College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Liberal Arts and Sciences Liberal Arts and Sciences

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An education in the liberal arts and sciences prepares students for a wide range of careers. Although many people assume that one’s major often translate into the equivalent career, the reality is that many employers favor skills wrought in liberal arts and sciences education and recruit job candidates from a pool of possible majors, emphasizing the degree completion over the major(s) used to achieve it. Few professional positions require a specific undergraduate major.

An education in our College with one (or more!) of our 43 majors nourishes the development of skills that recruiters expect from job candidates, including communications, problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation skills. Our graduates work in most areas of business, industry, government, and education. They also acquire excellent preparation for graduate and professional schools, which generally do not prefer specific majors as long as students prepare appropriately to meet the entrance requirements.

In addition, undergraduate students in our College have exciting opportunities to work closely with our faculty on their research or to design their own research program. Conducting research as an undergraduate prepares one for graduate work and imparts valuable project management and collaboration skills. A number of scholarships are available.

UF-CLAS Shared Language Program

In the Fall 2021 term, the University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) will offer seats in 15 language courses to any interested student in the State University System (SUS). These courses will all be taught online (either synchronously or asynchronously). Students must obtain permission from their home institutions prior to enrollment in any of the courses in the UF-CLAS Shared Language Program. Learn more about the UF-CLAS Shared Language Program.

Our Majors

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African American Studies


The primary emphasis of the African American Studies program is to educate students about the theories and methodologies pertaining to the study of African Americans. Students will be able to compare and contrast the experiences of people of African descent in the U.S. to those in the wider African Diaspora. They also learn through participation in community-service activities.

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African Languages

The specialization in African Languages enables students to develop the critical, analytical, and interpretive tools essential for successfully working and living in today’s increasingly globalizing world. It focuses on a selected group of languages that function as languages of wider communication (lingua franca) in their sub-Saharan African regions. Through study of these languages students not only gain communicative proficiency in the language(s) of their choice, but also an understanding of the diverse literary and cultural traditions that make Africa such a unique and complex continent today.

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Anthropology


Anthropology majors study people as they relate to their culture and examine the patterns of social behavior. Anthropology looks at all aspects of human biological and social life from earliest times to the present, and seeks to understand how humans adapt to their natural and social environments. Anthropology has four subfields: cultural anthropology, archaeology, biological anthropology, and linguistics.

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Arabic


The Arabic language is the key to understanding the culture and history of North Africa, the Middle East, and the Arabian Peninsula. Arabic is also the liturgical language of more than a billion Muslims, and it is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. The Arabic specialization of the Foreign Languages and Literatures major enables students to develop an appreciation for the complexity of the many facets of the Arab world: its society, culture, history, arts, religions, and literary heritage.

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Astronomy and Astrophysics


Curious about what’s “out there?” Students who are comfortable with mathematics and physics and have a strong desire to understand the nature of the Solar System and other planetary systems, stars, galaxies and the universe, are encouraged to consider majoring in astronomy. UF’s astronomy department is the only U.S. institution with access to the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), whose superb image quality “sees” both the faintest and the most distant objects in the universe, from nearby, newborn planets and stars, to the most distant galaxies.

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Biology


Biology majors develop a fundamental knowledge of animals, plants and microorganisms. This major takes a broader approach to biology than the more specialized majors of Botany and Zoology. Pre-professional students, students seeking careers in education, and those with interdisciplinary interests in ecology, physiology and biochemistry, systematics, or molecular biology will be interested in this major.

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Botany


Botany majors embark on a field of study that provides a broad background in plant biology, from the molecular level to that of the organism. Students take courses in ecology, genetics, physiology, taxonomy, anatomy, molecular biology and biochemistry. Students take part in supervised research, assisting faculty on research projects on campus and abroad. The Soltis Lab within the department is pioneering work on mapping the genome of a relative of the oldest flowering plant known, providing a biological reference point for efforts to improve agriculture and forestry.

