Academic Department/Program Information and Resources

Interested in learning more about academic departments/programs and the courses and opportunities they offer for undergraduates? Look through the listings on this webpage to help you plan which departments and programs to explore.

Be sure to visit the various academic department and program websites to understand the many ways that faculty and staff at Stanford can support your academic pursuits.

School of Earth Sciences

Are you interested in the Earth? How about energy? Or maybe the environment? We have a variety of introductory courses available to you as a way to get started, including EARTHSCI 1, a 1-unit course that highlights faculty research and teaching in the school.

We offer the following programs:

Earth Systems

The Earth Systems Program is an interdisciplinary major in which students learn about and independently investigate complex environmental problems caused by human interaction with natural systems. Learn more about the fall quarter introductory course, EARTHSYS 10.

Energy Resources Engineering

Students in Energy Resources Engineering use the tools and techniques of engineering to address the changing energy landscape and challenges for energy production, including both renewable and non-renewable sources of energy and managing carbon emissions. Learn more about the ERE major.

Geological and Environmental Sciences

Students in Geological and Environmental Sciences use a combination of field, lab, and computer work to decipher the dynamic Earth. They study earth materials, earth processes, how both have changed over Earth's 4.56 billion year history, and what that means for us today. Learn more about the fall quarter introductory course, GES 1, and an opportunity to participate in an overnight field trip to tour local beaches, geology, and landforms.

Geophysics

Geophysicists use physical methods to explore and mathematical models to analyze the structure and dynamics of the earth. Our new curriculum emphasizes the application of geophysical methods to studies in whole-earth geodynamics, natural resource exploration, natural hazards, and freshwater contamination. See this flyer about the Geophysics Major.

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School of Engineering

Come see the newly-completed Huang Engineering Center and meet School of Engineering faculty and staff in Huang Plaza. Find out about the array of major, minor, and honors programs offered to undergraduates, our summer research possibilities, and where to go for help with all your questions about engineering at Stanford.

Aeronautics and Astronautics

The mission of the undergraduate program in Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering is to provide students with the fundamental principles and techniques necessary for success and leadership in the conception, design, implementation, and operation of aerospace and related engineering systems. Courses in the major introduce students to engineering principles. Students learn to apply this fundamental knowledge to conduct laboratory experiments and aerospace system design problems. Courses in the major include engineering fundamentals, mathematics, and the sciences, as well as in-depth courses in aeronautics and astronautics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, fluids engineering, and heat transfer. The major prepares students for careers in aircraft and spacecraft engineering, space exploration, air and space-based telecommunication industries, teaching, research, military service, and many related technology-intensive fields.

Architectural Design

The Architectural Design major seeks to integrate engineering and architecture in ways that blend innovative architectural design with cutting-edge engineering technologies. Combining hands-on architectural design studios with a wide variety of courses, students can choose from a broad mix of elective courses concerning energy conservation, sustainability, building systems, structures, as well as design foundation and fine arts courses.

Atmosphere/Energy

The Atmosphere/Energy subprogram in Civil and Environmental Engineering, formed in 2004, combines atmospheric science with energy science and engineering. The main goals of the program are to educate students and the public through courses, research, and public outreach, about the causes of climate, air pollution, and weather problems, and methods of addressing these problems through renewable and efficient energy systems. In addition, students learn about feedbacks between the atmosphere and renewable energy systems and the effects of the current energy infrastructure on the atmosphere.

Bioengineering

Bioengineers are focused on advancing human health and promoting environmental sustainability, two of the greatest challenges for our world. Understanding complex living systems is at the heart of meeting these challenges.

The mission of Stanford's Department of Bioengineering is to create a fusion of engineering and the life sciences that promotes scientific discovery and the development of new biomedical technologies and therapies through research and education.

The Department of Bioengineering is jointly supported by the Schools of Medicine and Engineering. It includes, in a single department, research and teaching programs that embrace biology as a new engineering paradigm and apply engineering principles to medical problems and biological systems.

Biomechanical Engineering

The Biomechanical Engineering (BME) Group has teaching and research activities which focus primarily on musculoskeletal biomechanics, neuromuscular biomechanics, cardiovascular biomechanics, and rehabilitation engineering. Research in other areas including hearing, ocean, plant, and vision biomechanics exists in collaboration with associated faculty in biology, engineering, and medicine. The group has strong research interactions with the Mechanics and Computation and the Design groups and the departments of Neurology, Radiology, and Surgery in the School of Medicine.

