Undergraduate Studies

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The Minor in Africana Studies provides an understanding of, and background in, the history and cultures of peoples of African descent in North and South America, the Caribbean and Africa. This interdisciplinary minor includes courses in anthropology, history, literature, music, political science and sociology, and allows students the opportunity to focus on their particular area of interest. The minor helps prepare students to become contributors to an increasingly pluralistic society, while also allowing those interested in business, the sciences, engineering, government and social services to present a unique academic background to prospective employers.

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The Minor in American Studies offers an interdisciplinary approach to studying American life and culture. Drawing on the expertise and methodologies of a variety of fields, American studies offers students the opportunity to examine their world critically to understand their place within it. This is an ideal minor for students pursuing graduate work or professional careers in business, engineering or law, as it grounds these practical fields in a strong humanistic tradition.

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Anthropology provides students with a cross-cultural awareness that enables them to interact with a variety of people in a wide range of situations. Medicine, law, counseling, nursing and nutrition are only a few of the fields in which clients and professionals may come from different parts of our heterogeneous society. The Anthropology major is a small, highly specialized program that provides students with an exceptional background in theory, methodology and field experience for the workplace or graduate training. The Minor provides students in other fields with a respect for and understanding of the basis of cultural variation.

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Drexel's Modern Languages program offers instruction in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish. Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Russian courses are oral-intensive and use an innovative tutorial or "self-instructional" format, limited to groups of three to six students. Drexel also offers an advanced-level Certification of Proficiency for students who have successfully completed 24 credits of coursework and passed the series of written Proficiency examinations and an extensive FSI/ACTFL oral examination with at least an FSI "2" or ACTFL "Advanced" rating. Certification is listed on the student transcript.

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Astrophysics brings together many disparate areas of physics—gravitational physics governs the evolution of galaxies and clusters; nuclear physics dominates the cores of stars; and electromagnetism governs the radiation that we use to observe these objects. Students majoring in mathematics and computer science, as well as other disciplines, are often fascinated by the questions raised by astrophysics. The Minor in Astrophysics requires a total of 26.0 credits in addition to the required prerequisite courses..

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The Bioinformatics Minor examines the application of computer technology and programming to biological fields such as genomics or proteomics. This multidisciplinary program is designed for students majoring in biomedical engineering, bioscience, computer science, information systems or mathematics. Combination with other majors is possible upon consultation with the program director. The minor is divided among courses in biology, programming and computation, human-computer interface design, databases and statistics.

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Students pursuing the B.S. in Biological Sciences select from one of five concentrations: (1) Cellular and Molecular Biology, Genetics and Biochemistry; (2) Organismal Biology and Physiology; (3) Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Paleobiology; (4) Pathobiology; and (5) General Biology. The Accelerated B.S./M.S. and B.S./M.D. programs allow academically qualified students to earn both a bachelor's and master’s or doctor of medicine degree concurrently — entering graduate or medical school one year sooner than in traditional bachelor's and M.S./MD programs. Biological Science graduates are prepared for careers in the private sector, government and research laboratories, and for advanced study in graduate and professional programs in medicine, other health related areas, or in teaching.

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Undergraduate and graduate chemistry programs at Drexel provide students with a foundation in the traditional disciplines of chemistry, as well as the opportunity to explore the workings of chemistry in the natural and technological worlds. The department offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. The B.A. is a 4-year non-co-op program. The B.S. is offered both as a 5-year co-op and a 4-year non-co-op program and is certified by the American Chemical Society. The Accelerated B.S./M.S. and B.A./M.D. programs allow academically qualified students to earn both a bachelor's and master’s or doctor of medicine degree concurrently — entering graduate or medical school one year sooner than in traditional bachelor's and M.S./M.D. programs. In addition, the Minor in Chemistry is available for students in other majors who desire a strong physical science background.

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Drexel's Modern Languages program offers instruction in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish. Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Russian courses are oral-intensive and use an innovative tutorial or "self-instructional" format, limited to groups of three to six students. Drexel also offers an advanced-level Certification of Proficiency for students who have successfully completed 24 credits of coursework and passed the series of written Proficiency examinations and an extensive FSI/ACTFL oral examination with at least an FSI "2" or ACTFL "Advanced" rating. Certification is listed on the student transcript.

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Through a range of courses, students in the Communication programs at Drexel develop both theoretical and practical skills to prepare them for careers in a wide range of fields. The program offers concentrations in three areas: (1) Corporate and Public Relations, (2) Technical and Science Communication, and (3) Global Journalism. The Accelerated B.S./M.S. and B.S./M.D. programs allow academically qualified students to earn both a bachelor's and master’s or doctor of medicine degree concurrently — entering graduate or medical school one year sooner than in traditional bachelor's and M.S./MD programs. The Minor is a strong complement to majors that emphasize presentations, interpersonal skills, publicity, and marketing.