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Chemistry and Biochemistry

Known as the central science, chemistry serves as a nucleus for the biological and physical sciences, as well as agricultural, engineering, medical and health disciplines. Students can choose the standard chemistry program or the biochemistry program, which is designed for students wanting to pursue courses with a biological focus. Chemistry department labs and centers are doing groundbreaking research on polymers, nanostructures, quantum theory, and macromolecular science. Undergraduate research frequently results in journal publications and presentations at scientific meetings.

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Chinese

The Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures offers a Chinese Studies major. Over one billion people, about one-seventh of the world’s population, speak some variety of Chinese as their native language. Students entering this major will enter a high demand career market in commerce, diplomacy, translation, and business. This major develops proficiency in Chinese (EAC) and acquaints students with the literature and cultural history of China. Courses are also available for those interested in business Chinese, classical Chinese, and film and women’s studies.

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Classical Studies


Classical Studies majors gain a fundamental knowledge of ancient Greek, Roman, and Mediterranean culture by studying classical languages and literatures, art history, ancient history, archaeology, philosophy, and comparative literature. Students develop proficiency in Latin or Ancient Greek, or can opt to pursue the newly developed major track in Modern Greek Studies (CS-MGK).
Small class sizes, emphasis on critical thinking and expression and a faculty committed to involvement in lower-level undergraduate courses make this major appealing to students who want excellent preparation for entry to professional schools (e.g., medicine or law). The department teaches over 100 students in the major and 90 in the minor, making it one of the largest undergraduate Classics programs in the nation.

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Computer Science


This program combines the study of computer science with a liberal arts education. It prepares students for employment as computing professionals while offering significant freedom to choose coursework in other areas. The major is especially popular with students who want the technical education in computer science with the flexibility to take other non-technical courses, sometimes in the form of a minor or certificate.

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Criminology


Students seeking a degree in criminology and law will study the complexities of relationships among the legal, social, political, historical and psychological influences affecting legal processes. Courses focus on explanations for the development of law within society, why people break laws and how society reacts to law-breaking. Interdisciplinary breadth is considered essential and students are encouraged to enroll in relevant courses offered outside the department. Criminology and Law majors often pursue careers within the criminal or juvenile justice systems, such as courts, law enforcement, and corrections. Other students go on to attend law school or to conduct research on criminological issues at a graduate level.

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Data Science


Data Science is a field of study that combines computer science (programming, databases, and algorithms) and statistical methodology, both with a strong mathematical foundation, to apply to diverse areas in ethical ways. Data scientists work in many areas, including business, economics, medicine, epidemiology, agriculture, environmental sciences, sports, and all aspects of government. With the increasing digitization and networking of society, data have become ever more ubiquitous, further expanding the demand for data scientists and their expertise in the collection, management, and analysis of data.

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Economics


Economics teaches students how to look at a complex world and make observations on behaviors. Majors learn the analytical skills needed to understand how households, firms and governments make economic decisions and how to compare costs and benefits in maximize objectives. In turn, students can determine the implications of those economic decisions in relation to the allocation of society’s resources, the pricing of goods and services, the distribution of income, and the behavior of macroeconomic variables. An economics degree is appropriate for students intending to pursue advanced degrees in the social sciences and for enrollment in professional schools of management, law or public administration.

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English


An English major prepares students for diverse careers in law, publishing, advertising, media, business, and teaching, among others. Courses introduce students to a world of experiences that cannot be exhausted in the brief span of a college education; new authors, new works, new media, and new tools for understanding that continually enlarge and transform the world. Students may pursue expertise in one of several specialized programs, including African Diaspora Studies; Children’s Literature; Creative Writing; Feminisms, Genders and Sexualities; Film and Media Studies; Medieval Studies; and Postcolonial Studies.

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Foreign Languages and Literatures

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French and Francophone Studies


French is spoken in 44 countries by approximately 200 million people. A major in French and Francophone Studies offers the linguistic, cultural and intellectual training required for a variety of diverse fields in a globalized market. Majors discover the connections of past and present by learning of the exceptionally rich humanistic tradition of France from the Middle Ages through the modern period. French majors have the flexibility to design an individualized course of study to focus on business, cinema, culture, language, linguistics or literature.