Biomedical Computation

The BMC major allows students to focus on an exciting interdisciplinary field – the use of advanced computational techniques to address fundamental questions in biology and medicine. BMC gives students a solid foundation in computer science, math/statistics, biology, and chemistry, opening up a variety of career paths or the option to pursue advanced degrees in a range of fields. BMC majors have gone on to medical school or to obtain graduate degrees in bioinformatics, bioengineering, or pure biological or computational sciences.

Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineers are responsible for the conception and design of processes for the purpose of production, transformation, and transportation of materials. This activity begins with experimentation in the laboratory and is followed by implementation of the technology in full-scale production. The mission of the undergraduate program in Chemical Engineering is to develop students' understanding of the core scientific, mathematical, and engineering principles that serve as the foundation underlying these technological processes. The program's core mission is reflected in its curriculum which is built on a foundation in the sciences of chemistry, physics, and biology. Course work includes the study of applied mathematics, material and energy balances, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, energy and mass transfer, separations technologies, chemical reaction kinetics and reactor design, and process design. The program provides students with excellent preparation for careers in the corporate sector and government, or for graduate study.

Civil Engineering

The undergraduate program in Civil Engineering educates students in the principles of engineering and the skills needed for civil engineering practice. The civil engineering field is both technical and people-oriented, requiring excellent communication skills and an ability to manage both people and multi-faceted projects. Civil engineers plan, design, construct and sustain the built environment including buildings and bridges, transportation and utility lifeline systems, energy and industrial facilities, and ports and waterways. Civil engineers work to protect society from natural catastrophes, such as earthquakes and hurricanes, as well as help manage our water and energy resources. As their work is crucial to the day-to-day lives of most people, civil engineers bear an important responsibility to the public. Our pre-professional program balances the fundamentals common to many specialties in civil engineering and allows for concentration in Structures and Construction or Environmental and Water Studies. Students in the major learn to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and the primary areas of civil engineering to conduct experiments, design systems to solve engineering problems, and communicate their ideas effectively to the technical community. The major prepares students for careers in multiple industries, government, and further graduate study.

Computer Science

The mission of the undergraduate program in Computer Science is to develop students' breadth of knowledge across the subject areas of computer sciences, including their ability to apply the defining processes of computer science theory, abstraction, design, and implementation to solve problems in the discipline. Students take a set of core courses. After learning the essential programming techniques and the mathematical foundations of computer science, students take courses in areas such as programming techniques, automata and complexity theory, systems programming, computer architecture, analysis of algorithms, artificial intelligence, and applications. The program prepares students for careers in government, law, and the corporate sector and for graduate study.

Electrical Engineering

The mission of the Department of Electrical Engineering is to offer an EE undergraduate program that augments the liberal education expected of all Stanford undergraduates and imparts a basic understanding of electrical engineering built on a foundation of physical science, mathematics, computing, and technology.

Graduates of the undergraduate program are expected to possess knowledge of the fundamentals of electrical engineering and of at least one specialty area. The graduates are expected to have the basic experimental, design, and communication skills to be prepared for continued study at the graduate level or for entry level positions that require a basic knowledge of electrical engineering, science, and technology.

Engineering Physics

The Engineering Physics major was introduced in 2006-2007 and is designed for students who have an interest in and an aptitude for both engineering and physics. The program provides students with a firm foundation in physics and mathematics, together with engineering design and problem-solving skills. This background prepares students to tackle complex problems in multidisciplinary areas that are at the forefront of 21st Century technology, such as solid state devices, quantum optics and photonics, materials science, nanotechnology, electromechanical systems, energy systems, and any engineering field that requires a very solid background in physics. Because the program emphasizes science, mathematics, and engineering, students are well prepared to pursue graduate work in engineering, physics, or applied physics.

Environmental Engineering

The Environmental Engineering & Science (EES) program focuses on the chemical and biological processes involved in water quality engineering, water and air pollution, remediation and hazardous substance control, human exposure to pollutants, environmental biotechnology, and environmental protection.

