BXA Intercollege Degree Programs
M. Stephanie Murray, Senior Associate Dean of Interdisciplinary Initiatives
Location: Hall of the Arts 211
www.cmu.edu/interdisciplinary
Mission Statement
The BXA Intercollege Degree Programs are designed for students who want to turn talent and passion into viable professions for the future through a challenging academic curriculum. BXA students pursue their goals with the help of multifaceted advising, innovative pedagogical strategies and a focus on the impact arts have on technology and vice versa.
The goal of the Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts (BCSA), the Bachelor of Engineering Studies and Arts (BESA), the Bachelor of Humanities and Arts (BHA), the Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA) and the additional major in Engineering and Arts (EA), housed under the BXA Intercollege Degree Programs, is to allow a select group of students who demonstrate interest and accomplishment in the fine arts and computer science, engineering, humanities, social sciences or natural sciences to explore beyond the traditional academic major, or integrate more than one field of study across disciplines. These programs foster the creativity of students who explore innovative approaches to the academic environments of two colleges. By merging the components in the arts and computer science, engineering, natural sciences or humanities into an interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary study, a unique, complex product is born. BXA students produce new information, challenging questions and innovative theory. BXA students are models of independence, motivation and well-rounded scholarship as humanists, scientists and artists at the same time.
In the context of the Carnegie Mellon University environment, the BXA Intercollege Degree Programs hold a special role. BXA provides access to five strong colleges that offer specialized training with expert faculty and researchers. The BXA Programs challenge students to utilize those resources as they explore and develop their own approach to interdisciplinary studies in the fine arts and computer science, engineering, humanities and social sciences, or the natural and mathematical sciences.
BXA students balance courses in their CFA concentration with courses in their academic concentration, as well as BXA-specific courses. These BXA-specific courses give students the opportunity to integrate their areas of concentration by focusing on interdisciplinary approaches and arts-based research techniques. The curricula in the concentration areas provide students with a solid disciplinary foundation upon which they can draw for interdisciplinary projects.
A BXA intercollege degree prepares students for graduate study and careers in an enormous variety of fields, including traditional graduate training in the arts as well as academic areas, positions in arts and education non-profits such as museums and foundations, and technical positions with media and technology companies.
Program Objectives
The skills developed by BXA students span the creative, the technical, the academic and the practical. The objective of the BXA Intercollege Degree Programs is to prepare graduates for careers in which they will draw on their creative and academic skills to create, educate, communicate and innovate across disciplines.
Students who complete the BXA curriculum will graduate with the following skills:
- Foundational knowledge and technical expertise in the CFA concentration area and the DC/ENG/MCS/SCS concentration area
- Ability to describe the connections between these concentrations and how the student integrates them
- Ability to communicate ideas textually, visually and orally
- Knowledge of how the concentration disciplines intersect with history, society and culture from local and global perspectives
- Ability to use cognitive, behavioral and ethical dimensions within the concentration disciplines to make decisions on individual and social levels
- Experience in engaging in art research to produce new knowledge both within the CFA concentration and the DC/ENG/MCS/SCS concentration
- Experience in designing, researching and completing a large-scale, object-based project that integrates both areas of concentration
Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts Degree Program
The Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts (BCSA) intercollege degree program combines the strengths of the College of Fine Arts (CFA) and the School of Computer Science (SCS). This degree provides an ideal technical, critical and conceptual foundation for students interested in pursuing fields that comprehensively meld technology and the arts, such as game design, computer animation, computer music, recording technologies, interactive stagecraft, robotic art and other emerging media. Students choose their arts concentration from the following schools in CFA: Architecture, Art, Design, Drama or Music. Students choose their computer science concentration established by the School of Computer Science.
The BCSA curriculum has three main components: general education requirements, fine arts concentration requirements and computer science concentration requirements. Each student's course of study is structured so they can complete this rigorous program in four years.
Students receive extensive advising support. The academic advisors in the BXA Intercollege Degree Programs are the primary advisors and liaisons between CFA and SCS. Each student has two additional academic advisors: an advisor in the admitting school of CFA to guide their focus in the arts and an advisor in SCS to guide their focus in computer science.
BCSA Curriculum
Units | |
I. BCSA General Education | 122 |
II. SCS Concentration | 117 |
III. CFA Concentration | 108-130 |
IV. Free Electives | 11-33 |
Total BCSA Degree Requirements | 380 |
BCSA General Education
(15 courses, 122 units minimum)
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Writing (1 course, 9 units, 76-101 required)
-
Mathematics (2 courses, 20 units minimum, 21-122 and either 21-259, 21-266 or 21-241 required), Probability (1 course, 9 units minimum)
-
Science & Engineering (2 courses, 18 units minimum)
-
Economic, Political, & Social Institutions OR Cognition, Choice & Behavior (1 course, 9 units minimum)
-
Two additional courses from Dietrich or CFA (2 course, 18 units minimum)
-
University Requirement (1 course, 3 units, 99-101 required)
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BXA Required Courses (5 courses, 36 units, 52-190, 52-291, 52-392, 52-401, 52-402)
Writing (1 course, 9 units)
Broadly considered, language is a tool used to communicate, as well as a way to organize non-visual and non-mathematical thinking. This requirement focuses on the social nature of language and the ways in which writing constitutes thinking.
76-101 | Interpretation and Argument -First-year | 9 |
or 76-102 | Advanced First Year Writing: Special Topics | |
or 76-106 & 76-107 & 76-108 | Writing about Literature, Art and Culture and Writing about Data and Writing about Public Problems | |
All undergraduate students must complete the First-Year Writing requirement—the Department of English does not accept any Advanced Placement exemptions. This requirement can be completed in two different ways. Enroll in one of two full-semester courses 101 or 102 (by invitation only), 9 units, or enroll in two of three half-semester mini courses (back-to-back within a single semester) 106/107/108, 4.5 + 4.5 units. Course options and topics: www.cmu.edu/hss/english/first_year/index.html |
Mathematics & Probability (3 courses, 29 units minimum)
Choose two mathematics courses (20 units minimum):
21-122 | Integration and Approximation | 10 |
21-259 | Calculus in Three Dimensions | 10 |
or 21-266 | Vector Calculus for Computer Scientists | |
or 21-241 | Matrices and Linear Transformations |
Choose one probability course(s) (9 units minimum):
15-259 | Probability and Computing | 12 |
21-325 | Probability | 9 |
36-218 | Probability Theory for Computer Scientists | 9 |
36-225-36-226 | Introduction to Probability Theory - Introduction to Statistical Inference | 18 |
Science & Engineering (2 courses, 18 units minimum)
Choose two science courses from differing departments or one science and one engineering course from the following list:
03-121 | Modern Biology | 9 |
03-125 | Evolution | 9 |
03-132 | Basic Science to Modern Medicine | 9 |
03-133 | Neurobiology of Disease | 9 |
03-135 | Structure and Function of the Human Body | 9 |
03-140 | Ecology and Environmental Science | 9 |
03-161 | Molecules to Mind | 9 |
06-100 | Introduction to Chemical Engineering | 12 |
09-105 | Introduction to Modern Chemistry I | 10 |
09-106 | Modern Chemistry II * | 10 |
09-225 | Climate Change: Chemistry, Physics and Planetary Science * | 9 |
12-100 | Exploring CEE: Infrastructure and Environment in a Changing World | 12 |
12-201 | Geology | 9 |
12-351 | Environmental Engineering * | 9 |
18-095 | Getting Started in Electronics: An Experiential Approach | 9 |
18-100 | Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering | 12 |
18-220 | Electronic Devices and Analog Circuits * | 12 |
18-240 | Structure and Design of Digital Systems * | 12 |
24-101 | Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering | 12 |
24-292 | Renewable Energy Engineering * | 9 |
24-358 | Culinary Mechanics | 9 |
24-381 | Environmental Systems on a Changing Planet | 12 |
27-215 | Thermodynamics of Materials | 12 |
33-114 | Physics of Musical Sound | 9 |
33-120 | Science and Science Fiction | 9 |
33-121 | Physics I for Science Students * | 12 |
or 33-141 | Physics I for Engineering Students | |
33-224 | Stars, Galaxies and the Universe * | 9 |
33-225 | Quantum Physics and Structure of Matter * | 9 |
33-226 | Physics of Energy * | 9 |
42-101 | Introduction to Biomedical Engineering | 12 |
42-202 | Physiology * | 9 |
85-219 | Foundations of Brain and Behavior | 9 |
Labs: | ||
02-261 | Quantitative Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory * | Var. |
03-124 | Modern Biology Laboratory | 9 |
27-100 | Engineering the Materials of the Future * | 12 |
33-104 | Experimental Physics | 9 |
42-203 | Biomedical Engineering Laboratory * | 9 |
Economic, Political & Social Institutions OR Cognition, Choice & Behavior (1 course from either category, 9 units minimum)
Economic, Political & Social Institutions
This requirement explores the processes by which institutions organize individual preferences and actions into collective outcomes.
19-101 | Introduction to Engineering and Public Policy | 12 |
36-303 | Sampling, Survey and Society * | 9 |
66-221 | Topics of Law: Introduction to Intellectual Property Law | 9 |
70-332 | Business, Society and Ethics * | 9 |
73-102 | Principles of Microeconomics | 9 |
or 73-104 | Principles of Microeconomics Accelerated | |
73-103 | Principles of Macroeconomics * | 9 |
76-425 | Rhetoric, Science, and the Public Sphere * | 9 |
79-101 | Making History: How to Think About the Past (and Present) | 9 |
79-189 | Democracy and History: Thinking Beyond the Self | 9 |
79-237 | Comparative Slavery | 9 |
79-244 | Women in American History | 9 |
79-253 | Imperialism and Decolonization in South Asia | 9 |
79-300 | Controversial Topics in the History of American Public Policy | 9 |
79-320 | Women, Politics, and Protest | 9 |
79-321 | Documenting Human Rights | 9 |
79-331 | Body Politics: Women and Health in America | 9 |
79-370 | Technology in the United States | 9 |
79-383 | The History of Capitalism | 9 |
79-391 | Nations and Nationalisms in South Asia | 9 |
79-392 | Europe and the Islamic World | 9 |
80-135 | Introduction to Political Philosophy | 9 |
80-136 | Social Structure, Public Policy & Ethics | 9 |
80-244 | Environmental Ethics | 9 |
80-245 | Medical Ethics | 9 |
80-324 | Philosophy of Economics | 9 |
80-334/335 | Social and Political Philosophy | 9 |
80-348 | Health, Human Rights, and International Development | 9 |
84-104 | Decision Processes in American Political Institutions | 9 |
84-110 | The Economics of Politics, Policy, and Technology | 9 |
84-275 | Comparative Politics | 9 |
84-322 | Nonviolent Conflict and Revolution | 9 |
84-324 | The Future of Democracy | 9 |
84-352 | Representation and Voting Rights | 9 |
84-362 | Diplomacy and Statecraft | 9 |
84-365 | The Politics of Fake News and Misinformation | 9 |
84-380 | US Grand Strategy | 9 |
84-386 | The Privatization of Force | 9 |
84-387 | Remote Systems and the Cyber Domain in Conflict | 9 |
84-389 | Terrorism and Insurgency | 9 |
84-390 | Social Media, Technology, and Conflict | 9 |
84-393 | Legislative Decision Making: US Congress * | 9 |
84-402 | Judicial Politics and Behavior * | 9 |
84-405 | The Future of Warfare | 9 |
88-281 | Topics in Law: 1st Amendment | 9 |
88-284 | Topics of Law: The Bill of Rights | 9 |
Cognition, Choice, and Behavior
This requirement explores the process of thinking, decision making, and behavior in the context of the individual.
70-311 | Organizational Behavior * | 9 |
70-318 | Managing Effective Work Teams * | 9 |
70-385 | Consumer Behavior * | 9 |
80-101 | Dangerous Ideas in Science and Society | 9 |
80-130 | Introduction to Ethics | 9 |
80-150 | Nature of Reason | 9 |
80-180 | Nature of Language: An Introduction to Linguistics | 9 |
80-221 | Philosophy of Social Science | 9 |
80-252 | Kant | 9 |
80-270 | Problems of Mind and Body: Meaning and Doing | 9 |
80-271 | Mind and Body: The Objective and the Subjective | 9 |
80-275 | Metaphysics | 9 |
80-330 | Ethical Theory | 9 |
85-102 | Introduction to Psychology | 9 |
85-104 | Psychopathology | 9 |
85-211 | Cognitive Psychology | 9 |
85-213 | Human Information Processing and Artificial Intelligence * | 9 |
85-221 | Principles of Child Development | 9 |
85-241 | Social Psychology | 9 |
85-251 | Personality | 9 |
85-261 | Psychopathology | 9 |
85-370 | Perception | 9 |
85-408 | Visual Cognition * | 9 |
85-414 | Cognitive Neuropsychology * | 9 |
85-421 | Language and Thought * | 9 |
88-120 | Reason, Passion and Cognition | 9 |
88-230 | Human Intelligence and Human Stupidity | 9 |
88-231 | Thinking in Person vs. Thinking Online | 9 |
* Indicates co-requisites and/or prerequisites required.
Additional Dietrich College Courses (2 courses, 18 units minimum)
Complete two non-technical courses. Consult with your BXA advisor to determine the best courses to fulfill this requirement.
University Requirement (1 course, 3 units)
This foundational pass/no pass course is to be completed online in the first semester to develop core competency skills.
99-101 | Core@CMU -Fall, First-year (section B; pass/no pass) | 3 |
BXA Required Courses (5 courses, 36 units)
BXA-specific courses give students the opportunity to integrate their areas of concentration by focusing on interdisciplinary approaches and arts-based research techniques.
52-190 | BXA Seminar I: Building the Wunderkammer -Spring, First-year (mini-3) | 4.5 |
52-291 | BXA Seminar II: Transferring Knowledge -Spring, Sophomore year (mini-4) | 4.5 |
52-392 | BXA Seminar III: Deconstructing Disciplines -Spring, Junior year | 9 |
52-401 | BXA Seminar IV: Capstone Project Research -Fall, Senior year | 9 |
52-402 | BXA Seminar V: Capstone Project Production -Spring Senior year | 9 |
School of Computer Science Concentration
Computer Science Concentration
(11courses, 117 units minimum)
Prerequisite
15-112 | Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science | 12 |
Computer Science Core Requirements (5 courses, 60 units)
15-122 | Principles of Imperative Computation | 12 |
15-150 | Principles of Functional Programming | 12 |
15-210 | Parallel and Sequential Data Structures and Algorithms | 12 |
15-213 | Introduction to Computer Systems | 12 |
15-251 | Great Ideas in Theoretical Computer Science | 12 |
Concepts of Mathematics (1 course, 12 units)
21-127 | Concepts of Mathematics (co-requisite for 15-122; prerequisite for 15-150) | 12 |
Note: First-year BCSA students may opt for 15-151 if offered, in place of 21-127.
Applications Courses or CS Electives (5 courses, 45 units minimum)
Choose a minimum of five courses from SCS beyond the core requirements, 200-level or higher, not including 02-223, 02-261, 15-351, 16-223, 17-200 (or cross listed numbers), 17-333, 17-562. Listed below are suggested choices for these electives. Consult with the CS advisor if interested in courses not listed.
05-391 | Designing Human Centered Software | 12 |
05-318 | Human AI Interaction | 12 |
05-319 | Data Visualization | 12 |
05-320 | Social Web | 12 |
05-360 | Interaction Design Fundamentals | 12 |
05-418 | Design Educational Games | 12 |
05-430 | Programming Usable Interfaces | 15 |
10-301 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 12 |
10-335 | Art and Machine Learning | 12 |
11-324 | Human Language for Artificial Intelligence | 12 |
11-344 | Machine Learning in Practice | 12 |
11-411 | Natural Language Processing | 12 |
15-281 | Artificial Intelligence: Representation and Problem Solving | 12 |
15-322 | Introduction to Computer Music | 9 |
15-362 | Computer Graphics | 12 |
15-367 | Algorithmic Textiles Design | 12 |
15-388 | Practical Data Science | 9 |
15-415 | Database Applications | 12 |
15-451 | Algorithm Design and Analysis | 12 |
15-463 | Computational Photography | 12 |
15-464 | Technical Animation | 12 |
15-465 | Animation Art and Technology | 12 |
15-466 | Computer Game Programming | 12 |
15-494 | Cognitive Robotics: The Future of Robot Toys | 12 |
16-220 | Robot Building Practices | 12 |
16-264 | Humanoids | 12 |
16-362 | Mobile Robot Algorithms Laboratory | 12 |
16-376 | IDeATe: Kinetic Fabrics | 10 |
16-385 | Computer Vision | 12 |
16-467 | Introduction to Human Robot Interaction | 12 |
16-480 | IDeATe: Creative Soft Robotics | 10 |
17-214 | Principles of Software Construction: Objects, Design, and Concurrency | 12 |
17-313 | Foundations of Software Engineering | 12 |
17-356 | Software Engineering for Startups | 12 |
17-437 | Web Application Development | 12 |
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS CONCENTRATION
(number of courses vary, 108-130 units minimum)
BCSA students choose one of the following concentrations:
- Architecture (108 units)
- Art (114 units)
- Design (108 units)
- Drama (130 units)
- Music (108 units)
Architecture Concentration
(108 units minimum)
Architecture Required Courses (9 courses, 57 units minimum)
48-100 | Architecture Design Studio: POIESIS STUDIO 1 -Fall, Freshman or Sophomore year | 10-15 |
or 48-095 | Spatial Concepts for Non-Architecture Majors | |
48-104 | Shop Skills -Fall, Freshman year | 2 |
62-104 | Design Ethics & Social Justice in Architecture -Fall, Freshman or Sophomore year | 3 |
62-122 | Digital Media I -Fall, Freshman year | 6 |
62-125 | Drawing I -Fall, Freshman year | 6 |
62-123 | Digital Media II -Spring, Freshman year | 6 |
62-126 | Drawing II -Spring, Freshman year | 6 |
48-240 | History of World Architecture, I -Spring, Freshman year | 9 |
48-241 | History of Modern Architecture -Fall, Sophomore year | 9 |
Architecture Electives (51 units minimum)
A minimum of 51 additional Architecture units must be approved by the Architecture advisor. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office. 48-025 First Year Seminar: Architecture Edition I (3 units) is recommended in fall of the first year.
Art Concentration
(114 units minimum)
First-Year Seminar (1 course, 6 units)
60-104 | Foundations: Art First-Year Seminar | 6 |
Foundation Studios (3 courses, 30 units)
Complete three courses:
60-110 | Foundations: Time-Based Media | 10 |
60-120 | Foundations: Digital Media | 10 |
60-131 | Foundations: Sculpture | 10 |
60-135 | Foundations: Sculpture II | 10 |
60-150 | Foundations: Drawing | 10 |
60-170 | Foundations: Paint/Print | 10 |
Intermediate Studios (3 courses, 30 units)
Complete three courses:
60-2xx | Intermediate Studio Elective | 10 |
60-2xx | Intermediate Studio Elective | 10 |
60-2xx | Intermediate Studio Elective | 10 |
Advanced Studios (3 courses, 30 units)
Students may take courses in any media area (ETB, SIS, CP or DP3). They may take all courses in one media area if a focus is desired. With approval from the Art advisor, BXA students can take an additional intermediate studio in lieu of an advanced studio to increase breadth.
Complete three courses:
60-401/402 | Senior Studio | 10 |
60-403 | Senior Critique Seminar | 10 |
Advanced Electronic and Time-Based Work (ETB) (course numbers 60-410 through 60-429) * | 10 | |
Advanced Sculpture, Installation and Site-Work (SIS) (course numbers 60-430 through 60-447) * | 10 | |
Advanced Contextual Practice (CP) (course numbers 60-448 through 60-449) * | 10 | |
Advanced Drawing, Painting, Print Media and Photography (DP3) (course numbers 60-450 through 60-498) * | 10 | |
60-499 | Studio Independent Study (one only) | 10 |
* Courses offered intermittently; speak with a BXA advisor to determine course availability.
Critical Studies (2 courses, 18 units)
60-107 | Foundations: Critical Studies -Spring | 9 |
60-3xx | Critical Studies Elective | 9 |
Review Requirement (1 required review, 0 units)
Complete required review:
60-200 | Sophomore Review -Spring (pass/no pass) | 0 |
Design Concentration
(108 units minimum)
Note: BXA design only considers internal transfer applicants currently enrolled in Design.
Design Required Courses (16 courses, 98 units)
51-101 | Studio: Survey of Design -Fall, First-year | 10 |
51-121 | Visualizing -Fall, First-year | 10 |
51-175 | Design Studies: Place -Fall, First-year (mini-1) | 5 |
51-177 | Design Studies: Histories -Fall, First-year (mini-2) | 5 |
51-102 | Design Lab -Spring, First-year | 10 |
51-122 | Collaborative Visualizing -Spring, First-year | 10 |
51-176 | Design Studies: Futures -Spring, First-year (mini-3) | 5 |
51-178 | Design Studies: Experience -Spring, First-year (mini-4) | 5 |
51-277 | Design Studies: Systems -Fall, Sophomore year (mini-1) | 5 |
51-279 | Design Studies: Cultures -Fall, Sophomore year (mini-2) | 5 |
51-282 | Design Studies: Persuasion -Spring, Sophomore year (mini-3) | 5 |
51-284 | Design Studies: Power -Spring, Sophomore year (mini-4) | 5 |
Choose Two Studios -Fall, Sophomore year: | 4.5+4.5 | |
51-225 | Communications Studio I: Understanding Form & Context | 4.5 |
or 51-245 | Products Studio I: Understanding Form & Context | |
or 51-265 | Environments Studio I: Understanding Form & Context | |
Choose Two Corresponding Labs -Fall, Sophomore year: | 4.5+4.5 | |
51-227 | Prototyping Lab I: Communications | 4.5 |
or 51-247 | Prototyping Lab I: Products | |
or 51-267 | Prototyping Lab I: Environments |
Design Electives (10 units)
A minimum of 10 additional Design units must be approved by the Design advisor. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Drama Concentration
(130 units minimum)
Options available in the following areas: 1) Design, 2) Dramaturgy, 3) Production Technology and Management
Note: BXA design only considers internal transfer applicants currently enrolled in Drama design. BXA dramaturgy only considers internal transfer applicants in the fall semester for spring enrollment, unless currently enrolled in Drama dramaturgy. BXA PTM only considers internal transfer applicants currently enrolled in Drama PTM.
Design/PTM Required Courses (10 courses, 75 units)
54-169 | Studiocraft 1 -Fall, First-year | 13 |
54-151 | Stagecraft -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-159 | Production Practicum -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-171 | Basic Design 1 -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-170 | Studiocraft 2 -Spring, First-year | 8 |
54-152 | Stagecraft -Spring, First-year | 12 |
54-158 | Production Planning -Spring, First-year | 6 |
54-177 | Foundations of Drama I -Spring, First-year or later if needed | 6 |
54-281 | Foundations of Drama II | 6 |
54-381 | Special Topics: Feminist Theatre | 6 |
Design/PTM Required Courses (55 units minimum)
A minimum of 55 additional Design/PTM units taken in the sophomore year or later must be approved by the Design/PTM faculty area chair. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Dramaturgy Required Courses (13 courses, 80 units)
54-177 | Foundations of Drama I -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-109 | Dramaturgy 1: Approaches to Text -Fall, First-year | 9 |
54-284 | Fundamentals of Directing -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-200 | Dramaturgy Forum -Fall, First-year | 1 |
54-159 | Production Practicum -Fall or Spring, First-year | 6 |
54-281 | Foundations of Drama II -Spring, First-year | 6 |
54-184 | Dramaturgy 2: Introduction to Production Dramaturgy -Spring, First-year | 9 |
54-200 | Dramaturgy Forum -Spring, First-year | 1 |
54-117 | Design Collaboration Project -Spring, First-year | 3 |
54-241 | Dramaturgy 3: Dramaturgy in Translation -Fall, Sophomore year | 9 |
54-256 | Dramaturgy 4: New Play Dramaturgy -Spring, Sophomore year | 9 |
54-363 | Dramaturgy 5 -Fall, Junior year | 9 |
54-381 | Special Topics: Feminist Theatre | 6 |
Dramaturgy Electives (50 units minimum)
A minimum of 50 additional Dramaturgy units taken in the sophomore year or later must be approved by the Dramaturgy faculty area chair. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Music Concentration
(108 units minimum)
Options available in the following areas: 1) Audio Recording & Production, 2) Composition, 2) Music Performance (instrumental, organ, piano, voice), 4) Sound Theory & Practice
Note: BXA music performance only considers internal transfer applicants in the spring semester for fall enrollment, unless currently enrolled in Music performance.
Audio Recording & Production Required Courses (8 courses, 49 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-101 | Introduction to Music Technology | 6 |
or 57-171 | Introduction to Music Technology (self-paced) | |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
57-337 | Sound Recording | 6 |
57-338 | Sound Editing and Mastering | 6 |
57-438 | Multitrack Recording | 9 |
Audio Recording & Production Electives (59 units minimum)
Choose 59 units from:
57-153 | Harmony II | 9 |
or 57-150 | Basic Harmony II | |
57-182 | Solfege II | 3 |
or 57-186 | Advanced Solfege II | |
10-301 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 12 |
15-104 | Introduction to Computing for Creative Practice | 10 |
15-213 | Introduction to Computer Systems | 12 |
15-322 | Introduction to Computer Music | 9 |
18-090 | Twisted Signals: Multimedia Processing for the Arts | 10 |
33-114 | Physics of Musical Sound | 9 |
54-166 | Introduction to Sound Design for Theatre | 6 |
54-666 | Production Audio (section B) | 4 |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I | 3 |
57-162 | Eurhythmics II | 3 |
57-344 | Experimental Sound Synthesis | 9 |
57-347 | Electronic and Computer Music | 6 |
57-358 | Introduction to Electronic Music (with instructor permission as space allows) | 9 |
57-421 | Exploded Ensemble | 6 |
57-427 | Advanced Seminar in Film Musicology | 9 |
57-478 | Survey of Historical Recording | 6 |
57-622 | Independent Study in Sound Recording Production | 3 |
60-131 | Foundations: Sculpture | 10 |
85-385 | Auditory Perception: Sense of Sound | 9 |
Note: Students completing an IDeATe minor may double-count up to two of the IDeATe minor courses towards the Audio Recording & Production concentration.
Composition Required Courses (13 courses, 85 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I (recommended co-requisite: 57-181) | 3 |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
57-49x | BXA Studio (4 semesters) | 36 |
57-xxx | Major Ensemble (4 semesters) | 24 |
Composition Electives (23 units minimum)
A minimum of 23 additional Music units must be approved by the Music advisor. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Music Performance Required Courses (13 courses, 85 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I (recommended co-requisite: 57-181) | 3 |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
57-49x | BXA Studio (4 semesters) | 36 |
57-xxx | Major Ensemble (4 semesters) | 24 |
Music Performance Electives (23 units minimum)
A minimum of 23 additional Music units must be approved by the Music advisor. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Sound Theory & Practice Required Courses (8 courses, 53 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-101 | Introduction to Music Technology | 6 |
or 57-171 | Introduction to Music Technology (self-paced) | |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
18-090 | Twisted Signals: Multimedia Processing for the Arts | 10 |
57-421 | Exploded Ensemble | 6 |
57-911 | Music Since 1945 | 9 |
Sound Theory & Practice Electives (55 units minimum)
Choose 55 units from:
57-153 | Harmony II | 9 |
or 57-150 | Basic Harmony II | |
57-182 | Solfege II | 3 |
or 57-186 | Advanced Solfege II | |
15-104 | Introduction to Computing for Creative Practice | 10 |
15-322 | Introduction to Computer Music (prerequisite: 15-112) | 9 |
33-114 | Physics of Musical Sound | 9 |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I | 3 |
57-162 | Eurhythmics II | 3 |
57-337 | Sound Recording | 6 |
57-338 | Sound Editing and Mastering | 6 |
57-343 | Music, Technology, and Culture | 9 |
57-344 | Experimental Sound Synthesis | 9 |
57-347 | Electronic and Computer Music (prerequisite: 57-101 or 57-171) | 6 |
57-358 | Introduction to Electronic Music (with instructor permission as space allows) | 9 |
57-438 | Multitrack Recording | 9 |
57-478 | Survey of Historical Recording | 6 |
57-616 | Independent Study in Sound Studies | 9 |
Note: Students completing an IDeATe minor may double-count up to two of the IDeATe minor courses towards the Sound Theory & Practice concentration.
Free Electives
(approximately 2-4 courses, 11-33 units minimum)
Take any Carnegie Mellon course. A maximum of 9 units of physical education and/or military science may be counted toward this requirement.
Bachelor of Engineering Studies and Arts Degree Program
The Bachelor of Engineering Studies and Arts (BESA) intercollege degree program combines the strengths of the College of Fine Arts (CFA) and the College of Engineering (ENG). This degree is tailored for students seeking to apply knowledge from duel fields to advance maker culture in novel and creative ways. Students choose their arts concentration from the following schools in CFA: Architecture, Art, Design, Drama or Music. Students choose their engineering studies concentration established by the College of Engineering. Options within the concentration include: biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil & environmental engineering, electrical & computer engineering, materials science & engineering or mechanical engineering.
The BESA curriculum has three main components: general education requirements, fine arts concentration requirements and engineering studies concentration requirements. Each student's course of study is structured so they can complete this rigorous program in four years.
Students receive extensive advising support. The academic advisors in the BXA Intercollege Degree Programs are the primary advisors and liaisons between CFA and ENG. Each student has two additional academic advisors: an advisor in the admitting school of CFA to guide their focus in the arts and an advisor in ENG to guide their focus in engineering studies.
BESA Curriculum
Units | |
I. BESA General Education | 92 |
II. ENG Concentration | 93-120 |
III. CFA Concentration | 108-130 |
IV. Free Electives | 38-87 |
Total BESA Degree Requirements | 380 |
BESA GENERAL EDUCATION
(11 courses, 92 units minimum)
-
Writing (1 course, 9 units, 76-101 required)
-
Mathematics (2 courses, 20 units, 21-120 and 21-122 required)
-
Science and Technology (2 courses, 24 units, 15-112 and 33-141 required)
-
University Requirement (1 course, 3 units, 99-101 required)
-
BXA Required Courses (5 courses, 36 units, 52-190, 52-291, 52-392, 52-401, 52-402)
Writing (1 course, 9 units)
76-101 | Interpretation and Argument -First-year | 9 |
or 76-102 | Advanced First Year Writing: Special Topics | |
or 76-106 & 76-107 & 76-108 | Writing about Literature, Art and Culture and Writing about Data and Writing about Public Problems | |
All undergraduate students must complete the First-Year Writing requirement—the Department of English does not accept any Advanced Placement exemptions. This requirement can be completed in two different ways. Enroll in one of two full-semester courses 101 or 102 (by invitation only), 9 units, or enroll in two of three half-semester mini courses (back-to-back within a single semester) 106/107/108, 4.5 + 4.5 units. Course options and topics: www.cmu.edu/hss/english/first_year/index.html |
Mathematics (2 courses, 20 units)
21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus | 10 |
21-122 | Integration and Approximation | 10 |
Science and Technology (2 courses, 24 units)
15-112 | Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science (15-110 or 15-112 for MechE concentration option only) | 12 |
33-141 | Physics I for Engineering Students | 12 |
University Requirement (1 course, 3 units)
This foundational pass/no pass course is to be completed online in the first semester to develop core competency skills.