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Computers, the Internet and the ever-increasing capabilities of mobile technology have created new opportunities for crime, while also impacting individuals' abilities to commit criminal acts. The Minor in Computer Crime provides students with an overview of the behavioral, legal, technical and administrative issues faced by the criminal justice system and security communities in addressing crime involving computers and related networking technologies. The curriculum exposes students to state-of-the-art solutions used within the public and private sectors to respond to and prevent computer crime.

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Criminal justice legislation, policy and decision-making, and matters of community safety and wellbeing require well-educated professionals to administer, legislate, communicate, and implement. Students in Drexel's B.S. in Criminal Justice program will be well-prepared to assume these roles and responsibilities; students will acquire theoretical and methodological skills, written and oral communication skills, as well as a robust foundation in statistics, and computer applications. Additional required courses focus on the areas of forensic science, law, and political and social sciences. The Minor in Criminal Justice is available to students in any major with an interest in the law, legal issues and the forensic sciences who would like to enhance their career options.

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Ecology examines how organisms interact with the biological and physical world and bridges the natural sciences with the social sciences. A Minor in Ecology meets the needs of engineering, science, arts, applied arts, information and business students interested in environmental science. Prior to taking ENVS 230 General Ecology, students are expected to have had one term to a year of both general biology and general chemistry.

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The English program at Drexel offers a wide-ranging curriculum on British, American and world literatures and stresses the cultural, historical and political contexts that shape and affect literary production. Coursework exposes students to literature from a variety of periods, cultures and genres and also provides practice in critical thinking, literary analysis and writing. These courses enrich students' intellectual lives and provide them with the communication skills valuable to all fields.

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The Minor in Environmental Health offers practical course material to complement programs in nutrition, dietetics, biology, environmental science and biomedical science. It can also complement engineering disciplines such as chemical or biomedical engineering. Available course offerings give students a significant introduction to the effect of various environmental factors—including intrinsic biological rhythms, pathogenic microbes and toxic chemicals—on the health and well-being of people.

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Drexel’s B.S. in Environmental Science degree has undergone exciting renovations as a result of the 2011 merger of Drexel University with the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. The new curriculum capitalizes on the strengths of Drexel and Academy researchers, offering students a hands-on, research-rich experience that will prepare them for careers or graduate school in the environmental sciences.

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The B.S. in Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary program that draws on Drexel’s strengths in science, technology, social science and communication. Courses and faculty are drawn from a diverse set of academic programs including the natural sciences, social sciences and the humanities. The program also benefits from Drexel’s urban location, as issues related to urban sustainability policy and planning—including urban redevelopment and land reuse practices, transportation policy, green building, energy efficiency, urban farming and food systems, recycling, and racial and class-based environmental justice and health—are core topics of the program. The Minor is designed to give students specializing in other fields a background in contemporary environmental issues and the ability to analyze such issues.

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The Minor in European Studies provides students with exposure to the historical, political, social and cultural development of European civilization. The program focuses on the modern period, but students will also gain an awareness of the deep historical roots and currents on which the modern experience has been built.

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Drexel's Modern Languages program offers instruction in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish. French, German, Italian and Spanish classes are conducted in a conventional format with enrollments of nine to eighteen students. Drexel also offers an advanced-level Certification of Proficiency for students who have successfully completed 24 credits of coursework and passed the series of written Proficiency examinations and an extensive FSI/ACTFL oral examination with at least an FSI "2" or ACTFL "Advanced" rating. Certification is listed on the student transcript.

Department Website | Course Catalog

Drexel's Modern Languages program offers instruction in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish. French, German, Italian and Spanish classes are conducted in a conventional format with enrollments of nine to eighteen students. Drexel also offers an advanced-level Certification of Proficiency for students who have successfully completed 24 credits of coursework and passed the series of written Proficiency examinations and an extensive FSI/ACTFL oral examination with at least an FSI "2" or ACTFL "Advanced" rating. Certification is listed on the student transcript.

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The Minor in Greek Studies is an interdisciplinary program concentrating on Mediterranean issues, with a specific focus on the island of Crete. Because the scope of the Minor embraces Hellenism from antiquity to the present, students may select their electives depending on a particular area of Greek studies that most interests them (e.g. mythology, philosophy or performance).

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The B.A. and B.S. in History introduce students to historical interpretations in the specific context of selected time periods, geographic areas, and themes. Both programs apply the experiential, research-intensive approach of Drexel to the discipline of history. Original research is the centerpiece of the curriculum, and students learn to research and write history by using the extensive historical resources of Philadelphia. This flexible program allows students to shape a curriculum that reflects their interests and meets a wide variety of pre-professional needs, such as pre-law or pre-civil service.