Together with its partner programs, Environmental Fluid Mechanics and Hydrology (EFMH) and Atmosphere and Energy, EES offers flexibility in constructing both broad, multidisciplinary and focused, intensive areas of study. Its long tradition of collaboration with other groups within and outside the University, and throughout the world provides a wide scope of opportunities for in-depth study and research.

Individually Designed Major in Engineering

Designed by the student in consultation with at least two faculty advisors, the IDMEN is intended for undergraduates interested in studying engineering in an area not covered by an existing major. Information on the requirements and on approved programs from past IDMEN students can be obtained in the School of Engineering Office of Student Affairs in 135 Huang Engineering Center.

Management Science and Engineering

The mission of the undergraduate program in Management Science and Engineering is to provide students with the fundamentals of engineering systems analysis so that they are able to plan, design, and implement complex economic and technical management systems. The program builds on the foundational courses for engineering including calculus, engineering fundamentals, and physics or chemistry as well as management science. Students may select courses in computer science, information, organizational theory, mathematical modeling, optimization, probability, statistics and finance or production. To allow for greater in-depth exploration in a particular area, students then choose a concentration area. The major prepares students for a variety of career paths, including facilities and process management, investment banking, management consulting or for graduate school in industrial engineering, operations research, economics, public policy, medicine, law, or business.

Material Science and Engineering

The mission of the undergraduate program in Materials Science and Engineering is to provide students with a strong foundation in materials science and engineering with emphasis on the fundamental scientific and engineering principles which underlie the knowledge and implementation of material structure, processing, properties, and performance of all classes of materials used in engineering systems. Courses in the program develop students' knowledge of modern materials science and engineering, teach them to apply this knowledge analytically to create effective and novel solutions to practical problems, and develop their communication skills and ability to work collaboratively. The program prepares students for careers in industry and for further study in graduate school.

Mechanical Engineering

The undergraduate program in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford exposes each student to intellectual and practical experiences, and provides an environment that allows for the accumulation of knowledge to a variety of societal needs. Graduates have many options from entry level work as mechanical engineers, to graduate studies in either an engineering discipline or in another field, where a broad engineering background is useful. Regardless of the ultimate career choice, graduates leave the with a solid grounding in the principals and practice of mechanical engineering, equipped to embark upon a lifetime of learning, while employing new concepts, technologies, and methodologies.

Product Design

Stanford's Joint Program in Design dates from 1958, when it was started by Professor Robert McKim. The Program is jointly offered by the Mechanical Engineering Department and the Department of Art and Art History. Over the years, it has graduated hundreds of undergraduates.

Product design concerns itself with the conception and design of product experiences for the benefit of society. It encourages creativity, craftsmanship, and personal expression, while serving larger goals of common good. Students studying Product Design generally follow the Mechanical Engineering curriculum and focus on a process that resolves constraints arising from technical, human, aesthetic, and business concerns. The course work provides the skills necessary to carry projects from initial concept to completion of working prototypes.

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School of Humanities and Science

African and African American Studies

Our program seeks to provide students with a rigorous, engaging intellectual experience in which students acquire analytic skills grounded in a traditional discipline as well as interdisciplinary skills of investigation and research. We pursue these goals at Stanford’s Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity, to underscore the connectedness of, and intra-ethnic dynamics between, Africans, African Americans and other groups and peoples.

American Studies

American Studies is an interdisciplinary major that seeks to convey a broad understanding of American culture and society in all their complexity. Building on courses in history and institutions, literature and the arts, and race and ethnicity, students bring a range of disciplines to bear on their efforts to analyze and interpret America's past and present, forging fresh syntheses along the way. Students develop individualized thematic focuses, such as Race and the Law in America, Gender in American Culture, Technology in American Life and Thought, Health Policy in America, Nature and the Environment in American Culture, and The Artist in American Society. A degree in American Studies helps students think about what kind of culture and society the United States is and how it got that way. Our graduates go into law, journalism, education, politics, business, sports, or the arts; they run non-profits, make feature films, and work for social change. Learn more about American Studies Autumn Quarter offerings.

Anthropology

Anthropology is devoted to the study of human beings and human societies as they exist across time and space. The Department of Anthropology offers a wide range of approaches to the various topics and area studies within anthropology including: archaeology, ecology, environmental anthropology, evolution, linguistics, medical anthropology, political economy, science and technology studies, and sociocultural anthropology. Come by the Anthropology Department to meet with the Anthropology faculty, current students, and staff and learn more about the major and special research opportunities for undergraduates.

