UC Merced has introduced a new bachelor’s degree in science, technology and ethics, beginning in fall 2025. The program aims to prepare students to address complex questions at the intersection of scientific innovation and ethical responsibility.
Professor Dan Hicks, who led the design of the major, explained that about two-thirds of the required courses are in the humanities and social sciences. The remaining courses are in a STEM field selected by each student, such as data science, biology or public health. “In society, we have all of these challenges where science and technology are wrapped up in complex social, political and legal problems,” said Hicks. “We’re bringing these two perspectives together.”
The curriculum is intended to help students understand how technical advances like artificial intelligence, climate change research, bioengineering and other scientific developments raise questions that involve both facts and values. In Professor Hicks’ class on science, technology and ethics, students debated whether scientists should go public with preliminary evidence of global threats or wait until they have more conclusive proof.
One student argued that speaking out early can provide focus for further studies: “even if you can’t answer unanswerable questions, you provide an area of focus. You encourage further studies.” Another student said waiting allows more time to gather information: “they would have more time to research it and then drop the bomb with all the information.”
Hicks draws from personal experience gained through a science fellowship at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Science Foundation (NSF). When teaching about chemical safety cases, Hicks shares insights from work done with EPA teams.
First-year student Dylan Carlton said he chose Hicks’ course because it combined his interests in technology and philosophy. He noted that discussions focused on how different kinds of research might be prioritized based on their broader social consequences rather than only academic goals: “The idea that experimentally verifiable knowledge could replace parts of philosophy was a fascinating perspective,” Carlton said.
Reflecting on the practical application of philosophy beyond academia, Hicks stated: “Philosophy isn’t you just sitting back and asking questions you find interesting. It is a skill set you can bring to many workplaces and apply to a lot of important questions.”
The new major prepares graduates for roles such as policy advocate, compliance officer or patient advocate—positions where understanding both technical issues and ethical implications is increasingly valuable.
