The Academic Major and Minor
Every student is required to complete an academic major, which must be formally declared no later than March 31 (or Oct. 31) of the second semester of the sophomore year. Students have the option of completing academic minors or additional academic majors, each of which should be declared as early as possible but no later than the end of the first semester of the senior year.
All changes to major or minor status of graduating students must be declared by April 1, with individual variations to major and minor requirements approved by departments and programs no later than April 15. Departments and programs must review the progress of all graduating students completing a major or minor,and may alter their status based on insufficient coursework. Students may change their major or minor status immediately prior to graduation, based on unanticipated non-completion of requirements.
A major must consist of at least nine and no more than 15 semester courses (typically 36 to 60 credit hours), unless otherwise dictated by the standards of a professional society or as part of a cooperative program with another institution. At least six of these courses must be at the 200 level or higher, with at least two at the 300 level or higher. Only a certain number of courses may be counted in common between the requirements for two separate majors:
- If the total number of combined semester courses for the two majors is fewer than 24, three courses may be counted in common.
- If the total number of combined semester courses for the two majors is at least 24 and fewer than 30, four courses may be counted in common.
- If the total number of combined semester courses for the two majors is 30 or more, five courses may be counted in common.
If more than the designated three, four or five courses in common are required between the two majors, then an equivalent number of courses need to be added as electives.
A minor must consist of at least five semester courses, at least three of which must be at the 200 level or higher. Only one course may be counted in common toward the requirements for a major and a minor or toward the requirements for two separate minors. A student may not receive credit for more than three minors.
The College offers both department-based and interdepartmental majors. Interdepartmental majors generally include a required core comprised of at least one introductory course specific to the major and a capstone experience (individual study, honors study, seminar, colloquium or internship) in which the analytical skills and subject matter from prior courses are employed and tested.
Certain majors provide students the option of selecting a specific track or concentration. A concentration is noted explicitly on a student’s transcript, whereas a track is not.
Student-Designed Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors
Student designs for interdisciplinary majors and minors are normally formulated and approved no later than the first semester of the junior year. A student whose proposal for a student-designed interdisciplinary major has not been approved by March 31 (or October 31) of the second semester of the sophomore year must declare an established major. Before presenting a formal proposal for a major or minor, the student must receive support from at least one faculty member who is willing to serve as an adviser. The student should also consult with members of the Committee on Student-Designed Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors before submitting the application.
Proposals for student-designed interdisciplinary majors shall include:
1. A closely articulated group of nine to fifteen courses in two or more disciplines.
2. An integrative project (individual study, honors study, or appropriate seminar) that counts as one of the nine to fifteen courses and serves as a capstone to the major, through which students have the opportunity to reconcile or synthesize the interdisciplinary materials with which they have been working.
3. An essay describing the overall coherence or unity in the form of a central topic, theme, or problem.
4. A letter of support from the potential major adviser.
Proposals for student-designed interdisciplinary minors shall include:
1. A closely articulated group of six or more courses in two or more disciplines.
2. An integrative project (individual study, honors study, or appropriate seminar) that counts as one of the six or more courses and serves as a capstone to the minor, through which students have the opportunity to reconcile or synthesize the interdisciplinary materials with which they have been working.
3. An essay describing the overall coherence or unity in the form of a central topic, theme, or problem.
4. A letter of support from the potential minor adviser.
After receiving preliminary approval from the Committee on Student-Designed Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors, the student’s proposal is forwarded to the Academic and Administrative Procedures Committee for inclusion among the substantial curricular changes to be presented to the faculty. Once a major or minor has been formally approved by the faculty, the Office of the Registrar must receive a declaration form with the name of the new major or minor and the signature of the faculty adviser.
The Committee on Student-Designed Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors may authorize substitutions of individual courses for student-designed interdisciplinary majors and minors that have already been approved by the faculty. Such substitutions may not decrease the total number of courses required for the major or minor. When possible, substitute courses should be at the same level or higher and should come from the same department or program as the courses that are being replaced. The Committee on Student-Designed Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors may approve proposals for honors study in student-designed interdisciplinary majors, subject to the relevant College-wide policies. In the event that the student’s adviser is unable to continue serving, the SDIMM committee is responsible for helping the student find a new adviser.