreted. For example,
one question you can ask is whether they
reflect the world as it is, or whether such
theories should be seen as tools that
enable us to make predictions at the
observational level, without pretending
to describe the unobservable parts of
reality. This is typical of the questions we
ask and without which you simply can´t
understand the meaning of science.
Looking at science this way leads to
countless intriguing questions. What
exactly does relativity theory tell us about
space and time? What does it mean to say
that space-time is curved? A particularly
fascinating theory is quantum mechanics.
It appears that the classical picture of
the world, according to which everything
consists of localized particles that interact
via force fields, doesn´t hold true in light
of what quantum theory tells us. But
what kind of world picture should take its
place? Are there not in fact many different
interpretations of quantum mechanics
that each tell a different story? Studying
questions like this gives you the feeling of
reaching beyond science and penetrating
into the very essence of things.”

Graduate School of Natural Sciences
Talented Master´s and PhD students at the Utrecht Graduate School
of Natural Sciences (GSNS) acquire the knowledge, skills and insight
needed to take on top positions around the world, including those
in research. Graduates receive a sound academic training and
gain an excellent understanding of the role played by the natural
sciences in contemporary society. The GSNS provides a thorough
fundamental scientific education, which you can adapt to your own
needs by choosing specific courses and research subjects. Some of
our Master´s programmes, such as Game and Media Technology as
well as Meteorology, Physical Oceanography and Climate, are unique
worldwide.
Each year we organise several summer schools, teaching topics
related to our Master´s programmes. The Graduate School also
facilitates incoming Master´s student exchanges within the context
of the Erasmus programme. Participating in a summer school or an
exchange programme is a great opportunity to get to know our
educational philosophy, the open and professional atmosphere here
in the University, and the city of Utrecht.
In Utrecht we combine research and education in a natural way.
All GSNS Master´s programmes are firmly embedded in renowned
Utrecht research institutes, which are equipped with modern facilities.
The eight institutes and the Graduate School offer Master´s and PhD
students a stimulating environment in which to work, including
contacts with top-class researchers such as Nobel Prize winning
physicist Professor Gerard ´t Hooft.
All Utrecht Master´s programmes that include mathematics,
information and computer sciences, cognitive artificial intelligence,
physics, and chemistry are taught within the GSNS. In order to ensure
a high level of research in an international environment, we combine
cutting-edge research with academic skills in our training, much of
which is multidisciplinary.
Martin Weiss graduated in History and Philosophy of Science in 2008
“The teachers convey a sense of how rewarding
curiosity can be and give full support to student
initiatives.”
“When I finished school I found it hard to
decide which subject to study at University.
History, mathematics, physics, medicine,
literature – it all sounded so exciting. I
eventually decided to study physics in my
home country, Germany, and some years
later I came to Utrecht.
Hoping to broaden my horizons, I
took some courses on the history and
philosophy of science. It was as if a whole
new world had opened up! I knew then
that I wanted to follow the Master´s
programme in this subject.
In fact, looking back, what´s most
remarkable about this programme is the
stimulating learning environment – and
the high standards of the courses. The
teachers convey a sense of how rewarding
curiosity can be and give full support
to student initiatives. What´s more, my
fellow students came from a wide variety
of academic backgrounds, and from all
over the world. English is the common
language.
A thirst for knowledge, a certain faith in
and awareness of one´s own capabilities,
and experience with international issues
seem to me to give you a decisive advantage
whatever career path you choose – they
certainly help you write a PhD, which is
what I myself have gone on to do after
graduating.”

Career prospects
This programme prepares you for intensive research at PhD level
and qualifies you for a wide range of jobs. Graduates of our
programme usually either enrol in a PhD programme or seek
employment in organisations in which insight into the nature
and history of science and critical reflection on scientific claims
and methods is particularly valued.
Postgraduate opportunities
When you graduate in History and Philosophy of Science at Utrecht
University you will be extremely well prepared to enter a PhD
programme in the Netherlands or elsewhere. PhD positions in the
Netherlands are typically fully funded for four years. A number of
our graduates have entered PhD programmes outside of history and
philosophy of science or have started a career in, for example, science
journalism, science communication, science centres and museums,
science policy or science management.
So what kind of jobs do our alumni tend to get?
• 47% become PhD students in the Netherlands
• 22% become PhD students outside the Netherlands
• 31% become consultants or strategy advisors
Christiaan Huygens (1629 - 1695)
“One of the most famous and influential
Dutch scientists”
“Christiaan Huygens (1629-1695) is
generally regarded to have been one of
the most famous and influential Dutch
scientists. He was one of the pioneers of
the so-called scientific revolution of the
seventeenth century, who made important
discoveries in the sciences of mathematics,
astronomy, mechanics and optics.
Some of his works can be consulted at
www.phys.uu.nl/~huygens.”

