Graduate Brochure
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Philosophy at UCSD
The Department of Philosophy at the University of California, San Diego now offers an unusually wide-ranging program of graduate studies staffed by a highly distinguished faculty. Our students pursue Ph.D. degrees in all of the traditional areas of philosophy. They may also pursue an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in philosophy and cognitive science, or a specialized Ph.D. in Science Studies, a program staffed with faculty from the history, sociology, and philosophy departments.
Perhaps the Department is best known for the extraordinary opportunities it offers for study in the philosophy of science, philosophy of biology, and the philosophy of mind as it has been influenced recently by developments in philosophy of science, neuroscience, and cognitive science. The Department continues to have exceptional strength in the history of philosophy from ancient times to the 20th century, and in moral/social/political philosophy.
Our faculty have produced distinguished research in all of the areas listed above, and we take seriously our obligation to help produce the next generation of researchers and teachers in philosophy. Prospective students are encouraged to look over the enclosed material on faculty research and publications.
The Setting
UCSD is a nationally acclaimed research university, spread out over 1200 of the most scenic acres in America, much of it on bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Although relatively small, the university ranks fourth in the nation in federal government research dollars, and boasts an extraordinary fifty-three members of the National Academy of Sciences and six Nobel laureates.
The San Diego area itself deserves its reputation as one of the most comfortable places in the world to live. The weather is mild and pleasant the year round, and thanks to ocean breezes, and a more fortunate geography than our neighbors to the north, the air is clean, and there are innumerable recreational activities available.
The Philosophy Department is located on the 7th and 8th floors of the Humanities and Social Sciences Building (H&SS). We attempt to provide all graduate students with office space in H&SS. Our department also houses a graduate student lounge, a computer room, a library and a seminar room.
Size
In any given year, there are usually between thirty-five and forty-five graduate students in philosophy in residence. Almost all are full-time students, enrolled for twelve credits (usually three four-credit courses).