The major in Political Science, Security, and Technology takes a social science (not technical) approach to studying emerging technologies that affect war and peace.  There is no better place to study security and technology than Carnegie Mellon University, a thought leader in global and national security issues, policies, and strategies related to digital technologies.  CMU students are uniquely poised to influence the future, with cutting-edge research happening across campus in all the relevant technological areas--e.g., machine learning, cybersecurity, robotics, big data, neuroscience, human-computer interaction, human enhancement, synthetic biology, and various types of artificial intelligence.  

In this course of study, Carnegie Mellon undergraduates learn how to analyze the political, economic, social, and ethical dimensions of new technologies, equipping themselves to contribute to vital political debates and influence technological developments in the public interest.

The lesson of the past few years is that the pace of technological change will only increase, and its impact on the future of humanity will also grow.  In particular, the geopolitical implications of various forms of artificial intelligence are well along, including their impacts on work, health, environmental protection, and especially conflict. The ongoing conflicts in both Ukraine and Israel reflect the role of autonomous weapons, loitering munitions, accessible armed drones, and open-source intelligence driven by machine learning tools.

Perhaps even more fundamental in its impact, synthetic biology will alter every aspect of human existence. Today it is easy to read (DNA sequencing), write (DNA synthesizing), alter (gene editing) and share (via the internet) genetic code.  This makes synthetic biology as revolutionary as the printing press was in the 15th century—both for good (curing diseases like cancer) or ill (creating new dangerous pathogens).  

The full effects of these technologies are some years away, but our students must be equipped to shape and adapt to them. Most serious among them will be the potential to affect war and peace, what it means to be human, economic prosperity, and future global stability.

Students in this major read, employ, and create evidence-based research that addresses and shapes the future of technology in national and international security.  In choosing their electives, students have the opportunity to emphasize either the international or domestic American aspects of this topic. Challenges posed by digital technologies affect people of all political parties, in the United States and throughout the world, especially in democracies. 

Our goal is to educate students who not only know about the risks and benefits of new technologies in historical context, but can also use their knowledge to frame broad questions and use the appropriate political science methods to address them.

We teach a range of methodologies to prepare our students for the challenges of the 21st century, both within the United States and abroad.  These include introductions not only to traditional political science approaches (such as comparative case studies, archival analysis, database construction, and regression analysis), but also to newer tools such as visual geospatial mapping, sensor-driven machine learning, and the employment of large language models.  

Our budding political scientists may not build the latter tools (as they do in other parts of Carnegie Mellon University); but they’ll know how to use them effectively to predict problems, identify potential backlash, and answer important questions.  They’ll design research projects that address political, ethical, and strategic questions related to security and technology, in everything from voting in democratic elections to robotic targeting during warfare, in both the United States and abroad.

Curriculum (153 units)

The major can be pursued as a primary major or additional major.  The requirements are the same for both. A maximum of four courses may double count between the PSST major and any other majors or minor. Unlimited double counting is permitted with General Education requirements. 

Political Science Core (complete all): 36 Units

Security and Technology Core: 45 Units

Students must complete: 

Students must complete 36 units from the following list of courses:

Methodology Core (complete all): 18 Units

Electives: 54 Units

Students must complete 54 units (usually six courses) in total. At least four courses (36 units) must be taken from the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology (84-xxx). Most courses listed below are 9-unit courses, but some are fewer. When students choose courses offered for fewer than 9 units, they must remember that a minimum of 54 units is still required and thus plan to take one or more additional courses to fill out that minimum number.  In other words, the key requirement is the number of units (54), not the number of courses.  Courses taken in the Security and Technology core above and beyond the required number of units for the core may count as electives for the major. 

Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the Carnegie Mellon University Washington Semester Program (CMU/WSP) and courses taken through the program may count toward electives for the major. 

*Denotes courses taught in Washington, DC, through the Carnegie Mellon University Washington Semester Program (CMU/WSP).