Majors & Minors

The major provides sustained depth of study: it becomes your area of expertise.

Major programs usually include methods courses so that you learn how to conduct research in your field. The senior thesis or project brings together your cumulative knowledge in the major and other disciplines in an extensive independent project. Bates offers 35 majors. Every student declares one major, though many double-major. You can also declare a minor (or two). Minors offer directed study in a subject area in fewer courses. The list below indicates the disciplines in which majors and minors are offered.