The Princeton School of Public and International Affairs offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (STEP).<br>The STEP group focuses on applications of natural and social science methodology in the policy arena. Emphasis also is placed on the interactions among natural and social science in policy analysis.<br><br>The STEP curriculum helps practitioners develop a deeper understanding of the nature of scientific and technological problems and opportunities, the specialized methods used for analyzing scientific and technological issues, and the dynamics of science and technology development and application. The course of study for a STEP Ph.D. student is developed by each student, working closely with a faculty advisor.<br><br>Eleven faculty with joint appointments in the science and engineering departments comprise the STEP faculty. Their expertise covers air quality and climate change, ecology and conservation biology policy, biotechnology policy, information technology policy, and nuclear energy and nuclear weapons proliferation.