Archaeology

Since its inception in 2000, the Stanford Archaeology Center has experienced rapid growth. In 2005, the program moved to Building 500, just off Stanford’s Main Quad. This newly renovated facility encompasses nearly 15,000 square feet of lecture halls, seminar rooms, offices, and research laboratories dedicated to fieldwork, teaching, research, and public programs. Stanford faculty members presently affiliated with the Center lead field projects in Italy, Turkey, England, Peru, and the United States. Each year hundreds of Undergraduate students across a broad spectrum of majors take part in the faculty field projects abroad.

Art

An integral part of the School of Humanities and Sciences, the Department of Art & Art History comprises 22 distinguished faculty and 13 professional staff members who serve approximately 70 graduate students and 110 undergraduate majors and minors each year. The Department of Art & Art History offers courses of study in the history of art, the practice of art, and film and media studies leading to bachelor's degrees in Art History, Art Practice, or Film and Media Studies.

Biology

The undergraduate program in Biology provides students with in-depth knowledge in the discipline, spanning from molecular biology to ecology. Students in the program learn to think and analyze information critically, to draw connections among the different areas of biology, and to communicate their ideas effectively to the scientific community. The major exposes students to the scientific process through a set of core courses and electives from a range of subdisciplines. The Biology major serves as preparation for professional careers, including health professions from medicine to administration, research both in a lab and in the field, teaching, veterinary sciences, and consulting.

Chemistry

The mission of the undergraduate program in Chemistry is to provide students with the fundamental concepts driving the molecular sciences. Students in the program acquire in-depth knowledge of the principles of chemistry, the methodologies necessary to solve problems in the subdisciplines through course work and laboratory experiences, and the ability to articulate their ideas effectively to the scientific community. The Chemistry program also has a long-standing tradition of encouraging undergraduate majors to become involved in research during the academic year and through a ten-week summer research program. The major is designed to provide students with excellent preparation for further study in graduate or professional schools as well as careers in chemistry.

Classics

The mission of the undergraduate program in Classics is to provide students with a broad background centered on the literature and material culture of ancient Greece and Rome, including Greek and Latin language, literature, philosophy, history, art, and archaeology. At Stanford, students in the Classics program also explore the connections between ancient cultures and the modern world as well as specialized fields such as ancient economics, law, papyrology, and science. The program's faculty approaches Classics from an interdisciplinary perspective that crosses geographical, temporal, and thematic territories. The program is concerned not only with Greek and Roman civilization but also with the interaction of cultures and societies that influenced the ancient Mediterranean basin and continue to influence human society across the globe.

Communication

Focusing on media in all forms, the major introduces students to the processes and effects of mass communication: the nature and social role of the various media; their structure, function, and ethics; and their impact on society. In this context, we consider not only traditional mass media (newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and film), but also information technology, online media, and the Internet. Check out the exciting future possibilities for Communication majors!

Comparative Literature

The department's undergraduate programs are designed to enhance students' appreciation of literature in all its diversity, particularly through introductory courses that include treatments of the primary literary genres. The course of study at intermediate and advanced levels is flexible in order to accommodate student interest in areas such as specific geographical regions, historical periods, and interdisciplinary connections between literature and other fields such as philosophy, music, the visual arts, and the social sciences. A Comparative Literature major prepares a student to become a better reader and interpreter of literature, through enhanced examination of texts and the development of a critical vocabulary to discuss them. Attention to verbal expression and interpretive argument serves students who plan to proceed into careers requiring strong language skills. In addition, the major in Comparative Literature provides preparation for students who intend to pursue an advanced degree as a gateway to an academic career.

Comparative Studies in Race & Ethnicity

Come meet with faculty, staff, and current students about the courses and opportunities available in Asian American Studies, Chicana/o Studies, Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity, and Native American Studies. These four academic programs make up the Interdepartmental Program in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity (also known as CSRE), a dynamic interdisciplinary program that provides a comprehensive exploration of race and ethnicity in the U.S. and abroad.

Division of Literatures, Cultures & Languages

The Division of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages brings together five departments of literature and culture – Comparative Literature, French and Italian, German Studies, Iberian and Latin American Cultures, and Slavic Languages and Literatures. Come explore the foreign cultures that you know about, but stay to learn more about a new one, too!

