Philosophy (Science, Nature and Mind), BA
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.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
The Bachelor of Arts 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.
You enrich your 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 you if you want to complement a science major with a second major in the humanities and if you wish to do postgraduate work in medicine, sustainability or technology.
In addition to reviewing the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, if you are interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, you can visit The College's website for more information and requirements.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| PHI 300 Philosophical Argument and Exposition |
| PHI 420 Topics in Philosophy |
| PHI 103 Principles of Sound Reasoning |
| PHI 314 Philosophy of Science |
| PHI 333 Symbolic Logic |
| PHI 334 Philosophy of Mind |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
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See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- 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.
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.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Students can explore the wide variety of cultures and philosophies around the globe. With more than 300 distinct 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 and adaptability skills, as well as cultural competence --- all of which enhance their resumes.
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.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Protection Specialist | 6.1% | $82,220 | Learn more |
| Health Sciences Manager | 8.2% | $167,220 | Learn more |
| Human Behavior Researcher | 5.0% | $61,990 | Learn more |
| Industrial Ecologist | 6.1% | $82,220 | Learn more |
| Medical Doctor (MD) | 4.0% | $256,560 | Learn more |
| Medical Scientist | 12.6% | $103,410 | Learn more |
| Mental Health Counselor | 18.4% | $59,350 | Learn more |
| Neuropsychologist | 2.3% | $110,840 | Learn more |
| Sustainability Specialist | 3.9% | $83,050 | Learn more |
| Technical Writer | 0.8% | $90,390 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
The analytical, writing and problem-solving skills gained through a philosophy major are highly transferable to a wide variety of jobs, and graduates 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.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch
|
COOR 4591
SHPRSadvising@asu.edu
480-965-8364
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
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. 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.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