99-101 | Core@CMU -Fall, First-year (section B; pass/no pass) | 3 |
BXA Required Courses (5 courses, 36 units)
BXA-specific courses give students the opportunity to integrate their areas of concentration by focusing on interdisciplinary approaches and arts-based research techniques.
52-190 | BXA Seminar I: Building the Wunderkammer -Spring, First-year (mini-3) | 4.5 |
52-291 | BXA Seminar II: Transferring Knowledge -Spring, Sophomore year (mini-4) | 4.5 |
52-392 | BXA Seminar III: Deconstructing Disciplines -Spring, Junior year | 9 |
52-401 | BXA Seminar IV: Capstone Project Research -Fall, Senior year | 9 |
52-402 | BXA Seminar V: Capstone Project Production -Spring, Senior year | 9 |
College of Engineering Concentration
(number of courses vary, 93-120 units)
BESA students declare one of the following concentrations, through consultation with their BXA advisor and the ENG concentration advisors. A completed ENG Concentration Declaration form must be approved by the concentration advisor and submitted to the BXA office, by spring mid-semester break of the student's first year.
- Biomedical Engineering (93 units)
- Chemical Engineering (102 units)
- Civil Engineering (99 units)
- Electrical & Computer Engineering (120 units)
- Environmental Engineering (95 units)
- Materials Science & Engineering (99 units)
- Mechanical Engineering (105 units)
BESA students who are admitted as freshmen are undeclared until they have met with a concentration advisor and have submitted their signed Declaration form. BESA students who are admitted through internal transfer must have chosen an ENG concentration at the time of their application (which serves as declaration). All BESA students wishing to change their ENG concentration at any time following the initial declaration must meet with the advisor of their intended concentration area to complete a new Declaration form.
Biomedical Engineering Concentration
(93 units minimum)
Mathematics & Science Prerequisites
21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus -(Gen Ed) | 10 |
21-122 | Integration and Approximation -(Gen Ed) | 10 |
21-254 | Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus for Engineers | 11 |
21-260 | Differential Equations | 9 |
15-110 | Principles of Computing | 10 |
33-141 | Physics I for Engineering Students -(Gen Ed) | 12 |
33-142 | Physics II for Engineering and Physics Students | 12 |
03-121 | Modern Biology | 9 |
Biomedical Engineering Courses (7 courses, 66 units)
42-101 | Introduction to Biomedical Engineering -First-year | 12 |
xx-xxx | 2nd Introduction to Engineering course, student’s choice | 12 |
42-202 | Physiology -Sophomore year; prereq: 03-121/03-151 | 9 |
42-203 | Biomedical Engineering Laboratory -Sophomore year; prereq: 42-101, 03-121/03-151 | 9 |
42-302 | Biomedical Engineering Systems Modeling and Analysis -Junior year; prereq: 06-262/18-202/21-260 | 9 |
42-401 | Foundation of BME Design -Fall, Senior year; prereq: 42-101 | 6 |
42-402 | BME Design Project -Spring, Senior year | 9 |
Electives (3 courses, 27 units minimum)
Choose 3 elective courses in BME tracks and/or ENG with prerequisites in consultation with the concentration advisor.
Chemical Engineering
(102 units minimum)
Mathematics & Science Prerequisites
21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus -(Gen Ed) | 10 |
21-122 | Integration and Approximation -(Gen Ed) | 10 |
21-254 | Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus for Engineers -Fall, Sophomore year | 11 |
15-110 | Principles of Computing | 10 |
33-141 | Physics I for Engineering Students -(Gen Ed) | 12 |
33-142 | Physics II for Engineering and Physics Students | 12 |
09-105 | Introduction to Modern Chemistry I | 10 |
09-106 | Modern Chemistry II | 10 |
Chemical Engineering Courses (7 courses, 75 units)
06-100 | Introduction to Chemical Engineering -First-year; co-req: 09-105, 21-120 | 12 |
xx-xxx | 2nd Introduction to Engineering course, student’s choice | 12 |
06-223 | Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics -Fall, Sophomore year; prereq: 06-100, 33-121/33-141/ 33-151 | 12 |
06-261 | Fluid Mechanics -Spring, Sophomore year; prereq: 06-223, 21-254 | 9 |
06-262 | Mathematical Methods of Chemical Engineering -Spring, Sophomore year; prereq: 06-223, 21-254 | 12 |
06-323 | Heat and Mass Transfer -Fall, Junior year; prereq: 06-261, 06-262/21-260, 33-122/33-142/33-152 | 9 |
06-361 | Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering -Spring, Junior year; prereq: 06-323 | 9 |
Electives (3 courses, 27 units minimum)
Choose 27 units from the following ChemE and/or ENG courses with prerequisites in consultation with the concentration advisor:
06-310 | Molecular Foundations of Chemical Engineering -Fall, Junior year; prereq: 06-223, 09-106 | 9 |
06-325 | Numerical Methods and Machine Learning for Chemical Engineering -Fall, Junior year; prereq: 06-262, 15-110/15-112 | 6 |
06-326 | Optimization Modeling and Algorithms -Fall, Junior year; prereq: 06-262 | 6 |
06-363 | Transport Process Laboratory -Spring, Junior year; prereq: 06-261, 06-323 | 9 |
06-364 | Chemical Reaction Engineering -Spring, Junior year; prereq: 06-310, 06-323 | 9 |
06-607 | Physical Chemistry of Colloids and Surfaces -Senior year | 9 |
06-609 | Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules -Fall, Senior year | 9 |
27-xxx | Materials Science course | 9 |
Note: With advisor approval, electives can instead be other ChemE/ENG courses as long as they are taken in proper order to follow the required prerequisites, not allowing 06-421.
Civil Engineering
(99 units minimum)
Mathematics & Science Prerequisites
21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus -(Gen Ed) | 10 |
21-122 | Integration and Approximation -(Gen Ed) | 10 |
21-254 | Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus for Engineers | 11 |
21-260 | Differential Equations | 9 |
15-110 | Principles of Computing | 10 |
33-141 | Physics I for Engineering Students -(Gen Ed) | 12 |
33-142 | Physics II for Engineering and Physics Students | 12 |
09-105 | Introduction to Modern Chemistry I | 10 |
or 09-111 | Nanolegos: Chemical Building Blocks |
Civil Engineering Courses (9 courses, 72 units)
12-100 | Exploring CEE: Infrastructure and Environment in a Changing World -First-year; co-req: 21-120, 33-141 | 12 |
xx-xxx | 2nd Introduction to Engineering course, student’s choice | 12 |
12-200 | CEE Challenges: Design in a Changing World -Fall, Sophomore year; prereq: 12-100 | 9 |
12-212 | Statics -Fall, Sophomore year; co-req: 12-100, 21-122, 33-141 | 9 |
12-233 | CEE Infrastructure Systems in Action -Fall, Sophomore year; prereq: 12-100 | 2 |
12-231 | Solid Mechanics -Spring, Sophomore year; prereq: 12-212 | 9 |
12-234 | Sensing and Data Acquisition for Engineering Systems -Spring, Sophomore year | 4 |
12-271 | Computation and Data Science for Civil & Environmental Engineering -Spring, Sophomore year; prereq: 15-110/15-112, 21-120, 21-122, 33-141 | 9 |
27-357 | Introduction to Materials Selection -Spring, Junior year | 6 |
Electives (3 courses, 27 units minimum)
Choose 27 units from the following CivE courses with prerequisites in consultation with the concentration advisor:
12-201 | Geology -Sophomore year | 9 |
12-301 | CEE Projects: Integrating the Built, Natural and Information Environments -Fall, Junior year; prereq: 12-200, 12-271 | 9 |
12-335 | Soil Mechanics -Fall, Junior year; prereq: 12-231, 33-142; co-req: 12-355 | 9 |
12-355 | Fluid Mechanics -Fall, Junior year; prereq: 21-260 | 9 |
12-356 | Fluid Mechanics Lab -Fall, Junior year; co-req: 12-355 | 2 |
12-351 | Environmental Engineering -Spring, Junior year; prereq: 09-105/09-111; co-req: 21-260 | 9 |
12-635 | Structural Analysis -Fall, Senior year; prereq: 12-231 | 12 |
12-631 | Structural Design -Spring, Senior year: prereq: 12-231; co-req: 27-357, 12-358 | 12 |
Electrical & Computer Engineering
(120 units minimum)
Mathematics & Science Prerequisites
21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus -(Gen Ed) | 10 |
21-122 | Integration and Approximation -(Gen Ed) | 10 |
21-127 | Concepts of Mathematics | 12 |
15-112 | Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science | 12 |
15-122 | Principles of Imperative Computation | 12 |
33-141 | Physics I for Engineering Students -(Gen Ed) | 12 |
33-142 | Physics II for Engineering and Physics Students | 12 |
Electrical & Computer Engineering Courses (7 courses, 84 units)
18-100 | Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering -First-year; co-req: 21-120 | 12 |
xx-xxx | 2nd Introduction to Engineering course, student’s choice | 12 |
18-202 | Mathematical Foundations of Electrical Engineering -Sophomore year; prereq: 21-122 * | 12 |
18-213 | Introduction to Computer Systems -Sophomore year; prereq: 15-122 | 12 |
18-220 | Electronic Devices and Analog Circuits -Sophomore year; prereq: 18-100; co-req: 33-142 | 12 |
18-240 | Structure and Design of Digital Systems -Sophomore year; prereq: 18-100 | 12 |
18-290 | Signals and Systems -Sophomore year; prereq: 18-100 | 12 |
* This course can also be substituted by a combination of two of the following courses: 21-254, 21-259, 21-260, 21-241, 21-242, 21-268.
Electives (3 courses, 36 units minimum)
Choose 3 elective courses 18-3xx and above. At least 2 courses should be Area Courses from 1 of the 5 Areas within ECE and 1 course may be an additional Area Course from a second Area, a Coverage Course or ENG with prerequisites in consultation with the concentration advisor.
Environmental Engineering
(95 units minimum)
Mathematics & Science Prerequisites
21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus -(Gen Ed) | 10 |
21-122 | Integration and Approximation -(Gen Ed) | 10 |
21-254 | Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus for Engineers | 11 |
21-260 | Differential Equations | 9 |
15-110 | Principles of Computing | 10 |
33-141 | Physics I for Engineering Students -(Gen Ed) | 12 |
33-142 | Physics II for Engineering and Physics Students | 12 |
09-105 | Introduction to Modern Chemistry I | 10 |
or 09-111 | Nanolegos: Chemical Building Blocks |
Environmental Engineering Courses (10 courses, 77 units)
12-100 | Exploring CEE: Infrastructure and Environment in a Changing World -First-year; co-req: 21-120, 33-141 | 12 |
xx-xxx | 2nd Introduction to Engineering course, student’s choice | 12 |
12-200 | CEE Challenges: Design in a Changing World -Fall, Sophomore year; prereq: 12-100 | 9 |
12-221 | Environmental Chemistry and Thermodynamics -Fall, Sophomore year; prereq: 09-105/09-111 | 9 |
12-222 | Environmental Chemistry Laboratory -Fall, Sophomore year; co-req: 09-101, 12-221 | 3 |
12-271 | Computation and Data Science for Civil & Environmental Engineering -Spring, Sophomore year; prereq: 15-110/15-112, 21-120, 21-122, 33-141 | 9 |
12-351 | Environmental Engineering -Spring, Junior year; prereq: 09-105/09-111; co-req: 21-260 | 9 |
12-352 | Environmental Engineering Lab -Spring, Junior year; co-req: 12-351 | 3 |
12-355 | Fluid Mechanics -Fall, Junior year; prereq: 21-260 | 9 |
12-356 | Fluid Mechanics Lab -Fall, Junior year; co-req: 12-355 | 2 |
Electives (2 courses, 18 units minimum)
Choose 18 units from the following EE courses with prerequisites in consultation with the concentration advisor:
12-201 | Geology -Sophomore year | 9 |
12-301 | CEE Projects: Integrating the Built, Natural and Information Environments -Fall, Junior year; prereq: 12-200 and 12-271 | 9 |
12-353 | Environmental Biology and Ecology -Spring, Junior year | 9 |
12-612 | Intro to Sustainable Engineering -Fall, Senior year | 9 |
12-657 | Water Resource Systems Engineering -Fall, Senior year; prereq: 12-355; co-req: 12-351 | 9 |
03-121 | Modern Biology | 9 |
Materials Science & Engineering
(99 units minimum)
Mathematics & Science Prerequisites
21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus -(Gen Ed) | 10 |
21-122 | Integration and Approximation -(Gen Ed) | 10 |
21-254 | Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus for Engineers | 11 |
21-260 | Differential Equations | 9 |
15-110 | Principles of Computing | 10 |
33-141 | Physics I for Engineering Students -(Gen Ed) | 12 |
33-142 | Physics II for Engineering and Physics Students | 12 |
09-105 | Introduction to Modern Chemistry I | 10 |
Materials Science & Engineering Courses (8 courses, 72 units)
27-100 | Engineering the Materials of the Future -First-year; co-req: 21-120, 33-141 | 12 |
xx-xxx | 2nd Introduction to Engineering course, student’s choice | 12 |
27-211 | Structure of Materials (Minor Option) -Fall, Sophomore year * | 6 |
27-212 | Defects in Materials (Minor Option) -Spring, Sophomore year * | 6 |
27-215 | Thermodynamics of Materials -Fall, Sophomore year; co-req: 27-100, 21-259 | 12 |
27-216 | Transport in Materials -Spring, Sophomore year; prereq: 27-215 | 9 |
27-227 | Phase Relations and Diagrams (Minor Option) -Spring, Sophomore year * | 9 |
27-357 | Introduction to Materials Selection -Spring, Sophomore year | 6 |
* In consultation with the concentrations advisor, students may choose to complete the version of the course with lab component.
Electives (3 courses, 27 units minimum)
Choose 3 elective courses in MSE and/or ENG with prerequisites in consultation with the concentration advisor.
Mechanical Engineering
(105 units minimum)
Mathematics & Science Prerequisites
21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus -First-year (Gen Ed) | 10 |
21-122 | Integration and Approximation -First-year (Gen Ed) | 10 |
21-254 | Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus for Engineers | 11 |
21-260 | Differential Equations | 9 |
15-110 | Principles of Computing -(Gen Ed) | 10 |
33-141 | Physics I for Engineering Students -First-year (Gen Ed) | 12 |
33-142 | Physics II for Engineering and Physics Students -First-year | 12 |
Note: The BESA Gen Ed Science and Technology requirement can be filled with either 15-110 or 15-112. Students may start taking MechE Courses upon completion of Calculus I, Calculus II and Physics I.
Mechanical Engineering Courses (7 courses, 60 units)
24-101 | Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering -First-year; co-req: 21-120, 33-141 | 12 |
xx-xxx | 2nd Introduction to Engineering course, student’s choice | 12 |
24-200 | Maker Series: Intro to Manual Machining -Sophomore year | 1 |
24-251 | Electronics for Sensing and Actuation -Sophomore year | 3 |
24-261 | Mechanics I: 2D Design -Fall, Sophomore year; prereq: 21-122, 33-151/33-141/ 33-121/33-106 | 10 |
24-262 | Mechanics II: 3D Design -Spring, Sophomore year; prereq: 33-106/33-141/33-151, 24-261 | 10 |
24-370 | Mechanical Design: Methods and Application -Fall, Junior year; prereq: 24-200, 24-202, 24-262 | 12 |
Electives (45 units minimum)
Choose 5 elective courses. Each course should be a minimum of 9 units. At least 3 courses should be from the following MechE courses and 2 of the courses may be ENG with prerequisites in consultation with the concentration advisor.
24-221 | Thermodynamics -Fall; prereq: 21-122, 24-101, 33-106/33-121/33-141/33-151 | 10 |
24-231 | Fluid Mechanics -Spring; prereq: 21-122, 33-106/33-141/33-151 | 10 |
24-291 | Environmental Systems on a Changing Planet -Fall | 9 |
or 24-381 | Environmental Systems on a Changing Planet | |
24-292 | Renewable Energy Engineering -Spring; prereq: 33-106/33-141 | 9 |
24-300 | or above |
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS CONCENTRATION
(number of courses vary, 108-130 units minimum)
BESA students choose one of the following concentrations:
- Architecture (108 units)
- Art (114 units)
- Design (108 units)
- Drama (130 units)
- Music (108 units)
Architecture Concentration
(108 units minimum)
Architecture Required Courses (9 courses, 57 units minimum)
48-100 | Architecture Design Studio: POIESIS STUDIO 1 -Fall, Freshman or Sophomore year | 10-15 |
or 48-095 | Spatial Concepts for Non-Architecture Majors | |
48-104 | Shop Skills -Fall, Freshman year | 2 |
62-104 | Design Ethics & Social Justice in Architecture -Fall, Freshman or Sophomore year | 3 |
62-122 | Digital Media I -Fall, Freshman year | 6 |
62-125 | Drawing I -Fall, Freshman year | 6 |
62-123 | Digital Media II -Spring, Freshman year | 6 |
62-126 | Drawing II -Spring, Freshman year | 6 |
48-240 | History of World Architecture, I -Spring, Freshman year | 9 |
48-241 | History of Modern Architecture -Fall, Sophomore year | 9 |
Architecture Electives (51 units minimum)
A minimum of 51 additional Architecture units must be approved by the Architecture advisor. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office. 48-025 First Year Seminar: Architecture Edition I (3 units) is recommended in fall of the first year.
Art Concentration
(114 units minimum)
First-Year Seminar (1 course, 6 units)
60-104 | Foundations: Art First-Year Seminar | 6 |
Foundation Studios (3 courses, 30 units)
Complete three courses:
60-110 | Foundations: Time-Based Media | 10 |
60-120 | Foundations: Digital Media | 10 |
60-131 | Foundations: Sculpture | 10 |
60-135 | Foundations: Sculpture II | 10 |
60-150 | Foundations: Drawing | 10 |
60-170 | Foundations: Paint/Print | 10 |
Intermediate Studios (3 courses, 30 units)
Complete three courses:
60-2xx | Intermediate Studio Elective | 10 |
60-2xx | Intermediate Studio Elective | 10 |
60-2xx | Intermediate Studio Elective | 10 |
Advanced Studios (3 courses, 30 units)
Students may take courses in any media area (ETB, SIS, CP or DP3). They may take all courses in one media area if a focus is desired. With approval from the Art advisor, BXA students can take an additional intermediate studio in lieu of an advanced studio to increase breadth.
Complete three courses:
60-401/402 | Senior Studio | 10 |
60-403 | Senior Critique Seminar | 10 |
Advanced Electronic and Time-Based Work (ETB) (course numbers 60-410 through 60-429) * | 10 | |
Advanced Sculpture, Installation and Site-Work (SIS) (course numbers 60-430 through 60-447) * | 10 | |
Advanced Contextual Practice (CP) (course numbers 60-448 through 60-449) * | 10 | |
Advanced Drawing, Painting, Print Media and Photography (DP3) (course numbers 60-450 through 60-498) * | 10 | |
60-499 | Studio Independent Study (one only) | 10 |
* Courses offered intermittently; speak with a BXA advisor to determine course availability.
Critical Studies (2 courses, 18 units)
60-107 | Foundations: Critical Studies -Spring | 9 |
60-3xx | Critical Studies Elective | 9 |
Review Requirement (1 required review, 0 units)
Complete required review:
60-200 | Sophomore Review -Spring (pass/no pass) | 0 |
Design Concentration
(108 units minimum)
Note: BXA design only considers internal transfer applicants currently enrolled in Design.
Design Required Courses (16 courses, 98 units)
51-101 | Studio: Survey of Design -Fall, First-year | 10 |
51-121 | Visualizing -Fall, First-year | 10 |
51-175 | Design Studies: Place -Fall, First-year (mini-1) | 5 |
51-177 | Design Studies: Histories -Fall, First-year (mini-2) | 5 |
51-102 | Design Lab -Spring, First-year | 10 |
51-122 | Collaborative Visualizing -Spring, First-year | 10 |
51-176 | Design Studies: Futures -Spring, First-year (mini-3) | 5 |
51-178 | Design Studies: Experience -Spring, First-year (mini-4) | 5 |
51-277 | Design Studies: Systems -Fall, Sophomore year (mini-1) | 5 |
51-279 | Design Studies: Cultures -Fall, Sophomore year (mini-2) | 5 |
51-282 | Design Studies: Persuasion -Spring, Sophomore year (mini-3) | 5 |
51-284 | Design Studies: Power -Spring, Sophomore year (mini-4) | 5 |
Choose Two Studios -Fall, Sophomore year: | 4.5+4.5 | |
51-225 | Communications Studio I: Understanding Form & Context | 4.5 |
or 51-245 | Products Studio I: Understanding Form & Context | |
or 51-265 | Environments Studio I: Understanding Form & Context | |
Choose Two Corresponding Labs -Fall, Sophomore year: | 4.5+4.5 | |
51-227 | Prototyping Lab I: Communications | 4.5 |
or 51-247 | Prototyping Lab I: Products | |
or 51-267 | Prototyping Lab I: Environments |
Design Electives (10 units)
A minimum of 10 additional Design units must be approved by the Design advisor. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Drama Concentration
(130 units minimum)
Options available in the following areas: 1) Design, 2) Dramaturgy, 3) Production Technology and Management
Note: BXA design only considers internal transfer applicants currently enrolled in Drama design. BXA dramaturgy only considers internal transfer applicants in the fall semester for spring enrollment, unless currently enrolled in Drama dramaturgy. BXA PTM only considers internal transfer applicants currently enrolled in Drama PTM.
Design/PTM Required Courses (10 courses, 75 units)
54-169 | Studiocraft 1 -Fall, First-year | 13 |
54-151 | Stagecraft -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-159 | Production Practicum -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-171 | Basic Design 1 -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-170 | Studiocraft 2 -Spring, First-year | 8 |
54-152 | Stagecraft -Spring, First-year | 12 |
54-158 | Production Planning -Spring, First-year | 6 |
54-177 | Foundations of Drama I -Spring, First-year or later if needed | 6 |
54-281 | Foundations of Drama II | 6 |
54-381 | Special Topics: Feminist Theatre | 6 |
Design/PTM Required Courses (55 units minimum)
A minimum of 55 additional Design/PTM units taken in the sophomore year or later must be approved by the Design/PTM faculty area chair. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Dramaturgy Required Courses (13 courses, 80 units)
54-177 | Foundations of Drama I -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-109 | Dramaturgy 1: Approaches to Text -Fall, First-year | 9 |
54-284 | Fundamentals of Directing -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-200 | Dramaturgy Forum -Fall, First-year | 1 |
54-159 | Production Practicum -Fall or Spring, First-year | 6 |
54-281 | Foundations of Drama II -Spring, First-year | 6 |
54-184 | Dramaturgy 2: Introduction to Production Dramaturgy -Spring, First-year | 9 |
54-200 | Dramaturgy Forum -Spring, First-year | 1 |
54-117 | Design Collaboration Project -Spring, First-year | 3 |
54-241 | Dramaturgy 3: Dramaturgy in Translation -Fall, Sophomore year | 9 |
54-256 | Dramaturgy 4: New Play Dramaturgy -Spring, Sophomore year | 9 |
54-363 | Dramaturgy 5 -Fall, Junior year | 9 |
54-381 | Special Topics: Feminist Theatre | 6 |
Dramaturgy Electives (50 units minimum)
A minimum of 50 additional Dramaturgy units taken in the sophomore year or later must be approved by the Dramaturgy faculty area chair. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Music Concentration
(108 units minimum)
Options available in the following areas: 1) Audio Recording & Production, 2) Composition, 2) Music Performance (instrumental, organ, piano, voice), 4) Sound Theory & Practice
Note: BXA music performance only considers internal transfer applicants in the spring semester for fall enrollment, unless currently enrolled in Music performance.
Audio Recording & Production Required Courses (8 courses, 49 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-101 | Introduction to Music Technology | 6 |
or 57-171 | Introduction to Music Technology (self-paced) | |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
57-337 | Sound Recording | 6 |
57-338 | Sound Editing and Mastering | 6 |
57-438 | Multitrack Recording | 9 |
Audio Recording & Production Electives (59 units minimum)
Choose 59 units from:
57-153 | Harmony II | 9 |
or 57-150 | Basic Harmony II | |
57-182 | Solfege II | 3 |
or 57-186 | Advanced Solfege II | |
10-301 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 12 |
15-104 | Introduction to Computing for Creative Practice | 10 |
15-213 | Introduction to Computer Systems | 12 |
15-322 | Introduction to Computer Music | 9 |
18-090 | Twisted Signals: Multimedia Processing for the Arts | 10 |
33-114 | Physics of Musical Sound | 9 |
54-166 | Introduction to Sound Design for Theatre | 6 |
54-666 | Production Audio (section B) | 4 |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I | 3 |
57-162 | Eurhythmics II | 3 |
57-344 | Experimental Sound Synthesis | 9 |
57-347 | Electronic and Computer Music | 6 |
57-358 | Introduction to Electronic Music (with instructor permission as space allows) | 9 |
57-421 | Exploded Ensemble | 6 |
57-427 | Advanced Seminar in Film Musicology | 9 |
57-478 | Survey of Historical Recording | 6 |
57-622 | Independent Study in Sound Recording Production | 3 |
60-131 | Foundations: Sculpture | 10 |
85-385 | Auditory Perception: Sense of Sound | 9 |
Note: Students completing an IDeATe minor may double-count up to two of the IDeATe minor courses towards the Audio Recording & Production concentration.
Composition Required Courses (13 courses, 85 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I (recommended co-requisite: 57-181) | 3 |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
57-49x | BXA Studio (4 semesters) | 36 |
57-xxx | Major Ensemble (4 semesters) | 24 |
Composition Electives (23 units minimum)
A minimum of 23 additional Music units must be approved by the Music advisor. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Music Performance Required Courses (13 courses, 85 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I (recommended co-requisite: 57-181) | 3 |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
57-49x | BXA Studio (4 semesters) | 36 |
57-xxx | Major Ensemble (4 semesters) | 24 |
Music Performance Electives (23 units minimum)
A minimum of 23 additional Music units must be approved by the Music advisor. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Sound Theory & Practice Required Courses (8 courses, 53 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-101 | Introduction to Music Technology | 6 |
or 57-171 | Introduction to Music Technology (self-paced) | |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
18-090 | Twisted Signals: Multimedia Processing for the Arts | 10 |
57-421 | Exploded Ensemble | 6 |
57-911 | Music Since 1945 | 9 |
Sound Theory & Practice Electives (55 units minimum)
Choose 55 units from:
57-153 | Harmony II | 9 |
or 57-150 | Basic Harmony II | |
57-182 | Solfege II | 3 |
or 57-186 | Advanced Solfege II | |
15-104 | Introduction to Computing for Creative Practice | 10 |
15-322 | Introduction to Computer Music (prerequisite: 15-112) | 9 |
33-114 | Physics of Musical Sound | 9 |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I | 3 |
57-162 | Eurhythmics II | 3 |
57-337 | Sound Recording | 6 |
57-338 | Sound Editing and Mastering | 6 |
57-343 | Music, Technology, and Culture | 9 |
57-344 | Experimental Sound Synthesis | 9 |
57-347 | Electronic and Computer Music (prerequisite: 57-101 or 57-171) | 6 |
57-358 | Introduction to Electronic Music (with instructor permission as space allows) | 9 |
57-438 | Multitrack Recording | 9 |
57-478 | Survey of Historical Recording | 6 |
57-616 | Independent Study in Sound Studies | 9 |
Note: Students completing an IDeATe minor may double-count up to two of the IDeATe minor courses towards the Sound Theory & Practice concentration.
FREE ELECTIVES
(approximately 5-10 courses, 38-87 units minimum)
Take any Carnegie Mellon course. A maximum of 9 units of physical education and/or military science may be counted toward this requirement.
Bachelor of Humanities and Arts Degree Program
The Bachelor of Humanities and Arts (BHA) intercollege degree program combines the strengths of the College of Fine Arts (CFA) and the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences (DC). This degree is designed for academically and artistically talented students who want to develop their interest in the fine arts, while also pursuing studies in the humanities and social/behavioral sciences. Students choose their fine arts concentration from the following schools in CFA: Architecture, Art, Design, Drama or Music. Students choose their humanities and social sciences concentration from the subject areas offered by DC. The most important aspect of the BHA program is for students to blend their interests and to explore the connections between their chosen disciplines. The program also provides enough flexibility for students to broaden or deepen their concentrations and to explore other areas in which they may be interested.
The BHA curriculum has three main components: general education requirements, fine arts concentration requirements and humanities/social sciences concentration requirements. Students must complete an array of courses defined by their chosen concentrations. Each student's course of study is unique, based on their background and interests, and course availability in the respective colleges.
Students receive extensive advising support. The academic advisors in the BXA Intercollege Degree Programs are the primary advisors and liaisons between CFA and DC. Each student has two additional academic advisors: an advisor in the admitting school of CFA to guide their focus in the arts and an advisor in DC to guide their focus in the humanities or social/behavioral sciences.
BHA Curriculum
Units | |
I. BHA General Education | 126 |
II. DC Concentration | 81-107 |
III. CFA Concentration | 108-130 |
IV. Free Electives | 15-63 |
Total BHA Degree Requirements | 378 |
BHA General Education
(16 courses, 126 units minimum)
- Communication (1 course, 9 units, 76-101 required)
- Contextual Thinking (1 course, 9 units)
- Intercultural and Global Inquiry (1 course, 9 units)
- Humanities (1 course, 9 units)
- Data Analysis (1 course, 9 units, 36-200 required)
- Social Sciences (1 course, 9 units)
- Equity and Justice (1 course, 9 units)
- Math, Science, and Computation (2 courses, 18 units)
- Disciplinary Perspectives within CMU (1 course, 6 units)
- University Requirement (1 course, 3 units, 99-101 required)
- BXA Required Courses (5 courses, 36 units, 52-190, 52-291, 52-392, 52-401, 52-402)
Communication (1 courses, 9 units)
76-101 | Interpretation and Argument -First-year | 9 |
or 76-102 | Advanced First Year Writing: Special Topics | |
or 76-106 & 76-107 & 76-108 | Writing about Literature, Art and Culture and Writing about Data and Writing about Public Problems | |
All undergraduate students must complete the First-Year Writing requirement—the Department of English does not accept any Advanced Placement exemptions. This requirement can be completed in two different ways. Enroll in one of two full-semester courses 101 or 102 (by invitation only), 9 units, or enroll in two of three half-semester mini courses (back-to-back within a single semester) 106/107/108, 4.5 + 4.5 units. Course options and topics: www.cmu.edu/hss/english/first_year/index.html |
Contextual Thinking (1 course, 9 units)
A list of courses for this requirement can be found on the DC GenEd website.