Drama

The mission of the undergraduate program in Drama is to provide a strong non-conservatory program for students studying Drama and Dance in a liberal arts context. Joining academic research with performance and technical practice, department majors pursue areas of interest in acting, directing, playwriting, dance, design, stage management, performance theory, and cultural studies. Students explore these fields in a collaborative environment with close faculty contact. One of the requirements of the major is to fulfill a stage management course, generally in the junior year, which allows students practical exposure to managing and/or crewing a production. It is essential that students understand the concrete workings of theater in order to appreciate its history and literature. With faculty collaboration, students of Drama and Dance integrate research, theory, intellectual engagement, and performance.

East Asian Languages & Cultures

The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures offers programs for students who wish to engage with the cultures of China and Japan as articulated in language, linguistics, literature, film, and cultural studies. Students develop a sophisticated understanding of culture as a dynamic process embodied in language and other representational forms. Come by to learn more about our minors, majors, and many of the extracurricular activities available.

East Asian Studies

The Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) is one of the most active interdisciplinary programs on the Stanford campus. We support teaching and research on East Asia-related topics across all disciplines; disseminate knowledge about East Asia through projects of local, regional, national, and international scope; and serve as the intellectual gathering point for a collaborative and innovative community of scholars and students of East Asia. CEAS works with all schools, departments, research centers, and student groups to facilitate and enhance all aspects of East Asia-related research, teaching, outreach, and exchange across the Stanford campus. Our vibrant M.A. degree program, active schedule of public lectures and colloquia, competitive student and faculty grants, and K-12 outreach programs provide Stanford and the greater peninsula community with a wealth of resources for research and learning about East Asia.

Economics

The Economics major is one of the most popular at Stanford. The major provides a rigorous toolkit for thinking about the economy and about economic policy. It promotes an active learning approach to economics in which students think about real problems in an analytically rigorous way. Learn how you can become actively engaged in the study of Economics at Stanford.

English

To study English at Stanford is to explore -- deeply and rewardingly -- the rich legacy of literature written in English, past and present. We offer a wealth of courses on individual authors, the history of literary genres, literary theory, new media, and Creative Writing. Given the emphasis on critical thinking and interpretation, the English major is in turn an excellent preparation for many professional fields, including teaching, journalism, law, publishing, medicine, and business.

Ethics in Society

The Program in Ethics in Society offers undergraduates the opportunity to write senior honors theses on topics that use moral and political philosophy to address practical problems. Students take two required core courses in moral and political thought, a thesis seminar, and two specialization courses related to their thesis topic. They spend their senior year writing their honors thesis. Students interested in pursuing honors in Ethics in Society should contact the program coordinator for more information and to begin the application process.

Feminist Studies

The interdepartmental Program in Feminist Studies provides students with the background and skills to investigate the significance of gender and sexuality in all arenas in human life. Feminist Studies majors examine how societies structure gender roles, relations, and identities, and how these intersect with other relations of power, such as class, race, ethnicity, sexuality, and age. Students design an individual course of study, and employ feminist theories and methodologies to expand and reevaluate the assumptions about gender and sexuality that inform the study of individuals, cultures, social institutions, policy, and other areas of scholarly inquiry. The program prepares majors for graduate study in humanities and social sciences and for professional schools.

French and Italian

The French and Italian Department at Stanford has a unique profile among American departments of Romance languages and literatures. While providing an intensive training in French and/or Italian literary history, theory, and criticism, the Department has long been a leader in connecting the literary to broader issues in philosophy, anthropology, history of science, and cultural history. This commitment to interdisciplinary work can be seen in the profiles of our faculty, whose training and teaching encompass psychology, anthropology, art history, continental philosophy, and analytic philosophy along with their literary expertise.

German Studies

The mission of the undergraduate program in German Studies is to provide students with the linguistic and analytic background necessary to explore the significance of cultural traditions and political histories of the German-speaking countries of Central Europe. In addition, its interdisciplinary component prepares students to evaluate how the literary, artistic, and cultural responses to the belated yet rapid modernization of Germany allow for reflection of its modern condition. Students pursue course work at all levels in the languages, literatures, and intellectual histories of the Germanic nations. The program prepares students for careers in business, social service, and government, and for graduate work in German Studies.

