Surveys the medical and scientific constructions of race and racial theories within social and political contexts, focusing on racial science in slavery and colonialism.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2023← History of Science (HISTSCI)
Hardest courses in History of Science
Plan ahead for courses where students have earned lower grades.
Lowest historical GPA first. At least 100 letter grades over the five years through the selected term. Grades reflect past outcomes, not workload or a guaranteed result.
Find your fit
6 coursesHistorical grades cover up to five years through the selected term. Only courses with at least 100 letter grades are ranked.
#2 ·HISTSCI/MEDHIST 212
Bodies, Diseases, and Healers: an Introduction to the History of Medicine
3 creditsThis course surveys historical conceptions of the body as a site of sickness from Antiquity to contemporary medicine.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Nicholas Jacobson: Students report reading and analyzing two to three long, sometimes ancient, readings each week, which some find challenging despite the engaging lectures.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2026This course covers the history of the pharmaceutical field from antiquity to modern medical care, focusing on professional structuring in Western countries.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025HISTSCI 211 teaches students to conduct original historical research in science, medicine, and technology using archival methods and historical analysis.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Nicholas Jacobson: Students report a heavy reading load of approximately 20 pages per week, with materials described as old and long.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2023–Spring 2026A historical survey of the main lines of mathematical development.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Exams are described as purposefully difficult, with the second midterm carrying 20% of the grade and containing only four questions, making small errors costly.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Fall 2025HISTSCI 201 explores the emergence of the scientific method from ancient traditions and the development of the Copernican-Newtonian worldview.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Review 2 states reading is necessary for an A and most materials are online, though the textbook is required. Review 6 agrees reading is necessary for exams. Review 7 advises skipping the textbook because lectures cover everything needed.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025