Intercultural and Global Inquiry (1 course, 9 units minimum)
A list of courses for this requirement can be found on the DC GenEd website.
Humanities (1 course, 9 units minimum)
A list of courses for this requirement can be found on the DC GenEd website.
Data Analysis (1 course, 9 units minimum)
36-200 | Reasoning with Data | 9 |
Social Sciences (1 course, 9 units minimum)
A list of courses for this requirement can be found on the DC GenEd website.
Perspectives on Justice and Injustice (1 course, 9 units minimum)
A list of courses for this requirement can be found on the DC GenEd website.
Math, Science, and Computation (2 courses, 18 units minimum)
Choose two of three categories: Computational Thinking, Scientific Inquiry, Logic/Mathematical Reasoning. A list of courses for this requirement can be found on the DC GenEd website.
Disciplinary Perspectives within CMU (1 course, 6 units)
Choose one non-DC or CFA course; DC Arts courses excluded.
University Requirement (1 course, 3 units)
This foundational pass/no pass course is to be completed online in the first semester to develop core competency skills.
99-101 | Core@CMU-Fall, First-year (section B; pass/no pass) | 3 |
BXA Required Courses (5 courses, 36 units)
BXA-specific courses give students the opportunity to integrate their areas of concentration by focusing on interdisciplinary approaches and arts-based research techniques.
52-190 | BXA Seminar I: Building the Wunderkammer -Spring, Freshman year (mini-3) | 4.5 |
52-291 | BXA Seminar II: Transferring Knowledge -Spring, Sophomore year (mini-4) | 4.5 |
52-392 | BXA Seminar III: Deconstructing Disciplines | 9 |
52-401 | BXA Seminar IV: Capstone Project Research | 9 |
52-402 | BXA Seminar V: Capstone Project Production | 9 |
Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences Concentrations
(number of courses vary, 81-107 units)
Curriculum for approved BHA DC concentration options are outlined below. BHA students declare a DC concentration based on existing DC programs, through consultation with their BXA advisor and the DC concentration advisors. A completed DC Concentration Declaration form must be approved by the concentration advisor and submitted to the BXA office, by spring mid-semester break of the student's sophomore year.
BHA students who are admitted as freshmen are undeclared until they have met with a concentration advisor and have submitted their signed Declaration form. BHA students who are admitted through internal transfer must have chosen a DC concentration at the time of their application (which serves as declaration). All BHA students wishing to change their DC concentration at any time following the initial declaration must meet with the advisor of their intended concentration area to complete a new Declaration form.
Behavioral Economics Concentration
(81 units minimum)
The new major of BE—the first of its kind among US undergraduate institutions—was designed to rigorously train students in the field of Behavioral Economics and to encourage them to critically consider its relevance to policy and organizations. The major emphasizes both theory and the practical promise of BE to solve problems of importance to policy makers and organizations through the largest undergraduate selection of BE courses of any university in the world. Towards this end, students will learn to collect original data, design field and laboratory experiments, analyze data and draw causal inferences, and develop interventions to improve economic outcomes and decisions. The core requirements include courses in Economics, Psychology, Behavioral Economics, and quantitative methods—including experimental design and econometrics. Students who complete the major will be well positioned to enter the private sector in a role involving data or people analytics, marketing, corporate strategy, or human resources, or to enter a wide range of graduate degree programs.
Quantitative Methods (3 courses, 27 units)
36-202 | Methods for Statistics & Data Science | 9 |
88-251 | Empirical Research Methods | 9 |
88-252 | Causal Inference: from Data to Decisions | 9 |
or 73-274 | Econometrics I |
Economics Courses (2 courses, 18 units)
73-102 | Principles of Microeconomics | 9 |
or 73-104 | Principles of Microeconomics Accelerated | |
88-221 | Markets, Democracy, and Public Policy | 9 |
or 73-103 | Principles of Macroeconomics | |
or 73-155 | Models, Math, and Markets | |
or 73-230 | Intermediate Microeconomics | |
or 73-328 | Health Economics | |
or 73-347 | Game Theory Applications for Economics and Business | |
or 73-359 | Benefit-Cost Analysis | |
or 73-408 | Law and Economics | |
or 73-421 | Emerging Markets | |
or 73-427 | Sustainability, Energy, and Environmental Economics |
Psychology Courses (2 courses, 18 units)
Students can elect to take 88-120 Reason, Passion and Cognition & 88-130 Behavioral Economics for Life or 88-120 Reason, Passion and Cognition & 88-302 Behavioral Decision Making. Students who have completed 88-302 Behavioral Decision Making or 88-360 Behavioral Economics cannot take 88-130 Behavioral Economics for Life.
88-120 | Reason, Passion and Cognition -First-year or Sophomore year | 9 |
88-130 | Behavioral Economics for Life | 9 |
or 88-302 | Behavioral Decision Making |
Behavioral Economics Courses (2 courses, 18 units)
88-360 | Behavioral Economics (prerequisite: 21-111) | 9 |
88-367 | Behavioral Economics & Field Experiments in Organizations | 9 |
or 88-365 | Behavioral Economics and Public Policy |
Chinese Studies Concentration
(81 units minimum)
A BHA concentration in Chinese Studies promotes not just language proficiency but also an understanding of Chinese culture. Students who arrive at Carnegie Mellon with previous language study and/or who have high Advanced Placement, an International Baccalaureate, a Cambridge GCE Advanced level or internal placement exam scores will be able to begin taking courses in the concentration earlier in their undergraduate program. In all cases, progress in the concentration will be accelerated by study abroad, which is recommended for all students.
Prerequisites
Intermediate-level proficiency in Chinese. This is equivalent to the completion of three courses (two at the 100-level and one at the 200-level) or may be demonstrated through CMU internal placement test scores.
Core Courses in Languages, Cultures, and Applied Linguistics (LCAL) (1 course, 9 units)
Complete one course.
82-239 | Crazy Linguistically Rich Asian Languages | 9 |
82-282 | Interpreting Global Texts & Cultures | 9 |
82-283 | Language Diversity & Cultural Identity | 9 |
Foundational Courses in Chinese Studies (5 courses, 45 units minimum)
82-232 | Intermediate Chinese II | 12 |
or 82-235 | Fables, Legends and Stories from Ancient Chinese Civilization | |
82-331 | Reading Into a New China I: Population, Youth, Marriage, & Housing | 9 |
82-332 | Reading Into a New China II: Transportation, Education, Pop Culture, & Health | 9 |
82-333 | Introduction to Chinese Language and Culture | 9 |
82-3–5xx One 300-, 400- or 500-level Chinese Language Content Course in Chinese | 9 |
Chinese Studies Electives (3 courses, 27 units minimum)
In consultation with the concentration advisor, choose three additional courses, at least one of which must be taught in Chinese at the 300-, 400- or 500-level. Students may choose up to two Chinese culture courses taught in English. Students may substitute one relevant and related course from outside the program (i.e., another LCAL course) or from another department (e.g., History, CMIST, Philosophy, English).
Cognitive Neuroscience Concentration
(81 units minimum)
Cognitive neuroscience is a science concerned with discovering biological bases of psychological functions. It addresses questions of how behavior is produced by neural circuits of the brain and also how those neural circuits are in turn influenced by behavioral experiences. Students with a concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience are expected to learn about existing findings within the field and also to become proficient in how to conduct and analyze scientific investigations directed toward understanding the biological basis of behavior. This includes observing behavior, formulating hypotheses, designing experiments to test these hypotheses, running experiments, performing statistical analyses and writing reports.
Introductory and Survey Coursework (4 courses, 36 units)
03-121 | Modern Biology | 9 |
03-363 | Systems Neuroscience | 9 |
85-219 | Foundations of Brain and Behavior | 9 |
85-211 | Cognitive Psychology | 9 |
or 85-213 | Human Information Processing and Artificial Intelligence |
Research Methods Training (2 course, 18 units)
36-309 | Experimental Design for Behavioral & Social Sciences | 9 |
or 85-309 | Statistical Concepts and Methods for Behavioral and Social Science | |
85-314 | Cognitive Neuroscience Research Methods * | 9 |
* 85-310 Research Methods in Cognitive Psychology may be substituted if necessary.
Distribution Requirements (3 courses, 27 units)
Complete three courses with at least one from each category below.
Approaches to Cognitive Neuroscience:
15-386 | Neural Computation | 9 |
85-351 | What is Attention? | 9 |
85-407 | How the Brain Makes Meaning | 9 |
85-412 | Cognitive Modeling | 9 |
85-414 | Cognitive Neuropsychology | 9 |
85-417 | Multilingual Minds and the Brain | 9 |
85-419 | Introduction to Parallel Distributed Processing | 9 |
Cognitive Neuroscience Electives:
03-133 | Neurobiology of Disease | 9 |
03-362 | Cellular Neuroscience | 9 |
85-370 | Perception | 9 |
85-385 | Auditory Perception: Sense of Sound | 9 |
85-408 | Visual Cognition | 9 |
85-435 | Biologically Intelligent Exploration | 9 |
85-442 | Health Psychology | 9 |
Cognitive Science Concentration
(87 units minimum)
The field of cognitive science has grown out of increasingly active interaction among psychology, linguistics, artificial intelligence, philosophy, and neuroscience. All of these fields share the goal of understanding intelligence. By combining these diverse perspectives, students of cognitive science are able to understand cognition at a deep level. Because this concentration is administered by the Psychology Department, it focuses on human cognition and the experimental study of the human mind as illuminated by the techniques of the above disciplines.
Prerequisite Courses
15-112 | Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science | 12 |
21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus | 10-20 |
or 21-111 & 21-112 | Calculus I and Calculus II | |
21-127 | Concepts of Mathematics | 12 |
Statistics Course (1 course, 9 units)
36-309 | Experimental Design for Behavioral & Social Sciences | 9 |
or 85-309 | Statistical Concepts and Methods for Behavioral and Social Science |
Computational/Cognitive Modeling Core (3 courses, 33 units)
Complete two of the following courses:
15-122 | Principles of Imperative Computation | 12 |
15-150 | Principles of Functional Programming | 12 |
15-251 | Great Ideas in Theoretical Computer Science | 12 |
Plus one of the following courses:
85-412 | Cognitive Modeling | 9 |
85-419 | Introduction to Parallel Distributed Processing | 9 |
85-435 | Biologically Intelligent Exploration | 9 |
Cognitive Psychology Core (4 courses, 36 units minimum)
85-211 | Cognitive Psychology | 9 |
or 85-213 | Human Information Processing and Artificial Intelligence | |
85-310 | Research Methods in Cognitive Psychology | 9 |
or 85-311 | Research Methods: Meta-Analysis | |
or 85-314 | Cognitive Neuroscience Research Methods |
Plus two of the following (one of which must be 85-3xx or 85-4xx):
85-219 | Foundations of Brain and Behavior | 9 |
or 85-106 | Animal Minds | |
85-359 | Introduction to Music Cognition Research | 9 |
85-360 | Origins of Intelligence | 9 |
85-370 | Perception | 9 |
85-395 | Applications of Cognitive Science | 9 |
85-407 | How the Brain Makes Meaning | 9 |
85-408 | Visual Cognition | 9 |
85-414 | Cognitive Neuropsychology | 9 |
85-421 | Language and Thought | 9 |
80-310 | Formal Logic | 9 |
80-315 | Logics for Knowledge and Belief | 9 |
80-381 | Meaning in Language | 9 |
80-383 | Language in Use | 9 |
05-413 | Human Factors | 9 |
11-344 | Machine Learning in Practice | 12 |
Cognitive Science Elective (1 course, 9 units)
Choose one elective in consultation with your concentration advisor.
Creative Writing Concentration
(81 units minimum)
In the Creative Writing concentration, BHA students develop their talents in writing fiction, poetry and other imaginative forms. While studying with faculty members who are practicing poets and prose writers, students read widely in literature, explore the resources of their imaginations, sharpen their critical and verbal skills and develop a professional attitude toward their writing. The Creative Writing program is based on a conservatory model, made up of faculty and students who have an intense commitment to their work.
Students in the Creative Writing concentration are required to take two of the introductory genre writing courses, ideally in their sophomore year. Choices include Introduction to Writing Poetry (76-265), Introduction to Writing Fiction (76-260), Introduction to Screenwriting (76-269) and Introduction to Writing Nonfiction (76-261). In order to proceed into the upper level courses in the concentration (and in each of the genres), students must do well in these introductory courses (receive a grade of A or B). After completing the introductory genre writing courses, students take four workshops in fiction, poetry, screenwriting or nonfiction. At least two of the workshops must be taken in a single genre. Workshops may be taken more than once for credit. In the writing workshops, students develop their critical and verbal abilities through close writing and analysis of poems, stories and other literary forms. Their work is critiqued and evaluated by peers and the faculty.
Survey of Forms Courses (2 courses, 18 units)
76-260 | Introduction to Writing Fiction | 9 |
76-261 | Intro to Writing Creative Nonfiction | 9 |
76-265 | Introduction to Writing Poetry | 9 |
76-269 | Introduction to Screenwriting | 9 |
Note: A student must receive a grade of A or B in the Survey of Forms class in a specific genre in order to be eligible to enroll in a workshop of that genre. A student who receives a grade of C in a Survey of Forms course may enroll in a related workshop only with the permission of the workshop professor. A student who receives a D or R in Survey of Forms may not take a workshop in that genre.
Creative Writing Workshops (4 courses, 36 units)
Complete four Creative Writing workshops, at least two in a single genre. Workshops in all genres may be taken more than once for credit.
76-360 | Literary Journalism Workshop | 9 |
76-365 | Beginning Poetry Workshop | 9 |
76-460 | Beginning Fiction Workshop | 9 |
76-462 | Advanced Fiction Workshop | 9 |
76-464 | Creative Nonfiction Workshop | 9 |
76-465 | Advanced Poetry Workshop | 9 |
76-469 | Screenwriting Workshop | 9 |
English Electives (3 courses, 27 units)
Complete three courses (27 units minimum) from the English Department’s offerings. Reading in Forms classes are recommended. Please consult the list of courses published each semester by the Department for current offerings. Students should discuss curriculum choices with the concentration advisor to determine the best electives for their focus in Creative Writing.
Cybersecurity & International Conflict
(81 units minimum)
The BHA concentration in cybersecurity and international conflict, offered by the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology (CMIST), analyzes the past, present, and future role of cyber conflict and cybersecurity in international politics. Cyber attacks by nation-states and their proxies have an important impact upon conflict. The complexity and policy challenges of cyber-engagements is immense. This minor addresses the role of deterrence, dissuasion, and attribution in cyber conflict, while also studying the nuances of key components of modern warfare—from the security dilemma to escalation management.
Courses in this concentration focus on the existing gaps in our understanding of cybersecurity and international conflict, such as whether cyberspace is offense or defense dominant (or over time fluid between the two), and which factors are important in determining the answer to this. Other relevant questions include how nation-states, their primary adversaries, and a bevy of nonstate actors engage online and in the virtual and information environments. Accordingly, the minor exposes students to basic technology concepts, methods of attack and defense, potential strategy and goals for cyber-engagement, and response and forensics for cyber-engagements.
Alongside conventional methods of warfare, cybersecurity has rapidly developed into a centerpiece of a state’s ability to project power. As the United States and other emerging cyber powers craft and implement doctrine in this domain, there is likely to be a rapid increase in activity, from efforts to disrupt the online activities of global terrorist networks, to cybersecurity offense and defense in the Russia-Ukraine war, to near daily raids on foreign networks designed to cripple states’ cyberweapons before they can be deployed. In addition, the impact of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, theft of intellectual property, pervasive identity theft, and hacking of sensitive databases have accumulated, gradually wearing down civilian networks and achieving strategic effects over time.
In the shifting landscape of cyber capabilities, how will laws, authorities, and policies keep pace? What are the implications and consequences of actions that may be considered “short of war” by some countries but “above the threshold” of conflict by others? Will a more aggressive defensive posture with respect to cybersecurity inadvertently increase the risk of conflict with states that sponsor malicious hacking groups? What is the proper balance between offense and defense in cybersecurity and how are cyber operations best integrated into a country’s overall military strategy?
Unlike other kinds of conflicts, attribution of attacks presents significant challenges. Indeed, in many cases, it can be difficult to determine whether the attacker is a nation-state, a nonstate actor, a criminal gang, or a lone hacktivist. Investigators must combine technical and traditional methods to identify potentially responsible parties and to understand their intent. If the aggressor’s identity cannot be confirmed, how can a counterattack be launched? Some attackers may seek to mount “false flag” attacks and deception, for example, that misdirect defenders to counter-attack in the wrong direction.
Additionally, what are appropriate responses to attacks made on civil infrastructure and private business operations, such as in the areas of financial services, transportation, energy, entertainment, and health care? In other words, what are the appropriate rules of engagement for national systems, infrastructural systems, businesses, and individuals? When, for example, is a counterattack or a “kinetic” response permissible?
These questions have major implications for the study of war and peace. Those who seek to start a war may be harder to find and their motives more difficult to discern. The cybersecurity and international conflict concentration tackles the social-scientific dimensions of cybersecurity with a focus on the implications of the cyber age for modern statecraft, warfare, elections (local, state, and national), and domestic and international politics.
Foundational Courses (2 courses, 18 units)
Students must complete two of the following courses:
84-104 | Decision Processes in American Political Institutions | 9 |
84-226 | International Relations | 9 |
84-275 | Comparative Politics | 9 |
Core Courses (3 courses, 24 units)
84-387 | Remote Systems and the Cyber Domain in Conflict | 9 |
84-388 | Concepts of War and Cyber War | 6 |
84-405 | The Future of Warfare | 9 |
Electives (4-5 courses, 39 units minimum)
At least two courses (18 units) must be taken from the CMIST and have an 84-number.
84-200 | Security War Game Simulation | 6 |
84-274 | An Introduction to Technology and War | 9 |
84-280 | Popcorn and Politics: American Foreign Policy at the Movies | 10 |
84-312 | Terrorism in Sub-Saharan Africa | 6 |
84-319 | Civil-Military Relations | 9 |
84-323 | War and Peace in the Contemporary Middle East | 9 |
84-325 | Contemporary American Foreign Policy | 9 |
84-328 | Military Strategy and Doctrine | 9 |
84-329 | Asian Strategies | 6 |
84-349 | Digital Diplomacy: Cybersecurity Challenges and Global Governance | 9 |
84-350 | A Strategist's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 9 |
84-363 | Click. Hack. Rule: Understanding the Power & Peril of Cyber Conflict | 9 |
84-365 | The Politics of Fake News and Misinformation | 9 |
84-370 | Nuclear Security & Arms Control | 9 |
84-372 | Space and National Security | 9 |
84-373 | Emerging Technologies and International Law | 9 |
84-380 | US Grand Strategy | 9 |
84-383 | Cyber Policy as National Policy | 6 |
84-386 | The Privatization of Force | 9 |
84-389 | Terrorism and Insurgency | 9 |
84-390 | Social Media, Technology, and Conflict | 9 |
16-735 | Ethics and Robotics | 12 |
17-200 | Ethics and Policy Issues in Computing | 9 |
17-303 | Cryptocurrencies, Blockchains and Applications | 9 |
17-331 | Information Security, Privacy, and Policy | 12 |
17-333 | Privacy Policy, Law, and Technology | 9 |
17-334 | Usable Privacy and Security | 9 |
17-702 | Current Topics in Privacy Seminar | 3 |
79-301 | History of Surveillance: From the Plantation to Data Capitalism | 6 |
79-302 | Killer Robots? The Ethics, Law, and Politics of Drones and A.I. in War | 9 |
80-249 | AI, Society, and Humanity | 9 |
95-444 | Cybersecurity Policy and Governance II | 12 |
Decision Science Concentration
(84 units minimum)
Decision Science is grounded in theories and methods drawn from psychology, economics, philosophy, statistics, and management science. Courses in the BHA concentration in Decision Science cover the three aspects of decision science: (a) normative analysis, creating formal models of rational choice; (b) descriptive research, studying how cognitive, emotional, social, and institutional factors affect judgment and choice, and (c) prescriptive interventions, seeking to improve judgment and decision making. In addition to gaining a broad education in the principles of judgment and decision making, students with a concentration in Decision Science gain broadly applicable skills in research design and analysis. They also have the chance to think about and discuss decision making in many different areas.
Disciplinary Perspectives (5 courses, 48 units)
73-102 | Principles of Microeconomics | 9 |
or 73-104 | Principles of Microeconomics Accelerated | |
85-102 | Introduction to Psychology | 9 |
88-120 | Reason, Passion and Cognition -First-year or Sophomore year | 9 |
88-223 | Decision Analysis | 12 |
88-302 | Behavioral Decision Making | 9 |
Research Methods (2 courses, 18 units)
36-202 | Methods for Statistics & Data Science | 9 |
or 36-309 | Experimental Design for Behavioral & Social Sciences | |
or 85-309 | Statistical Concepts and Methods for Behavioral and Social Science | |
88-251 | Empirical Research Methods | 9 |
Electives (2 course, 18 units minimum)
Complete two courses (at least 18 units) from the following category of courses. Note that not all elective courses are offered every year.
Biological and Behavioral Aspects of Decision Making:
88-150 | Managing Decisions | 9 |
88-221 | Markets, Democracy, and Public Policy | 9 |
88-230 | Human Intelligence and Human Stupidity | 9 |
88-231 | Thinking in Person vs. Thinking Online | 9 |
88-252 | Causal Inference: from Data to Decisions | 9 |
88-234 | Negotiation: International Focus | 9 |
88-235 | Negotiation: Strategies and Behavioral Insights | 9 |
88-255 | Strategic Decision Making | 9 |
88-261 | Health Policy and Decision Making | 9 |
88-262 | Medical Decision Making | 9 |
88-275 | Bubbles: Data Science for Human Minds | 9 |
88-285 | Deconstructing and Dismantling Discrimination | 9 |
88-290 | Confessions, Lies, and Gossip | 9 |
88-300 | Programming and Data Analysis for Social Scientists | 9 |
88-312 | Decision Models and Games | 9 |
88-342 | The Neuroscience of Decision Making | 9 |
88-344 | Systems Analysis: Environmental Policy | 9 |
88-360 | Behavioral Economics | 9 |
88-365 | Behavioral Economics and Public Policy | 9 |
88-366 | Behavioral Economics of Poverty and Development | 9 |
88-367 | Behavioral Economics & Field Experiments in Organizations | 9 |
88-372 | Social and Emotional Brain | 9 |
88-379 | Data-Driven Decision Analysis | 9 |
88-451/452 | Policy Analysis Senior Project | 12 |
88-454 | Decision Science Capstone | 9 |
Economics Concentration
(84 units minimum)
The BHA concentration in Economics provides a solid understanding of economic theory and quantitative economic analysis. The core disciplinary sequences in economic theory and quantitative analysis are combined with calculus and data analysis to provide students with knowledge and skills that allow for creative problem-solving. Students pursuing the BHA concentration in Economics will hold a Dietrich College affiliation.
Mathematics Prerequisites
These courses are not counted as part of your DC Concentration. It may be used to satisfy general education or free elective requirements.
21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus | 10 |
21-256 | Multivariate Analysis | 9 |
Economic Theory Requirements (4 courses, 36 units)
73-102 | Principles of Microeconomics * | 9 |
or 73-104 | Principles of Microeconomics Accelerated | |
73-103 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 9 |
73-230 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 9 |
73-240 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | 9 |
* Students who place out of 73-102 based on the economics placement exam will receive a prereq waiver for 73-102 and are waived from taking 73-102.
Quantitative Analysis Requirements (2 courses, 18 units)
These courses require 36-200 Reasoning with Data as a pre-requisite. 36-200 also fulfills a general education Data Analysis requirement.
73-265 | Economics and Data Science | 9 |
73-274 | Econometrics I | 9 |
Advanced Economics Electives (2 courses, 18 units)
Students must take two advanced elective courses. Advanced elective courses are those numbered 73-300 through 73-495, as well as courses designated by the program offered by other departments/programs. Additionally, students may work with their economics advisor to structure alternative sets of courses to meet these requirements based on their particular interests, subject to course availability.
Senior Work (1 course, 12 units)
73-497 | Senior Project | 12 |
Environmental & Sustainability Studies Concentration
(93 units minimum)
The BHA concentration in Environmental & Sustainability Studies (ESS) focuses on human-environment interactions from a multitude of disciplinary perspectives. The curriculum draws on the expertise of faculty across several Carnegie Mellon colleges in order to provide students with the interdisciplinary background and skills necessary to understand environmental problems and the means to mitigate them. The curriculum is designed to help students apply social and scientific perspectives to environmental problems; to distinguish among scientific methods for evaluating environmental problems; to identify and assess sources of environmental data; and to identify environmental justice issues within the context of proposed policy solutions.
Core Courses (3 course, 27 units)
24/09-291 | Environmental Systems on a Changing Planet | 9 |
66-236 | Introduction to Environmental Ideas | 9 |
66-506 | Senior Capstone (Interdisciplinary Research: Capstone in ESS) | 9 |
Earth and Environmental Science (1 course, 9 units)
Choose one course from the list below.
03-128 | Biology for Life Special Topics (Section S, Tropical Ecology) | 9 |
03-140 | Ecology and Environmental Science | 9 |
33-115 | Physics for Future Presidents | 9 |
Global Course (1 course, 3 units)
99-xxx | Each semester, a new course is offered on Global themes, in partnership with University of Pittsburgh’s Global Studies Center. | 3 |
Political Economy (1 course, 9 units minimum)
Choose one course from the list below.
19-101 | Introduction to Engineering and Public Policy | 12 |
79-300 | Controversial Topics in the History of American Public Policy | 9 |
84-110 | The Economics of Politics, Policy, and Technology | 9 |
84-226 | International Relations | 9 |
84-325 | Contemporary American Foreign Policy | 9 |
88-344 | Systems Analysis: Environmental Policy | 9 |
Electives (5 courses, 45 units minimum)
Choose three DC Electives and two MCS/ENG Electives in consultation with the concentration advisor.
DC Electives:
76-241 | Introduction to Gender Studies | 9 |
76-291 | Getting Heard/Making a Difference | 9 |
76-354 | Watchdog Journalism | 9 |
76-395 | Science Writing * | 9 |
76-450 | Law, Culture, and the Humanities | 9 |
79-201 | Introduction to Anthropology | 9 |
79-275 | Introduction to Global Studies | 9 |
79-278 | How (Not) to Change the World | 9 |
79-288 | Bananas, Baseball, and Borders: Latin America and the United States | 9 |
79-297 | Technology and Work | 9 |
79-331 | Body Politics: Women and Health in America | 9 |
79-372 | The Rise and Fall of Pittsburgh Steel | 6 |
79-377 | Food, Culture, and Power: A History of Eating | 9 |
79-379 | Extreme Ethnography | 9 |
79-383 | The History of Capitalism | 9 |
80-135 | Introduction to Political Philosophy | 9 |
80-244 | Environmental Ethics | 9 |
84-110 | The Economics of Politics, Policy, and Technology | 9 |
84-275 | Comparative Politics | 9 |
84-325 | Contemporary American Foreign Policy | 9 |
85-241 | Social Psychology | 9 |
MCS/ENG Electives:
12-201 | Geology | 9 |
19-101 | Introduction to Engineering and Public Policy | 12 |
19-425 | Sustainable Energy for the Developing World | 9 |
27-505 | Exploration of Everyday Materials | 9 |
03-140 | Ecology and Environmental Science | 9 |
* Additional prerequisite
Ethics, History, & Public Policy Concentration
(81 units minimum)
The BHA concentration in Ethics, History, & Public Policy (EHPP) prepares students to be leaders is a vital goal of colleges and universities in every democratic society. The intellectual challenges facing public and private sector leaders have expanded dramatically since the pioneering EHPP program began in 1996, but the need remains as great as ever for broadly educated, ethically sensitive, and technically skilled leaders.
EHPP prepares students to demonstrate sophistication and flexibility in their command of interdisciplinary knowledge; deep historical understanding of how modern-day policy problems have emerged and evolved; and clear, rational criteria for ethical and socially just decision making. The curriculum provides students with a strong humanistic foundation for developing such high-level, historically grounded, and ethically attuned leadership capacities. It also offers ample room for specialization in a wide range of policy areas in which the History and Philosophy departments have special expertise, e.g., medicine and public health, criminal justice, environment, technology, artificial intelligence (AI), gender, civil rights, immigration, and education.
Foundation Courses in History and Philosophy (2 courses, 18 units)
Choose one of the following two courses:
79-189 | Democracy and History: Thinking Beyond the Self | 9 |
79-248 | U.S. Constitution & the Presidency | 9 |
Choose one of the following two courses:
80-130 | Introduction to Ethics | 9 |
80-330 | Ethical Theory | 9 |
Ethics and Policy Core (3 courses, 27 units)
Choose three of the courses below:
No more than one course may be taken at the 100 level and at least one course must be taken at the 300 level or above.
80-135 | Introduction to Political Philosophy | 9 |
80-136 | Social Structure, Public Policy & Ethics | 9 |
80-208 | Critical Thinking | 9 |
80-221 | Philosophy of Social Science | 9 |
80-234 | Race, Gender, and Justice | 9 |
80-244 | Environmental Ethics | 9 |
80-245 | Medical Ethics | 9 |
80-249 | AI, Society, and Humanity | 9 |
80-305 | Game Theory | 9 |
80-306 | Decision Theory | 9 |
80-324 | Philosophy of Economics | 9 |
80-330 | Ethical Theory | 9 |
80-335 | Social and Political Philosophy | 9 |
80-336 | Philosophy of Law | 9 |
80-348 | Health, Human Rights, and International Development | 9 |
80-447 | Global Justice | 9 |
History and Policy Core (3 courses, 27 units)
Choose three of the courses below:
79-175 | Moneyball Nation: Data in American Life | 9 |
79-204 | American Environmental History | 9 |
79-212 | Jim Crow America | 9 |
79-215 | Environmental Justice from Conservation to Climate Change | 9 |
79-234 | Technology and Society | 9 |
79-242 | African American History: Reconstruction to the Present | 9 |
79-248 | U.S. Constitution & the Presidency | 9 |
79-250 | Voting Rights: An Introduction | 9 |
79-278 | How (Not) to Change the World | 9 |
79-300 | Controversial Topics in the History of American Public Policy | 9 |
79-320 | Women, Politics, and Protest | 9 |
79-321 | Documenting Human Rights | 9 |
79-330 | Medicine and Society: Health, Healers, and Hospitals | 9 |
79-343 | Education, Democracy, and Civil Rights | 9 |
79-360 | Crime, Policing, and the Law: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives | 9 |
79-370 | Technology in the United States | 9 |
79-380 | Hostile Environments: The Politics of Pollution in Global Perspective | 9 |
Foundation Courses in Law and Social Science (1 course, 9 units minimum)
Choose one of the courses below:
17-200 | Ethics and Policy Issues in Computing | 9 |
19-101 | Introduction to Engineering and Public Policy | 12 |
70-332 | Business, Society and Ethics | 9 |
73-102 | Principles of Microeconomics | 9 |
73-103 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 9 |
84-104 | Decision Processes in American Political Institutions | 9 |
84-110 | The Economics of Politics, Policy, and Technology | 9 |
84-352 | Representation and Voting Rights | 9 |
84-393 | Legislative Decision Making: US Congress | 9 |
84-402 | Judicial Politics and Behavior | 9 |
88-281 | Topics in Law: 1st Amendment | 9 |
88-284 | Topics of Law: The Bill of Rights | 9 |
Film & Visual Media Concentration
(81 units minimum)
The BHA concentration in Film & Visual Media trains students through a combination of coursework in visual media, film history and analysis, screenwriting, and production of film and other visual media. This concentration offers a comprehensive education in film and visual media, from theoretical framing and historical-cultural contextualization to training skills in both creating and analyzing film, and developing a complex blend of creative, professional and technical competencies. CMU's Department of English is an ideal home for the Film & Visual Media concentration due to the department’s combination of creative writers, film and media studies scholars, film makers, digital humanities and visual communication researchers.