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The Minor in Human Factors and Ergonomics is offered through the Department of Psychology. The program is for students interested in design who recognize the importance of taking human characteristics, both strengths and weaknesses, into account in designing artifacts intended for human use (e.g. equipment, computer software, consumer products, and even entire work environments).

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International Area Studies is an interdisciplinary, intercultural, and interactive major, linking language study with other academic disciplines such as politics, history, economics, sociology, anthropology, literature and philosophy. It provides coursework, research and professional experience necessary to understanding current global trends in politics, sociology and economics. The B.A. offers four concentrations: (1) Justice and Human Rights; (2) Global Science, Technology, and Society; (3) International Business and Economics; and (4) Literature, Culture and Arts The Minor in IAS offers an innovative framework that prepares students to be responsible citizens aware of larger world issues and local concerns and able to draw on both the arts and sciences in considering these changes.

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Drexel's Modern Languages program offers instruction in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish. French, German, Italian and Spanish classes are conducted in a conventional format with enrollments of nine to eighteen students. Drexel also offers an advanced-level Certification of Proficiency for students who have successfully completed 24 credits of coursework and passed the series of written Proficiency examinations and an extensive FSI/ACTFL oral examination with at least an FSI "2" or ACTFL "Advanced" rating. Certification is listed on the student transcript.

Department Website | Course Catalog

Drexel's Modern Languages program offers instruction in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish. Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Russian courses are oral-intensive and use an innovative tutorial or "self-instructional" format, limited to groups of three to six students. French, German, Italian and Spanish classes use a more conventional format, with enrollments of nine to eighteen students. Drexel also offers an advanced-level Certification of Proficiency for students who have successfully completed 24 credits of coursework and passed the series of written Proficiency examinations and an extensive FSI/ACTFL oral examination with at least an FSI "2" or ACTFL "Advanced" rating. Certification is listed on the student transcript.

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The Louis Stein Minor in Judaic Studies gives students the opportunity to explore and understand the history, culture, politics and religion of the Jewish people. Through interdisciplinary coursework and directed field study, students investigate the Jewish experience from both a contemporary and historical perspective.

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Drexel's Modern Languages program offers instruction in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish. Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Russian courses are oral-intensive and use an innovative tutorial or "self-instructional" format, limited to groups of three to six students. Drexel also offers an advanced-level Certification of Proficiency for students who have successfully completed 24 credits of coursework and passed the series of written Proficiency examinations and an extensive FSI/ACTFL oral examination with at least an FSI "2" or ACTFL "Advanced" rating. Certification is listed on the student transcript.

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The Mathematics program at Drexel provides a supportive learning environment in which students obtain a firm grounding in the core areas of mathematics and apply this knowledge to problems encountered in a technological society. The B.A. degree provides a strong general mathematics background while still allowing students to tailor the program to their interests. The B.S. curriculum emphasizes computing and mathematical modeling, giving students a competitive advantage in the job market. Exceptionally skilled students may choose to pursue the Accelerated B.S./M.S. in Mathematics to earn both a bachelor's and master’s degree concurrently, thus entering graduate school one year sooner than in traditional bachelor's and M.S. programs. Such students typically come with advanced placement credit in calculus.

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Designed for students majoring in any of the humanities, social sciences, biological sciences, health professions or nursing, the Certificate in Medical Humanities aims to promote dialogue and mutual appreciation for various approaches to health related issues. The primary goal of the program is to provide students with an interdisciplinary framework for systematically studying the multiple dimensions of illness, healing and mortality from both personal and cultural perspectives. This format allows students to explore the limitations of exclusively scientific, quantitative approaches to illness and healing.

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The Minor in Paralegal Studies provides instruction in legal research and writing, a background in the structure of the courts and government agencies, as well as additional preparation for the paralegal profession.

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Drexel's B.A. in Philosophy is designed for students seeking both a comprehensive understanding of the leading intellectual traditions of the west and rigorous preparation for graduate school, law school or medical school. Emphasis is on critical thinking, problem solving, strong language skills and the ability to organize and manage information—all skills that are also eagerly sought in the business world. The Minor in Philosophy combines the rigor of traditional philosophical inquiry with an interest in practical problems. In addition to gaining familiarity with professional issues, philosophically trained students perform better on graduate school entrance examinations than most other undergraduates.