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Geography


Geography majors learn about the Earth’s physical environment, including climate. Students learn to understand social, cultural, economic and environmental concepts from a spatial perspective. Students learn techniques such as geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, aerial photo interpretation, database handling, and computer-based cartography to assist in regional planning, map production, and environmental assessment.

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Geology


Geology majors learn about the Earth’s physical environment including climate, geological resources, geological hazards and remediation. Geology graduates gain a detailed understanding of critical issues as climate change, sustainability and the nuances of human activity and its impact on the environment. Majors learn assessment- and field-based techniques and geographic information systems (GIS) that are used in evaluating the various impacts of humans on the physical Earth and hydrologic environment.

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German


For many students, the German major is an enriching discovery of their own past: more than 60 million Americans are of German heritage, and more Americans can trace their ancestry to Germany than to any other foreign country. German studies encompasses the works of German literature, the culture of the Middle Ages, German cinema, writings of ethnic minorities in German-speaking countries, economics, and the European Union. By acquiring proficiency in the German language, students learn the most widely spoken language in Europe and join a community of more than 130 million speakers of German around the world.

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Hebrew


By assuming an interdisciplinary approach to Hebrew language and culture, students acquire knowledge of the close relationship between politics, history, religions, arts and cultures in Israel. In addition to working toward proficiency in Hebrew, students will develop close reading and critical thinking skills. Students graduating with this major will find job opportunities in Jewish community organizations, the government, and consulting. In addition, due to the interdisciplinary nature of the major, students will be well prepared for the rigor of graduate studies in the humanities.

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Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literatures and Linguistics

The major in Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literatures and Linguistics is excellent preparation for careers in business, journalism and communications, law, medicine, the service professions, and teaching.

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History


History majors focus on the development of three related skill sets critical to professional success in today’s complex world: writing, critical analysis, and oral communication. The major places emphasis on small classes that focus on extensive reading, contentious debate and interpretative writing, making it an ideal prepatory major for preprofessional students.

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Interdisciplinary Studies


The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recognizes that students’ academic and professional interests may include more than one discipline and that some majors are not formally available at the university. Because interdisciplinary approaches, research, and curricular activities are becoming increasingly appropriate and valuable within the liberal arts and sciences and other fields, UF students have the option to develop and pursue interdisciplinary (IDS) majors that cross the boundaries of numerous disciplines.

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International Studies


International Studies is an interdisciplinary program that provides knowledge of international or global issues including regional and global political economies; comparative cultural and political systems; ethnicity, identity, and belief systems; peace, conflict, and wars; gender, culture, and politics; and global science and environmental issues (e.g., water management, etc.). The major prepares students for careers as specialists or representatives in: international relations, international publications, cross cultural training in educational and business fields, public affairs, government foreign service, export sales, and international research.

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Italian


The Italian specialization in Foreign Languages and Literatures provides the linguistic and cultural knowledge students need to understand and appreciate the language, literature, cinema, history, and society of the Italian peninsula. Courses reflect the complex cultural traditions of this Mediterranean nation from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to the modern period.

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Japanese Studies


The Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures offers a Japanese Studies major.Spoken by over 130 million people, Japanese is spoken almost exclusively in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities around the world. The major in East Asian Languages and Literatures (EALL) develops proficiency in the Japanese (EAJ) language and acquaints students with the literature and cultural history of Japan. Courses are also available for those interested in business Japanese, classical Japanese, film and women’s studies. An EALL major is excellent general preparation for entry to professional schools or careers in foreign service, commerce, translation, business, and tourism, among others.

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Jewish Studies


Jewish Studies majors develop an understanding of the broad spectrum of Jewish culture, history, society, and religion. The diversity and complexity of the field allows students to develop critical thinking skills. The curriculum emphasizes historical transformations and comparative frameworks among various Jewish communities and with other groups and religions. Courses emphasize the study of class, ethnicity, gender, race and sexuality. Students often combine the Jewish Studies major with other majors and go on to professional careers in law, medicine, journalism, business or other professions.