Introductory Courses (2 courses, 18 units)
76-239 | Introduction to Film Studies | 9 |
76-259 | Film History | 9 |
Production Course (1 course, 9 units)
76-292 | Introduction to Film Production | 9 |
Screenwriting Course (1 course, 9 units)
76-269 | Introduction to Screenwriting | 9 |
Topics in Film & Visual Media Studies (2 courses, 18 units)
Options include but are not limited to:
76/82-278 | Japanese Film and Literature: The Art of Storytelling | 9 |
76-312/79-308 | Crime and Justice in American Film | 9 |
76-339 | Topics in Film and Media (Can be taken more than once.) | 9 |
76-353 | Transnational Feminisms: Fiction and Film | 9 |
76-367/79-306 | Fact Into Film: Translating History into Cinema | 9 |
76-401 | Hollywood vs. the World | 9 |
76-439 | Seminar in Film and Media Studies | 9 |
76-448 | Shakespeare on Film | 9 |
76-454 | Rise of the Blockbuster | 9 |
79-225 | West African History in Film | 9 |
79-319 | India Through Film | 6 |
79-326 | Shall We Dance? Culture, Politics, and Movement in the 20th Century | 6 |
82-215 | Arab Culture Through Dialogues, Film, and Literature | 9 |
82-268 | Introduction to Italian Film | 9 |
82-284 | Multicultural Pittsburgh: VR Storytelling | 6 |
Courses in Film Production, Screenwriting, Digital Media, Literature & Culture, and/or Film & Visual Media Studies (3 courses, 27 units)
Students may take an additional three Dietrich College courses for a minimum of 27 units of courses offered in the categories listed above. Because there are dozens of options available, including many of the courses listed above, please consult with the Department of concentration advisor for guidance. Recommended courses include 76-310 Advanced Studies in Film and Media, 76-323 Text to Screen, and 76-374 Mediated Narrative.
French & Francophone Studies Concentration
(81 units minimum)
A BHA concentration in French & Francophone Studies promotes not just language proficiency but also an understanding of French and francophone cultures. Students who arrive at Carnegie Mellon with previous language study and/or who have high Advanced Placement, an International Baccalaureate, a Cambridge GCE Advanced level or internal placement exam scores will be able to begin taking courses in the concentration earlier in their undergraduate program. In all cases, progress in the concentration will be accelerated by study abroad, which is recommended for all students.
Prerequisites
Elementary-level proficiency in French. This is equivalent to the completion of two courses (two at the 100-level) or may be demonstrated through CMU internal placement test scores.
Core Courses in Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics (LCAL) (2 courses, 18 units)
82-282 | Interpreting Global Texts & Cultures | 9 |
82-283 | Language Diversity & Cultural Identity | 9 |
Foundational Courses in French & Francophone Studies (5 courses, 45 units)
82-201 | Intermediate French I | 9 |
or 82-203 | Intermediate French I Online | |
82-202 | Intermediate French II | 9 |
or 82-204 | Intermediate French II Online | |
82-303 | French & Francophone Cultures (may be repeated) | 9 |
82-304 | French & Francophone Sociolinguistics (may be repeated) | 9 |
French & Francophone Studies Electives (2 courses, 18 units)
In consultation with the concentration advisor, choose two additional courses related to French & Francophone Studies.
German Studies Concentration
(81 units minimum)
A BHA concentration in German Studies promotes not just language proficiency but also an understanding of German culture. Students who arrive at Carnegie Mellon with previous language study and/or who have high Advanced Placement, an International Baccalaureate, a Cambridge GCE Advanced level or internal placement exam scores will be able to begin taking courses in the concentration earlier in their undergraduate program. In all cases, progress in the concentration will be accelerated by study abroad, which is recommended for all students.
Prerequisites
Elementary-level proficiency in German. This is equivalent to the completion of two courses (at the 100-level) or may be demonstrated through CMU internal placement test scores.
Core Courses in Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics (LCAL) (1 course, 9 units)
82-28x | Choose one LCAL course | 9 |
Foundational Courses in German Studies (5 courses, 45 units)
82-221 | Intermediate German I | 9 |
82-222 | Intermediate German II | 9 |
82-320 | Contemporary Society in Germany, Austria and Switzerland | 9 |
82-323 | Germany, Austria and Switzerland in the 20th Century | 9 |
82-425 | Topics in German Literature and Culture | 9 |
or 82-426 | Topics in German Literature and Culture |
German Studies and Interdisciplinary Electives (3 courses, 27 units)
In consultation with the concentration advisor, choose three additional courses taught in either German or English, for example, additional 400-level courses in German Studies or a departmental elective.
Global Studies Concentration
(81 units minimum)
The BHA concentration in Global Studies is designed for students interested in humanistic approaches to understanding past and present processes of globalization. Participating faculty in the departments of History, Languages, Cultures, and Applied Linguistics and English conduct research in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and the Pacific. The rigorous yet flexible Global Studies curriculum combines anthropology, history, literary and cultural studies, and advanced language training in order to help students make sense of complex interactions among global processes, regional and local cultures, and societal structures. BHA concentration students in Global Studies develop a broad understanding of their prospects and responsibilities as citizens of the world confronting challenging contemporary problems.
There are two required courses for the concentration: Introduction to Global Studies (79-275) and Global Studies Research Seminar (79-400). Students also choose among several courses focused on theory, research methods, transnational histories, and regional/national histories and cultures.
In addition to coursework at Carnegie Mellon, BHA students with a concentration in Global Studies are encouraged to incorporate a semester of study abroad into their course of study in order to immerse themselves in society different from their own with unfamiliar cultural practices, language and history.
Students should consult frequently with the BHA advisor and the Global Studies concentration advisor who will help students to craft a coherent course of study on specific topics and/or regions that may lead to the capstone research project (79-400 Global Studies Research Seminar ), the BXA capstone project (52-401 and 52-402) or a Dietrich College senior honors thesis. The concentration advisor will also work with students to connect their academic interests and their participation in student organizations and/or organizations based in Pittsburgh with transnational reach.
Global Studies Introductory and Capstone Courses (2 courses, 21 units)
Students must earn a final grade of "C" or better for these courses to count toward the concentration.
79-275 | Introduction to Global Studies | 9 |
79-400 | Global Studies Research Seminar | 12 |
Language Proficiency Requirement
Demonstrating intermediate to advanced level proficiency in a language other than English is a crucial component of the major in Global Studies. Normally this requirement can be satisfied by successfully completing a course conducted in the second language at the 300-level or above for French, German, Italian, or Spanish, or the fourth semester (Intermediate II) level or above for Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Russian. Comparable proficiency for other languages can be considered. Additional advanced cultural, historical, and literary study in the second language is strongly recommended. Courses in a language other than English may also be counted as Global Studies transnational, global, or regional courses or Global Studies electives as appropriate.
If students already know a language at an advanced level, they will take a test to certify those language skills. If they pass the test, they will need to take at least two semesters of language study, focused on a language different from the one they were tested on.
Studying abroad for one semester, in a foreign country whose language is not English, is an alternative way to fulfill the language requirement.
Please see the Languages, Cultures, and Applied Linguistics section of the schedule of classes.
Theoretical and Topical Core Courses (2 courses, 18 units)
To gain a solid foundation in the theories, methods, and analytical topics underpinning the concentration in Global Studies, students select 18 units (typically two courses) from the core courses listed below. Students must earn a final grade of "C" or better in these courses to fulfill the theoretical and topical core course requirement.
79-201 | Introduction to Anthropology | 9 |
79-211 | Modern Southeast Asia: Colonialism, Capitalism, and Cultural Exchange | 9 |
79-278 | How (Not) to Change the World | 9 |
79-280 | Coffee and Capitalism | 9 |
79-289 | Animal Planet: An Environmental History of People and Animals | 9 |
79-314 | How Do We Remember? The Politics and Cultures of Memory | 9 |
79-315 | The Politics of Water in Global Perspective | 9 |
79-317 | Art, Anthropology, and Empire | 9 |
79-318 | Sustainable Social Change: History and Practice | 9 |
79-377 | Food, Culture, and Power: A History of Eating | 9 |
79-379 | Extreme Ethnography | 9 |
79-380 | Hostile Environments: The Politics of Pollution in Global Perspective | 9 |
79-383 | The History of Capitalism | 9 |
Transnational, Global, and Regional Courses (3 courses, 27 units)
To gain insight into how complex transnational and global processes shape and are affected by local, national and regional dynamics, students will select 27 units (typically three courses) from any subcategories below.
Transnational and Global Courses:
76-337 | Intersectional Feminism | 9 |
76-353 | Transnational Feminisms: Fiction and Film | 9 |
76-384 | Race, Nation, and the Enemy | 9 |
76-440 | Postcolonial Theory: Diaspora and Transnationalism | 9 |
79-149 | Ancient Rome: What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us? | 9 |
79-237 | Comparative Slavery | 9 |
79-270 | Anti-Semitism Then and Now: Perspectives from the Middle Ages to the Present | 9 |
79-273 | Jews and Muslims in History | 9 |
79-276 | Beyond the Border | 9 |
79-280 | Coffee and Capitalism | 9 |
79-282 | Europe and the World Since 1800 | 9 |
79-283 | Hungry World: Food and Famine in Global Perspective | 9 |
79-288 | Bananas, Baseball, and Borders: Latin America and the United States | 9 |
79-313 | "Unwanted": Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Patterns of Global Migration | 6 |
79-333 | African Americans, Race, and the Fight for Reparations | 9 |
79-350 | Early Christianity | 9 |
79-368 | Un-natural Disasters: Societies and Environmental Hazards in Global Perspective | 6 |
79-385 | Out of Africa: The Making of the African Diaspora | 9 |
79-510 | Global Studies Guided Reading | 3 |
80-348 | Health, Human Rights, and International Development | 9 |
80-447 | Global Justice | 9 |
82-283 | Language Diversity & Cultural Identity | 9 |
82-304 | French & Francophone Sociolinguistics | 9 |
82-345 | Using Spanish in Social Contexts | 9 |
84-226 | International Relations | 9 |
84-322 | Nonviolent Conflict and Revolution | 9 |
84-370 | Nuclear Security & Arms Control | 9 |
84-389 | Terrorism and Insurgency | 9 |
Regional Courses:
Africa | ||
79-225 | West African History in Film | 9 |
79-226 | African History: Earliest Times to 1780 | 9 |
79-227 | Modern Africa: The Slave Trade to the End of Apartheid | 9 |
79-290 | The Slave Passage: From West Africa to the Americas | 9 |
Eastern and Southern Asia and the Pacific | ||
79-207 | Asian American History through the Novel | 9 |
79-210 | Identity, Ethnicity, and Place in Modern China | 9 |
79-211 | Modern Southeast Asia: Colonialism, Capitalism, and Cultural Exchange | 9 |
79-264 | Tibet and China: History and Propaganda | 9 |
88-411 | Rise of the Asian Economies | 9 |
Europe | ||
79-202 | Flesh and Spirit: Early Modern Europe, 1400-1750 | 9 |
79-203 | The Other Europe: The Habsburgs, Communism, & Central/Eastern Europe, 1740-1990 | 9 |
79-205 | 20th Century Europe | 9 |
79-208 | Witchcraft and Witch-Hunting | 9 |
79-268 | World War I: The Twentieth Century's First Catastrophe | 9 |
79-270 | Anti-Semitism Then and Now: Perspectives from the Middle Ages to the Present | 9 |
79-272 | Coexistence and Conflict: Muslims, Christians and Jews in Spain and Portugal | 9 |
82-320 | Contemporary Society in Germany, Austria and Switzerland | 9 |
82-415 | Topics in French and Francophone Studies | 9 |
82-441 | Studies in Peninsular Literature and Culture | 9 |
The Middle East | ||
79-229 | The Origins of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, 1880-1948 | 9 |
79-230 | The Arab-Israeli Conflict and Peace Process Through 1948 to Present | 9 |
82-215 | Arab Culture Through Dialogues, Film, and Literature | 9 |
84-323 | War and Peace in the Contemporary Middle East | 9 |
The Americas | ||
79-223 | Mexico: From the Aztec Empire to the Drug War | 9 |
82-245 | New Directions in Hispanic Studies | 9 |
82-343 | Latin America Language and Culture | 9 |
82-451 | Studies in Latin American Literature and Culture | 9 |
82-455 | Topics in Hispanic Studies | 9 |
82-456 | Topics in Hispanic Studies | 9 |
Electives (2 courses, 15 units minimum)
Students are required to take an additional 15 units (typically two courses) of electives, selected from one or both of the subcategories below. "Theoretical and Topical Core Courses" and "Transnational, Global, and Regional Courses" listed above that are not used to fulfill those requirements may be counted as electives in addition to the courses listed below.
Global Studies offers students the opportunity to gain credit for a 9-unit elective while gaining first-hand experience interning with Pittsburgh-based organizations that work across borders. 79-506 Global Studies Internship is offered every semester and students should register for the course after consulting with the concentration advisor. The concentration advisor will assist students with matching their interests to local organizations and identifying an on-site supervisor available to collaborate in the ongoing and final evaluation of the student's work.
Thematic Courses:
57-306 | World Music | 9 |
70-365 | International Trade and International Law | 9 |
76-241 | Introduction to Gender Studies | 9 |
76-386 | Language & Culture | 9 |
76-450 | Law, Culture, and the Humanities | 9 |
76-468 | Space and Mobilities | 9 |
79-101 | Making History: How to Think About the Past (and Present) | 9 |
79-204 | American Environmental History | 9 |
79-281 | Introduction to Religion | 9 |
79-316 | Photography, the First 100 Years, 1839-1939 | 9 |
79-324 | #MeToo: Naming and Resisting Gender Violence | 6 |
79-330 | Medicine and Society: Health, Healers, and Hospitals | 9 |
79-343 | Education, Democracy, and Civil Rights | 9 |
80-244 | Environmental Ethics | 9 |
80-335 | Social and Political Philosophy | 9 |
82-215 | Arab Culture Through Dialogues, Film, and Literature | 9 |
82-541 | Special Topics in Hispanic Studies | Var. |
84-275 | Comparative Politics | 9 |
84-310 | Policy in a Global Economy 1: International Trade and Trade Policy | 6 |
84-318 | Politics of Developing Nations | 9 |
84-362 | Diplomacy and Statecraft | 9 |
88-234 | Negotiation: International Focus | 9 |
Nation-based Courses:
79-216 | Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire | 3 |
79-256 | Sex, Guns, Rock, and Skinheads: Youth Rebellion in Europe, 1960-1990 | 9 |
79-257 | Germany and the Second World War | 9 |
79-261 | The Last Emperors: Chinese History and Society, 1600-1900 | 9 |
79-262 | Modern China: From the Birth of Mao ... to Now | 9 |
79-263 | Mao and the Chinese Cultural Revolution | 9 |
79-265 | Russian History: Game of Thrones | 9 |
79-266 | Russian History and Revolutionary Socialism | 9 |
79-267 | The Soviet Union in World War II: Military, Political, and Social History | 9 |
79-269 | Russian History: From Socialism to Capitalism | 9 |
79-309 | The Chinese Revolution Through Film (1949-2000) | 9 |
79-319 | India Through Film | 6 |
79-320 | Women, Politics, and Protest | 9 |
79-322 | Stalin and the Great Terror | 9 |
79-326 | Shall We Dance? Culture, Politics, and Movement in the 20th Century | 6 |
79-331 | Body Politics: Women and Health in America | 9 |
82-253 | Korean Culture Through Film | 9 |
82-254 | World of Korea, Then and Now | 9 |
82-273 | Introduction to Japanese Language and Culture | 9 |
82-278 | Japanese Film and Literature: The Art of Storytelling | 9 |
82-293 | Russian Cinema: From the Bolshevik Revolution to Putin's Russia | 9 |
82-294 | 19th Century Russian Masterpieces | 9 |
82-295 | 20th Century Russian Masterpieces | Var. |
82-303 | French & Francophone Cultures | 9 |
82-305 | French in its Social Contexts | 9 |
82-333 | Introduction to Chinese Language and Culture | Var. |
82-342 | Spain: Language and Culture | 9 |
82-344 | U.S. Latine Cultures | 9 |
82-361 | Italian Language and Culture I | 9 |
82-420 | The Crucible of Modernity:Vienna 1900 | 9 |
82-425 | Topics in German Literature and Culture | 9 |
82-427 | Nazi and Resistance Culture | 9 |
82-428 | History of German Film | 9 |
82-433 | Topics in Contemporary Culture of China | 9 |
82-434 | Studies in Chinese Traditions | 9 |
82-440 | Studies in Chinese Literature & Culture | 9 |
82-473 | Topics in Japanese Studies | 9 |
Hispanic Studies Concentration
(81 units minimum)
A BHA concentration in Hispanic Studies promotes not just language proficiency but also an understanding of its varied cultures. Students who arrive at Carnegie Mellon with previous language study and/or who have high Advanced Placement, an International Baccalaureate, a Cambridge GCE Advanced level or internal placement exam scores will be able to begin taking courses in the concentration earlier in their undergraduate program. In all cases, progress in the concentration will be accelerated by study abroad, which is recommended for all students.
Prerequisites
Intermediate-level proficiency in Spanish. This is equivalent to the completion of four courses (two at the 100-level and two at the 200-level) or may be demonstrated through CMU internal placement test scores.
Core Courses in Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics (LCAL) (1 course, 9 units)
Complete one course.
82-280 | Billingual & Bicultural Experiences in the US | 9 |
82-282 | Interpreting Global Texts & Cultures | 9 |
82-283 | Language Diversity & Cultural Identity | 9 |
82-482 | Introduction to Translation | 9 |
Foundational Courses in Hispanic Studies (3 courses, 27 units)
Complete two courses.
82-342 | Spain: Language and Culture | 9 |
82-343 | Latin America Language and Culture | 9 |
82-344 | U.S. Latine Cultures | 9 |
Complete required course.
82-345 | Using Spanish in Social Contexts | 9 |
Hispanic Studies Electives (5 courses, 45 units)
In consultation with the concentration advisor, choose five additional courses taught in Spanish at the 400-level or above. Students may substitute one relevant and related course from outside the program (i.e., another LCAL course) or from another department (e.g., History, CMIST, Philosophy, English).
Humanities Analytics Concentration
(81 units minimum)
The human experience that is traditionally at the core of a humanities education is being dramatically transformed by the emergence of big data, digital platforms, computational thinking, and digital connectivity. Spurred by such developments, the concentration in Humanities Analytics (HumAn), offered by the Department of English, trains students in the processes involved in analyzing, digitizing, quantifying and visualizing different types of humanities and cultural phenomena, including printed books, manuscripts, historical records, art, music and film. The HumAn concentration trains students to work with cultural objects (like texts, film, historical records, etc.) but also to turn words and images into data; to move from one cultural object (like a Victorian novel, for instance) to a corpus consisting of tens of thousands of other novels published in the same period, and to combine close reading with distant reading (aggregating and analyzing massive amounts of data) for maximum insight and accuracy.
Students will develop a broad technical understanding of state-of-the-art computer-assisted methods for humanistic study, such as: social network analysis, text analysis and data mining, topic modeling, classification techniques and visualization. Students will also investigate the histories and historical contexts of such methods, learning to consider their applicability in specific domains. Finally, students will learn to turn a critical eye on the corpora and infrastructures that increasingly underpin humanistic research.
Required Courses (5 courses, 45 units)
76-275 | Introduction to Critical Writing | 9 |
76-380 | Methods in Humanities Analytics | 9 |
Three core courses from the following list:
76-314 | Data Stories | 9 |
76-388 | Coding for Humanists | 9 |
76-425 | Rhetoric, Science, and the Public Sphere | 9 |
76-429 | Introduction to Digital Humanities | 9 |
88-275 | Bubbles: Data Science for Human Minds | 9 |
88-300 | Programming and Data Analysis for Social Scientists | 9 |
Electives (4 courses, 36 units minimum)
Choose four courses from the following categories. One course must come from List A, two from List B, and the fourth in consultation with your Humanities Analytics advisor.
List A: One elective course relevant to digital and analytics methods (at least 9 units):
05-391 | Designing Human Centered Software | 12 |
05-434/11-344 | Machine Learning in Practice | 12 |
11-411 | Natural Language Processing | 12 |
11-441/741 | Machine Learning with Graphs (Course is very mathematical, and is therefore appropriate only to students with such a preparation.) | 9 |
15-104 | Introduction to Computing for Creative Practice | 10 |
15-110 | Principles of Computing | 10 |
15-112 | Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science | 12 |
16-223 | IDeATe Portal: Creative Kinetic Systems | 10 |
16-385 | Computer Vision | 12 |
17-340 | Green Computing | 9 |
17-450 | Crafting Software | 12 |
17-562 | Law of Computer Technology | 9 |
18-090 | Twisted Signals: Multimedia Processing for the Arts | 10 |
36-202 | Methods for Statistics & Data Science | 9 |
36-204 | Discovering the Data Universe | 3 |
36-226 | Introduction to Statistical Inference | 9 |
36-311 | Statistical Analysis of Networks | 9 |
36-315 | Statistical Graphics and Visualization | 9 |
36-350 | Statistical Computing | 9 |
36-462 | Special Topics: Statistical Machine Learning | 9 |
48-095 | Spatial Concepts for Non-Architecture Majors | 10 |
48-120 | Digital Media I | 6 |
51-229 | Digital Photographic Imaging | 9 |
53-451 | Research Issues in Game Development: Designing for XR | 12 |
60/62-142 | Digital Photography I | 10 |
62-150 | IDeATe Portal: Introduction to Media Synthesis and Analysis | 10 |
List B: Two elective courses relevant to broad humanities expertise (at least 18 units):
76-210 | Banned Books | 9 |
76-245 | Shakespeare: Tragedies & Histories | 9 |
76-247 | Shakespeare: Comedies and Romances | 9 |
76-325 | Intertextuality | 9 |
76-339 | Topics in Film and Media | 9 |
76-373 | Argument | 9 |
76-476 | Rhetoric of Science | 9 |
79-175 | Moneyball Nation: Data in American Life | 9 |
79-200 | Introduction to Historical Research & Writing | 9 |
79-234 | Technology and Society | 9 |
80-180 | Nature of Language: An Introduction to Linguistics | 9 |
80-280 | Linguistic Analysis | 9 |
80-381 | Meaning in Language | 9 |
80-383 | Language in Use | 9 |
82-282 | Interpreting Global Texts & Cultures | 9 |
82-283 | Language Diversity & Cultural Identity | 9 |
82-383 | Second Language Acquisition: Theories and Research | 9 |
82-480 | Translation Technologies | 9 |
Note: Additional courses not on List A or List B may also be approved as electives; new courses are added every semester so please speak with Humanities Analytics advisor.
Information Systems Concentration
(107 units minimum)
Did you enjoy computer science or more technical courses in high school, but are mostly interested in the practical and social applications of technology? Do you have a passion for business and want to use advanced technology to change how companies work? Do you want to learn how data and technology can be harnessed for social good?
The BHA concentration in Information Systems combines aspects of computer science, information technology, and business management to provide you with an uncommonly well-rounded portfolio. You will be uniquely positioned for an impactful career in an increasingly digitized and connected world and able to adapt to rapid evolution across industries.
In addition to building a solid foundation in computing, communications, and software development, you will also study social sciences and organizational theory to develop "big picture" critical thinking and understand the human impacts of technological change. This blend prepares you to take a leading role in our digital future.
Students must earn a final grade of "C" or better for these courses to count toward the concentration.
Technical Core (3 courses, 31 units minimum)
Information Systems requires completion of prerequisite courses in mathematics and computer science. All prerequisites must be successfully completed prior to the start of fall semester, junior year. Two Technical Core courses may double-count in the BHA General Education Math, Science, and Computation category.
15-112 | Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science | 12 |
15-121 | Introduction to Data Structures | 10 |
or 15-122 | Principles of Imperative Computation |
Choose one:
21-112 | Calculus II | 10 |
21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus | 10 |
21-127 | Concepts of Mathematics | 12 |
21-240 | Matrix Algebra with Applications | 10 |
80-210 | Logic and Proofs | 9 |
Information Systems Professional Core (8 courses, 76 units)
67-200 | Information Systems Research Colloquium -Fall | 1 |
67-250 | The Information Systems Milieux -Spring | 9 |
67-262 | Database Design and Development -Fall | 9 |
67-272 | Application Design and Development -Spring | 12 |
67-373 | Information Systems Consulting Project -Spring | 12 |
05-391 | Designing Human Centered Software | 12 |
or 05-410 | User-Centered Research and Evaluation | |
or 05-452 | Service Design | |
17-313 | Foundations of Software Engineering | 12 |
95-422 | Managing Digital Transformation | 9 |
International Relations & Political Science Concentration
(81 units minimum)
Offered through the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology (CMIST), the International Relations and Political Science (IRPS) BHA concentration is for students who want to learn how to think systematically and develop foundational knowledge about international and domestic politics. It is an interdisciplinary major that is rooted firmly in political science and draws on strengths and insights from decision science, economics, history, modern languages, and other fields. IRPS students wrestle with a wide range of issues including the future of democracy, the relationship between technology and politics, the drivers of war and peace, domestic politics across countries, and the formulation of effective foreign policies. IRPS graduates embark on a variety of careers in government, law, public policy, intelligence, national defense, consulting, international development, and more.
Core disciplinary courses for the IRPS major establish a strong foundation in the study of political science and enable students to better understand the workings of political institutions, political behavior across countries, the decision-making of political leaders, the making national and international policy, and prevailing challenges to the international system, among other topics.
Core methodology courses train IRPS students in the social science tools and communications skills needed to analyze and write persuasively about international relations and politics. Students pursuing an IRPS major learn to use a wide range of analytic tools including statistics and data science, qualitative analysis, game theory, and behavioral decision-making models as they study politics and strategy. Students also learn how to effectively communicate their analyses to affect public policy.
A rich set of electives allows students to investigate issues in security and technology, grand strategy and national security, cybersecurity and international conflict, military strategy and doctrine, the politics of key regions of the world, international political economy and economic policy, representation and voting rights, climate change and development, repression and human rights, international law and diplomacy, political psychology and public opinion, and social change and revolution.
Recognizing the influence of language and culture on politics, students are required to complete the intermediate (200) level, or its equivalent, in a modern language other than English. Advanced-level study is strongly encouraged.
Prerequisite
84-110 | The Economics of Politics, Policy, and Technology | 9 |
or 73-102 | Principles of Microeconomics | |
or 73-103 | Principles of Macroeconomics |
Core Courses (6 courses, 54 units)
84-104 | Decision Processes in American Political Institutions | 9 |
84-226 | International Relations | 9 |
84-250 | Writing for Political Science and Policy | 9 |
84-266 | Research Design for Political Science | 9 |
84-275 | Comparative Politics | 9 |
36-202 | Methods for Statistics & Data Science | 9 |
Language Requirement
BHA IRPS students are required to complete the intermediate II level or the equivalent in a modern language other than English. The language requirement may be satisfied by the BHA General Education Languages, Cultures, and Applied Linguistics requirement if the 200-level is reached. Advanced level study is strongly encouraged.
Electives (3 courses, 27 units minimum)
International Relations and Political Science BHA students must take 27 units (three courses) from the elective lists below. Two courses (18 units) must be taken from the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology (CMIST) and have an 84-number.
CMIST Electives | ||
84-120 | Introduction to US Constitutional Law | 9 |
84-200 | Security War Game Simulation | 6 |
84-252 | Briefing in the Policy World | 6 |
84-274 | An Introduction to Technology and War | 9 |
84-280 | Popcorn and Politics: American Foreign Policy at the Movies | 10 |
84-303 | International Human Rights | 6 |
84-304 | In the News: Analysis of Current US National Security Priorities | 6 |
84-306 | Latin American Politics | 9 |
84-309 | American Political Divides and Great Debates | 9 |
84-312 | Terrorism in Sub-Saharan Africa | 6 |
84-317 | Defense PPBE in the Age of Emerging Technologies | 6 |
84-318 | Politics of Developing Nations | 9 |
84-319 | Civil-Military Relations | 9 |
84-322 | Nonviolent Conflict and Revolution | 9 |
84-323 | War and Peace in the Contemporary Middle East | 9 |
84-324 | The Future of Democracy | 9 |
84-325 | Contemporary American Foreign Policy | 9 |
84-328 | Military Strategy and Doctrine | 9 |
84-329 | Asian Strategies | 6 |
84-349 | Digital Diplomacy: Cybersecurity Challenges and Global Governance | 9 |
84-350 | A Strategist's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 9 |
84-351 | Bias, Objectivity, and the Media's Role in Politics | 6 |
84-352 | Representation and Voting Rights | 9 |
84-354 | The American Experiment: Unravelling the US Electoral System | 6 |
84-355 | Democracy's Data: Analytics and Insights into American Elections | 9 |
84-362 | Diplomacy and Statecraft | 9 |
84-363 | Click. Hack. Rule: Understanding the Power & Peril of Cyber Conflict | 9 |
84-365 | The Politics of Fake News and Misinformation | 9 |
84-367 | The Politics of Antisemitism | 9 |
84-369 | Decision Science for International Relations | 9 |
84-370 | Nuclear Security & Arms Control | 9 |
84-372 | Space and National Security | 9 |
84-373 | Emerging Technologies and International Law | 9 |
84-380 | US Grand Strategy | 9 |
84-383 | Cyber Policy as National Policy | 6 |
84-386 | The Privatization of Force | 9 |
84-387 | Remote Systems and the Cyber Domain in Conflict | 9 |
84-388 | Concepts of War and Cyber War | 6 |
84-389 | Terrorism and Insurgency | 9 |
84-390 | Social Media, Technology, and Conflict | 9 |
84-393 | Legislative Decision Making: US Congress | 9 |
84-402 | Judicial Politics and Behavior | 9 |
84-405 | The Future of Warfare | 9 |
84-440 | Collaborative Research in Political Science | Var. |
Additional Electives | ||
19-452 | EPP Projects II | 12 |
70-342 | Managing Across Cultures | 9 |
70-365 | International Trade and International Law | 9 |
70-430 | International Management | 9 |
73-332 | Political Economy | 9 |
76-318 | Communicating in the Global Marketplace | 9 |
79-203 | The Other Europe: The Habsburgs, Communism, & Central/Eastern Europe, 1740-1990 | 9 |
79-205 | 20th Century Europe | 9 |
80-136 | Social Structure, Public Policy & Ethics | 9 |
79-223 | Mexico: From the Aztec Empire to the Drug War | 9 |
79-227 | Modern Africa: The Slave Trade to the End of Apartheid | 9 |
79-229 | The Origins of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, 1880-1948 | 9 |
79-230 | The Arab-Israeli Conflict and Peace Process Through 1948 to Present | 9 |
79-257 | Germany and the Second World War | 9 |
79-262 | Modern China: From the Birth of Mao ... to Now | 9 |
79-264 | Tibet and China: History and Propaganda | 9 |
79-265 | Russian History: Game of Thrones | 9 |
79-266 | Russian History and Revolutionary Socialism | 9 |
79-267 | The Soviet Union in World War II: Military, Political, and Social History | 9 |
79-275 | Introduction to Global Studies | 9 |
79-288 | Bananas, Baseball, and Borders: Latin America and the United States | 9 |
79-301 | History of Surveillance: From the Plantation to Data Capitalism | 6 |
79-302 | Killer Robots? The Ethics, Law, and Politics of Drones and A.I. in War | 9 |
79-313 | "Unwanted": Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Patterns of Global Migration | 6 |
79-314 | How Do We Remember? The Politics and Cultures of Memory | 9 |
79-318 | Sustainable Social Change: History and Practice | 9 |
79-320 | Women, Politics, and Protest | 9 |
79-343 | Education, Democracy, and Civil Rights | 9 |
79-377 | Food, Culture, and Power: A History of Eating | 9 |
79-385 | Out of Africa: The Making of the African Diaspora | 9 |
80-135 | Introduction to Political Philosophy | 9 |
80-136 | Social Structure, Public Policy & Ethics | 9 |
80-249 | AI, Society, and Humanity | 9 |
80-335 | Social and Political Philosophy | 9 |
80-348 | Health, Human Rights, and International Development | 9 |
80-447 | Global Justice | 9 |
82-3xx | or 4xx Advanced Level Modern Language Course | |
88-281 | Topics in Law: 1st Amendment | 9 |
88-284 | Topics of Law: The Bill of Rights | 9 |
88-411 | Rise of the Asian Economies | 9 |
Japanese Studies Concentration
(84 units minimum)
A BHA concentration in Japanese Studies promotes not just language proficiency but also an understanding of Japanese culture. Students who arrive at Carnegie Mellon with previous language study and/or who have high Advanced Placement, an International Baccalaureate, a Cambridge GCE Advanced level or internal placement exam scores will be able to begin taking courses in the concentration earlier in their undergraduate program. In all cases, progress in the concentration will be accelerated by study abroad, which is recommended for all students.