History

The history of the past is the history of the present.  Our discipline, therefore, informs and enables our understanding of every aspect of the world we inhabit.  Our students learn to think knowledgeably and critically about current social, political, intellectual, and cultural arrangements by measuring them against the past and discovering how we arrived at the present configurations.

Human Biology

The Program in Human Biology offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the human being from biological, behavioral, social, and cultural perspectives. The curriculum provides a broad and rigorous introduction to the biological and behavioral sciences and their interrelationships, and explores how this knowledge, in conjunction with studies in other fields, can be applied to formulate and evaluate health, environmental, and other public policies that influence human welfare. All students complete a 30-unit core sequence that provides the foundation for the major. Then students work with Human Biology student and faculty advisers to plan a course of study to help each student focus on an area of interest within Human Biology.  Early planning and subsequent refining of an individualized course of study, in consultation with the Human Biology advising program, is a strength and requirement of the program.  To complete a B.A. in Human Biology, students must take courses from within the program and from other University departments. Most Human Biology majors go on to advanced training in professional schools, or graduate programs in the behavioral, natural, and social sciences, including coterminal master's degree programs in other University departments.

Iberian and Latin American Cultures

The Department of Iberian and Latin American Cultures at Stanford University offers courses focused on the languages, literatures, and cultures of the Iberian Peninsula, Latin America, and Latina/o populations in the United States. The Department balances its focus on literary studies with a more diverse, humanistic set of approaches to cultural and social issues.

The department's faculty includes scholars of modern and contemporary Spanish literature and cinema, contemporary Latin American literature and cinema, medieval and contemporary Catalan literature and culture, Aljamiado and medieval Spanish literature, early modern Portuguese literature, modern and contemporary Brazilian literature, and Chicana/o culture and literature.

International Relations

Why are there wars? Why are some countries rich, while others are poor? Why do some people live in freedom, while others live under tyranny? Why can't we all just get along? If you are interested in questions like these, come meet with faculty, students, and staff in the international relations major.

Language Center

Stanford believes strongly that its students should learn a language that supports and enhances their academic passions and interests, that enables them to embark upon research endeavors in that language, and that helps them to contribute to professional knowledge across the globe. Come learn about the 44+ languages offered at Stanford and how the Language Center can support and enhance your undergraduate studies. Learn more about the placement tests here.

Linguistics

Linguistics considers language -- a fundamentally human capacity -- as a cultural, social, and psychological phenomenon and seeks to determine what is unique and what is universal in languages and how languages are acquired and change. Come learn about this fascinating inherently interdisciplinary area.

Mathematical and Computational Sciences

If you like applying mathematical thinking to problems in the biological, financial, computation or management sciences, Math & Comp Sci may be the right major for you.

Mathematical & Computational Sciences is a multidisciplinary major sponsored by the Stanford departments of Mathematics, Computer Science, Management Science & Engineering and Statistics, providing students with a core of mathematics basic to all the mathematical sciences. Advisors are available from all the departments, as well as Economics, Engineering and the GSB. Courses taken from the regular offerings of the four departments give students a sound  introduction to  the mathematical and the information sciences.

MCS is Stanford’s applied mathematics major, appropriate for students interested in Engineering, Biology, Finance, Management, and other disciplines involving scientific research. An Engineering and a Biology track, serving the special interests of individual students without diluting the basics, was recently instituted.

Mathematics

The mission of the undergraduate program in Mathematics is to provide students with a broad understanding of mathematics encompassing logical reasoning, generalization, abstraction, and formal proof. Courses in the program teach students to create, analyze, and interpret mathematical models and to communicate sound arguments based on mathematical reasoning and careful data analysis. The mathematics degree prepares students for careers in the corporate sector and government agencies and for graduate programs in mathematics.

Music

Find out why musicians of every description love being at Stanford and how your talents can find a home here. Music majors and faculty will be available to talk with you about activities in the department, academic courses, performing ensembles and opportunities, and life in general as a Stanford student involved in music. You also are invited to visit the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA) located in the Knoll.

Philosophy

Philosophy promotes rigorous thinking about complex problems of morality, knowledge, and reality. As a consequence, students who succeed in philosophy are also able to explain the nature of many kinds of less abstract problems, their possible solutions, and the merits and disadvantages of those solutions.

