Requirements

All STIA majors must complete a minimum 12 courses in the major including:

STIA 305 – Science ,Technology, in the Global Arena (to be taken in the sophomore year)
Two Lab Science/technology courses taken from biology, chemistry, physics or approved computer sciences, preferably by the end of the sophomore year
One approved mathematics or related quantitative course
One approved research or analytic methods course
Six courses chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor and Curricular Dean from an area of concentration. At least two courses should have STIA prefixes. Two may be additional science, computer science or math courses. STIA’s concentrations, their faculty leaders, some of the topics they allow students to explore:
Energy and Environment: Climate change and geosciences, the transition to a new energy economy, global food supply and the water crisis. Faculty Leader, Professor Joanna Lewis

Business, Growth, and Development: Transformative technologies and international competitiveness, innovation policy from Wall Street to nation-states, information technologies in development; technology and entrepreneurship. Faculty Leader, Professor Mark Giordano

Biotechnology and Global Health: The biotechnology revolution, emerging infectious disease, technology’s role in health care systems and health equity. Faculty Leader, Professor Emily Mendenhall

Science, Technology, and Security: nuclear proliferation, low and high tech terrorism, cyber security and cyber warfare. Space and aerospace, technology in military strategy. Faculty Leader, Professor Kathryn Olesko

A STIA Senior Capstone Course or Honors Thesis.
As noted above, students, particularly pre-med students, wishing to take up to two additional science classes may do so as part of their concentration requirements in consultation with their advisors. See below for additional information on pre-med and pre-engineering.

Study Abroad
The STIA faculty strongly encourages students to spend meaningful time abroad. STIA requirements mean that course work must be carefully planned to facilitate time away from campus. Students are encouraged to speak early and often with their Curricular Dean and Faculty Advisor to plan course work and find the most personally meaningful study abroad programs.

Pre-med
The STIA major provides a natural option within the School of Foreign Service for students with an international outlook and in interest in the practice of medicine.

Students can complete most of the pre-med requirements as part of their STIA degree. However, because of the rigor of both STIA and Pre-Med, students must work closely with their STIA faculty mentor, the GU Pre-Med Committee and the STIA Curricular Dean to ensure that all curriculum requirements are met through regular and summer classes.

Recent STIA graduates have been admitted to top medical schools including Georgetown, Columbia, John Hopkins, NYU, and Emory. Past graduates are practicing physicians and global health practitioners around the world.

Pre-Engineering
The STIA major also provides a natural option for SFS students to pursue a career in engineering. An engineering degree is available to Georgetown students through a 3-2 program with Columbia University.

Students can complete most of the pre-engineering requirements as part of their STIA degree. Because of the rigor and requirements of both programs, students must work closely with their STIA faculty mentor and the STIA Curricular Dean to ensure that all curriculum requirements for are met. Summer coursework is typically needed to meet some engineering requirements.

Acceptance to the engineering program requires a separate application through Columbia.