Prerequisites
Low-intermediate-level proficiency in Japanese. This is equivalent to the completion of three courses (two at the 100-level and one at the 200-level) or may be demonstrated through CMU internal placement test scores.
Core Courses in Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics (LCAL) (1 course, 9 units)
Complete one course.
82-282 | Interpreting Global Texts & Cultures | 9 |
82-283 | Language Diversity & Cultural Identity | 9 |
82-482 | Introduction to Translation | 9 |
Foundational Courses in Japanese Studies (4 courses, 39 units)
82-272 | Intermediate Japanese II | 12 |
82-273 | Introduction to Japanese Language and Culture | 9 |
82-371 | Advanced Japanese I: An Exploration of Critical Global Topics | 9 |
82-372 | Advanced Japanese II -Changes in Japan II: Lifestyle/Religion and Gender | 9 |
Japanese Studies Electives (4 courses, 36 units)
In consultation with the concentration advisor, choose three courses taught in Japanese and one course taught in English.
Linguistics Concentration
(81 units minimum)
The BHA concentration in Linguistics combines courses from the departments of English, Languages, Cultures, and Applied Linguistics, Philosophy and Psychology and the Language Technologies Institute. Linguistics is the study of human language, and it encompasses a broad spectrum of research questions, approaches and methodologies. Some linguists are concerned with the cognitive aspects of language learning, production and comprehension; some are concerned with language as a social and cultural phenomenon; others engage in the analysis of linguistic form and meaning, some from a functional and others from a formal perspective. There are also computational approaches to linguistics with both applied and theoretical goals.
Introductory Course (1 course, 9 units)
80-180 | Nature of Language: An Introduction to Linguistics | 9 |
Linguistics Core (2 courses, 18 units)
Take one course each in two of the following three areas.
Sounds:
80-282 | Phonetics and Phonology I | 9 |
Structure:
80-280 | Linguistic Analysis | 9 |
80-285 | Natural Language Syntax | 9 |
Meaning:
80-381 | Meaning in Language | 9 |
80-383 | Language in Use | 9 |
Extended Core (3 courses, 27 units)
Choose three courses from Extended Core or additional courses from the Linguistics Core above.
76-389 | Rhetorical Grammar | 9 |
80-283 | It Matters How You Say It | 9 |
80-286 | Words and Word Formation: Introduction to Morphology | 9 |
80-287 | Language Variation and Change | 9 |
80-288 | Intonation: The Meaning of Linguistic Tunes | 9 |
80-382 | Phonetics and Phonology II | 9 |
80-384 | Linguistics of Turkic Languages | 9 |
80-385 | Linguistics of Germanic Languages | 9 |
80-388 | Linguistic Typology: Diversity and Universals | 9 |
80-488 | Acoustics of Human Speech: Theory, Data, and Analysis | 9 |
Elective Courses (3 courses, 27 units)
Take three additional electives. These can be additional courses from the Core or Extended Core courses listed above, the electives list below, or any other course which must be approved by the concentration advisor as a linguistics elective. Listed below are the additional electives taught on a regular basis. Additional appropriate courses are offered irregularly or on a one-off basis. The concentration advisor will provide students with a list of possible electives each semester, and will assist students in selecting electives that are consistent with their goals and interests. A list of these courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Philosophy:
80-484 | Language and Thought | 9 |
English:
76-318 | Communicating in the Global Marketplace | 9 |
76-325 | Intertextuality | 9 |
76-386 | Language & Culture | 9 |
76-388 | Coding for Humanists | 9 |
76-389 | Rhetorical Grammar | 9 |
Languages, Cultures, and Applied Linguistics:
82-239 | Crazy Linguistically Rich Asian Languages | 9 |
82-334 | Structure of Chinese | 9 |
82-373 | Structure of the Japanese Language | 9 |
82-383 | Second Language Acquisition: Theories and Research | 9 |
82-387 | Introduction to Linguistic Data Analysis Using R | 9 |
Psychology:
85-354 | Infant Language Development | 9 |
85-421 | Language and Thought | 9 |
Language Technologies Institute:
11-411 | Natural Language Processing | 12 |
11-423 | ConLanging: Lrng. Ling. & Lang Tech via Constru Artif. Lang. | 12 |
11-492 | Speech Technology for Conversational AI | 12 |
Statistics and Data Science:
36-468 | Special Topics: Text Analysis | 9 |
Literature & Culture Concentration
(81 units minimum)
The BHA concentration in Literature & Culture teaches students how to read, interpret and write persuasively about novels, poems, plays and other imaginative works across a variety of genres and media forms. Along with teaching students the analytical skills and methodological tools to interpret these works, this major teaches the importance of understanding imaginative works within their cultural and historical contexts. In addition, the concentration is designed to train students in strong professional and academic skills like critical thinking, inductive reasoning and persuasive argumentation that are applicable to other fields of study and a variety of career paths.
Prerequisite Course
Choose one course:
76-260 | Introduction to Writing Fiction | 9 |
76-261 | Intro to Writing Creative Nonfiction | 9 |
76-265 | Introduction to Writing Poetry | 9 |
76-269 | Introduction to Screenwriting | 9 |
Required Introductory Courses (2 courses, 18 units)
76-245 | Shakespeare: Tragedies & Histories | 9 |
or 76-247 | Shakespeare: Comedies and Romances | |
76-275 | Introduction to Critical Writing | 9 |
200-Level Literature & Culture Course (1 course, 9 units)
Course options include but are not limited to the following:
76-203 | Literature & Culture in the 18th Century | 9 |
76-207 | Special Topics in Literature & Culture | 9 |
76-210 | Banned Books | 9 |
76-217 | Literature & Culture of the 20th and 21st Century | 9 |
76-220 | Mystery: From Detective Fiction to True Crime | 9 |
76-221 | Books You Should Have Read By Now | 9 |
76-230 | Literature & Culture in the 19th Century | 9 |
76-233 | Literature and Culture in the Renaissance | 9 |
76-241 | Introduction to Gender Studies | 9 |
76-244 | Immigrant Fictions | 9 |
76-245 | Shakespeare: Tragedies & Histories (if not taken as Required Introductory Course) | 9 |
76-247 | Shakespeare: Comedies and Romances (if not taken as Required Introductory Course) | 9 |
300-Level Course (1 course, 9 units)
Course options include but are not limited to the following:
76-310 | Advanced Studies in Film and Media | 9 |
76-314 | Data Stories | 9 |
76-316 | Topics in Literature: Watching HBO's The Watchmen | 9 |
76-317 | Contemporary American Fiction | 9 |
76-326 | Contemporary Global Literature | 9 |
76-329 | Performing Race in Early Modernity | 9 |
76-337 | Intersectional Feminism (if not taken as a Theory Course) | 9 |
76-339 | Topics in Film and Media | 9 |
76-341 | Race & Gender in the Age of Jane Austen | 9 |
76-342 | Love: A Cultural History | 9 |
76-343 | Rise of the American Novel | 9 |
76-367 | Fact Into Film: Translating History into Cinema | 9 |
400-Level Course (1 course, 9 units)
Course options include but are not limited to the following:
76-407 | Topics in Literary & Cultural Studies | 9 |
76-408 | Culture and Globalization | 9 |
76-410 | The Long Eighteenth Century | 9 |
76-423 | Transnational Feminisms | 9 |
76-429 | Introduction to Digital Humanities | 9 |
76-437 | Global Realisms: (if not taken as a Theory Course) | 9 |
76-439 | Seminar in Film and Media Studies | 9 |
76-440 | Postcolonial Theory: Diaspora and Transnationalism | 9 |
76-442 | Black Lives in Pre-1900 Britain | 9 |
76-446 | Revenge Tragedy | 9 |
76-448 | Shakespeare on Film | 9 |
76-452 | Generations and Culture | 9 |
76-458 | Sociology of Literature & Culture | 9 |
76-467 | Crime Fiction and Film | 9 |
76-468 | Space and Mobilities | 9 |
76-495 | Other People's Words: The History, Theory, and Practice of Interviews | 9 |
Theory Course (1 course, 9 units)
Course options include but are not limited to the following:
76-337 | Intersectional Feminism (if not taken as a 300-Level Course) | 9 |
76-437 | Global Realisms: (if not taken as a 400-Level Course) | 9 |
76-458 | Sociology of Literature & Culture (if not taken as a 400-Level Course) | 9 |
Rhetoric Course (1 course, 9 units)
Course options include but are not limited to the following:
76-318 | Communicating in the Global Marketplace | 9 |
76-351 | Rhetorical Invention | 9 |
76-373 | Argument | 9 |
76-384 | Race, Nation, and the Enemy | 9 |
76-388 | Coding for Humanists | 9 |
76-389 | Rhetorical Grammar | 9 |
76-415 | Mediated Power and Propaganda | 9 |
76-418 | Rhetoric and the Body | 9 |
76-475 | Law, Performance, and Identity | 9 |
76-476 | Rhetoric of Science | 9 |
76-492 | Rhetoric of Public Policy | 9 |
76-496 | Research Methods in Rhetoric & Writing Studies (permission required from instructor) | 9 |
English Elective Courses (2 courses, 18 units)
Complete two additional courses from the English Department’s offerings. One course must be at the 300-level, and one must be at the 400-level. Electives may include any courses offered by the English Department from any specialization area, with the exception of creative writing workshops.
Logic & Computation Concentration
(81 units minimum)
Students in the program take a common core of courses in logic, methodology, and computer science, together with an associated seminar in their senior year. The individual focus is achieved by selecting a sequence of four advanced and closely related courses. It is in this area of focus (or specialization) that students write their senior thesis under the supervision of a faculty member.
The resulting education in logic, analytic philosophy, mathematics, statistics and computer science enables students to pursue professional careers or graduate study. The analytic and communication skills developed in the major support a wide range of career choices, including those among the fields of technology, business and law. Fields of graduate study for which students are well prepared include, for example, computer science, cognitive science, philosophy, logic and linguistics.
Prerequisites
80-211 | Logic and Mathematical Inquiry (Recommended prior to 21-127) | 9 |
15-112 | Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science | 12 |
21-127 | Concepts of Mathematics | 12 |
Logic & Computation Core (5 courses, 51 units)
15-122 | Principles of Imperative Computation | 12 |
15-150 | Principles of Functional Programming | 12 |
80-150 | Nature of Reason | 9 |
80-310 | Formal Logic | 9 |
80-311 | Undecidability and Incompleteness | 9 |
Logic & Computation Electives (3-4 courses, 30 units minimum)
Bearing in mind prerequisites, Logic & Computation students must complete at least three advanced courses in areas that use logical and computational tools, such as philosophy, computer science, linguistics, mathematical logic, psychology or statistics. The sequence of courses, mostly at the 300-level, must be selected in consultation with the concentration advisor.
Philosophy Concentration
(81 units minimum)
The BHA Concentration in in Philosophy provides students with a broad humanities education and sharpens their analytical skills. We encourage, but do not require, students to choose a thematic concentration through their electives. Sample curricula emphasizing Pre-Law, Metaphysics and Epistemology, Ethics and Social Philosophy, and Philosophy of Mind are suggested below. However, alternative emphases can be proposed and approved by the concentration advisor.
In any of the areas listed, substitutions of courses that cohere with a student’s interest may be allowed with approval from the concentration advisor.
Introduction to Philosophy (1 course, 9 units)
80-100 | Introduction to Philosophy | 9 |
Area 1: Values and Normative Theory (1 course, 9 units)
80-130 | Introduction to Ethics | 9 |
80-234 | Race, Gender, and Justice | 9 |
80-135 | Introduction to Political Philosophy | 9 |
80-136 | Social Structure, Public Policy & Ethics | 9 |
80-244 | Environmental Ethics | 9 |
80-245 | Medical Ethics | 9 |
80-246 | Moral Psychology | 9 |
80-249 | AI, Society, and Humanity | 9 |
80-330 | Ethical Theory | 9 |
80-335 | Social and Political Philosophy | 9 |
80-336 | Philosophy of Law | 9 |
80-348 | Health, Human Rights, and International Development | 9 |
80-447 | Global Justice | 9 |
Area 2: Philosophy of Mind/Language/Metaphysics (1 course, 9 units)
80-180 | Nature of Language: An Introduction to Linguistics | 9 |
80-270 | Problems of Mind and Body: Meaning and Doing | 9 |
80-271 | Mind and Body: The Objective and the Subjective | 9 |
80-276 | Philosophy of Religion | 9 |
80-280 | Linguistic Analysis | 9 |
80-282 | Phonetics and Phonology I | 9 |
80-283 | It Matters How You Say It | 9 |
80-285 | Natural Language Syntax | 9 |
80-286 | Words and Word Formation: Introduction to Morphology | 9 |
80-287 | Language Variation and Change | 9 |
80-288 | Intonation: The Meaning of Linguistic Tunes | 9 |
80-381 | Meaning in Language | 9 |
80-382 | Phonetics and Phonology II | 9 |
80-383 | Language in Use | 9 |
80-384 | Linguistics of Turkic Languages | 9 |
80-385 | Linguistics of Germanic Languages | 9 |
80-388 | Linguistic Typology: Diversity and Universals | 9 |
Area 3: Logic/Philosophy of Mathematics (1 course, 9 units)
80-210 | Logic and Proofs | 9 |
80-211 | Logic and Mathematical Inquiry | 9 |
80-212 | Arguments and Logical Analysis | 9 |
80-310 | Formal Logic | 9 |
80-311 | Undecidability and Incompleteness | 9 |
80-312 | Mathematical Revolutions | 9 |
80-315 | Logics for Knowledge and Belief | 9 |
80-411 | Proof Theory | 9 |
80-413 | Category Theory | 9 |
80-419 | Interactive Theorem Proving | 9 |
80-514 | Categorical Logic | 9 |
Area 4: Epistemology/Methodology (1 course, 9 units)
80-150 | Nature of Reason | 9 |
80-201 | Knowledge and Justified Belief | 9 |
80-208 | Critical Thinking | 9 |
80-220 | Philosophy of Science | 9 |
80-221 | Philosophy of Social Science | 9 |
80-226 | The Nature of Scientific Revolutions | 9 |
80-261 | Experience, Reason, and Truth | 9 |
80-305 | Game Theory | 9 |
80-306 | Decision Theory | 9 |
80-324 | Philosophy of Economics | 9 |
80-516 | Causality and Machine Learning | 9 |
80-521 | Seminar on Formal Epistemology: Belief and Evidence | 9 |
80-325 | Foundations of Causation and Machine Learning | 9 |
Area 5: History of Philosophy (1 course, 9 units)
80-150 | Nature of Reason | 9 |
80-226 | The Nature of Scientific Revolutions | 9 |
80-250 | Ancient Philosophy | 9 |
80-251 | Modern Philosophy | 9 |
80-252 | Kant | 9 |
80-253 | Continental Philosophy | 9 |
80-254 | Analytic Philosophy | 9 |
80-261 | Experience, Reason, and Truth | 9 |
80-350 | Adam Smith | 9 |
80-551 | Seminar on History of Philosophy: Smith and Hume | 9 |
Area 6: Electives (3 courses, 27 units)
Three other philosophy courses, or appropriate courses from other departments, with the permission of the concentration advisor.
Policy & Management Concentration
(87 units minimum)
The Policy & Management concentration prepares students for key decision-making and management roles in government, non-profit organizations and business. The concentration emphasizes analytical approaches to decision making, practical management skills and empirical techniques necessary for graduates to excel in the public and private sectors. The multidisciplinary curriculum merges frontier knowledge on the ideals of decision making, policy and data analysis, as well as the realities of individual behavior within various institutional settings that must be confronted if high-quality outcomes are to be attained.
The Policy & Management concentration provides an excellent combination of theoretical and practical skills for students who intend to seek managerial positions. Because of its strong analytic orientation, it is also an excellent concentration for those who intend to go on to professional school programs in law, business or public policy. It is also an appropriate choice for students pursuing graduate degrees in economics, political science or decision science.
Policy Core (2 courses, 18 units)
The Policy Core gives students applied economic training and policy analysis experience. Students will gain an analytical understanding of some of the biggest domestic and global economic policy challenges, and gain an appreciation of the economic analysis of complex decisions, as well as the trade-off between economic and political-based decision making.
73-102 | Principles of Microeconomics | 9 |
88-221 | Markets, Democracy, and Public Policy | 9 |
Management Core (3 courses, 30 units)
The Management Core focuses on real-world applications of decision making. Students will develop an understanding of effective negotiation strategies and tactics, and identify the barriers and the psychological factors that may prevent decision-makers from reaching wise agreements. The courses provide systematic methods for dealing with the complexities that make decisions difficult, ranging from incorporating issues of risk and uncertainty in decision making to dealing with choices that have mutually conflicting objectives. For example, a business or government agency may need to decide on a policy for mitigating the uncertain impacts of air pollution while simultaneously trying to minimize the costs of such a policy on manufacturing. A firm might want to consider the uncertain reductions in security dangers from alternative policies to protect against terrorism.
88-150 | Managing Decisions | 9 |
or 88-255 | Strategic Decision Making | |
88-223 | Decision Analysis | 12 |
88-235 | Negotiation: Strategies and Behavioral Insights | 9 |
or 88-234 | Negotiation: International Focus |
Empirical Core (3 courses, 27 units)
The Empirical Core focuses on key methods for collecting and analyzing data that are needed to make informed decisions. Students learn to use interviews, surveys, experiments and econometric methods to enhance their ability to test existing, and design new policies. Students will create statistical models to address questions asked in conceptual, computational and data-driven investigations.
36-202 | Methods for Statistics & Data Science | 9 |
88-251 | Empirical Research Methods | 9 |
88-252 | Causal Inference: from Data to Decisions | 9 |
or 88-275 | Bubbles: Data Science for Human Minds |
Senior Project (1 course, 12 units)
The required Senior Project course gives students hands-on experience in a policy-related area. Students work in teams to apply the research and analytical methods learned in their other courses to a real-world problem.
88-451/452 | Policy Analysis Senior Project | 12 |
Politics & Public Policy Concentration
(81 units minimum)
Rooted in the discipline of political science, the concentration in Politics and Public Policy investigates US public policy issues and matters of American politics and law while providing students hands-on and practical learning experiences. Students pursuing the Politics and Public Policy concentration must participate in the Carnegie Mellon University Washington Semester Program (CMU/WSP) for one semester during their undergraduate years.
The CMU/WSP, sponsored by the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology (CMIST), is a semester-long program in which students live, intern, and take CMU classes in Washington, DC. Undergraduates from any course of study at the university may participate in the program. Students earn 48 units for the Carnegie Mellon University Washington Semester Program, interning about twenty-four hours per week in any sector or field of interest within Washington, DC, while taking classes on American politics, public policy, and law taught by Carnegie Mellon faculty.
From embassies to nongovernmental organizations, think tanks to advocacy organizations, government agencies to congressional offices, and consulting firms to media outlets, Washington, DC, is the center of US political, international, and public policy activities. Students in the program come into direct contact with policymakers, Congressmen, think tank leaders, and business leaders, and through hands-on experience learn about the most pressing policy issues of the day.
Through this experiential learning program, CMU/WSP participants develop professional and networking skills, explore how coursework connects to the real world, learn to give and receive constructive feedback in the workplace and classroom, and intentionally reflect on their learning and growth. Every CMU/WSP student is paired with a Washington, DC- based alumni mentor to share career advice and tips about life in DC. CMIST also sponsors events and policy-oriented opportunities in Washington for students participating in the program to further enrich their experience and enhance their understanding of how Washington functions as a hub of international and domestic policy decision making.
Foundational Course (1 course, 9 units)
Students must complete the following course:
84-104 | Decision Processes in American Political Institutions | 9 |
Economics or Data Science Course (1 course, 9 units)
Students must complete one of the following courses:
84-110 | The Economics of Politics, Policy, and Technology | 9 |
or 73-102 | Principles of Microeconomics | |
or 73-103 | Principles of Macroeconomics | |
or 36-202 | Methods for Statistics & Data Science |
CMU/WSP Seminars in Washington, DC (4 courses, 48 units)
Students must take the following courses while participating in the CMU/WSP:
84-360 | CMU/WSP: Internship Seminar | 24 |
84-336 | Implementing Public Policy: From Good Idea To Reality | 12 |
or 84-339 | Seminar in Public Policy Research | |
84-332 | Contemporary US Constitutional Law Issues | 6 |
84-338 | Analysis of US Presidential Powers | 6 |
American Politics Courses in Pittsburgh (2 courses, 15 units minimum)
Students must take two courses (15 units minimum) from the below list of electives taught in Pittsburgh.
84-120 | Introduction to US Constitutional Law | 9 |
84-252 | Briefing in the Policy World | 6 |
84-280 | Popcorn and Politics: American Foreign Policy at the Movies | 10 |
84-304 | In the News: Analysis of Current US National Security Priorities | 6 |
84-309 | American Political Divides and Great Debates | 9 |
84-319 | Civil-Military Relations | 9 |
84-325 | Contemporary American Foreign Policy | 9 |
84-351 | Bias, Objectivity, and the Media's Role in Politics | 6 |
84-352 | Representation and Voting Rights | 9 |
84-354 | The American Experiment: Unravelling the US Electoral System | 6 |
84-355 | Democracy's Data: Analytics and Insights into American Elections | 9 |
84-362 | Diplomacy and Statecraft | 9 |
84-365 | The Politics of Fake News and Misinformation | 9 |
84-367 | The Politics of Antisemitism | 9 |
84-380 | US Grand Strategy | 9 |
84-393 | Legislative Decision Making: US Congress | 9 |
84-402 | Judicial Politics and Behavior | 9 |
Professional Writing Concentration
(84 units minimum)
Professional Writing combines liberal and professional education with a strong foundation in rhetorical studies. The concentration in Professional Writing has a strong career orientation and is specifically designed to prepare students for successful careers as writers and communications specialists in a range of fields: publishing, government, journalism, the non-profit sector, education, public and media relations, corporate communications, advocacy writing and the arts. The concentration is designed to develop articulate and reflective communications professionals with both the skills needed to enter and negotiate current work contexts (including writing for the web and other digital media) and the analytic and problem-solving skills needed to understand and keep pace with cultural and technological change.
Prerequisite English Elective
Students with a concentration in Professional Writing must complete one perquisite course from the English Department’s offerings, which focuses on the relationships between texts and their cultural and historical contexts. The course must be at or above the 200 level. 76-270 Writing for the Professions, and 76-271 Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing may not count as English electives. Appropriate courses are advertised every semester in the English department’s “What Counts for What” list.
Foundation Courses (5 courses, 39 units)
76-26x | Introductory Genre Writing Course (Nonfiction, Fiction, Poetry or Screenwriting) | 9 |
76-271 | Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing | 9 |
76-300 | Professional Seminar | 3 |
76-373 | Argument | 9 |
76-390 | Style | 9 |
Rhetoric/Language Studies Course (1 course, 9 units)
Students with a concentration in Professional Writing complete one course from designated Rhetoric courses offered and advertised each semester by the English Department. Rhetoric courses focus on understanding the role of language and language practices in both personal and professional contexts. Courses emphasize the relationships between texts and their contexts and pay particular attention to textual features, meaning, processes of reading and writing, and the ways in which language practices vary over time and across situations and cultures. The courses also equip students with explicit techniques for analyzing, understanding and exploring language practices. The Rhetoric/Language Studies courses may also be taken as part of the concentration requirements for three additional, Advanced Writing/Rhetoric courses and include but are not limited to the following list.
76-325 | Intertextuality | 9 |
76-351 | Rhetorical Invention | 9 |
76-360 | Literary Journalism Workshop | 9 |
76-384 | Race, Nation, and the Enemy | 9 |
76-388 | Coding for Humanists | 9 |
76-389 | Rhetorical Grammar | 9 |
76-395 | Science Writing | 9 |
76-415 | Mediated Power and Propaganda | 9 |
76-473 | Rhetoric & the Construction of Race | 9 |
76-474 | Software Documentation | 9 |
76-476 | Rhetoric of Science | 9 |
76-494 | Healthcare Communications | 9 |
Advanced Writing/Rhetoric Courses (3 courses, 27 units minimum)
Students with a concentration in Professional Writing complete three Advanced Writing/Rhetoric courses at the 300- or 400-level at a minimum of 27 units, as some courses are only six units, while others are variable units. Options for these courses include all of the Rhetoric/Language Studies courses listed above plus the writing-focused courses listed below. Additional courses that fulfill these requirements are advertised on a semester-by-semester basis. For help in choosing which of the possible options are most appropriate for various professional goals – journalism, writing for new media, editing and publishing, public relations/corporate communications, or science and technical writing – consult your English Department advisor. All students with a concentration in PW, regardless of their career focus, are encouraged to take 76-391 Document & Information Design and 76-487 Information Architecture & Content Strategy (formerly titled Web Design) to extend their skills in writing for print to include information design for digital media. Both courses focus on the role of the writer in these specializations and provide lab instruction in the relevant software and related computer skills.
Courses include but are not limited to:
76-301 | Internship | Var. |
76-302 | Communication Support Tutoring Practicum | 6 |
76-314 | Data Stories | 9 |
76-351 | Rhetorical Invention | 9 |
76-354 | Watchdog Journalism | 9 |
76-360 | Literary Journalism Workshop | 9 |
76-372 | News Writing | 9 |
76-380 | Methods in Humanities Analytics | 9 |
76-388 | Coding for Humanists | 9 |
76-389 | Rhetorical Grammar | 9 |
76-391 | Document & Information Design | 9 |
76-395 | Science Writing | 9 |
76-415 | Mediated Power and Propaganda | 9 |
76-418 | Rhetoric and the Body | 9 |
76-425 | Rhetoric, Science, and the Public Sphere | 9 |
76-464 | Creative Nonfiction Workshop | 9 |
76-474 | Software Documentation | 9 |
76-475 | Law, Performance, and Identity | 9 |
76-476 | Rhetoric of Science | 9 |
76-481 | Introduction to Multimedia Design | 12 |
76-483 | Research Methods in Technical & Professional Communication | 9 |
76-487 | Information Architecture & Content Strategy (co-requisite with 76-488) | 9 |
76-488 | Information Architecture & Content Strategy Lab (co-requisite with 76-487) | 3 |
76-492 | Rhetoric of Public Policy | 9 |
76-494 | Healthcare Communications | 9 |
76-496 | Research Methods in Rhetoric & Writing Studies (instructor permission required) | 9 |
English Elective (1 course, 9 units minimum)
Students with a concentration in Professional Writing complete one additional course from the English Department’s offerings. This course should be one that focuses on the relationships between texts and their cultural and historical contexts. Courses in literature, cultural studies, rhetoric and media studies that meet this requirement are advertised on a semester-by-semester basis. The English Elective may be any course offered by the Department with the exception of 76-270 Writing for the Professions, which is designed for non-majors and overlaps with 76-271 Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing.
Psychology Concentration
(81 units minimum)
Psychology is a science that embraces both biological and social sciences. It is a science concerned with establishing principles and laws regarding the ways in which people think, feel, and behave through the scientific study of human behavior. Students with a concentration in Psychology are expected not only to learn about findings already established by psychologists, but also to become proficient in the investigation and analysis of behavior. This includes observing behavior, formulating hypotheses, designing experiments to test these hypotheses, running experiments, performing statistical analyses and writing reports.
Breadth Courses (4 courses, 36 units)
To gain familiarity with the breadth of the field of Psychology, students take 85-102 Introduction to Psychology and three survey courses.
Required Intro Course:
85-102 | Introduction to Psychology | 9 |
Survey Courses:
85-104 | Psychopathology | 9 |
85-211 | Cognitive Psychology | 9 |
or 85-213 | Human Information Processing and Artificial Intelligence | |
85-219 | Foundations of Brain and Behavior | 9 |
85-221 | Principles of Child Development | 9 |
85-241 | Social Psychology | 9 |
85-251 | Personality | 9 |
Research Methods and Statistics (3 courses, 27 units)
Students complete two courses in Research Methods (18 units). The corresponding survey course is a prerequisite.
85-300 | Introduction to Research Methods | 9 |
85-310 | Research Methods in Cognitive Psychology | 9 |
85-314 | Cognitive Neuroscience Research Methods | 9 |
85-320 | Research Methods in Developmental Psychology | 9 |
85-330 | Analytic Research Methods | 9 |
85-340 | Research Methods in Social Psychology | 9 |
The following Statistics course is a prerequisite for all the Research Methods courses. This Statistics course counts toward the Psychology concentration.
