Students should be encouraged to explore their interests in jazz, drama, physics, 18th century British literature, and others. Students should be aware that there are two areas of the curriculum in which they should consider electing courses during the freshman year because of their potential importance for later courses of study. These are mathematics and foreign languages and literature. Preparation in statistics, calculus, or both, may be required as part of the major in all natural sciences and many social sciences. The mastery of a foreign language is an important step toward the development of the subtlety of thought and sharpened sensitivity that is the goal of the liberal arts education.
Many graduate schools require reading competency in one or more languages.
For more detailed information about Electives, please consult The Catalog. They may officially declare one minor. Collaborations A goal of the Curriculum is to promote special educational opportunities for student involvement in fruitful collaborative efforts with some specific time commitment and outcome. These opportunities help prepare students for a professional and civic environment that increasingly demands an ability to explore one's own contributions in relationship to other ideas, criticisms, and concerns. Furthermore, they often serve to link students' intellectual interests to opportunities and challenges that exist outside of conventional coursework.