Science and Technology Policy Studies (thesis and non-thesis MsC Program)
The M.Sc. Program in Science and Technology Policy Studies at METU-TEKPOL equips students with the analytical tools needed to understand and shape technological change in today’s knowledge-based economy. The program combines insights from economics, policy studies, and social sciences to examine how innovation, emerging technologies, and public policies interact in a rapidly changing world.
Technological change increasingly raises complex economic and societal challenges that cannot be addressed within a single discipline. The program therefore adopts an interdisciplinary perspective, encouraging both rigorous analytical thinking and applied policy research. Students gain the skills to analyze innovation policies, technological transformations, and their economic and social impacts.
Graduates pursue careers in public institutions, international organizations, industry, think tanks, and academia. Many alumni have continued their studies in leading international programs such as MIT Technology and Policy Program, Harvard Kennedy School, SPRU (Sussex), UNU-MERIT (Maastricht), Manchester University, Lund University, and the University of Gothenburg.
Educational objectives
The graduates of Science and Technology Policy Studies Master's Program;
- Are preferred as potential PhD students by reputable universities in Turkey and abroad.
- Can work as specialists in the technology and innovation policy units of related public and autonomous institutions.
- Can work as specialists in the technology strategy departments of private companies.
- Can give lectures on topics related to economics of technology and science, technology and innovation policy.
- Can provide consultancy services in technology and innovation policy to public institutions and private companies.
Educational outcomes
Upon completion of the MSc program our students,
- will gain an interdisciplinary perspective to analyze the economic and social consequences of technological development.
- will gain competence to develop harmonious strategies and policies to meet social and economic transformations that technology has introduced.
- have knowledge of related conceptual, methodological and applied knowledge to design science, technology and innovation policies.
- are equipped with conceptual, methodological and applied knowledge to provide technology and innovation strategy to private companies.
Tezli/Tezsiz Yüksek Lisans Programı Eğitim Amaçları
Bilim ve Teknoloji Politikası Çalışmaları Yüksek Lisans Programı mezunları;
- Yurtiçinde ve yurtdışında saygın üniversitelerde doktora öğrencisi olarak tercih edilirler.
- İlgili kamu ve özerk kurumların bilim, teknoloji ve yenilik politikası birimlerinde uzman olarak çalışabilirler.
- Özel şirketlerin teknoloji stratejisini belirleyen birimlerinde uzman olarak çalışabilirler.
- Üniversitelerde, devlet kurumlarında ve özel şirketlerde teknoloji iktisadı ve bilim, teknoloji ve yenilik politikası konularında ders verebilirler.
- Devlet kurumlarına ve özel şirketlere teknoloji ve yenilik politikası konularında danışmanlık hizmeti verebilirler.
Tezli/Tezsiz Yüksek Lisans Programı Eğitim Çıktıları
Bilim ve Teknoloji Politikası Çalışmaları Yüksek Lisans Programı öğrencileri;
- Teknolojik ilerlemenin ekonomik ve sosyal sonuçlarını incelemek için disiplinlerarası bakış açısı kazanırlar.
- Teknolojinin getirdiği sosyal ve ekonomik dönüşümlere uyum sağlayabilecek strateji ve politika geliştirme yetisi kazanırlar.
- Bilim, teknoloji ve yenilik politikası tasarlayabilecek düzeyde kavramsal, yöntemsel ve uygulamalı bilgi sahibi olurlar.
- Özel şirketler teknoloji ve yenilik stratejisi geliştirebilecek düzeyde kavramsal, yöntemsel ve uygulamalı bilgi sahibi olurlar.
- YÖK Yönetmeliğine göre tezsiz yüksek lisans programından mezun olan öğreciler Doktora programına başvuru yapamamaktadır.
Program Structure
Students enrolled in the program are required to take 3 core courses which aim to provide students with the basic knowledge to understand historical, theoretical and institutional aspects of scientific and technological processes and practices. Students lacking the necessary background in their chosen field of specialization may be asked to take a maximum of three additional undergraduate courses upon the consent of the chairman of the program. In addition to the 3 must courses students have to take 4 elective courses.
Upon passing the non-credit seminar course STPS 500 that the thesis proposals are defended students proceed to write a thesis. A sketch of M.Sc. program is presented below. You can get more information regarding the courses here.
M.Sc. with thesis (3 must, 4 electives, one seminar course and M.Sc. Thesis)
Must courses
- STPS 503: Economics of Science, Technology and Innovation
- STPS 505: Knowledge, Science and Technology in the Information Age
- STPS 507: Research Methods and Ethics in Science and Technology Studies
From the second semester onwards students have to enroll in non-credit MSc courses
- STPS 800-899 Special Studies
- STPS 599 M.Sc. Thesis
Students have to complete all coursework (3 must, 4 elective and one seminar course STPS 500) in the first four semesters. The students have to defend their proposals in the STPS 500 Prothesis Seminar couse. If successful the student proceeds to writing a MSc thesis. The maximum MSc education is 6 semester.