Practical Matters
Length of programme: 2 years
Number of ECTS: 120
Teaching language: English
Starting dates: 1 September and 1 February
Degree/title: Master of Science (MSc)
Costs of books: ca. 500 euro
Admission requirements
Applicants are expected to hold one of the
following bachelor degrees:
• a Bachelor´s degree of Science with a
major in Physics
• a Bachelor´s degree of any of the Sciences
with preferably a minor in History and/or
Philosophy
• a Bachelor´s degree with a major in
History and/or Philosophy, and a minor in
one of the Sciences
• a Bachelor´s degree in any of the
Humanities with preferably a minor in
one of the Natural or Life Sciences.
A good command of English is required.
Check the precise requirements regarding
your proficiency in English at www.uu.nl/
internationalmasters.
Please include a statement of motivation with
your Master´s programme application. The
Admissions Committee may set additional
entrance requirements.
Application deadlines
There are three different deadlines for
application:
• `Early bird´ deadline: For students who wish
to apply for scholarships elsewhere or need
an early notification of admission.
• Main deadline: For all students who
completed their previous education outside
the Netherlands.
• Late deadline: For students from Utrecht
University, other Dutch universities or
institutions for higher professional education
(HBO), and for students with foreign
qualifications who do not need a visa, nor
housing arranged by the university.
Application and admission procedures
If you are interested in this particular
Master´s degree programme, you can apply
online. Once your complete application
has been received (online application,
additional documentation and application
fee), the Admissions Office will assess your
application to see if you meet the general
entry requirements. The selection committee
of the Master´s programme will determine
if you meet the specific programme
requirements. If you are accepted for the
Master´s programme, your enrolment at
Utrecht University will be finalized through
our website.
The Master´s programme History and
Philosophy of Science is officially registered
under the name `geschiedenis en wijsbegeerte
van de wiskunde en natuurwetenschappen´
(code 60711). You will need to use this
name and code when you apply for this
programme.
Applicants with foreign qualifications pay an
application fee of 50 euro.
Financial matters
All students who register at Utrecht
University must pay annual tuition fees.
Grants and scholarships seldom cover all of
the costs of studying and living. You will
need more support and besides this, an
enrolment in a Master´s degree programme
at Utrecht University does not automatically
constitute an offer of financial support.
More information about grants, exchanges
and scholarships:
• www1.phys.uu.nl/masters/scholarships/;
• www.grantfinder.nl;
• www.nuffic.nl/studying.nl;
• www.uu.nl/financialassistance;
• www.nuffic.nl/nfp.
Utrecht Feel at Home service
To emphasise Utrecht´s international
character, the university offers the unique
`Utrecht Feel at Home Service´, guaranteeing
housing for its foreign visitors and offering
support for visa applications, amongst many
other things.
Further information
Application and admission
www.uu.nl/masters (for Dutch students)
www.uu.nl/internationalmasters (for international students)
On these websites you can also find the application deadlines and
the general requirements for the prospective master students.
Master´s programme History and Philosophy and Science
www.phil.uu.nl/HPS/
Programme leader History and Philosophy of Science
prof.dr. Dennis Dieks
D.G.B.J.Dieks@phys.uu.nl
+31 30 253 1895/8040
Summerschools: www.science.uu.nl/summerschools
Frequently asked questions: www.uu.nl/qdesk
Colophon September 2009. Published by: Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Utrecht University. Compiled and produced by: Faculty of Science and Communication Services. Text editing: Michael Gould
Associates BV. Photography: Ivar Pel, Pieter van Dorp van Vliet. Design: www.taluut.nl. Print: Joh. Enschedé Amsterdam. Although this brochure has been compiled with the greatest care, no rights may be
derived from any of its contents.