The College

While Interdisciplinary Programs aren’t majors, they are areas where the University has the resources and faculty expertise that allow students to explore these areas at the undergraduate level. Some students pursue these fields through their major while others use their electives. More detailed information (including course offerings) are available in the College Catalog.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

For students considering graduate work in astrophysics, the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics recommends the program leading to a degree of B.A. in Physics with Specialization in Astrophysics. For details, consult the Physics section of the College Catalog.

Big Problems

The Big Problems program offers capstone experiences as electives to fourth-year students in the College. Under special circumstances involving senior project needs, third-year students may petition for permission to register for a Big Problems course. Emphasizing process as well as content, “Big Problems” courses tackle matters of global or universal concern that cut across multiple disciplines and interest groups. These are problems for which solutions are crucially important but not obviously available.

Chicago Studies

The Chicago Studies Program incorporates opportunities for students to engage academically and experientially with the city of Chicago by combining traditional coursework with experiential learning in Chicago. Course offerings range from anthropology and art history to public policy studies and geographical studies. The University Community Service Center, along with Career Advising and Planning Services offer service and internship opportunities through the Summer Links Internship Program at local non-profits and the Metcalf Internship program. The program will also publish an annual book of the best essays and BA theses on the city of Chicago.

Computational Neuroscience

Computational neuroscience studies how animal and human nervous systems interact to produce behaviors. Students use quantitative and modeling approaches to describe how nervous systems function, then duplicate those functions with man-made devices. Course work in computational neuroscience prepares students for graduate studies in neurobiology or psychology, in the mathematical or engineering sciences, or in areas of medicine such as neurology or psychiatry. A major is not offered, but students may minor in Computational Neuroscience through the Biological Sciences Collegiate Division.

Creative Writing

Creative writing at the University of Chicago can position itself as part of the intellectual framework of any program or major, and provides unique opportunities for interdisciplinary work. For example, students in the visual arts join forces with writers to produce graphic novels. Students of foreign languages can take literature courses and poetry or fiction writing workshops as part of a translation project. Students may pursue creative writing as part of the formal program in English Language and Literature or Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities, as a stand-alone minor with any other major, as part of another major that accepts writing courses to count towards requirements, or as an elective.

Education

Many departments offer courses relevant to education and teaching (e.g., psychology, public policy, sociology, human development). Many courses can be counted as fulfilling undergraduate program requirements in those departments. Students interested in teaching grades K-12 may find some courses to be appropriate for meeting the teacher certification requirements of various states. The Urban Teacher Education Program is for students who want to take an extra year and a half at the University of Chicago to earn their Masters degree in teaching with a focus on urban schools, and the Chicago Public Schools in particular.

Human Rights

The Human Rights Program at the University of Chicago integrates the core questions of human dignity with a critical examination of the institutions designed to promote and protect human rights. The curriculum examines human rights from a variety of disciplinary, thematic, and regional perspectives. There is also an internship program with host organizations in the United States and around the world. Through conferences, workshops, lectures, and film series, the program brings the world to the campus, incorporating the broader community into its educational mission.