Science, Technology, and International Affairs Major
Address the most pressing challenges of a technology‑driven world.
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Major Overview
Launching in Fall 2026, the Science, Technology, and International Affairs (STIA) major equips you to tackle the world’s most pressing global challenges by applying cutting-edge science to complex political, social, and ethical issues. By combining science with international affairs, the STIA major prepares you to explore the technological and scientific issues driving today’s global conversations.
Assistant Teaching Professor Rowan Ellis
Program Advisor
At a Glance
1
Core course
4
STIA specialization courses
1
Senior seminar course or honors thesis course sequence
Career Paths
Students who choose the STIA major will be prepared to work in government agencies, international organizations, NGOs, and the private sector.
Declaring Your Major
You will declare your major during the first semester of your sophomore year in consultation with your advisor. When declaring a major, you will prepare a proposal outlining the reasons why you want to pursue the STIA major and how it aligns with your academic interests and career goals.
Why Study Science, Technology, and International Affairs?
Now more than ever, science and technology are at the heart of international affairs. The Science, Technology, and International Affairs (STIA) major equips students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage with these challenges and opportunities.
The STIA major will equip you with a combination of scientific knowledge, technical expertise, and understanding of global challenges, preparing you to lead where science and technology intersect with global policy.
Requirements
Science Fundamentals
STIA majors are required to develop a grounding in at least one field of science, along with an additional course in research or analytic methods. This requirement can be met by taking foundational sequences of laboratory-based, natural, or computer science. You are strongly encouraged to complete these requirements during your first and second years, and to develop a deeper background in science and technology through additional related coursework.
STIA Fundamentals
STIA majors must complete the following courses in the major:
One STIA Senior Seminar course or the STIA Honors Thesis course sequence
Science & Technology in the Global Arena (during your sophomore year)
Four courses from a specialized area (at least two courses must have STIA prefixes)
Skills You’ll Learn in the STIA Major
- Communicate complex scientific concepts clearly and persuasively
- Build a versatile skill set for careers in international development, government agencies, global health organizations, and beyond
- Learn scientific theory and practice through a laboratory-based science sequence
- Develop multidisciplinary expertise in a concentration area
- Incorporate scientific knowledge and methods into the study of international affairs
- Engage with groundbreaking research and collaborate with experts to find innovative solutions to challenges like climate change, energy, and cybersecurity
Alumni Spotlight
What You Can Accomplish
Aldrinana Leung, Global Social Impact Manager at Starbucks
Andrew Gilligan, Vice President at Sol Systems
Tripti Bhattacharya, Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences at Syracuse University