Degrees & Departments

Our curriculum encourages students to explore many disciplines and to

develop a deep understanding in one area of concentration.

Students apply to Princeton University, not to individual departments,

programs or schools. Once enrolled, students may pursue either the
Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) or the Bachelor of Science in Engineering
(B.S.E.). Within these degree programs, students can choose from among 37
concentrations (computer science offers both A.B. and B.S.E.) and
53 interdepartmental certificate programs. The A.B. includes
concentrations in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International
Affairs and the School of Architecture.

Bachelor of Arts (A.B.)

African American Studies

A study of the complex interplay of political, economic and cultural forces
that shape our understanding of the historic achievements and struggles of
African-descended people in this country, and their relation to others around
the world.

Anthropology
An interpretive approach to contemporary realities and social worlds that
people create and inhabit.

Architecture
The undergraduate program at the School of Architecture is known for its
rigorous and interdisciplinary approach to pre-professional education. The
four-year undergraduate program leads to an A.B. with a concentration in
architecture and offers an introduction to the discipline of architecture within
the framework of a liberal arts curriculum.
Art and Archaeology
A foundation in the study of the visual arts, including all periods of European
art and architecture as well as African art, Egyptian art and archaeology,
Chinese and Japanese art, pre-Columbian art, Greek and Roman art and
archaeology, American art, the history of photography, and theory and
criticism.

Astrophysical Sciences
A discipline for those who are fascinated by the prospect of contributing to
the search for the universe's hidden secrets. Coursework and independent
research on topics that range from planetary science to stars, galaxies, black
holes, dark-matter, cosmology, the early universe and more.

Chemistry
The “central discipline” that revolves around making, measuring, modeling
and understanding the chemical compounds that make up the world around
us. Its subdivisions include catalysis/synthesis, inorganic chemistry,
materials, spectroscopy/physical chemistry and theoretical chemistry.

Classics
We study various aspects of the ancient world, including Greek and
Roman history, culture, literature and philosophy, and their relevance today.
No prior knowledge of Greek or Latin is needed to begin a Classics major.

Comparative Literature
A far-reaching scholarly enterprise that strengthens cultural connections
among people and societies, and bridges disciplines by approaching literature
and culture across a wide range of time periods, media and languages.

Computer Science
The Department of Computer Science curriculum encourages students to
learn fundamental concepts of the discipline and to become proficient in the
use of advanced computer systems. The plan provides opportunities for
study in software systems, algorithms and complexity, machine architecture,
computer graphics, programming languages, machine learning, and other
core areas of computer science. Students can pursue computer science in
either the B.S.E. or A.B. degree programs.

East Asian Studies

A study of the broad-ranging, cosmopolitan knowledge of the languages and
cultures of China, Japan and Korea.

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

In classrooms and laboratories, as well as at field sites around the world, a
collaborative unraveling of the mysteries of how animals, plants and microbes
function, how they interact with others and the physical environment, how
they evolve, and how we can manage our biological heritage to achieve a
sustainable future.

Economics
An inquiry into social issues such as employment, growth, inflation,
globalization, health and poverty using rigorous theoretical and statistical
analysis.

English
Through the lens of language, this program provokes thoughtful
consideration of some deep questions of being human: power, the meaning of
beauty, personal identity and love. With an emphasis on diversity and history,
students encounter the greatest writers such as Toni Morrison, William
Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Emily Dickinson and topics that include American
Cinema, Children's Literature, Latino/a Studies, food writing, the Harlem
Renaissance and Asian-American literature.

French and Italian

A global experience in the rich literature and culture of the French and
Italian-speaking worlds.

Geosciences
Chemistry, biology, physics, math and computer science applied to
understand Earth’s deep interior, surface environments, oceans and climate.

German
A traditionally strong focus in literature, literary theory and philosophy, with
significant new strength in media studies and the visual arts.

History
A community of scholars with interests spanning social to intellectual,
political to military, economic to legal history, and all parts of the globe with
research ranging chronologically from late antiquity to the present.