Physics

The mission of the undergraduate program in Physics is to provide students with a strong foundation in both classical and modern physics. The goal of the program is to develop both quantitative problem solving skills and the ability to conceive experiments and analyze and interpret data. These abilities are acquired through both course work and opportunities to conduct independent research. The program prepares students for careers in fields that benefit from quantitative and analytical thinking, including physics, engineering, teaching, medicine, law, science writing, and science policy, in government or the private sector. In some cases, the path to this career will be through an advanced degree in physics or a professional program.

Political Science

Political Science majors choose to focus on two of the four fields within the discipline: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory. Major courses help students develop in-depth knowledge of a sub-field, and acquire a variety of research methodologies and tools. The program prepares students for careers in government, business, not-for-profit organizations, and graduate or professional study.

Psychology

The Psychology Department at Stanford is ranked number one in the nation, and it has been for more than fifty years. An undergraduate degree in Psychology offers excellent training in how to understand human behavior using scientifically rigorous methods. A judicious selection of psychology courses can provide an excellent background for those of you planning careers in Business, Education, Law, Medicine, and Social work as well as Psychology.

Public Policy

Learn more about how you can acquire the foundational skills and institutional knowledge necessary for understanding and affecting the policy process of business, government, and other organizations. Faculty, current students, and staff will be on hand to talk to you about this interdisciplinary course of study in the design, management, and evaluation of public sector programs and institutions. Learn more about Public Policy.

Religious Studies

Stanford's Department of Religious Studies offers a variety of disciplinary perspectives on religion as a vital element of human history and a powerful force in our contemporary world.  From Buddhism to Zoroastrianism, our courses explore the history, literature, thought, and practice of particular religious traditions and engage students in thinking about religion's contribution to the ongoing human effort to find meaning and purpose in life.

Science, Technology and Society

Science, Technology, and Society (STS) offers undergraduates integrated studies of the natures and relationship of science, technology, and engineering, and of the social relations of science and technology. Science and technology are two of the most potent forces for individual, societal, and global change in the contemporary era. Understanding the natures, causes, and social consequences of scientific and technological developments, how science and technology function in different societies, and how social forces attempt to shape and control these forces to serve diverse, often conflicting interests is socially important and intellectually challenging. STS, as a multi- and inter-disciplinary program, provides an arena for dialogue among students of engineering, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences--a common ground where important cross-disciplinary studies transcending the gaps between the technical and non-technical fields are not merely envisioned, but practiced. Learn more about STS.

Slavic Languages and Literature

The mission of the undergraduate program in Slavic Language and Literatures is to expose students to a variety of perspectives in Russian language, history, culture, literature, and philosophical thought. The program offers three tracks. Courses in the Russian Language and Literature track focus on the linguistic and philological study of literature as well as the history of Russian literature. The Russian Language, Culture, and History track guides students through a comprehensive interdisciplinary study of Russian literature and culture in a historic context. The Russian and Philosophy track provides students with a background in the Russian language and literary tradition with emphasis on philosophical thought. The Slavic Language and Literature major prepares students for future careers in business, government agencies, teaching, graduate school programs, and professional schools.

Sociology

The mission of the undergraduate program in Sociology is to provide students with the skills necessary to understand and address social problems and inequalities in global, institutional, and interpersonal social relations. At its core, the curriculum in the major is rooted in social theory and the scientific method. Sociology majors are given opportunities to develop a broad understanding of core sociological theories and the methodological skills used to evaluate human behavior and social organizations. Sociology provides an intellectual background for students considering careers in business, social services, public policy, government service, international nongovernmental organizations, foundations, or academia.

Symbolic Systems

The Symbolic Systems Program (SSP) focuses on computers and minds: artificial and natural systems that use symbols to represent information. SSP brings together students and faculty interested in different aspects of the human-computer relationship, including cognitive science, artificial intelligence, and human-computer interaction. Symbolic Systems' affiliated faculty come from several departments at Stanford University, including Computer Science, Linguistics, Philosophy, Psychology, Communication, and Education. Our students are exposed to the tools of these disciplines -- formal methods, philosophical analysis, computer programming, and empirical research -- with the aim of being able to apply the appropriate tool(s) to a chosen area of specialization. SSP alumni are found in various occupations, including software design and applications, teaching and research, law, medicine, and public service.

