Academic Pathways

Hegis Code 1431. In order to complete the Core Minor, students begin by completing the gateway courses, CC 101 and CC 102. Next, students choose four classes from a selection of six Core courses that cover multiple fields including natural sciences, humanities, and the social sciences. Students can submit a minor declaration form through the CAS website at any time.

Work for Honors allows students who are motivated to achieve a higher level of command of the material and techniques addressed in Core to conduct in-depth research in an area that interests them. This research is usually conducted during a student’s junior year.

Completion of Core with Honors requires achieving a grade of B+ or better in all eight Core courses (or, for STEM majors who do not take CC 111/212, all six Core humanities and social science courses) plus ONE of the following:

1. Completion of a course taken outside of (but relevant to) the Core program, and a substantial paper or project that relates material in that course to the Core program. The paper/project must be defended in front of a committee of at least three faculty members. At least one member of the committee must be from the Core faculty, and one must be from the non-Core course, -or-
2. The composition and defense of a substantial paper or project on a subject that bridges at least two particular Core courses. The paper/project must be defended in front of at least three relevant faculty members from Core.

Students get started on the Core Honors pathway by consulting with the Core Honors Coordinator George Vahamikos. Together they discuss a particular project and a schedule for completion as well as complete the application for Core Honors. This form needs to be submitted no later than the first week of classes in the semester during which the project or research will be undertaken. Application forms can be picked up from CAS 119, or downloaded here: Application for Core Work for Honors

In some cases, Core Honors projects may be eligible for research or travel funding from Core, UROP, CAS, the Center for the Humanities, or other campus sources.

An opportunity for project-based learning and independent coursework. Hegis Code 1432.The MCIS allows students to pursue a personal academic interest by combining Core coursework with outside material from other classes. The MCIS differs from the Core Minor described above in that students must also complete four other courses which relate to the topic of their project. At least two courses must be 300-level or higher and at least two must be in departments outside of Core

To complete the MCIS, students must first complete a two-course sequence either in the humanities, natural sciences, or social sciences. Next, they meet with the Core Minor Advisor, Catherine Klancer, and submit a written statement outlining the project they will focus on with their specific coursework and plan. Finally, students take a minor course within Core, CC 350, where students complete their paper or creative project.

• Step 1: complete a two-course sequence in Core
• Step 2: meet with the Core Minor Advisor
• Step 3: complete four other related classes
• Step 4: complete CC 350 and your MCIS project

Note: Students doing the MCIS should declare before they enroll in CC 350, using the CAS minor declaration form.

Click here to view the Advising Form for the Minor in Core Independent Studies.