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Linguistics


Linguistics majors study language from multiple perspectives. They analyze words and the structure of languages; how speech is used in ordinary conversation; dialects; how children acquire languages; how adults acquire a second language; and the relationships of language to gender, the brain and the use of computers.
Linguists analyze and contribute to mass communication, they testify about language meaning and use in the courtroom, and they analyze natural language processing. Linguists also teach non-native speakers to speak, read, write and comprehend English and other languages.

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Marine Sciences


Students considering graduate study, pre-professional students, students seeking careers in education, and those with interdisciplinary interests in ecology, physiology and biochemistry, systematics, molecular biology, or marine geology will be interested in Marine Studies interdisciplinary major. Students declaring this major may be affiliated with the Department of Biology Department or the Department of Geological Sciences.
Oceans are an important facet of our global environment: they cover more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface; they provide us with food, transport, and resources; and they play a significant role in controlling climate. However, the world’s oceans remain largely unexplored below the surface, making them one of the last great frontiers for scientific discovery. Marine environments are inherently dynamic and are governed by a broad suite of interactive physical, chemical, biological, and geological processes.

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Mathematics


Mathematics majors study quantity, structure, space, and change. Mathematics is an essential tool and its majors are in high demand in a number of fields, including the social and natural sciences, engineering, and medicine. Studying mathematics develops the skills of critical thinking, oral and written communication, arguing logically and rigorously, thinking abstractly, formulating and solving problems, and analyzing data and mathematical models. It also helps develop proficiencies in working with computers and quantitative data, and the ability to work in groups.

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Microbiology and Cell Sciences


Microbiology and Cell Science majors develop fundamental knowledge of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and viruses. Studies focus on the physiology and genetics of microorganisms, the mechanisms of pathogenesis and innate immunity systems, astrobiology, bacterial and genome sequencing and bioinformatics. This major prepares students for entry into professional programs in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine and provides a strong foundation for graduate studies in microbiology, cell biology and related cellular and biomedical sciences. The major also provides a background for entry into government research, industrial research and diagnostic laboratories.

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Philosophy


Philosophy addresses the most fundamental problems that arise when reflecting on the nature of the world and our place in it. Philosophy majors garner critical thinking and sound reasoning skills essential to effective thought and communication. A philosophy major address problems from a conceptual rather than empirical approach, developing models adequate to the phenomena they want to understand.

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Physics


The laws of physics are the basic building blocks for scientific research and engineering. Physics majors gain broad-based knowledge and experience in the application of these laws, in addition to hands-on experience in performing experiments and building instrumentation.
Physics majors are employed in industry doing applied work such as the development of the next generation of transistors, as well as in academia, seeking answers to such fundamental questions as to what the ultimate constituents of matter are.

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Political Science


For students intending to pursue a career in or related to the public sector, the political science major is ideal. Majors gain an understanding of how politics and government operate, governmental values, and critical and analytic skills necessary for understanding the political arena. Courses include areas as diverse as American and comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public administration, and public policy. Students are encouraged to serve in a political internship, participate in an overseas studies program, and to conduct independent research with faculty.

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Portuguese


Students pursuing a Portuguese major enter a program that stresses the language and culture of Brazil, with complementary studies of Portugal and Lusophone Africa.
Brazilians constitute one of the fastest growing immigrant populations of Florida, which does more than $2 billion worth of trade with Brazil annually. Brazil alone has 200 million Portuguese speakers. Therefore, students pursuing careers related to Latin America will profit greatly from knowing the language.

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Psychology


Psychology majors study mental processes and behavior, as well as the physiological and neurobiological processes and their effect on behaviors. Students receive a broad, science-based liberal arts education that explores psychology from both natural and social science perspectives. With faculty possessing expertise in five different areas of specialization, psychology majors at UF are well-prepared for graduate study in psychology, advanced professional programs, or a diverse array of careers.