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The Certificate in Philosophy in the Arts and Humanities is open to all students and entails the study of philosophical themes, problems and questions in the arts and humanities. The Certificate is a valuable alternative for undergraduates majoring in programs that do not include sufficient free electives to allow for a Minor in Philosophy, or for undergraduates wishing to give themselves an interesting advantage in the job market.

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The Certificate in Philosophy in Science and Technology is open to all students and entails the study of philosophical themes, problems and questions in the sciences and technologies. The Certificate is a valuable alternative for undergraduates who are majoring in programs that do not include sufficient free electives to allow for a Minor in Philosophy, or for undergraduates wishing to give themselves an interesting advantage in the job market.

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The B.S. in Physics exposes students to both traditional and cutting-edge areas of physics including astrophysics and general relativity; atomic physics; biological physics; condensed-matter physics, including superconductivity and nanotechnology; laser physics and quantum optics; nonlinear physics and chaos; nuclear physics; nuclear astrophysics; and particle and cosmic ray physics. The Accelerated B.S./M.S. allows academically qualified students to earn both a bachelor's and master’s degree concurrently, entering graduate school one year sooner than in traditional bachelor's and M.S. programs. The Minor in Physics exposes students to some of the basic principles of physics, complementing a variety of disciplines—from engineering to other sciences.

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The B.A. and B.S. in Political Science help students cultivate perspective, develop critical thinking and communication skills, and understand the economic, social, and political systems within which we live and work. These flexible programs allow students to shape a curriculum that meets their needs, whether preparing for the the job market, or graduate and professional programs. A Minor in Politics is also available and complements a wide variety of disciplines.

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The field of psychology seeks to answer a broad array of questions regarding the behavior, thoughts and emotions of individuals. These questions range from the biochemical basis of memory and the effects of stress on health to understanding the causes of emotional problems or experiences such as falling in love. Students in the B.S. in Psychology will pursue these questions and more using scientific research techniques both in the laboratory and the "real" world. Graduates can apply their knowledge in fields such as business, the health sciences, law, education, counseling and the design of useful and usable technologies.

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Drexel's Modern Languages program offers instruction in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish. Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Russian courses are oral-intensive and use an innovative tutorial or "self-instructional" format, limited to groups of three to six students. Drexel also offers an advanced-level Certification of Proficiency for students who have successfully completed 24 credits of coursework and passed the series of written Proficiency examinations and an extensive FSI/ACTFL oral examination with at least an FSI "2" or ACTFL "Advanced" rating. Certification is listed on the student transcript.

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The Minor in Science, Technology and Human Affairs offers students the opportunity to obtain in-depth exposure to the political and social issues related to modern science and technology. The program provides knowledge and skills useful in many areas of professional employment or as preparation for graduate and professional study.

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Sociology is a broad discipline dealing with interpersonal behavior. It examines the behavior of social units as small as a family or two people riding an elevator and as large as a company, a city, a country, or the entire world. Because sociology critically examines "truths" frequently taken for granted, it does more than offer its own distinctive area of information. Training in sociology leads to a mode of critical thinking that enables one to push beyond established boundaries. Such a skill is invaluable in a wide range of professions.

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Drexel's Modern Languages program offers instruction in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish. French, German, Italian and Spanish classes are conducted in a conventional format with enrollments of nine to eighteen students. Drexel also offers an advanced-level Certification of Proficiency for students who have successfully completed 24 credits of coursework and passed the series of written Proficiency examinations and an extensive FSI/ACTFL oral examination with at least an FSI "2" or ACTFL "Advanced" rating. Certification is listed on the student transcript.

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This online certificate program is specifically designed for students at the post-baccalaureate level in industrial or governmental settings. The curriculum provides a strong foundation in both toxicology and industrial hygiene to enhance on-the-job performance in the areas of health and safety.

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The Minor in Women's Studies is intended to give students a broad, interdisciplinary understanding of the ways in which gender interacts with race, age, class and sexual orientation to shape human consciousness and the social, political, and cultural organization of society. It may also provide both men and women with tools for understanding and coping with the larger societal systems in which they must operate as both students and professionals. Because business and industry are increasingly sensitive to issues such as sex discrimination, sexual harassment, equal pay for comparable work, parental leave, and day care, students with a Minor in Women's Studies will have a definite edge over other applicants for managerial and policy-making positions.

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The Minor in World History and Politics introduces students to the historical and political development of societies beyond the American and European context. The 20th-century experiences of decolonization, modernization and development in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Islamic world are given special attention.

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The Certificate in Writing and Publishing (CWP) offers the opportunity for both professional and personal development in the areas of writing and publishing. Open to all undergraduates, the Certificate offers three tracks: (1) Professional Writing and Publishing; (2) Creative Writing and Publishing; and the (3) Comprehensive Certificate in Writing and Publishing.