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Program II: The Curriculum
Program II is not a major, but rather an individualized degree program distinct from Program I. Students admitted to Program II examine and explore an area of scholarship, often an interdisciplinary or emerging area of knowledge not generally available within Program I.
If you apply and are admitted to Program II, you are no longer held responsible for completing the requirements of Program I, including the requirement for a major. Neither is it an option for you as a Program II student to pursue a major or minor, as these are features of Program I. You may, however, elect to complete an undergraduate certificate program with elective courses if, in the committee's judgment, the certificate is unrelated to your core area.
A Program II curriculum may lead to either the AB or BS degree; if you wish to pursue the BS degree, your Program II must be sponsored by a department offering a major within that degree.
Curriculum depth and breadth are required in Program II, as in Program I.
- Curriculum depth—achieved by a set of core courses proposed by the applicant and approved by the committee as fundamental to the topic of the proposed program. Within the defined area of study, core courses are meant to provide a structured learning experience. The core curriculum will include 12-20 courses, at least 8 of which must be at the advanced level (100 level or above). Programs typically have 14-16 core courses.
- Curriculum breadth—achieved over four years through course work that may or may not be related to the topic of the proposal but that strengthens the student's overall liberal education in arts and sciences. Your core courses in Program II may contribute to the breadth requirement. Unless otherwise specifically requested and approved as part of the application, you must complete the same curriculum requirements in Program II as in Program I (i.e., areas of knowledge and modes of inquiry). A modification may be approved only if the Program II committee deems it appropriate to your academic and intellectual goals and is satisfied that you will still acquire academic exposure to each curriculum component found in Program I. Such a modification must be requested and approved as part of the application process; requests will not be considered after your Program II application has been approved.