Majors, Minors and Certificates

Watch the past come to life as you explore ruins and analyze artifacts. You’ll learn the origins of societies and understand how humans have interacted with themselves and nature for centuries, shaping how we live today.

Biology majors study living organisms and the processes of life. Choose from four areas of emphasis to focus your studies: cellular and molecular biology, ecology and environmental biology, genomics and neuroscience.

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

• Cellular and Molecular Biology
• Ecology and Environmental Biology
• Genomics
• Neuroscience
• B.A. Biology: Pre-Medical Track
• B.S. Biology: Pre-Medical track

When you understand chemistry, you begin to understand the extraordinary nature of the world down to its most basic particles. Chemistry is the science of the materials we use, the medicine we take, the environment we live in and the food we eat.

We prepare skillful communicators at both the theoretical and applied levels. Choose from four areas of emphasis (health, interpersonal or strategic/organization communication and social media and communication technology) — or complete the integrated communication track for a more general focus.

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

• Health Communication
• Integrated Communication
• Interpersonal Communication
• Social Media and Communication Technology
• Strategic/Organizational Communication

Go beyond the legal definitions of criminality. Criminology seeks to understand the nature and causes of criminality, as well as the successes and limitations of criminal justice approaches and processes.

As a Data Science major, you will develop quantitative and computational skills to solve real-world problems. Customize the degree to fit your interests by choosing a focus area to create a degree with practical applications.

As an Earth and Environmental Science major, you'll learn about Earth systems, the processes that drive them, their impacts on human society and how to apply the scientific method to investigate real-world problems

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

• Climate and Environmental Science
• GIS Methods
• Geoscience and Sustainable Energy

Majoring in English develops skills in communication, research, critical thinking and focused creativity. You will deepen your understanding of people and cultures while learning how to use language effectively in a variety of contexts.

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

• Professional Writing and Editing
• Creative Writing

Deep within nearly every cell is a unique set of genetic markers. When a crime occurs, recovering those genetic markers and determining who they belong to is a job for forensic biologists.

We're a national leader in forensic science education and research. Our graduates work in law enforcement and forensic science laboratories across the country.

With world-class training facilities and a solid STEM foundation, this major prepares you to tackle the investigation of a crime from start to finish.

History helps us discover new meaning in the past, present and future. Our students learn the best practices of historical research while developing skills for a successful career: thinking critically, communicating effectively and tackling complex problems.

This interdisciplinary program includes courses in political science, languages, geography, history, sociology, anthropology, economics and other topics. You'll gain valuable real-life experience through study abroad, global service learning and internships.

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

• Global Connections
• Security and Diplomacy
• Africa/Middle East
• Asia
• Europe
• The Americas

Mathematics can be found in almost every sector of the world. Our faculty’s interdisciplinary approach to mathematics will prepare you for careers as research analysts, technical consultants, computer scientists, educators and systems engineers.

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

• Actuarial Science
• Computational Mathematical Science
• Mathematics Biology
• Mathematics Education
• Physical Applied Mathematics
• Pure Mathematics

Tailor your education to your interests by completing three related minors.

Tailor your education to your interests with the Multidisciplinary Studies program that consists of three minors of your choosing.

Neuroscience is one of the hottest fields of science that combines molecular and genetic, cellular, network and behavioral levels of analysis. This program will propel you into rewarding and lucrative careers in science, medicine, government and private industry, either with or without an additional advanced degree.

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Cellular, Molecular, Systems Neuroscience

Philosophy acts as a form of intellectual exercise that makes it easier to identify problems, seek out arguments against your own views and critically evaluate solutions. These skills, along with the ability to read, write, listen and communicate effectively, can prepare you for virtually any career path.

Physics is crucial to understanding the world around us, the world inside us and the world beyond us. It is the basis of many other sciences, including chemistry, engineering, oceanography, seismology and astronomy (and can be applied to biology or medical science).

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

• Applied Physics
• Astro/Space Physics
• Biophysics
• Computational Physics
• Materials Science
• Medical Physics
• Physics Teaching
• Professional Preparation

Studying political science will help you understand why courts make the decisions they do, why legislatures pass the laws they do and why countries make the choices they make in the international arena.

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

• American Politics and Policy
• Elections and Campaigns
• International Relations, Comparative Politics and National Security
• Pre-Law and Legal Studies

Regardless of what other subjects you're interested in and what careers you’re considering, PWE will improve your writing and communication skills — skills that are highly sought after by employers.

Psychology is the science of behavior. This major allows you to increase your intrapersonal and interpersonal understanding and develop problem-solving, project management and information literacy skills.

A degree in STW provides you with the experience and credentials you need to write, design and communicate complex topics.

Can you name a teacher who made a difference in your life? How about a book that changed the way you think? Being an English education major will give you the knowledge and skills needed to bring both of those gifts to other students.

Do you love learning history, geography or economics? How about a desire to help young people discover the origins and complexities of world cultures? In this major, you'll learn to provide high quality instruction in the five areas of the social studies: history, geography, politics, economics and culture.

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others? Social workers help people function the best they can in their environment and circumstance. They provide direct services to people in their homes or places of work and help people to help themselves.

Sociology opens your mind to the hidden structures of social power that affect our everyday life and the major events that are happening around the world.

In Sustainability Studies, you'll take courses that combine geoscience, environmental, social and humanities research methods that involve geospatial analysis, mapping, development practice and community engagement.

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

• Environmental Studies
• GIS Methods
• Sustainable Development

Don’t let the name mislead you. Women’s and Gender Studies is not just about women, nor is it about male-bashing or gender wars. Rather, our courses cover a broad range of subjects with sensitivity to gender, race, sexual orientation and class.