Lafayette offers the Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) degree in 33 fields of study including engineering, and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in 9 areas of science and 4 fields of engineering. Double majors, individualized majors, and dual degrees are also available.

The Major

Petitions for entrance into the junior class and to major in a particular department, departments, or interdisciplinary program may be obtained by the student from the faculty advisor. These are normally submitted in the second semester of the sophomore year at a time announced by the Dean of the College.

Double Majors: Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree may elect two major programs. Requirements common to both majors will count for both majors, with no more than 4 courses counted toward both majors. Students pursuing two majors may not elect a minor in addition. If a student elects two majors he or she may take no more than 12 courses in either one.

Individualized Major: Students may find that the usual options for majoring or minoring do not meet their special interests or needs. Recognizing this, the College provides a unique opportunity for students to develop an individualized major within the A.B. program based upon their special interests, talents, experiences, and life objectives. An individualized major combines courses in two or more departments based upon a theme articulated by the student in consultation with one or more faculty members. Examples of individualized majors have included psychobiology, political philosophy, and scientific journalism. Once the individualized major has been designed, the student petitions the Academic Progress Committee for final approval of the major no later than the end of the sophomore year. The petition must demonstrate a logical coherence of course selection, including a capstone experience, and be approved by three faculty members who represent the disciplines involved. Students are invited to speak with the Dean of Studies if they have questions concerning this opportunity.

The Minor

Candidates for the A.B. degree, for B.S. science degrees in the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology and Environmental Geosciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology, and for all B.S. Engineering degrees may elect a minor program in addition to their major. A minor consists of a coherent sequence of courses, usually five or six in number, approved by the student's designated minor adviser. A minor program may be departmental or interdisciplinary in nature. Normally, a student must choose a minor program before the end of the second semester of the junior year. No more than three courses required (a) for the major or, (b) the Common Course of Study requirements may be counted toward the minor. Courses required for the major are defined as those specifically prescribed for the degree. The minor program, however, is not available to students who are pursuing two majors. Students electing a minor are encouraged to choose a minor in a different division from that of their major. No student may elect more than one minor.

Five-Year, Two Degree Programs

Students may petition the Committee on Academic Progress for permission to pursue a five-year, two-degree program leading to the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees in two fields of study. Two-degree candidates are required to complete the prescribed course of study for the particular B.S. degree, the requirements for the major and the Common Course of Study, and other general requirements for graduation. Such a program requires at least 40 courses. Change of Curriculum: A student desiring to change from one curriculum to another must petition the Academic Progress Committee. Petition forms are available in the Registrar's Office. Students who wish to petition the Academic Progress Committee for curricular revisions such as changes in curriculum and major may obtain petitions in the Registrar's Office and may direct questions to the Registrar, who is Secretary of the Academic Progress Committee. Students may also check on their progress toward graduation requirements in the Registrar's Office.