Department of the History of Science, Harvard University | Department of the History of Science

Undergraduate Program

James Watt, English inventor and industrialist, experimenting with a teakettle as he attempts to improve the Newcomen steam engine. His aunt looks over his shoulder, upset at his tinkering. From the Lives of Great People of the Occident (Taisei ijin den), Woodblock print c. 1870.

Graduate Program

Clipart of two students sitting on a giant book

Faculty Directory

Evelynn Hammonds as discussant.

Fall 2026 Courses

Open to graduate enrollment.

See all courses offered

Knowing the World: An Introduction to the History of Science

With Professor Alex Csiszar on Monday and Wednesday 10:30-11:45 am

People protesting during the March for Science

The Border: Race, Politics, and Health in Modern Mexico

With Professor Gabriela Soto Laveaga on Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00-10:15 am

Border wall tipped with barbed wires leading to the ocean with a mural of people noting individual achievements

Medical Ethics and History

With Professor David S. Jones on Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30-11:45 am

Angst-ridden, exhausted medical provider in full scrubs, face mask and eye-shield sitting while looking forlornly in a hospital hallway

Technoscience and US Politics

With Professor Marc Aidinoff on Monday at 3:00-5:45 pm

Census workers working in 80s era computer room with large computers in background

News

Eric Gurevitch Awarded the 2026 Indira Peterson Prize in Sanskrit Studies by the American Institute of Indian Studies

June 15, 2026

Graduating HoS Concentrator Alyssia Wiesenbauer profiled in FAS Current

May 28, 2026

Alyssia smiling to camera with Birds of the World Gallery behind her

HoS Alumni Aaron Van Neste and Jonathan Galka recognized by the International Commission of the History of Oceanography

May 20, 2026

Aaron Van Neste and Jonathan Galka with abstract background of oceanic topography

News Archive

Faculty Bookshelf

Research

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Opportunities for History and Science Concentrators

Undergraduate Program

See what opportunities are available!

Opportunities for History of Science Concentrators

Teaching Innovation

Graduate Program

Exploring contemporary research & learning techniques