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Religion


Religion is arguably the most powerful and pervasive force in the world. Majoring in religious studies can help you understand the complex and sometimes volatile relationships between religion and politics, economics, and social structures, as well as the ways in which the past (scripture, tradition, history) has helped shape the present. In our increasingly interdependent global community, awareness of various past and present features of religious life can lay the foundation for informed and thoughtful analysis of contemporary life. Also, the Religion major complements other CLAS programs; a number of our students have double-majored in Anthropology, History, and Political Science, to name a few. READ MORE.

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Russian


The Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures offers a Russian Studies major. Russian majors develop a solid working knowledge of the language and a thorough understanding of Russian culture and everyday life. The Russian language is the most geographically widespread language of Eurasia, the most widely spoken of the Slavic languages, and the largest native language in Europe. Studying Russian prepares students for graduate programs in the humanities and social sciences, as well as a variety of careers, including law, government, international relations, business, and education. Beyond this, it equips students with analytical skills essential for performing effectively in today’s multicultural world.

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Sociology


Sociology majors study social life and the causes and consequences of human behavior. Students learn various research methods to examine and analyze the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, as well as how people interact within these contexts. Sociology majors gain skills on how to identify and solve problems, how to conduct research, how to relate to others, and how to write effectively. The unique perspective of sociology leads many students to pursue double majors in English, Political Science, Anthropology, Biology, History, Family, Youth and Community Sciences, and Journalism.

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Spanish Studies


Spanish is the second most natively spoken language in the world. Through study of the literary and linguistic heritage of Spain and Latin America, faculty engage students in the processes of critical reading and writing and help them to acquire and to refine their abilities to speak, understand, read and write the Spanish language. Spanish majors garner a fundamental understanding of the languages, cultures and literatures of the Spanish-speaking countries of Europe and the Americas. They also gain a broad knowledge of the humanities, history, and the social sciences.

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Statistics


Statistical analysis lies at the heart of most research, and statisticians are important in many fields, from medicine to agriculture to industry and business. Statistics majors learn to use mathematical skills to solve practical problems, such as assessing economic and social conditions, estimating political opinion and monitoring effectiveness of government programs. Students learn how to design studies that effectively address the purpose of a research project and how to properly analyze the data collected in that study. Statistics majors have the option to minor in actuarial science, a profession involving the statistical and financial practices of insurance.

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Sustainability Studies


A Sustainability Studies major prepares students for global citizenship with a firm grounding in the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities. Majors explore how to maintain ecological and environmental health, create economic welfare, and pursue social justice in a changing world. Courses investigate the relationship of sustainability to culture, ethics, economics, politics, agriculture, technology, the built environment, ecology, and natural systems. In addition to developing skills in critically assessing sustainability principles and practices, students put their knowledge to work on campus and the local community in the capstone course, Sustainability in Action.

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Women's Studies


Women’s Studies majors study how multiple systems of power (e.g., related to ability status, class, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation) intertwine to shape people’s experiences. They learn how to put their knowledge into practice to transform these systems and expand equity and opportunities for all. Women’s studies education emphasizes experiential learning, including service-learning courses, practicum, and internships. Women’s studies students are well-prepared for graduate and professional school, or to pursue careers in a variety of fields, including education, journalism, community activism, arts and entertainment, international relations, health professions, and more.

Students can pursue the general concentration in the major or choose one of the specialized tracks in International Perspectives on Gender or Theories and Politics of Sexuality. Minors are also available in Women’s Studies, Theories and Politics of Sexuality, and Health Disparities in Society.

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Zoology


Zoology majors focus on the study of individual organisms and populations and their relationships with other species and the environment. Coursework emphasizes the study of anatomy, behavior, evolution, ecology, genetics, physiology, and other specialized fields. Advanced undergraduate students are encouraged to participate in research with faculty. An undergraduate degree in zoology is largely shaped by a student’s course, laboratory and field work. Most zoology majors choose a zoology specialization to prepare for graduate studies or specialized employment; a pre-professional specialization to prepare for medical, dental or veterinary programs; or a secondary-education specialization to prepare for secondary-school teaching.

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