Mathematics
A versatile exploration of a wide variety of fundamental areas of both pure
and applied mathematics with some of the best mathematicians in the world,
who also hold tea each afternoon at 3:30 p.m. while classes are in session.

Molecular Biology
An exploration of the central questions of 21st century biology, on topics
ranging from molecules to genomes.

Music
At the epicenter of a vibrant campus musical culture, a major with an
emphasis on writing music or writing about music.

Near Eastern Studies

An immersive experience in a Near Eastern language and a broad knowledge
of the civilizations, history and literatures of the ancient, medieval, and
modern Near East and beyond.

Neuroscience
A serious study of molecular, cellular, developmental and systems
neuroscience as it interfaces with cognitive and behavioral research.

Philosophy
A full survey of the logic and philosophy of science, philosophy of mind and
language, metaphysics and epistemology, value theory and the history of
philosophy, including both early modern and ancient.

Physics
A comprehensive understanding of the physical world, including atoms,
solids, radiation, galaxies and living things. Concentrating in physics at
Princeton will not only teach you about the structure of physical law, but
it will allow you to take part in its discovery.

Politics
The analysis of political institutions, beliefs, and policies from the perspective
of domestic and world politics. The concentration builds understanding of
citizenship and government through courses that use a variety of research
methods to address topics including elections, development, war, and the
nature of justice

Psychology
A rigorous understanding of human behavior and mental processes,
encompassing sensation, perception, movement, language, reasoning,
decision making and social interaction.

Religion
An examination of religious life, the diverse forms it has taken in different
cultures and historical periods, and the questions it poses for theoretical,
ethical and political reflection.

Slavic Languages and Literatures

An exploration into the cultures, societies, and languages of Russia and
Eastern Europe (including Polish, Czech, Boznian-Serbian-Croatian). Russian
language serves as a gateway to the study of literature, politics, cultural
anthropology, film and visual arts and Russia’s still problematic relationship
to the West.
Sociology
A cutting edge undergraduate concentration for people interested in the
social dimensions of politics, economics, history, psychology, big data, and
demography.

Spanish and Portuguese

A grounding in Spanish or Portuguese, with related and varied courses in
other literatures, as well as in art history, anthropology, sociology,
comparative literature and other humanities subjects.

Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs

A multidisciplinary liberal arts major for students who desire to be engaged
in public service and become leaders in the world of public and international
affairs. Students enroll in task forces and policy research seminars on current
and important issues in public policy, take core courses in the social sciences
and science policy, choose electives from across the university in their policy
area of greatest interest, and do fieldwork or engage in policy-relevant cross-
cultural experiences.

Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.)

Chemical and Biological Engineering

A thorough survey of the chemical, biological, and physical processes used to
develop pollution control, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, adhesives,
biopolymers, artificial kidneys, oil refineries, solar panels, ceramics and many
other products.

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Cutting-edge research and forefront innovative teaching prepares students to
be creative leaders in addressing XXI-century challenges associated with the
built and natural environment in contexts of resilience, sustainability, and
livability. The focus areas include structural art, structural design, and
building materials; urban environments; water and air quality; climate
change and its impacts on water resources and the hydrologic cycle.

Computer Science
A program that ensures in-depth exposure to algorithms and theoretical
computer science, computer system design and applications. Students can
also pursue computer science in the A.B.

Electrical Engineering
A thorough preparation in addressing a variety of crucial societal issues,
including efficient lighting, buildings, computing, communications, solar
cells, circuits, energy harvesting from the environment, smart power grids,
machine learning, informatics, medical imaging, diagnosis and brain
imaging.

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

A hands-on opportunity to design, build and test devices and vehicles, such as
cars, aircraft, satellites, engines, robots and control systems.

Operations Research and Financial Engineering

Using quantitative theories, models, methods and algorithms, operations
research and financial engineering is a focused specialization in the
regulation of financial institutions, energy and the environment (specifically
the financialization of commodities, climate change and emissions control),
the transportation systems of the future and health care.