36-309 | Experimental Design for Behavioral & Social Sciences -Fall | 9 |
or 85-309 | Statistical Concepts and Methods for Behavioral and Social Science |
Advanced Courses (2 courses, 18 units)
Complete any two advanced courses or seminars in Psychology numbered higher than 85-349. (excepting 85-480, 85-482, 85-484, 85-506, 85-507, 85-508).
Russian Studies Concentration
(84 units minimum)
A BHA concentration in Russian Studies promotes not just language proficiency but also an understanding of Russian culture. Students who arrive at Carnegie Mellon with previous language study and/or who have high Advanced Placement, an International Baccalaureate, a Cambridge GCE Advanced level or internal placement exam scores will be able to begin taking courses in the concentration earlier in their undergraduate program. In all cases, progress in the concentration will be accelerated by study abroad, which is recommended for all students.
Prerequisites
There are no language prerequisites for the Russian major. Students with native or near-native proficiency in Russian or with prior study at the elementary or intermediate level may begin language study at a higher level, based on consultation with the concentration advisor and placement through CMU placement tests.
Core Courses in Russian Language (4 courses, 39 units minimum)
Complete at least four semesters of Russian language study. Students who take Intensive Elementary Russian and those who place into higher level courses will still need to complete four semesters of language study.
82-191 | Elementary Russian I | 12 |
82-292 | Intermediate Russian II | 12 |
82-291 | Intermediate Russian I | 12 |
82-292 | Intermediate Russian II | 12 |
82-194 | Intensive Russian (I & II) | 15 |
Core Courses in Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics (LCAL) (1 course, 9 units)
82-282 | Interpreting Global Texts & Cultures | 9 |
Foundational Courses in Russian Studies (2 course, 18 units)
82-294 | 19th Century Russian Masterpieces | Var. |
or 82-295 | 20th Century Russian Masterpieces | |
79-269 | Russian History: From Socialism to Capitalism * | 9 |
* Other courses with a historical focus are available in the Department of History or LCAL. Please consult the concentration advisor for more options.
Russian Studies Electives (2 courses, 18 units)
In consultation with the concentration advisor, choose two additional courses focusing on Russia, Eastern Europe, or Eurasia. Students may substitute one relevant and related course from outside the program (i.e., another LCAL course) or from another department (e.g., History, CMIST, Philosophy, English).
Social & Political History Concentration
(84 units minimum)
The BHA concentration in Social & Political History focuses on new ways to understand the past and new ways to use what we know, as well as on connections between past and present and on how historical knowledge facilitates understanding of social, cultural and policy change. The History concentration emphasizes empirical methods and conceptual analysis, as well as specific research skills relevant to many types of jobs and further professional training. The History concentration combines a structured sequence of courses, training in research methods, theoretical concepts, and analytical writing skills, plus a considerable array of electives.
The BHA concentration in Social & Political History emphasizes broad-based, cumulative knowledge and interpretive skills in the study of the past. Offerings at the 200- and 300-level are designed to allow maximum flexibility in meeting requirements and maximum choice in focusing on particular themes, places, or eras. Upper-level courses aim to give students majoring in History more time together in smaller classes and more experience working with primary and secondary sources. The senior capstone seminar, Historical Research Seminar, provides training and experience in conducting original research and in interpretive, analytical writing—skills that prepare graduates for professional careers as well as for graduate or law school.
Required History Courses (2 courses, 21 units)
Students must earn a final grade of “C” or better for these courses to count toward the concentration.
79-200 | Introduction to Historical Research & Writing -Sophomore or Junior year | 9 |
79-420 | Historical Research Seminar -Fall, Senior year | 12 |
Required Survey Courses (2 courses, 18 units)
79-120 | Introduction to African American History: Black Americans and the World | 9 |
79-160 | Introduction to the History of Science | 9 |
79-170 | Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society | 9 |
79-202 | Flesh and Spirit: Early Modern Europe, 1400-1750 | 9 |
79-203 | The Other Europe: The Habsburgs, Communism, & Central/Eastern Europe, 1740-1990 | 9 |
79-204 | American Environmental History | 9 |
79-205 | 20th Century Europe | 9 |
79-206 | Crime and Punishment in Early Modern Europe | 9 |
79-211 | Modern Southeast Asia: Colonialism, Capitalism, and Cultural Exchange | 9 |
79-212 | Jim Crow America | 9 |
79-223 | Mexico: From the Aztec Empire to the Drug War | 9 |
79-225 | West African History in Film | 9 |
79-226 | African History: Earliest Times to 1780 | 9 |
79-227 | Modern Africa: The Slave Trade to the End of Apartheid | 9 |
79-229 | The Origins of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, 1880-1948 | 9 |
79-230 | The Arab-Israeli Conflict and Peace Process Through 1948 to Present | 9 |
79-240 | Development of American Culture | 9 |
79-242 | African American History: Reconstruction to the Present | 9 |
79-244 | Women in American History | 9 |
79-245 | Capitalism and Individualism in American Culture | 9 |
79-248 | U.S. Constitution & the Presidency | 9 |
79-249 | 20th Century U.S. History | 9 |
79-250 | Voting Rights: An Introduction | 9 |
79-260 | Nazi Germany | 9 |
79-261 | The Last Emperors: Chinese History and Society, 1600-1900 | 9 |
79-262 | Modern China: From the Birth of Mao ... to Now | 9 |
79-265 | Russian History: Game of Thrones | 9 |
79-266 | Russian History and Revolutionary Socialism | 9 |
79-269 | Russian History: From Socialism to Capitalism | 9 |
79-272 | Coexistence and Conflict: Muslims, Christians and Jews in Spain and Portugal | 9 |
79-282 | Europe and the World Since 1800 | 9 |
79-288 | Bananas, Baseball, and Borders: Latin America and the United States | 9 |
79-320 | Women, Politics, and Protest | 9 |
Social & Political History Elective Courses (5 courses, 45 units minimum)
A minimum of 45 additional History units must be approved with the History advisor. Any History courses not fulfilling another major requirement may be chosen as an elective. Any History (79-xxx) class can count as an SPH elective except for 79-198, 79-200, 79-400, 79-420, 79-449, 79-491). See the History Department website (www.cmu.edu/dietrich/history) or contact the History advisor for the most current elective offerings.
Students may satisfy the elective requirements in SPH with up to 27 units of the following courses offered by other departments in Dietrich College:
73-476 | American Economic History | 9 |
76-230 | Literature & Culture in the 19th Century | 9 |
76-239 | Introduction to Film Studies | 9 |
76-295 | Russian Cinema: From the Bolshevik Revolution to Putin's Russia | 9 |
80-135 | Introduction to Political Philosophy | 9 |
80-226 | The Nature of Scientific Revolutions | 9 |
80-335 | Social and Political Philosophy | 9 |
82-245 | New Directions in Hispanic Studies | 9 |
82-247 | US Latinos Literature | 9 |
82-293 | Russian Cinema: From the Bolshevik Revolution to Putin's Russia | 9 |
82-327 | The Emergence of the German Speaking World | 9 |
82-420 | The Crucible of Modernity:Vienna 1900 | 9 |
82-427 | Nazi and Resistance Culture | 9 |
84-275 | Comparative Politics | 9 |
84-322 | Nonviolent Conflict and Revolution | 9 |
84-324 | The Future of Democracy | 9 |
84-325 | Contemporary American Foreign Policy | 9 |
84-362 | Diplomacy and Statecraft | 9 |
84-380 | US Grand Strategy | 9 |
84-386 | The Privatization of Force | 9 |
84-389 | Terrorism and Insurgency | 9 |
85-380 | In Search of Mind: The History of Psychology | 9 |
88-281 | Topics in Law: 1st Amendment | 9 |
88-284 | Topics of Law: The Bill of Rights | 9 |
Statistics Concentration
(81 units minimum)
In the BHA concentration in Statistics, students develop and master a wide array of skills in computing, mathematics, statistical theory, and the interpretation and display of complex data. In addition, students with a BHA concentration in Statistics gain experience in applying statistical tools to real problems in other fields and learn the nuances of interdisciplinary collaboration.
Prerequisites
These courses are not counted as part of your DC Concentration. They may be used to satisfy general education or free elective requirements.
21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus | 10 |
21-256 | Multivariate Analysis | 9 |
or 21-259 | Calculus in Three Dimensions | |
21-240 | Matrix Algebra with Applications | 10 |
or 21-241 | Matrices and Linear Transformations | |
or 21-242 | Matrix Theory | |
15-110 | Principles of Computing | 10 |
or 15-112 | Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science |
Note: 21-240, 21-241, 21-242 must be completed before taking 36-401 Modern Regression. 21-241 and 21-242 are intended only for students with a very strong mathematical background.
Statistics Core (6 courses, 54 units)
36-202 | Methods for Statistics & Data Science | 9 |
or 36-290 | Introduction to Statistical Research Methodology | |
36-235 | Probability and Statistical Inference I -(recommended) | 9 |
or 36-225 | Introduction to Probability Theory | |
36-236 | Probability and Statistical Inference II -(recommended) | 9 |
or 36-226 | Introduction to Statistical Inference | |
36-350 | Statistical Computing | 9 |
36-401 | Modern Regression | 9 |
36-402 | Advanced Methods for Data Analysis | 9 |
Special Topics and Electives (3 courses, 27 units)
Students must take a total of three courses from Special Topics (numbered 36-46x) and Statistics Electives listed below. Students will consult with the concentration advisor to select the Special Topics and Electives courses that best fit for their areas of interest.
36-303 | Sampling, Survey and Society | 9 |
36-311 | Statistical Analysis of Networks | 9 |
36-313 | Statistics of Inequality and Discrimination | 9 |
36-315 | Statistical Graphics and Visualization | 9 |
36-318 | Introduction to Causal Inference | 9 |
36-46x–47x Special Topics (topics and offerings vary) | 9 | |
36-490 | Undergraduate Research | 9 |
36-497 | Corporate Capstone Project | 9 |
Statistics & Machine Learning Concentration
(87 units minimum)
In the BHA concentration in Statistics & Machine Learning, develop and master a wide array of skills in computing, mathematics, statistical theory, and the interpretation and display of complex data. In addition, students with a BHA concentration in Statistics & Machine Learning gain experience in applying statistical tools to real problems in other fields and learn the nuances of interdisciplinary collaboration. This program is geared towards students interested in statistical computation, data science or “Big Data” problems.
Prerequisites
These five courses are not counted as part of your DC Concentration. They may be used to satisfy general education or free elective requirements.
21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus | 10 |
21-127 | Concepts of Mathematics | 12 |
21-256 | Multivariate Analysis | 9 |
or 21-259 | Calculus in Three Dimensions | |
21-240 | Matrix Algebra with Applications | 10 |
or 21-241 | Matrices and Linear Transformations | |
or 21-242 | Matrix Theory | |
15-112 | Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science | 12 |
Note: 21-240, 21-241, 21-242 must be completed before taking 36-401 Modern Regression. 21-241 and 21-242 are intended only for students with a very strong mathematical background.
Statistics Core (5 courses, 45 units)
36-235 | Probability and Statistical Inference I -(recommended) | 9 |
or 36-225 | Introduction to Probability Theory | |
36-236 | Probability and Statistical Inference II -(recommended) | 9 |
or 36-226 | Introduction to Statistical Inference | |
36-350 | Statistical Computing | 9 |
36-401 | Modern Regression | 9 |
36-402 | Advanced Methods for Data Analysis | 9 |
Data Analysis Electives (1 course, 9 units)
Students must take one course from the Special Topics (numbered 36-46x–47x) and Statistics Electives listed below. Students will consult with the concentration advisor to select the Special Topics and Electives courses that best fit for their areas of interest.
36-303 | Sampling, Survey and Society | 9 |
36-311 | Statistical Analysis of Networks | 9 |
36-313 | Statistics of Inequality and Discrimination | 9 |
36-315 | Statistical Graphics and Visualization | 9 |
36-318 | Introduction to Causal Inference | 9 |
36-46x–47x Special Topics (topics and offerings vary) | 9 | |
36-490 | Undergraduate Research | 9 |
36-497 | Corporate Capstone Project | 9 |
Machine Learning Core (2 courses, 24 units)
15-122 | Principles of Imperative Computation -(C or higher) | 12 |
10-301 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 12 |
Machine Learning Elective (1 course, 9 units minimum)
Students must take one course from the ML Electives listed below. Students will consult with the Statistics & Machine Learning advisor to choose an elective that best fits their area of interest. This course may have additional pre-requisites. Keep in mind this is not an exhaustive list and other applicable courses can be reviewed to be approved as an ML elective – please speak with the concentration advisor about this.
02-510/710 | Computational Genomics | 12 |
05-317 | Design of Artificial Intelligence Products | 12 |
05-434/11-344 | Machine Learning in Practice | 12 |
10-403/703 | Deep Reinforcement Learning & Control | 12 |
10-405/605 | Machine Learning with Large Datasets (Undergraduate) | 12 |
10-414 | Deep Learning Systems: Algorithms and Implementation | 12 |
10-417 | Intermediate Deep Learning | 12 |
10-418/618 | Machine Learning for Structured Data | 12 |
10-613 | Machine Learning Ethics and Society | 12 |
10-707 | Advanced Deep Learning | 12 |
10-708 | Probabilistic Graphical Models | 12 |
11-324/624 | Human Language for Artificial Intelligence | 12 |
11-411 | Natural Language Processing | 12 |
11-441 | Machine Learning with Graphs | 9 |
11-485 | Introduction to Deep Learning | 9 |
11-661/761 | Language and Statistics | 12 |
15-281 | Artificial Intelligence: Representation and Problem Solving | 12 |
15-386 | Neural Computation | 9 |
15-387 | Computational Perception | 9 |
15-482 | Autonomous Agents | 12 |
16-311 | Introduction to Robotics | 12 |
16-385/720 | Computer Vision | 12 |
17-445 | Machine Learning in Production | 12 |
85-419 | Introduction to Parallel Distributed Processing | 9 |
Technical Writing Concentration
(87 units minimum)
The concentration in Technical Writing is specifically designed to prepare students for successful careers involving scientific, technical, and computer-related communication, including writing and designing for digital media. Technical communicators develop and design web sites, explain science and technology to the public, develop print and multimedia materials, develop information management systems, design and deliver corporate training, and develop support systems for consumer products ranging from software for word processing or personal finances to complex data management systems. The Technical Writing concentration includes with a common core of foundation courses in print and on-line communication as well as a set of prerequisites in math, statistics and computer programming.
Students with a Technical Writing concentration take two Theory/Specialization courses specific to either the Technical Communication (TC) or the Scientific and Medical Communication (SMC) track. In addition, students in the SMC track take two courses in the natural sciences or engineering relevant to their areas of interest, while TC students take two electives in management, technology and social issues.
Prerequisite Courses
21-111 | Calculus I | 10 |
or 21-112 | Calculus II | |
or 21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus | |
or 21-127 | Concepts of Mathematics | |
15-110 | Principles of Computing (required for SMC-track students) | 10 |
or 15-112 | Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science | |
(required for TC-track students) |
Technical Writing Core Courses (7 courses, 51 units)
76-26x | Introductory Genre Writing Course (Nonfiction, Fiction, Poetry or Screenwriting) | 9 |
76-271 | Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing | 9 |
76-300 | Professional Seminar | 3 |
76-390 | Style | 9 |
76-391 | Document & Information Design | 9 |
76-487 | Information Architecture & Content Strategy (co-requisite with 76-488) | 9 |
76-488 | Information Architecture & Content Strategy Lab (co-requisite with 76-487) | 3 |
Theory/Specialization Courses (3 courses, 27 units minimum)
Complete three courses to deepen your area of specialty in Technical Communication or Scientific and Medical Communication. One course must be chosen from among courses designated as Recommended Options. Check with the English department each semester for additional options.
Recommended Options:
76-314 | Data Stories | 9 |
76-327 | Equity & Communication: Strategies for Institutional Change | 9 |
76-380 | Methods in Humanities Analytics | 9 |
76-395 | Science Writing | 9 |
76-425 | Rhetoric, Science, and the Public Sphere | 9 |
76-474 | Software Documentation | 9 |
76-476 | Rhetoric of Science | 9 |
76-481 | Introduction to Multimedia Design | 12 |
76-494 | Healthcare Communications | 9 |
Additional Options include but are not limited to the following:
76-301 | Internship | Var. |
76-302 | Communication Support Tutoring Practicum | 6 |
76-318 | Communicating in the Global Marketplace | 9 |
76-325 | Intertextuality | 9 |
76-327 | Equity & Communication: Strategies for Institutional Change | 9 |
76-351 | Rhetorical Invention | 9 |
76-354 | Watchdog Journalism | 9 |
76-360 | Literary Journalism Workshop | 9 |
76-372 | News Writing | 9 |
76-384 | Race, Nation, and the Enemy | 9 |
76-389 | Rhetorical Grammar | 9 |
76-391 | Document & Information Design | 9 |
76-395 | Science Writing | 9 |
76-425 | Rhetoric, Science, and the Public Sphere | 9 |
76-474 | Software Documentation | 9 |
76-475 | Law, Performance, and Identity | 9 |
76-476 | Rhetoric of Science | 9 |
76-481 | Introduction to Multimedia Design | 12 |
76-484 | Discourse Analysis | 9 |
76-487 | Information Architecture & Content Strategy (co-requisite with 76-488) | 9 |
76-488 | Information Architecture & Content Strategy Lab (co-requisite with 76-487) | 3 |
39-605 | Engineering Design Projects | 12 |
Electives (1 course, 9 units)
Students with a Technical Writing concentration take one course outside of English to deepen their area of specialty in their track. Students in the TC track typically select courses from business, design, psychology, and social and decision sciences, or HCI. Students in the SMC track select courses from the natural sciences, computer science, math or statistics, or (for example) healthcare-related courses in the Heinz School. Students should work with the concentration advisor to select courses that are meaningful for their track.
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS CONCENTRATION
(number of courses vary, 108-130 units minimum)
BHA students choose one of the following concentrations:
- Architecture (108 units)
- Art (114 units)
- Design (108 units)
- Drama (130 units)
- Music (108 units)
Architecture Concentration
(108 units minimum)
Architecture Required Courses (9 courses, 57 units minimum)
48-100 | Architecture Design Studio: POIESIS STUDIO 1 -Fall, Freshman or Sophomore year | 10-15 |
or 48-095 | Spatial Concepts for Non-Architecture Majors | |
48-104 | Shop Skills -Fall, Freshman year | 2 |
62-104 | Design Ethics & Social Justice in Architecture -Fall, Freshman or Sophomore year | 3 |
62-122 | Digital Media I -Fall, Freshman year | 6 |
62-125 | Drawing I -Fall, Freshman year | 6 |
62-123 | Digital Media II -Spring, Freshman year | 6 |
62-126 | Drawing II -Spring, Freshman year | 6 |
48-240 | History of World Architecture, I -Spring, Freshman year | 9 |
48-241 | History of Modern Architecture -Fall, Sophomore year | 9 |
Architecture Electives (51 units minimum)
A minimum of 51 additional Architecture units must be approved by the Architecture advisor. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office. 48-025 First Year Seminar: Architecture Edition I (3 units) is recommended in fall of the first year.
Art Concentration
(114 units minimum)
First-Year Seminar (1 course, 6 units)
60-104 | Foundations: Art First-Year Seminar | 6 |
Foundation Studios (3 courses, 30 units)
Complete three courses:
60-110 | Foundations: Time-Based Media | 10 |
60-120 | Foundations: Digital Media | 10 |
60-131 | Foundations: Sculpture | 10 |
60-135 | Foundations: Sculpture II | 10 |
60-150 | Foundations: Drawing | 10 |
60-170 | Foundations: Paint/Print | 10 |
Intermediate Studios (3 courses, 30 units)
Complete three courses:
60-2xx | Intermediate Studio Elective | 10 |
60-2xx | Intermediate Studio Elective | 10 |
60-2xx | Intermediate Studio Elective | 10 |
Advanced Studios (3 courses, 30 units)
Students may take courses in any media area (ETB, SIS, CP or DP3). They may take all courses in one media area if a focus is desired. With approval from the Art advisor, BXA students can take an additional intermediate studio in lieu of an advanced studio to increase breadth.
Complete three courses:
60-401/402 | Senior Studio | 10 |
60-403 | Senior Critique Seminar | 10 |
Advanced Electronic and Time-Based Work (ETB) (course numbers 60-410 through 60-429) * | 10 | |
Advanced Sculpture, Installation and Site-Work (SIS) (course numbers 60-430 through 60-447) * | 10 | |
Advanced Contextual Practice (CP) (course numbers 60-448 through 60-449) * | 10 | |
Advanced Drawing, Painting, Print Media and Photography (DP3) (course numbers 60-450 through 60-498) * | 10 | |
60-499 | Studio Independent Study (one only) | 10 |
* Courses offered intermittently; speak with a BXA advisor to determine course availability.
Critical Studies (2 courses, 18 units)
60-107 | Foundations: Critical Studies -Spring | 9 |
60-3xx | Critical Studies Elective | 9 |
Review Requirement (1 required review, 0 units)
Complete required review:
60-200 | Sophomore Review -Spring (pass/no pass) | 0 |
Design Concentration
(108 units minimum)
Note: BXA design only considers internal transfer applicants currently enrolled in Design.
Design Required Courses (16 courses, 98 units)
51-101 | Studio: Survey of Design -Fall, First-year | 10 |
51-121 | Visualizing -Fall, First-year | 10 |
51-175 | Design Studies: Place -Fall, First-year (mini-1) | 5 |
51-177 | Design Studies: Histories -Fall, First-year (mini-2) | 5 |
51-102 | Design Lab -Spring, First-year | 10 |
51-122 | Collaborative Visualizing -Spring, First-year | 10 |
51-176 | Design Studies: Futures -Spring, First-year (mini-3) | 5 |
51-178 | Design Studies: Experience -Spring, First-year (mini-4) | 5 |
51-277 | Design Studies: Systems -Fall, Sophomore year (mini-1) | 5 |
51-279 | Design Studies: Cultures -Fall, Sophomore year (mini-2) | 5 |
51-282 | Design Studies: Persuasion -Spring, Sophomore year (mini-3) | 5 |
51-284 | Design Studies: Power -Spring, Sophomore year (mini-4) | 5 |
Choose Two Studios -Fall, Sophomore year: | 4.5+4.5 | |
51-225 | Communications Studio I: Understanding Form & Context | 4.5 |
or 51-245 | Products Studio I: Understanding Form & Context | |
or 51-265 | Environments Studio I: Understanding Form & Context | |
Choose Two Corresponding Labs -Fall, Sophomore year: | 4.5+4.5 | |
51-227 | Prototyping Lab I: Communications | 4.5 |
or 51-247 | Prototyping Lab I: Products | |
or 51-267 | Prototyping Lab I: Environments |
Design Electives (10 units)
A minimum of 10 additional Design units must be approved by the Design advisor. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Drama Concentration
(130 units minimum)
Options available in the following areas: 1) Design, 2) Dramaturgy, 3) Production Technology and Management
Note: BXA design only considers internal transfer applicants currently enrolled in Drama design. BXA dramaturgy only considers internal transfer applicants in the fall semester for spring enrollment, unless currently enrolled in Drama dramaturgy. BXA PTM only considers internal transfer applicants currently enrolled in Drama PTM.
Design/PTM Required Courses (10 courses, 75 units)
54-169 | Studiocraft 1 -Fall, First-year | 13 |
54-151 | Stagecraft -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-159 | Production Practicum -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-171 | Basic Design 1 -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-170 | Studiocraft 2 -Spring, First-year | 8 |
54-152 | Stagecraft -Spring, First-year | 12 |
54-158 | Production Planning -Spring, First-year | 6 |
54-177 | Foundations of Drama I -Spring, First-year or later if needed | 6 |
54-281 | Foundations of Drama II | 6 |
54-381 | Special Topics: Feminist Theatre | 6 |
Design/PTM Required Courses (55 units minimum)
A minimum of 55 additional Design/PTM units taken in the sophomore year or later must be approved by the Design/PTM faculty area chair. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Dramaturgy Required Courses (13 courses, 80 units)
54-177 | Foundations of Drama I -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-109 | Dramaturgy 1: Approaches to Text -Fall, First-year | 9 |
54-284 | Fundamentals of Directing -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-200 | Dramaturgy Forum -Fall, First-year | 1 |
54-159 | Production Practicum -Fall or Spring, First-year | 6 |
54-281 | Foundations of Drama II -Spring, First-year | 6 |
54-184 | Dramaturgy 2: Introduction to Production Dramaturgy -Spring, First-year | 9 |
54-200 | Dramaturgy Forum -Spring, First-year | 1 |
54-117 | Design Collaboration Project -Spring, First-year | 3 |
54-241 | Dramaturgy 3: Dramaturgy in Translation -Fall, Sophomore year | 9 |
54-256 | Dramaturgy 4: New Play Dramaturgy -Spring, Sophomore year | 9 |
54-363 | Dramaturgy 5 -Fall, Junior year | 9 |
54-381 | Special Topics: Feminist Theatre | 6 |
Dramaturgy Electives (50 units minimum)
A minimum of 50 additional Dramaturgy units taken in the sophomore year or later must be approved by the Dramaturgy faculty area chair. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Music Concentration
(108 units minimum)
Options available in the following areas: 1) Audio Recording & Production, 2) Composition, 2) Music Performance (instrumental, organ, piano, voice), 4) Sound Theory & Practice
Note: BXA music performance only considers internal transfer applicants in the spring semester for fall enrollment, unless currently enrolled in Music performance.
Audio Recording & Production Required Courses (8 courses, 49 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-101 | Introduction to Music Technology | 6 |
or 57-171 | Introduction to Music Technology (self-paced) | |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
57-337 | Sound Recording | 6 |
57-338 | Sound Editing and Mastering | 6 |
57-438 | Multitrack Recording | 9 |
Audio Recording & Production Electives (59 units minimum)
Choose 59 units from:
57-153 | Harmony II | 9 |
or 57-150 | Basic Harmony II | |
57-182 | Solfege II | 3 |
or 57-186 | Advanced Solfege II | |
10-301 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 12 |
15-104 | Introduction to Computing for Creative Practice | 10 |
15-213 | Introduction to Computer Systems | 12 |
15-322 | Introduction to Computer Music | 9 |
18-090 | Twisted Signals: Multimedia Processing for the Arts | 10 |
33-114 | Physics of Musical Sound | 9 |
54-166 | Introduction to Sound Design for Theatre | 6 |
54-666 | Production Audio (section B) | 4 |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I | 3 |
57-162 | Eurhythmics II | 3 |
57-344 | Experimental Sound Synthesis | 9 |
57-347 | Electronic and Computer Music | 6 |
57-358 | Introduction to Electronic Music (with instructor permission as space allows) | 9 |
57-421 | Exploded Ensemble | 6 |
57-427 | Advanced Seminar in Film Musicology | 9 |
57-478 | Survey of Historical Recording | 6 |
57-622 | Independent Study in Sound Recording Production | 3 |
60-131 | Foundations: Sculpture | 10 |
85-385 | Auditory Perception: Sense of Sound | 9 |
Note: Students completing an IDeATe minor may double-count up to two of the IDeATe minor courses towards the Audio Recording & Production concentration.
Composition Required Courses (13 courses, 85 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I (recommended co-requisite: 57-181) | 3 |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
57-49x | BXA Studio (4 semesters) | 36 |
57-xxx | Major Ensemble (4 semesters) | 24 |
Composition Electives (23 units minimum)
A minimum of 23 additional Music units must be approved by the Music advisor. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Music Performance Required Courses (13 courses, 85 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I (recommended co-requisite: 57-181) | 3 |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
57-49x | BXA Studio (4 semesters) | 36 |
57-xxx | Major Ensemble (4 semesters) | 24 |
Music Performance Electives (23 units minimum)
A minimum of 23 additional Music units must be approved by the Music advisor. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Sound Theory & Practice Required Courses (8 courses, 53 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-101 | Introduction to Music Technology | 6 |
or 57-171 | Introduction to Music Technology (self-paced) | |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
18-090 | Twisted Signals: Multimedia Processing for the Arts | 10 |
57-421 | Exploded Ensemble | 6 |
57-911 | Music Since 1945 | 9 |
Sound Theory & Practice Electives (55 units minimum)
Choose 55 units from:
57-153 | Harmony II | 9 |
or 57-150 | Basic Harmony II | |
57-182 | Solfege II | 3 |
or 57-186 | Advanced Solfege II | |
15-104 | Introduction to Computing for Creative Practice | 10 |
15-322 | Introduction to Computer Music (prerequisite: 15-112) | 9 |
33-114 | Physics of Musical Sound | 9 |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I | 3 |
57-162 | Eurhythmics II | 3 |
57-337 | Sound Recording | 6 |
57-338 | Sound Editing and Mastering | 6 |
57-343 | Music, Technology, and Culture | 9 |
57-344 | Experimental Sound Synthesis | 9 |
57-347 | Electronic and Computer Music (prerequisite: 57-101 or 57-171) | 6 |
57-358 | Introduction to Electronic Music (with instructor permission as space allows) | 9 |
57-438 | Multitrack Recording | 9 |
57-478 | Survey of Historical Recording | 6 |
57-616 | Independent Study in Sound Studies | 9 |
Note: Students completing an IDeATe minor may double-count up to two of the IDeATe minor courses towards the Sound Theory & Practice concentration.
Free Electives
(approximately 2-7 courses, 15-63 units)
Take any Carnegie Mellon course. Many BHA students use their electives to broaden or deepen their concentrations. A maximum of 9 units of physical education and/or military science may be counted toward this requirement.
Bachelor of Science and Arts Degree Program
The Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA) intercollege degree program combines the strengths of the College of Fine Arts (CFA) and the Mellon College of Science (MCS). This degree is designed for students who are gifted in both the fine arts and the natural sciences or mathematics, and who have the interest and the exceptional ability to pursue both disciplines simultaneously. Students choose their arts concentration from the following schools in CFA: Architecture, Art, Design, Drama or Music. Students choose their science concentration from among the departments in MCS: Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Environmental & Sustainability Studies, Mathematical Sciences, Neurobiology or Physics.
The BSA curriculum has three main components: general core requirements, fine arts concentration requirements and natural sciences/mathematics concentration requirements. Each student's course of study is structured so they can complete this rigorous program in four years.
Students receive extensive advising support. The academic advisors in the BXA Intercollege Degree Programs are the primary advisors and liaisons between CFA and MCS. Each student has two additional academic advisors: an advisor in the admitting school of CFA to guide their focus in the arts and an advisor in MCS to guide their focus in the sciences.
BSA Curriculum
Units | |
I. BSA General Education | 129 |
II. MCS Concentration | 114-145 |
III. CFA Concentration | 108-130 |
IV. Free Electives | 0-29 |
Total BSA Degree Requirements | 380 |
BSA General Education
(18 courses, 129 units minimum)
-
Mathematics (2 courses, 20 units, 21-120 and 21-122 or 21-124 required)
-
Science (3 courses, 31 units, 03-121, 09-105, and 33-121 or 33-151 required)
-
First-year Courses (2 courses, 12 units, 76-101 and 99-101 required)
-
ENGAGE (3 courses, 3 units)
-
Cultural/Global Understanding (1 course, 9 units)
-
Humanities and Social Sciences (2 courses, 18 units)
-
BXA Required Courses (5 courses, 36 units, 52-190, 52-291, 52-392, 52-401, 52-402)
Technical Breadth Requirements (5 courses, 51 units)
As a 21st Century practicing scientist or mathematician, our graduates will work with others from a variety of technical backgrounds. Therefore, all of our students will be broadly trained within the technical fields of science and math. Students will fulfill this training by completing five (5) introductory technical courses in the Mellon College of Science at Carnegie Mellon University.
