Special Programs

Do you enjoy lively debates on topics like morality’s place in politics or the cultural impact of globalization? Perhaps you have an interest in the social role of comedy in society. Or you might want to delve into the evolution of the universe. Maybe you just love to read great books written by outstanding authors. If these ideas are intriguing, you will enjoy being a part of the College of Arts & Sciences Core Curriculum.

The Core combines the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences into a single structured curriculum. It consists of eight historically based courses that examine both Western and non-Western thought and literature. You could read anything from Aristotle and Confucius to Dostoyevsky, Jane Austen, or even Karl Marx. You could study subjects as wide-ranging as the Big Bang Theory, the fossil record or human genetics. You might ponder the music of Mozart or examine psychological and sociological models of human identity.

Regardless of where you go on your journey though the Core, it will be a springboard into lifelong learning and intellectual inquiry. Our courses consist of lectures taught by some of BU’s finest teachers and scholars, and then weekly small seminars where you can really interact with your professors and peers. You will learn to think critically, speak persuasively and write powerfully.

Approximately 500 freshmen choose to participate in the Core, which is one of two ways of fulfilling your general education requirement for the College of Arts & Sciences. Like the other option, a more traditional divisional studies program, the Core will account for about one-half of your courses during your freshman and sophomore years and will not preclude you from taking other courses as electives.

Being a University Honors College student means joining a community of exceptional peers and distinguished faculty engaged in research, invention and creative activity that bridges fields from law to physics, music to medicine, and business to philosophy.

While a University Honors College student you will enroll in one of BU’s 10 undergraduate schools and colleges where you will complete a program of coursework in a chosen major. But at the same time you will follow a curriculum of elite multi-disciplinary study throughout your four years at BU. You will have opportunities outside the classroom to connect with the larger community of scientific, business, cultural and political leaders as part of your broader experience. To learn more, visit the University Honors College website.

To indicate your interest in being considered for the University Honors College, type the letters “HC” in the box marked “Office Use Only” at the bottom of page one of the BU Common Application Supplement. Students who are offered a place in the Honors College will be notified at the time of their
admission decision.

The most academically qualified students admitted to the School of Management (SMG) are invited to participate in the SMG Honors Program, a challenging curriculum for academically talented management students. If you qualify, you will participate in weekly colloquia intended to complement and lend depth to the freshman management course, attend exclusive seminars on topics such as intellectual property, social responsibility and investing in green technologies and enjoy unique networking opportunities. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore internships during the summers and to study abroad.

Other benefits of the SMG Honors Program include extracurricular resources such as monthly dinner meetings, social events and special academic advisors.

For some students, earning a bachelor’s degree in four years simply isn’t enough. Suppose you want to combine your passion for psychology with your desire to help children who have speech and language problems. Our Collaborative Degree Program (BUCOP) makes it possible to earn two bachelor’s degrees from two undergraduate schools or colleges simultaneously. The work can be challenging, but your advisors will help you organize your course load and streamline your scheduling so that, in most cases, you can complete both degrees in four years.

Dual degrees are popular here for a variety of reasons. In some cases, a second degree can be an advantage in launching a successful career. For example, if you are concentrating in international management at the School of Management, you might also want a degree in a language or international relations from the College of Arts & Sciences. If you’re a graphic design student in the College of Fine Arts, a second degree in computer science from CAS might give you a professional edge.

But BUCOP isn’t just about career goals. It also works for highly motivated students who want to pursue a serious interest in a second field. Say you’re working toward a degree in biomedical engineering and still want to develop your talent for music composition. At BU, you can nurture your professional and your personal interests.

Intrigued? Meet with your advisor after you enroll to explore the endless possibilities BUCOP offers.

BU’s independent study program, Work for Distinction, allows qualified students to go deeper into a topic within their major or minor concentration. This two-semester research program is usually completed during senior year. It culminates in a thesis and an oral examination in front of a faculty committee. You’ll have a faculty supervisor for guidance, but most of your project will be independently conceived and self-directed.

Work for Distinction is designed to give you valuable research experience and independent study skills. By successfully completing it, you’ll demonstrate that you can manage a sustained research project similar to those in graduate school.