The importance of second and third languages to anyone from a diplomat to a missionary to a business person to a relief worker who wishes to work outside the U.S. or for a U.S. organization with global reach is self-evident. Almost regardless of your major, secondary and tertiary expertise will distinguish you as someone particularly prepared for the twenty-first century. It will make you a little different from all the other graduates in your major who do not share the same advantage. Cal Poly offers a number of official minor programs that will appear on your transcript if you complete the requirements for them. All of these are laid out in the catalog .
Engineering offers a minor in computer science.
Science and Mathematics offers minors in math, statistics, and biotechnology. Within Liberal Arts, students may choose among minors in art , English , linguistics , ethnic studies , graphic communication , history , French, German, Spanish , philosophy , international affairs , public administration , psychology , gerontology , music , anthropology and geography , sociology , speech communication , theatre , dance , women's studies , and values, technology, and society . The requirements for and the options within each of these minors are clearly spelled out in the catalog . In addition to minors, Cal Poly also offers official certificate programs in a variety of areas. The latter is designed for students who desire careers in technical writing, information development, or business communication.