A student must take the five (5) courses listed below. AP/IB/Cambridge credit may be used to fulfill some of these requirements, but STEM electives must be taken at CMU or at another university for transfer credit to reach the total of five (5) Technical Breadth courses. A list of STEM electives can be found in the MCS general education requirements.
Mathematics (2 courses, 20 units)
21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus | 10 |
21-122 | Integration and Approximation | 10 |
or 21-124 | Calculus II for Biologists and Chemists |
Science (3 courses, 31 units)
03-121 | Modern Biology | 9 |
09-105 | Introduction to Modern Chemistry I | 10 |
33-121 | Physics I for Science Students | 12 |
or 33-151 | Matter and Interactions I |
Nontechnical Breadth Requirements (8 courses, 42 units)
MCS aspires for all of our undergraduates to leave our campus with a strong sense of personal integrity, social responsibility, ethics, working with diverse others, global engagement, and personal health and well-being. The following non-technical breadth requirements will require students to develop a personalized plan for their course selection and meta-curricular participation to maximize their CMU experience. Our graduates will be well trained to be life-long and life-wide learners that will lead the scientific community and the world at large.
All candidates for BSA degree must complete the following non-technical breadth requirements:
First-year Courses (2 courses, 12 units)
76-101 | Interpretation and Argument -First-year | 9 |
or 76-102 | Advanced First Year Writing: Special Topics | |
or 76-106 & 76-107 & 76-108 | Writing about Literature, Art and Culture and Writing about Data and Writing about Public Problems | |
All undergraduate students must complete the First-Year Writing requirement—the Department of English does not accept any Advanced Placement exemptions. This requirement can be completed in two different ways. Enroll in one of two full-semester courses 101 or 102 (by invitation only), 9 units, or enroll in two of three half-semester mini courses (back-to-back within a single semester) 106/107/108, 4.5 + 4.5 units. Course options and topics: www.cmu.edu/hss/english/first_year/index.html | ||
99-101 | Core@CMU -Fall, First-year (section B; pass/no pass) | 3 |
ENGAGE (3 courses, 3 units)
The ENGAGE courses are self-directed learning opportunities (using the MyCORE online platform) designed to enhance students’ engagement with wellness and community service. Choose three courses from the list below:
38-110 | ENGAGE in Service | 1 |
38-230 | ENGAGE in Wellness: Looking Inward | 1 |
38-330 | ENGAGE in Wellness: Looking Outward | 1 |
38-430 | ENGAGE in Wellness: Looking Forward | 1 |
Cultural/Global Understanding (1 course, 9 units)
Cultural or global understanding course(s) may be taken at any time. Nine (9) or more units from the following group of courses will fulfill this requirement. Any student who finds an appropriate Carnegie Mellon course not on the list below that might fulfill this requirement should contact their academic advisor to review the course description to determine if it can be substituted. Cultural and global understanding courses that are taken while studying abroad can be used to fulfill this category. In addition, transfer courses will also be considered for this category. However, this course requirement cannot be satisfied with AP/IB/Cambridge exam credit.
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History | 9 |
57-306 | World Music | 9 |
70-342 | Managing Across Cultures | 9 |
76-217 | Literature & Culture of the 20th and 21st Century | 9 |
76-221 | Books You Should Have Read By Now | 9 |
76-232 | Introduction to Black Literature | 9 |
76-239 | Introduction to Film Studies | 9 |
76-241 | Introduction to Gender Studies | 9 |
76-386 | Language & Culture | 9 |
79-104 | Global Histories | 9 |
79-145 | Genocide and Weapons of Mass Destruction | 9 |
79-189 | Democracy and History: Thinking Beyond the Self | 9 |
79-201 | Introduction to Anthropology | 9 |
79-202 | Flesh and Spirit: Early Modern Europe, 1400-1750 | 9 |
79-205 | 20th Century Europe | 9 |
79-208 | Witchcraft and Witch-Hunting | 9 |
79-211 | Modern Southeast Asia: Colonialism, Capitalism, and Cultural Exchange | 9 |
79-223 | Mexico: From the Aztec Empire to the Drug War | 9 |
79-227 | Modern Africa: The Slave Trade to the End of Apartheid | 9 |
79-229 | The Origins of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, 1880-1948 | 9 |
79-230 | The Arab-Israeli Conflict and Peace Process Through 1948 to Present | 9 |
79-232 | Arabian Peninsula Environmental History | 9 |
79-234 | Technology and Society | 9 |
79-240 | Development of American Culture | 9 |
79-242 | African American History: Reconstruction to the Present | 9 |
79-244 | Women in American History | 9 |
79-245 | Capitalism and Individualism in American Culture | 9 |
79-250 | Voting Rights: An Introduction | 9 |
79-255 | Modern Ireland: Politics and Culture from the Famine (1847) to Today | 9 |
79-257 | Germany and the Second World War | 9 |
79-261 | The Last Emperors: Chinese History and Society, 1600-1900 | 9 |
79-262 | Modern China: From the Birth of Mao ... to Now | 9 |
79-263 | Mao and the Chinese Cultural Revolution | 9 |
79-264 | Tibet and China: History and Propaganda | 9 |
79-265 | Russian History: Game of Thrones | 9 |
79-266 | Russian History and Revolutionary Socialism | 9 |
79-267 | The Soviet Union in World War II: Military, Political, and Social History | 9 |
79-275 | Introduction to Global Studies | 9 |
79-280 | Coffee and Capitalism | 9 |
79-283 | Hungry World: Food and Famine in Global Perspective | 9 |
79-328 | Photographers and Photography Since World War II | 9 |
79-343 | Education, Democracy, and Civil Rights | 9 |
79-345 | Roots of Rock & Roll | 9 |
79-350 | Early Christianity | 9 |
79-377 | Food, Culture, and Power: A History of Eating | 9 |
80-100 | Introduction to Philosophy | 9 |
80-101 | Dangerous Ideas in Science and Society | 9 |
80-250 | Ancient Philosophy | 9 |
80-251 | Modern Philosophy | 9 |
80-253 | Continental Philosophy | 9 |
80-254 | Analytic Philosophy | 9 |
80-255 | Pragmatism: Making Ideas Work | 9 |
80-276 | Philosophy of Religion | 9 |
82-xxx | Any course from Languages, Cultures, and Applied Linguistics | |
84-380 | US Grand Strategy | 9 |
85-350 | Psychology of Prejudice | 9 |
85-352 | Evolutionary Psychology | 9 |
Humanities and Social Sciences (2 courses, 18 units)
To fulfill this requirement, students must complete a minimum of two (2) nontechnical courses totaling at least 18 units in the Tepper School of Business and/or the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Courses counted toward the Cultural/Global Understanding requirement, and 76-101, do not count toward this requirement.
Check our web site for courses from DC, CFA, and Tepper that may NOT be used to satisfy this requirement because they are too technical in nature, plus a list of courses in other colleges (including SCS, CIT, Tepper, and Heinz College) that do satisfy this requirement.
BXA Required Courses (5 courses, 36 units)
BXA-specific courses give students the opportunity to integrate their areas of concentration by focusing on interdisciplinary approaches and arts-based research techniques.
52-190 | BXA Seminar I: Building the Wunderkammer -Spring, First-year (mini-3) | 4.5 |
52-291 | BXA Seminar II: Transferring Knowledge -Spring, Sophomore year (mini-4) | 4.5 |
52-392 | BXA Seminar III: Deconstructing Disciplines -Spring, Junior year | 9 |
52-401 | BXA Seminar IV: Capstone Project Research -Fall, Senior year | 9 |
52-402 | BXA Seminar V: Capstone Project Production -Spring, Senior year | 9 |
Mellon College of Science Concentration
(number of courses vary, 114-145 units)
BSA students declare one of the following concentrations, through consultation with their BXA advisor and the MCS concentration advisors. A completed MCS Concentration Declaration form must be approved by the concentration advisor and submitted to the BXA office, by spring mid-semester break of the student's first year.
-
Biological Sciences (114 units)
-
Chemistry (121 units)
-
Environmental & Sustainability Studies (123 units)
-
Mathematical Sciences (127 units)
-
Neurobiology (114 units)
-
Physics (145 units)
Note: The BSA Physics concentration requires additional coursework totaling the degree requirements beyond 380 units.
BSA students who are admitted as freshmen are undeclared until they have met with a concentration advisor and have submitted their signed Declaration form. BSA students who are admitted through internal transfer must have chosen an MCS concentration at the time of their application (which serves as declaration). All BSA students wishing to change their MCS concentration at any time following the initial declaration must meet with the advisor of their intended concentration area to complete a new Declaration form.
Biological Sciences Concentration
(114 units minimum)
Biological Sciences Required Courses (11 courses, 96 units minimum)
03-201 | Undergraduate Colloquium for Sophomores | 2 |
03-220 | Genetics - Fall, Sophomore year | 9 |
03-231 | Honors Biochemistry - Spring, Sophomore year | 9 |
03-320 | Cell Biology - Fall, Junior year | 9 |
03-343 | Experimental Techniques in Molecular Biology - Fall, Junior year | 12 |
09-106 | Modern Chemistry II | 10 |
09-207 | Techniques in Quantitative Analysis | 9 |
09-208 | Techniques for Organic Synthesis and Analysis | 9 |
or 03-344 | Experimental Biochemistry | |
or 03-345 | Experimental Cell and Developmental Biology | |
or 03-346 | Experimental Neuroscience | |
09-217 | Organic Chemistry I | 9 |
09-218 | Organic Chemistry II | 9 |
33-122 | Physics II for Biological Sciences & Chemistry Students | 9 |
Biological Sciences Electives (2 courses, 18 units)
One course must be an advanced elective selected from 03-3xx or higher, excluding 03-445 and 03-545.
Chemistry Concentration
(118 units minimum)
Chemistry Required Courses (13 courses, 100 units)
09-106 | Modern Chemistry II | 10 |
09-219 | Modern Organic Chemistry | 10 |
09-220 | Modern Organic Chemistry II | 10 |
09-331 | Modern Analytical Instrumentation | 9 |
09-348 | Inorganic Chemistry | 10 |
09-221 | Laboratory I: Introduction to Chemical Analysis | 12 |
09-222 | Laboratory II: Organic Synthesis and Analysis | 12 |
09-321 | Laboratory III: Molecular Design and Synthesis | 12 |
or 09-323 | Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory | |
09-201-09-202-09-301 | Undergraduate Seminar I - Undergraduate Seminar II: Safety and Environmental Issues for Chemists - Undergraduate Seminar III | 3 |
09-402 | Undergraduate Seminar VI | 3 |
33-122 | Physics II for Biological Sciences & Chemistry Students | 9 |
Note: Students who have a strong chemistry background, should enroll in 09-107 rather than 09-105. Students who complete 09-107 with an "A" grade will be exempted from the requirement to take 09-106 Modern Chemistry II.
Advanced Chemistry Electives (2 courses, 18 units)
May be any upper level chemistry course, 09-3xx or higher, or Biochemistry I, 03-231 or 03-232, with the exception of 09-435 Independent Study, which can be used only by permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Environmental & Sustainability Studies Concentration
(123 units minimum)
Additional Required Courses (2 courses, 18 units minimum)
09-217 | Organic Chemistry I | 9 |
33-122 | Physics II for Biological Sciences & Chemistry Students | 9 |
or 33-142 | Physics II for Engineering and Physics Students |
Core Courses (4 courses, 30 units)
24/09-381 | Environmental Systems on a Changing Planet (co-req: 24-291/09-291) | 12 |
66-236 | Introduction to Environmental Ideas | 9 |
66-506 | Senior Capstone (Interdisciplinary Research: Capstone in ESS) | 9 |
Earth and Environmental Science (1 course, 9 units)
Choose one course from the list below.
03-128 | Biology for Life Special Topics (Section S, Tropical Ecology) | 9 |
03-140 | Ecology and Environmental Science | 9 |
09-225 | Climate Change: Chemistry, Physics and Planetary Science * | 9 |
09-510 | Chemistry and Sustainability * | 9 |
09-524 | Environmental Chemistry * | 9 |
09-529 | Introduction to Sustainable Energy Science * | 9 |
09-538 | Exposure and Risk Assessment for Environmental Pollutants * | 9 |
33-226 | Physics of Energy * | 9 |
* Prerequisites from the BSA general education curriculum
Global Course (1 course, 3 units)
99-xxx | Each semester, a new course is offered on Global themes, in partnership with University of Pittsburgh’s Global Studies Center. | 3 |
Statistics and Data Science (1 course, 9 units)
36-xxx | Any Statistics Course | 9 |
Political Economy (1 course, 9 units minimum)
Choose one course from the list below.
19-101 | Introduction to Engineering and Public Policy | 12 |
79-300 | Controversial Topics in the History of American Public Policy | 9 |
84-110 | The Economics of Politics, Policy, and Technology | 9 |
84-226 | International Relations | 9 |
84-325 | Contemporary American Foreign Policy | 9 |
88-344 | Systems Analysis: Environmental Policy | 9 |
Electives (5 courses, 45 units minimum)
Choose three MCS Electives and two DC Electives in consultation with the concentration advisor.
MCS Electives:
03-140 | Ecology and Environmental Science | 9 |
09-225 | Climate Change: Chemistry, Physics and Planetary Science | 9 |
09-510 | Chemistry and Sustainability | 9 |
09-524 | Environmental Chemistry * | 9 |
09-529 | Introduction to Sustainable Energy Science | 9 |
12-100 | Exploring CEE: Infrastructure and Environment in a Changing World | 12 |
12-201 | Geology | 9 |
19-101 | Introduction to Engineering and Public Policy | 12 |
19-425 | Sustainable Energy for the Developing World | 9 |
24-292 | Renewable Energy Engineering | 9 |
27-505 | Exploration of Everyday Materials | 9 |
33-226 | Physics of Energy | 9 |
DC Electives:
76-241 | Introduction to Gender Studies | 9 |
76-291 | Getting Heard/Making a Difference | 9 |
76-354 | Watchdog Journalism | 9 |
76-395 | Science Writing * | 9 |
76-450 | Law, Culture, and the Humanities | 9 |
79-201 | Introduction to Anthropology | 9 |
79-275 | Introduction to Global Studies | 9 |
79-278 | How (Not) to Change the World | 9 |
79-288 | Bananas, Baseball, and Borders: Latin America and the United States | 9 |
79-297 | Technology and Work | 9 |
79-331 | Body Politics: Women and Health in America | 9 |
79-372 | The Rise and Fall of Pittsburgh Steel | 6 |
79-377 | Food, Culture, and Power: A History of Eating | 9 |
79-379 | Extreme Ethnography | 9 |
79-383 | The History of Capitalism | 9 |
80-135 | Introduction to Political Philosophy | 9 |
80-244 | Environmental Ethics | 9 |
84-110 | The Economics of Politics, Policy, and Technology | 9 |
84-275 | Comparative Politics | 9 |
84-325 | Contemporary American Foreign Policy | 9 |
85-241 | Social Psychology | 9 |
* Additional prerequisites
Mathematical Sciences Concentration
(127 units minimum)
Mathematical Sciences Required Courses (9 courses, 91 units minimum)
(Reasonable substitutions within the core program will be allowed.)
15-110 | Principles of Computing | 10 |
21-127 | Concepts of Mathematics | 12 |
or 21-128 | Mathematical Concepts and Proofs | |
21-228 | Discrete Mathematics | 9 |
21-241 | Matrices and Linear Transformations | 11 |
or 21-242 | Matrix Theory | |
21-259 | Calculus in Three Dimensions | 10 |
or 21-268 | Multidimensional Calculus | |
21-260 | Differential Equations | 9 |
or 21-261 | Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations | |
or 33-231 | Physical Analysis | |
21-355 | Principles of Real Analysis I | 9 |
21-373 | Algebraic Structures | 9 |
33-142 | Physics II for Engineering and Physics Students | 12 |
or 33-152 | Matter and Interactions II |
Mathematical Sciences Electives (2 courses, 18 units)
Two courses at the 21-300 level or above, or 21-270 or 21-292. Students with a Music concentration should take 21-469 Computational Introduction to Partial Differential Equations.
Mathematical Sciences, Computer Science, or Statistics Electives (2 courses, 18 units)
May be mathematical sciences courses at the 21-300 level or above, or 21-270 or 21-292; computer science courses at the 15-200 level or above; or statistics courses at the 36-300 level or above that have at least 36-225 as a prerequisite.
Neurobiology Concentration
(114 units minimum)
Neurobiology Required Courses (12 courses, 96 units)
03-161 | Molecules to Mind | 9 |
or 85-219 | Foundations of Brain and Behavior | |
03-201 | Undergraduate Colloquium for Sophomores | 2 |
03-220 | Genetics - Fall, Sophomore year | 9 |
03-231 | Honors Biochemistry - Spring, Sophomore year | 9 |
03-320 | Cell Biology - Fall, Junior year | 9 |
03-342 | Introduction to Biological Laboratory Practices - Fall, Junior year | 1 |
03-343 | Experimental Techniques in Molecular Biology - Fall, Junior year | 12 |
03-362 | Cellular Neuroscience | 9 |
03-363 | Systems Neuroscience | 9 |
09-217 | Organic Chemistry I | 9 |
33-122 | Physics II for Biological Sciences & Chemistry Students | 9 |
85-211 | Cognitive Psychology | 9 |
Neurobiology Electives (2 courses, 18 units)
One course must be an advanced elective selected from 03-3xx or higher.
Physics Concentration (145 units minimum)
Physics Required Courses (16 courses, 127 units)
21-259 | Calculus in Three Dimensions | 10 |
33-104 | Experimental Physics | 9 |
33-142 | Physics II for Engineering and Physics Students | 12 |
or 33-152 | Matter and Interactions II | |
33-201 | Physics Sophomore Colloquium I -Fall | 2 |
33-202 | Physics Sophomore Colloquium II -Spring | 2 |
33-211 | Physics III: Modern Essentials | 10 |
33-228 | Electronics I | 10 |
33-231 | Physical Analysis | 10 |
33-232 | Mathematical Methods of Physics | 10 |
33-234 | Quantum Physics | 10 |
33-301 | Physics Upperclass Colloquium I -Fall | 1 |
33-302 | Physics Upperclass Colloquium II -Spring | 1 |
33-331 | Physical Mechanics I | 10 |
33-338 | Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism I | 10 |
33-340 | Modern Physics Laboratory | 10 |
33-341 | Thermal Physics I | 10 |
Qualifying Physics Electives (2 courses, 18 units)
Two 33-xxx qualifying physics elective courses pre-approved by the Physics Department. 33-114 Physics of Musical Sound is highly recommended for students with a Music concentration.
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS CONCENTRATION
(number of courses vary, 108-130 units minimum)
BSA students choose one of the following concentrations:
- Architecture (108 units)
- Art (114 units)
- Design (108 units)
- Drama (130 units)
- Music (108 units)
Architecture Concentration
(108 units minimum)
Architecture Required Courses (9 courses, 57 units minimum)
48-100 | Architecture Design Studio: POIESIS STUDIO 1 -Fall, Freshman or Sophomore year | 10-15 |
or 48-095 | Spatial Concepts for Non-Architecture Majors | |
48-104 | Shop Skills -Fall, Freshman year | 2 |
62-104 | Design Ethics & Social Justice in Architecture -Fall, Freshman or Sophomore year | 3 |
62-122 | Digital Media I -Fall, Freshman year | 6 |
62-125 | Drawing I -Fall, Freshman year | 6 |
62-123 | Digital Media II -Spring, Freshman year | 6 |
62-126 | Drawing II -Spring, Freshman year | 6 |
48-240 | History of World Architecture, I -Spring, Freshman year | 9 |
48-241 | History of Modern Architecture -Fall, Sophomore year | 9 |
Architecture Electives (51 units minimum)
A minimum of 51 additional Architecture units must be approved by the Architecture advisor. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office. 48-025 First Year Seminar: Architecture Edition I (3 units) is recommended in fall of the first year.
Art Concentration
(114 units minimum)
First-Year Seminar (1 course, 6 units)
60-104 | Foundations: Art First-Year Seminar | 6 |
Foundation Studios (3 courses, 30 units)
Complete three courses:
60-110 | Foundations: Time-Based Media | 10 |
60-120 | Foundations: Digital Media | 10 |
60-131 | Foundations: Sculpture | 10 |
60-135 | Foundations: Sculpture II | 10 |
60-150 | Foundations: Drawing | 10 |
60-170 | Foundations: Paint/Print | 10 |
Intermediate Studios (3 courses, 30 units)
Complete three courses:
60-2xx | Intermediate Studio Elective | 10 |
60-2xx | Intermediate Studio Elective | 10 |
60-2xx | Intermediate Studio Elective | 10 |
Advanced Studios (3 courses, 30 units)
Students may take courses in any media area (ETB, SIS, CP or DP3). They may take all courses in one media area if a focus is desired. With approval from the Art advisor, BXA students can take an additional intermediate studio in lieu of an advanced studio to increase breadth.
Complete three courses:
60-401/402 | Senior Studio | 10 |
60-403 | Senior Critique Seminar | 10 |
Advanced Electronic and Time-Based Work (ETB) (course numbers 60-410 through 60-429) * | 10 | |
Advanced Sculpture, Installation and Site-Work (SIS) (course numbers 60-430 through 60-447) * | 10 | |
Advanced Contextual Practice (CP) (course numbers 60-448 through 60-449) * | 10 | |
Advanced Drawing, Painting, Print Media and Photography (DP3) (course numbers 60-450 through 60-498) * | 10 | |
60-499 | Studio Independent Study (one only) | 10 |
* Courses offered intermittently; speak with a BXA advisor to determine course availability.
Critical Studies (2 courses, 18 units)
60-107 | Foundations: Critical Studies -Spring | 9 |
60-3xx | Critical Studies Elective | 9 |
Review Requirement (1 required review, 0 units)
Complete required review:
60-200 | Sophomore Review -Spring (pass/no pass) | 0 |
Design Concentration
(108 units minimum)
Note: BXA design only considers internal transfer applicants currently enrolled in Design.
Design Required Courses (16 courses, 98 units)
51-101 | Studio: Survey of Design -Fall, First-year | 10 |
51-121 | Visualizing -Fall, First-year | 10 |
51-175 | Design Studies: Place -Fall, First-year (mini-1) | 5 |
51-177 | Design Studies: Histories -Fall, First-year (mini-2) | 5 |
51-102 | Design Lab -Spring, First-year | 10 |
51-122 | Collaborative Visualizing -Spring, First-year | 10 |
51-176 | Design Studies: Futures -Spring, First-year (mini-3) | 5 |
51-178 | Design Studies: Experience -Spring, First-year (mini-4) | 5 |
51-277 | Design Studies: Systems -Fall, Sophomore year (mini-1) | 5 |
51-279 | Design Studies: Cultures -Fall, Sophomore year (mini-2) | 5 |
51-282 | Design Studies: Persuasion -Spring, Sophomore year (mini-3) | 5 |
51-284 | Design Studies: Power -Spring, Sophomore year (mini-4) | 5 |
Choose Two Studios -Fall, Sophomore year: | 4.5+4.5 | |
51-225 | Communications Studio I: Understanding Form & Context | 4.5 |
or 51-245 | Products Studio I: Understanding Form & Context | |
or 51-265 | Environments Studio I: Understanding Form & Context | |
Choose Two Corresponding Labs -Fall, Sophomore year: | 4.5+4.5 | |
51-227 | Prototyping Lab I: Communications | 4.5 |
or 51-247 | Prototyping Lab I: Products | |
or 51-267 | Prototyping Lab I: Environments |
Design Electives (10 units)
A minimum of 10 additional Design units must be approved by the Design advisor. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Drama Concentration
(130 units minimum)
Options available in the following areas: 1) Design, 2) Dramaturgy, 3) Production Technology and Management
Note: BXA design only considers internal transfer applicants currently enrolled in Drama design. BXA dramaturgy only considers internal transfer applicants in the fall semester for spring enrollment, unless currently enrolled in Drama dramaturgy. BXA PTM only considers internal transfer applicants currently enrolled in Drama PTM.
Design/PTM Required Courses (10 courses, 75 units)
54-169 | Studiocraft 1 -Fall, First-year | 13 |
54-151 | Stagecraft -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-159 | Production Practicum -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-171 | Basic Design 1 -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-170 | Studiocraft 2 -Spring, First-year | 8 |
54-152 | Stagecraft -Spring, First-year | 12 |
54-158 | Production Planning -Spring, First-year | 6 |
54-177 | Foundations of Drama I -Spring, First-year or later if needed | 6 |
54-281 | Foundations of Drama II | 6 |
54-381 | Special Topics: Feminist Theatre | 6 |
Design/PTM Required Courses (55 units minimum)
A minimum of 55 additional Design/PTM units taken in the sophomore year or later must be approved by the Design/PTM faculty area chair. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Dramaturgy Required Courses (13 courses, 80 units)
54-177 | Foundations of Drama I -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-109 | Dramaturgy 1: Approaches to Text -Fall, First-year | 9 |
54-284 | Fundamentals of Directing -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-200 | Dramaturgy Forum -Fall, First-year | 1 |
54-159 | Production Practicum -Fall or Spring, First-year | 6 |
54-281 | Foundations of Drama II -Spring, First-year | 6 |
54-184 | Dramaturgy 2: Introduction to Production Dramaturgy -Spring, First-year | 9 |
54-200 | Dramaturgy Forum -Spring, First-year | 1 |
54-117 | Design Collaboration Project -Spring, First-year | 3 |
54-241 | Dramaturgy 3: Dramaturgy in Translation -Fall, Sophomore year | 9 |
54-256 | Dramaturgy 4: New Play Dramaturgy -Spring, Sophomore year | 9 |
54-363 | Dramaturgy 5 -Fall, Junior year | 9 |
54-381 | Special Topics: Feminist Theatre | 6 |
Dramaturgy Electives (50 units minimum)
A minimum of 50 additional Dramaturgy units taken in the sophomore year or later must be approved by the Dramaturgy faculty area chair. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Music Concentration
(108 units minimum)
Options available in the following areas: 1) Audio Recording & Production, 2) Composition, 2) Music Performance (instrumental, organ, piano, voice), 4) Sound Theory & Practice
Note: BXA music performance only considers internal transfer applicants in the spring semester for fall enrollment, unless currently enrolled in Music performance.
Audio Recording & Production Required Courses (8 courses, 49 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-101 | Introduction to Music Technology | 6 |
or 57-171 | Introduction to Music Technology (self-paced) | |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
57-337 | Sound Recording | 6 |
57-338 | Sound Editing and Mastering | 6 |
57-438 | Multitrack Recording | 9 |
Audio Recording & Production Electives (59 units minimum)
Choose 59 units from:
57-153 | Harmony II | 9 |
or 57-150 | Basic Harmony II | |
57-182 | Solfege II | 3 |
or 57-186 | Advanced Solfege II | |
10-301 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 12 |
15-104 | Introduction to Computing for Creative Practice | 10 |
15-213 | Introduction to Computer Systems | 12 |
15-322 | Introduction to Computer Music | 9 |
18-090 | Twisted Signals: Multimedia Processing for the Arts | 10 |
33-114 | Physics of Musical Sound | 9 |
54-166 | Introduction to Sound Design for Theatre | 6 |
54-666 | Production Audio (section B) | 4 |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I | 3 |
57-162 | Eurhythmics II | 3 |
57-344 | Experimental Sound Synthesis | 9 |
57-347 | Electronic and Computer Music | 6 |
57-358 | Introduction to Electronic Music (with instructor permission as space allows) | 9 |
57-421 | Exploded Ensemble | 6 |
57-427 | Advanced Seminar in Film Musicology | 9 |
57-478 | Survey of Historical Recording | 6 |
57-622 | Independent Study in Sound Recording Production | 3 |
60-131 | Foundations: Sculpture | 10 |
85-385 | Auditory Perception: Sense of Sound | 9 |
Note: Students completing an IDeATe minor may double-count up to two of the IDeATe minor courses towards the Audio Recording & Production concentration.
Composition Required Courses (13 courses, 85 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I (recommended co-requisite: 57-181) | 3 |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
57-49x | BXA Studio (4 semesters) | 36 |
57-xxx | Major Ensemble (4 semesters) | 24 |
Composition Electives (23 units minimum)
A minimum of 23 additional Music units must be approved by the Music advisor. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Music Performance Required Courses (13 courses, 85 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I (recommended co-requisite: 57-181) | 3 |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
57-49x | BXA Studio (4 semesters) | 36 |
57-xxx | Major Ensemble (4 semesters) | 24 |
Music Performance Electives (23 units minimum)
A minimum of 23 additional Music units must be approved by the Music advisor. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Sound Theory & Practice Required Courses (8 courses, 53 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-101 | Introduction to Music Technology | 6 |
or 57-171 | Introduction to Music Technology (self-paced) | |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
18-090 | Twisted Signals: Multimedia Processing for the Arts | 10 |
57-421 | Exploded Ensemble | 6 |
57-911 | Music Since 1945 | 9 |
Sound Theory & Practice Electives (55 units minimum)
Choose 55 units from:
57-153 | Harmony II | 9 |
or 57-150 | Basic Harmony II | |
57-182 | Solfege II | 3 |
or 57-186 | Advanced Solfege II | |
15-104 | Introduction to Computing for Creative Practice | 10 |
15-322 | Introduction to Computer Music (prerequisite: 15-112) | 9 |
33-114 | Physics of Musical Sound | 9 |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I | 3 |
57-162 | Eurhythmics II | 3 |
57-337 | Sound Recording | 6 |
57-338 | Sound Editing and Mastering | 6 |
57-343 | Music, Technology, and Culture | 9 |
57-344 | Experimental Sound Synthesis | 9 |
57-347 | Electronic and Computer Music (prerequisite: 57-101 or 57-171) | 6 |
57-358 | Introduction to Electronic Music (with instructor permission as space allows) | 9 |
57-438 | Multitrack Recording | 9 |
57-478 | Survey of Historical Recording | 6 |
57-616 | Independent Study in Sound Studies | 9 |
Note: Students completing an IDeATe minor may double-count up to two of the IDeATe minor courses towards the Sound Theory & Practice concentration.
Free Electives
(approximately 0-3 courses, 0-29 units)
Take any Carnegie Mellon course. A maximum of 9 units of physical education and/or military science may be counted toward this requirement. Physical education and military science courses will not be calculated in a student's QPA.
Engineering and Arts Additional Major
The Engineering and Arts (EA) additional major combines the strengths of the College of Fine Arts (CFA) and the College of Engineering (ENG). This additional major provides students with formal practice and training in the creative arts that is more robust than a minor, as well as the foundation of interdisciplinary research to accomplish the integration of their interests. Students who currently have a primary major in engineering, choose their arts concentration from the following schools in CFA: Architecture, Art, Drama or Music.