Urban Studies

Have you ever wondered why people live in cities (or suburbs), how the physical environment influences behavior, or how to address seemingly intractable problems like urban poverty, homelessness, or troubled schools? If so, Urban Studies may be for you.

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Academic Resources

Bill Lane Center for the American West

The Bill Lane Center for the American West is dedicated to advancing scholarly and public understanding of the past, present, and future of western North America. The Center supports research, teaching, and reporting about western land and life in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Center's web site features courses on the West, positions for undergraduate research assistants in a variety of projects, summer internships around the West, and campus events.

Bing Overseas Studies Program

The Bing Overseas Studies Program presents Stanford undergraduates with numerous opportunities for enriching and diversifying their undergraduate experience. This is accomplished by immersing students in different cultures and academic environments. BOSP offers quarter-length programs in Australia, Barcelona, Beijing, Berlin, Cape Town, Florence, Kyoto, Madrid, Moscow, Oxford, Paris, and Santiago.   BOSP also offers short-term 3 week summer opportunities through the Overseas Seminars, that are taught by Stanford faculty at varying locations around the world.  BOSP sends approximately 50 percent of each graduating class abroad on one of its programs.

Center for Teaching and Learning

The Center for Teaching and Learning offers free peer tutoring and academic skills coaching to all undergraduate students. The Oral Communication Program at CTL also offers free public speaking coaching to all undergraduate and graduate students. For more information, visit http://tutoring.stanford.edu and http://speakinghelp.stanford.edu.

Enrolling In Courses

In order to enroll in courses, students will need to log into Axess, the university’s web-based information system for students. For assistance, refer to Axess Help Center for Students and How to Enroll in Courses.

Expanded Advising Programs

Expanded Advising Programs (EAP) offers access to graduate and undergraduate mentors; community-themed workshops; seminars and discussions on academic opportunities like scholarships, fellowships and research; dinners with distinguished Stanford faculty; and networking with Stanford alumni. Students may elect to participate in EAP for 1 unit of credit during Autumn and/or Winter Quarters. On average, students commit two hours per week to the program.

Global Gateway

Stanford Global Gateway is the University’s web portal and online database for information about all things international at Stanford—on campus and abroad— including international funding opportunities for students, courses, events, resources, research projects, and more. Student organizations are invited to list their internationally focused events on the Stanford Global Gateway, by using the website's online form.

Humanities at Stanford

• Keep tabs on art and culture events and humanities news by becoming a fan of the Stanford Humanities Facebook page.
• You can also find Stanford humanities updates on Twitter - HumanatStanford.
• The Human Experience website features news about Stanford humanities research and events.
• Sign up for the Human Experience e-newsletter to receive the latest Stanford humanities news.

Hume Writing Center

The Hume Writing Center offers individual meetings with trained writing consultants; workshops on a variety of important topics related to writing; Writers' Nights featuring students, staff, and faculty reading and performing their work; the How I Write interview series; and many other special writing events. The Center sponsors the work of many student writing groups, including the Stanford Spoken Word Collective, and participates in outreach to public schools in our area. We are fully engaged in fostering a culture of writing on our campus and in our community.

Stanford Introductory Studies

Stanford Introductory Studies (SIS) courses introduce students to the kinds of transformative questions that promote intellectual and personal development. With a focus on reading critically, writing effectively, and thinking analytically, SIS prepares undergraduates to achieve their academic goals. These courses include requirements in the Introduction to the Humanities (IHUM) and Writing and Rhetoric (PWR), or Structured Liberal Education (SLE), which incorporates both requirements, as well as Introductory Seminars.

Undergraduate Advising and Research

Academic advising is key to a successful undergraduate experience. Stanford provides students with numerous advising resources designed to assist them with choosing courses, developing long-term academic plans, choosing a major, preparing for graduate or professional studies, and more. Freshmen will be assigned two academic advisors. The first, the Pre-Major Advisor, is a faculty or academic staff advisor.  The second is the Academic Director, a professional full-time advisor in the residence or, for student athletes, in the Athletic Academic Resource Center (AARC).

Undergraduate Advising and Research sponsors several types of grants designed to support rigorous, independent undergraduate research in all disciplines. The grants vary in their duration and budget, but they adhere to the same eligibility requirements, application procedures, and other administrative policies.

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