The EA curriculum has two main components: BXA requirements and fine arts concentration requirements. Each student's course of study is structured so it can be completed alongside their primary engineering major.
Students receive extensive advising support. The academic advisors in the BXA Intercollege Degree Programs are the advisors and liaisons between CFA and Engineering. Each student has two additional academic advisors: an advisor in the admitting school of CFA to guide their focus in the arts and their primary advisor in Engineering to guide their full major in engineering.
EA Curriculum
Units | |
I. BXA Requirements | 36 |
II. CFA Concentration | 108-130 |
Total EA Additional Major Requirements | 144-166 |
BXA Requirements
BXA Required Courses (5 courses, 36 units)
BXA-specific courses give students the opportunity to integrate their areas of concentration by focusing on interdisciplinary approaches and arts-based research techniques.
52-190 | BXA Seminar I: Building the Wunderkammer -Spring, First-year (mini-3) | 4.5 |
52-291 | BXA Seminar II: Transferring Knowledge -Spring, Sophomore year (mini-4) | 4.5 |
52-392 | BXA Seminar III: Deconstructing Disciplines -Spring, Junior year | 9 |
52-401 | BXA Seminar IV: Capstone Project Research -Fall, Senior year | 9 |
52-402 | BXA Seminar V: Capstone Project Production -Spring, Senior year | 9 |
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS CONCENTRATION
(number of courses vary, 108-130 units minimum)
EA students choose one of the following concentrations:
- Architecture (108 units)
- Art (114 units)
- Drama (130 units)
- Music (108 units)
Architecture Concentration
(108 units minimum)
Architecture Required Courses (9 courses, 57 units minimum)
48-100 | Architecture Design Studio: POIESIS STUDIO 1 -Fall, First-year or Sophomore year | 10-15 |
or 48-095 | Spatial Concepts for Non-Architecture Majors | |
48-104 | Shop Skills -Fall, First-year | 2 |
62-104 | Design Ethics & Social Justice in Architecture -Fall, First-year or Sophomore year | 3 |
62-122 | Digital Media I -Fall, First-year | 6 |
62-125 | Drawing I -Fall, First-year | 6 |
62-123 | Digital Media II -Spring, First-year | 6 |
62-126 | Drawing II -Spring, First-year | 6 |
48-240 | History of World Architecture, I -Spring, First-year | 9 |
48-241 | History of Modern Architecture -Fall, Sophomore year | 9 |
Architecture Electives (51 units minimum)
A minimum of 51 additional Architecture units must be approved by the Architecture advisor. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office. 48-025 First Year Seminar: Architecture Edition I (3 units) is recommended in fall of the first year.
Art Concentration
(114 units minimum)
First-Year Seminar (1 course, 6 units)
60-104 | Foundations: Art First-Year Seminar | 6 |
Foundation Studios (3 courses, 30 units)
Complete three courses:
60-110 | Foundations: Time-Based Media | 10 |
60-120 | Foundations: Digital Media | 10 |
60-131 | Foundations: Sculpture | 10 |
60-135 | Foundations: Sculpture II | 10 |
60-150 | Foundations: Drawing | 10 |
60-170 | Foundations: Paint/Print | 10 |
Intermediate Studios (3 courses, 30 units)
Complete three courses:
60-2xx | Intermediate Studio Elective | 10 |
60-2xx | Intermediate Studio Elective | 10 |
60-2xx | Intermediate Studio Elective | 10 |
Advanced Studios (3 courses, 30 units)
Students may take courses in any media area (ETB, SIS, CP or DP3). They may take all courses in one media area if a focus is desired. With approval from the Art advisor, BXA students can take an additional intermediate studio in lieu of an advanced studio to increase breadth.
Complete three courses:
60-401/402 | Senior Studio | 10 |
60-403 | Senior Critique Seminar | 10 |
Advanced Electronic and Time-Based Work (ETB) (course numbers 60-410 through 60-429) * | 10 | |
Advanced Sculpture, Installation and Site-Work (SIS) (course numbers 60-430 through 60-447) * | 10 | |
Advanced Contextual Practice (CP) (course numbers 60-448 through 60-449) * | 10 | |
Advanced Drawing, Painting, Print Media and Photography (DP3) (course numbers 60-450 through 60-498) * | 10 | |
60-499 | Studio Independent Study (one only) | 10 |
* Courses offered intermittently; speak with a BXA advisor to determine course availability.
Critical Studies (2 courses, 18 units)
60-107 | Foundations: Critical Studies -Spring | 9 |
60-3xx | Critical Studies Elective | 9 |
Review Requirement (1 required review, 0 units)
Complete required review:
60-200 | Sophomore Review -Spring (pass/no pass) | 0 |
Drama Concentration
(130 units minimum)
Option available in the following area: 1) Dramaturgy
Note: EA dramaturgy only considers applicants in the fall semester for spring enrollment.
Dramaturgy Required Courses (13 courses, 80 units minimum)
54-177 | Foundations of Drama I -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-109 | Dramaturgy 1: Approaches to Text -Fall, First-year | 9 |
54-284 | Fundamentals of Directing -Fall, First-year | 6 |
54-200 | Dramaturgy Forum -Fall, First-year | 1 |
54-159 | Production Practicum -Fall or Spring, First-year | 6 |
54-281 | Foundations of Drama II -Spring, First-year | 6 |
54-184 | Dramaturgy 2: Introduction to Production Dramaturgy -Spring, First-year | 9 |
54-200 | Dramaturgy Forum -Spring, First-year | 1 |
54-117 | Design Collaboration Project -Spring, First-year | 3 |
54-241 | Dramaturgy 3: Dramaturgy in Translation -Fall, Sophomore year | 9 |
54-256 | Dramaturgy 4: New Play Dramaturgy -Spring, Sophomore year | 9 |
54-363 | Dramaturgy 5 -Fall, Junior year | 9 |
54-381 | Special Topics: Feminist Theatre | 6 |
Dramaturgy Required Courses (50 units minimum)
A minimum of 50 additional Dramaturgy units taken in the sophomore year or later must be approved by the Dramaturgy faculty area chair. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Music Concentration
(108 units minimum)
Options available in the following areas: 1) Audio Recording & Production, 2) Composition, 2) Music Performance (instrumental, organ, piano, voice), 4) Sound Theory & Practice
Note: EA music performance only considers applicants in the spring semester for fall enrollment.
Audio Recording & Production Required Courses (8 courses, 49 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-101 | Introduction to Music Technology | 6 |
or 57-171 | Introduction to Music Technology (self-paced) | |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
57-337 | Sound Recording | 6 |
57-338 | Sound Editing and Mastering | 6 |
57-438 | Multitrack Recording | 9 |
Audio Recording & Production Electives (59 units minimum)
Choose 59 units from:
57-153 | Harmony II | 9 |
or 57-150 | Basic Harmony II | |
57-182 | Solfege II | 3 |
or 57-186 | Advanced Solfege II | |
10-301 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 12 |
15-104 | Introduction to Computing for Creative Practice | 10 |
15-213 | Introduction to Computer Systems | 12 |
15-322 | Introduction to Computer Music | 9 |
18-090 | Twisted Signals: Multimedia Processing for the Arts | 10 |
33-114 | Physics of Musical Sound | 9 |
54-166 | Introduction to Sound Design for Theatre | 6 |
54-666 | Production Audio (section B) | 4 |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I | 3 |
57-162 | Eurhythmics II | 3 |
57-344 | Experimental Sound Synthesis | 9 |
57-347 | Electronic and Computer Music | 6 |
57-358 | Introduction to Electronic Music (with instructor permission as space allows) | 9 |
57-421 | Exploded Ensemble | 6 |
57-427 | Advanced Seminar in Film Musicology | 9 |
57-478 | Survey of Historical Recording | 6 |
57-622 | Independent Study in Sound Recording Production | 3 |
60-131 | Foundations: Sculpture | 10 |
85-385 | Auditory Perception: Sense of Sound | 9 |
Note: Students completing an IDeATe minor may double-count up to two of the IDeATe minor courses towards the Audio Recording & Production concentration.
Composition Required Courses (13 courses, 85 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I (recommended co-requisite: 57-181) | 3 |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
57-49x | BXA Studio (4 semesters) | 36 |
57-xxx | Major Ensemble (4 semesters) | 24 |
Composition Electives (23 units minimum)
A minimum of 23 additional Music units must be approved by the Music advisor. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Music Performance Required Courses (13 courses, 85 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I (recommended co-requisite: 57-181) | 3 |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
57-49x | BXA Studio (4 semesters) | 36 |
57-xxx | Major Ensemble (4 semesters) | 24 |
Music Performance Electives (23 units minimum)
A minimum of 23 additional Music units must be approved by the Music advisor. A list of these selected courses must be filed in the BXA office.
Sound Theory & Practice Required Courses (8 courses, 53 units)
57-152 | Harmony I | 9 |
or 57-149 | Basic Harmony I | |
57-101 | Introduction to Music Technology | 6 |
or 57-171 | Introduction to Music Technology (self-paced) | |
57-181 | Solfege I | 3 |
or 57-180 | Basic Solfege I | |
or 57-185 | Advanced Solfege I | |
57-173 | Survey of Western Music History (co-requisite: 57-188) | 9 |
57-188 | Repertoire and Listening for Musicians | 1 |
18-090 | Twisted Signals: Multimedia Processing for the Arts | 10 |
57-421 | Exploded Ensemble | 6 |
57-911 | Music Since 1945 | 9 |
Sound Theory & Practice Electives (55 units minimum)
Choose 55 units from:
57-153 | Harmony II | 9 |
or 57-150 | Basic Harmony II | |
57-182 | Solfege II | 3 |
or 57-186 | Advanced Solfege II | |
15-104 | Introduction to Computing for Creative Practice | 10 |
15-322 | Introduction to Computer Music (prerequisite: 15-112) | 9 |
33-114 | Physics of Musical Sound | 9 |
57-161 | Eurhythmics I | 3 |
57-162 | Eurhythmics II | 3 |
57-337 | Sound Recording | 6 |
57-338 | Sound Editing and Mastering | 6 |
57-343 | Music, Technology, and Culture | 9 |
57-344 | Experimental Sound Synthesis | 9 |
57-347 | Electronic and Computer Music (prerequisite: 57-101 or 57-171) | 6 |
57-358 | Introduction to Electronic Music (with instructor permission as space allows) | 9 |
57-438 | Multitrack Recording | 9 |
57-478 | Survey of Historical Recording | 6 |
57-616 | Independent Study in Sound Studies | 9 |
Note: Students completing an IDeATe minor may double-count up to two of the IDeATe minor courses towards the Sound Theory & Practice concentration.
Academic Policies
Professional and Community Standards
As a condition of enrollment BXA, and as a student in the College of Fine Arts, we expect you to positively contribute to the community in order to fully engage in the intellectual life at CFA. Classrooms, studios, rehearsal and performance spaces, exhibition venues and off-campus curricular destinations are safe spaces for expression and self-identification. Students are expected to treat everyone with respect, regardless of race, country of origin, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, age, religion, political affiliation or marital status. Lack of respect and harassment includes offensive comments related to any protected personal characteristic, deliberate intimidation, sustained disruption of speech, inappropriate physical contact and unwelcome sexual attention. Violations of this agreement are subject to a response to be determined by the BXA Director and CFA Associate Deans.
Academic Standards and Actions
Grading Practices
Grades given to record academic performance in the College of Fine Arts are detailed in the catalog section entitled "Undergraduate Academic Regulations." All courses taught by the schools in the College of Fine Arts follow the standard letter grade system of the university. Responsibility for the grade given to the student rests entirely with the instructor and the school concerned. A permanent grade may not be raised by taking a second examination or evaluation. Students who wish to repeat a course already passed must obtain approval from the Dean of the College. At the time of approval, the Dean will decide in the light of circumstances whether the new grade or the old grade will be the official grade used as the computing factor for honors. Both grades, however, will appear on the official transcript.
Grade Appeals
In the event a student believes an assigned grade is incorrect or not appropriate, the student may follow the university processes outlined in the Word to seek prompt and equitable resolution of the matter. All appeals are initially addressed to the instructor of record. If unresolved, the appeal can be forwarded to the Head of School (or department head if outside of CFA).
https://www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/theword/academic/appeal-of-grades-and-academic-actions.html
Monitoring Degree Progress
The College of Fine Arts seeks to support each of our students on their pathway towards graduation. Thus, we review each student’s academic performance and progress towards degree at the close of each semester. Academic actions are designed to notify a student of specific academic and graduation requirements, outline goals for completion, and identify avenues of support. Academic actions are opportunities for students to reflect, grow, and get connected with appropriate campus resources to help them succeed.
To stay on track for graduation, each student is expected to complete a minimum of 36* units each semester, have both a semester and cumulative QPA of at least 2.0, and make adequate progress towards their declared degree. Adequate progress requires that at least 80% of their semester units are passed, that a student registers for their program’s expected coursework, and that they have met the minimum grades required to progress in sequential coursework. BXA students have additional academic requirements to meet a minimum threshold of D or C in certain academic courses, per their specific academic program curriculum.
If a student’s academic record falls below these standards, they receive an academic action. These actions are assigned based on the most recent semester under review as well as a cumulative review of a student’s performance to date. Each program will recommend students for notification and the CFA Academic Advisory Committee will finalize these decisions. The CFA Dean’s office will then disseminate the academic action letters directly to the students and their advisors via their CMU email. To best support academic success, a student placed on an academic action is not permitted to overload, undertake independent studies, or study abroad until they return to good standing. (See school/program handbook for additional restrictions and specifications.)
Incomplete grades will be conditionally actioned by the default grades until the student completes the missing coursework. If the student does not complete their missing coursework by the faculty deadline agreed upon, their default grade and action will become permanent.
* Students approved for Part Time Status through the Office of Disability Resources will work with their Program’s administration to determine the minimum number of units needed to remain in Good Standing.
Academic Notifications
A preliminary email from an academic advisor may alert a student of an issue that will impede their degree progress if left unresolved (aka re-taking a general education requirement or falling behind on registering for required courses etc.) If the student meets new actionable criteria in the following semesters, they may be assigned an academic action.
The College of Fine Arts administers academic action letters to help all students stay abreast of their progress towards degree and to ultimately support their path to graduation. If a student falls below the outlined academic standards listed above (earn a minimum 2.0 semester and cumulative QPA and make adequate degree progress), they will receive an academic action letter at the close of that semester. If problems persist, they will receive escalating actions as listed below. However, once a student resumes adequate degree progress and earns a semester and cumulative QPA of at least 2.0, they are returned to Good Academic Standing and will remain in good standing so long as the academic standards are still being met.
Academic Concern
Academic Concern letters notify the student of a concerning academic performance issue(s) and suggests that the student take immediate steps to correct the cause of the difficulty. It is the first academic action administered to students who fall behind one or more of the degree standards. A student will remain on Academic Concern for the length of the next semester (Fall or Spring). Note that Academic Concern is an internal notification and will not appear on a student’s academic transcript. If the student does not meet these standards in future semesters, they may be assigned a successive academic action.
Academic Warning
A student will be placed on Academic Warning for continued poor performance, or for continued failure to meet the requirements of their declared degree path. Academic Warning is the second level academic action administered to students who fall behind at least one of the degree standards for two or more semesters. A student will remain on this action for the length of the next semester (Fall or Spring). Again, Academic Warning is an internal notification and will not appear on a student’s academic transcript. One or more previous actions are needed to qualify. If the student does not meet these standards in future semesters, they may be assigned a successive academic action.
Academic Suspension
Academic Suspension is a required, temporary leave from the university. It is administered to students who fall behind at least one of the degree standards for three or more semesters. (Two or more academic actions must proceed a suspension). An Academic Suspension is intended to allow the student time to address any issues impeding or affecting their performance in order to progress towards meeting the academic standards of their declared degree path. The student is required to temporarily withdraw from the university for a specific period as defined in their suspension letter.
The College of Fine Arts remains committed to students during these periods of temporary leave and continues to connect them to College and University level supports while they are away. Return from suspension is subject to the conditions specified in the suspension letter and approval of the CFA Dean’s office. Details concerning associated restrictions can be found at: https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/suspension-required-withdrawal-policy.html.
Final Academic Warning
Following a Suspension, students will be placed on Final Academic Warning during their initial semester of return.
Academic Drop
An Academic Drop is the final academic notification and is only administered after a substantial pattern of academic difficulty. Four or more semesters below standards, including a Suspension, are needed prior to an Academic Drop.
This action terminates the student’s enrollment in their current School/Program but is not intended to prejudice admission to another academic program within Carnegie Mellon University, or to another institution. If a student has earned a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.0, they may still apply for internal transfer within CMU–noting that the student must successfully transfer prior to resuming study at Carnegie Mellon.
Appeal of Academic Actions
Students have the right to appeal Academic Action decisions to the CFA Dean. All appeals must be received in writing by the deadline printed in the academic standing notification (within 10 days of the dated letter). If a student’s initial appeal is denied they may choose to further their appeal to the Provost’s Office in writing by the deadline printed in the appeal response (within 5 days of the dated letter). Additional information about appealing an academic action decision is found in The Word: Student Handbook.
Disabilities
Students with a learning disability or a physical disability are encouraged to email access@andrew.cmu.edu. The circumstances will remain confidential to the extent desired. The university has a formal procedure for documenting disabilities, notifying advisors and faculty, and making arrangements to utilize university resources in support of expressed needs, but will take no action until contacted by the student. The BXA academic advisors will work with the student to coordinate assistance. Please note that requests for accommodations are not retroactive; you must ask that accommodation requests be put in place before you anticipate needing them.
Grading Policies
University grading policies may vary depending on the particular school/department. Please consult the Undergraduate Academic Regulations.
Intercollege Deans’ List
Students who earn 36 graded units (no “pass/no pass” grades) with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, no “incompletes” and “no grades” qualify for BCSA, BESA, BHA or BSA Deans’ List. The BXA Intercollege Deans’ List Honors are posted online each semester.
Intercollege Honors
BXA students who successfully complete a BXA Capstone Project under the guidance of a faculty member will graduate with BCSA, BESA, BHA, BSA or EA Intercollege Honors if all of the following conditions are met:
- grade of “A” achieved in 62-401 and 62-402;
- overall QPA of 3.25 or higher;
- publicly present research results.
As a citizen of two colleges, a BXA student also has the opportunity to graduate with CFA College Honors, DC College Honors, ENG College Honors, MCS College Honors and SCS College Honors. These particular honors are defined by each college. BXA students will receive honors color cords during Commencement Weekend.
University Honors
Students who graduate with an overall QPA of 3.5 or higher will graduate with University Honors. Students will receive an honors medallion during Commencement Weekend.
Internal Transfer/Additional Major Process
For current Carnegie Mellon students who wish to apply to a BXA program, an internal transfer and additional major (EA) application process takes place in both the fall and spring semester. Applications are available online and are reviewed by a committee of BCSA, BESA, BHA, BSA and EA associate deans and advisors in October and in March. However, certain concentrations consider applications only once a year or certain concentrations only consider applicants currently enrolled in the same major as the intended concentration; please consult with a BXA advisor for guidance on scheduling your application.
All students applying for internal transfer should meet with their current advisor, a BXA advisor and an advisor in their target area, as well as take preliminary coursework in their target area and complete their first semester before applying. For all concentrations, there are required courses that must be taken before an application will be considered; please consult with a BXA advisor for guidance on scheduling these courses. Additionally, a cumulative QPA of 3.0 is required for all BXA programs and students must complete their first semester at Carnegie Mellon before applying for internal transfer.
Current BXA students who wish to change their BXA program (e.g. BHA to BCSA) or change their CFA concentration (e.g BHA architecture to BHA art) or delineated options within CFA concentrations (e.g. music performance to music composition) must apply for that change through the internal transfer process. Current BESA, BHA and BSA students who wish to change their academic college concentration after declaring (e.g. BHA creative writing to BHA psychology, BSA physics to BSA mathematical sciences) or delineated options within their academic college concentration (e.g. BESA chemical engineering to BESA mechanical engineering) after declaring must submit a new BESA ENG/BHA DC/BSA MCS Concentration Declaration form for approval of that change. Current BXA students seeking internal transfer out of BXA into another college program must apply and meet entry requirements to that program. Students who do not remain in BCSA can only return to their original major.
Study Abroad
Studying abroad is encouraged to broaden BXA students’ interdisciplinary experiences through traditional and non-traditional study abroad, from coursework and artistic studios to for-credit internships, volunteer service and research opportunities.
Courses taken while studying abroad may count toward your BXA concentration requirements, your general education requirements or your free electives. Studying abroad should not delay your graduation, as long as you work with your study abroad advisor and your BXA advisor to plan the most appropriate courses.
The timing and length of program are important considerations while planning. Due to required BXA coursework, students should avoid studying abroad in their last three semesters (junior spring, senior fall/spring). Spending an entire year abroad is not typically possible for BXA students without intending to take an additional semester at Carnegie Mellon. Many students study abroad during the spring of their sophomore year or the fall semester of their junior year, as well during the summer, and over winter and spring breaks. Talk to your BXA academic advisor early in your academic career to identify the best time for study abroad.
When studying abroad, students are still enrolled at Carnegie Mellon. A student never takes a leave of absence to study abroad. Prior to studying abroad, all students must attend a required pre-departure orientation offered by the Office of International Education (OIE).
Students must also complete a Study Abroad Transfer Credit (SATC) form prior to departure for study abroad, which must be signed after completion by the BXA advisor. The SATC will guarantee transfer credit for courses taken abroad, and is filled out by the corresponding departments to the coursework being transferred. Unlike regular transfer credit, there is no limit to the number of courses transferable from study abroad, but there may exist stricter limits on the use of coursework to fulfill concentration or general education requirements.
Students will receive credit for courses for which they receive a grade of “C” or better. However, grades received abroad do not count toward a student’s Carnegie Mellon University QPA.
Students who are on academic action may have restrictions from participating in some school, college, and university activities, including eligibility for study abroad.
Transfer Credit
Once a BXA student enrolls at Carnegie Mellon University as a degree candidate, they may transfer a maximum of five courses from another institution (excepting official study abroad programs through the CMU Office of International Education) for credit towards their BXA degree. This applies to courses taken at other institutions in the United States, as well as courses taken internationally in the student’s home country.
Individual departments may impose stricter limits regarding the number or type of courses students propose to take elsewhere to fulfill requirements. Some departments may not accept transfer credit from online courses.
Students must have prior approval to transfer courses from their BXA advisor, as well as concentration advisors, to use coursework towards requirements. To receive permission, students must provide course information (syllabi) to the corresponding department for evaluation of appropriate credit. When the course is finished, official transcripts must be sent to Carnegie Mellon University before credit will be recorded.
Transfer courses must be taken for a letter grade and students must earn a C (2.00) or above (B or above at a community college). Transfer credit is not factored into a student's CMU QPA.
The following courses must be taken at CMU and cannot be transferred in:
- First-Year Writing Requirement Course (76-101, 76-102, 76-106/7/8)
- Humanities (79-104, 79-145, 79-189)
- 36-200: Statistical Reasoning (AP credit only)
- 99-101: Core@CMU
Students currently on university suspension are permitted to take no more than three courses per semester at another institution and no more than a total of five courses.
Withdrawal or Leave of Absence
A student who decides to leave the university must meet with their BXA advisor and complete a Withdrawal or Leave of Absence form. Withdrawal means leaving the university with no intention of returning. Leave of Absence means temporarily leaving the university with a stated intention to return. A withdrawal or leave of absence from the university at any time up to and including the last day of classes (excluding the final examination period), means that grades of W will be recorded for all classes for the semester. Financial responsibility for the semester is dependent upon the date of and the reasons for filing the form. Questions about financial responsibility should be directed to the HUB.
A leave of absence may be voluntary or involuntary. If the leave is voluntary, the student may return any time within four years following the beginning of the leave by filing an Application for Return from Leave of Absence form. If the leave is involuntary, that is, required for academic or disciplinary reasons, the conditions for return will be stated.
About Course Numbers:
Each Carnegie Mellon course number begins with a two-digit prefix that designates the department offering the course (i.e., 76-xxx courses are offered by the Department of English). Although each department maintains its own course numbering practices, typically, the first digit after the prefix indicates the class level: xx-1xx courses are freshmen-level, xx-2xx courses are sophomore level, etc. Depending on the department, xx-6xx courses may be either undergraduate senior-level or graduate-level, and xx-7xx courses and higher are graduate-level. Consult the Schedule of Classes each semester for course offerings and for any necessary pre-requisites or co-requisites.
BXA Intercollege Degree Programs Courses
- 52-190 BXA Seminar I: Building the Wunderkammer
- Fall: 4.5 units
BXA Seminar I considers how knowledge is represented across different modes of mediawhat language, what symbols, what logic guides knowledge acquisition and expression in your varied disciplines? Students engage with theoretical and practical readings from across disciplines, with particular emphasis on interpretive theory. Weekly readings in aesthetic and critical theory introduce students to a particular vocabulary of analysis, practiced in class discussion and written responses. Students will conceive, research, produce and present a creative final project at the end of the course.
- 52-291 BXA Seminar II: Transferring Knowledge
- Spring: 4.5 units
BXA Seminar II considers how interdisciplinary work can be produced, analyzed, justified andmost importantlycontextualized. By taking a deep dive into a single object or text, we'll explore how context situates the creator, the audience, and their relationship. At the end of the course, students will have a better understanding of how disciplinary methods establish context, and they'll be able to use this understanding to help guide their academic choices.
- 52-292 BXA Student Advisory Council
- Intermittent: 3 units
This course will provide opportunities for students to promote and refine the mission of the BXA programs. Students will develop and practice leadership skills, including collaboration, communication, and project management. Students will be responsible for planning and running BXA student events, including info sessions, social hours, skills workshops, and alumni events. Students are encouraged to think about how to engage other interdisciplinary scholars and artists as well as how to present their own work and programs to the larger university community.
- 52-390 BXA Undergraduate Research Project
- All Semesters
The BXA Undergraduate Research Project is for BXA students who want to work on a self-designed project with the one-to-one guidance of a faculty advisor. The project should be interdisciplinary in nature, and can be a scholarly and/or creative endeavor. The project may take the form of a written thesis, a compilation of creative works, an outreach project, etc. The project topic must be pre-approved by the faculty member who agrees to supervise the project and assign a letter grade for the course. Projects are to be completed in one semester, may be worth 3, 6, 9, or 12 units of academic credit, and cannot be taken concurrently with the BXA Capstone Project during the senior year. To register, students must submit an "Undergraduate Research Project Proposal Form" signed by both the student and the faculty advisor, along with a proposal, to their BXA academic advisor.
- 52-392 BXA Seminar III: Deconstructing Disciplines
- Spring: 9 units
BXA Seminar III is in preparation for the BXA Capstone Project and/or other senior research projects (Dietrich/MCS/SCS thesis, or CFA senior studio work). The seminar will engage BXA juniors in a brief examination of the structures of disciplinary knowledge, interdisciplinary approaches, and the components of research, with production of original work as the primary class requirement. The course is designed with maximum flexibility for various schedule conflicts and attendance; check course syllabus for meeting times and options. Coursework includes short readings and self-assessment exercises, participation in seminar discussions, preparation of the Junior Portfolio and professional documents (CV), and the production of new research or creative works. These can take one of three forms: 1) a small proof of concept object 2) the initiation of one stage of larger research plans or 3) a complete Capstone proposal. Any of these may be the basis of the student's eventual Capstone or other senior work. The requirements for this semester also include a short 5 page literature review about the student's topic, inclusion of work during the BXA Kaleidoscope show (last week of April), and a class research presentation showcase held during the final exam period.
- 52-401 BXA Seminar IV: Capstone Project Research
- Fall and Spring
The BXA Capstone gives BXA students the opportunity to demonstrate the extent of their interdisciplinary work over the course of their academic career. The Capstone should include elements that span the student's CFA and SCS concentrations (for BCSA students), CFA and engineering studies concentrations (for BESA students), CFA and DC concentrations (for BHA students), CFA and MCS concentrations (for BSA students), or CFA concentration and engineering major (for EA additional major students). The project can be either a scholarly or creative endeavor, and may take one of many possible forms (e.g., a written thesis, a compilation of creative work or works, an experiment and report, a computer program or animation, etc.). The BXA Capstone sequence covers both semesters of a student's senior year. In the fall, students are enrolled in 52-401 BXA Seminar IV: Capstone Project Research (9 units), which meets weekly to discuss strategies for managing research, planning the project, and larger theoretical issues related to interdisciplinary work. At the end of the fall course, students will have produced a Capstone Project proposal, an annotated bibliography, and multiple versions of their project pitch. In the spring, students enroll in 52-402 BXA Seminar: Capstone Project Production (9 units), which has no required classroom time. Instead, students spend the semester doing the research and foundational work necessary for the project, as well as meeting with their faculty and BXA advisors as they create their Capstone Project and prepare to present it at the annual Meeting of the Minds Undergraduate Research Symposium held each May. Students will only be enrolled for 18 units when they are unable to complete a two-semester sequence and need to gain special permission by the BXA Director/Academic Advisor. The BXA Capstone sequence is for students in their last two semesters before graduation.
- 52-402 BXA Seminar V: Capstone Project Production
- Fall and Spring: 9 units
The BXA Capstone gives BXA students the opportunity to demonstrate the extent of their interdisciplinary work over the course of their academic career. The Capstone should include elements that span the student's CFA and SCS concentrations (for BCSA students), CFA and DC concentrations (for BHA students), CFA and MCS concentrations (for BSA students), or CFA concentration and engineering major (for EA additional major students). The project can be either a scholarly or creative endeavor, and may take one of many possible forms (e.g., a written thesis, a compilation of creative work or works, an experiment and report, a computer program or animation, etc.). The BXA Capstone sequence covers both semesters of a student's senior year. In the fall, students are enrolled in 52-401 BXA Seminar IV: Capstone Project Research (9 units), which meets weekly to discuss strategies for managing research, planning the project, and larger theoretical issues related to interdisciplinary work. At the end of the fall course, students will have produced a Capstone Project proposal, an annotated bibliography, and multiple versions of their project pitch. In the spring, students enroll in 52-402 BXA Seminar: Capstone Project Production (9 units), which has no required classroom time. Instead, students spend the semester doing the research and foundational work necessary for the project, as well as meeting with their faculty and BXA advisors as they create their Capstone Project and prepare to present it at the annual Meeting of the Minds Undergraduate Research Symposium held each May. The BXA Capstone sequence is for students in their last two semesters before graduation.
- 52-590 BXA Internship
- All Semesters
An internship is a supervised professional work experience with clear links to a student's academic goals. BXA students may choose to complete a BXA Internship for elective credit with appropriate individuals or organizations within or outside of Carnegie Mellon University. Junior and senior BXA students in good academic standing are eligible to receive academic credit for one internship. Grading is pass/no pass only. Prior to enrolling in an internship, the student must have a "BXA Internship Agreement Form" signed by their site supervisor and approved by their BXA academic advisor.