The College departments and programs represent the liberal arts core of the University, ranging from the fine arts, the humanities, certain social sciences, journalism and mass communications, the natural and physical sciences, computer science, and mathematics. The College provides the essentials of a liberal education to all undergraduates before they select their major field of study, and offers courses and majors leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. The faculty of the College encourage and mentor independent scholarly work and offer opportunities for collaborative and independent research over the summer. The College curriculum also offers courses which prepare students for advanced professional training in engineering, journalism, law, and health. All W&L students begin their careers as first-year students in the College, and are advised by faculty members as they select their courses for their first year and sophomore year. Students typically enroll in courses that fulfill the University general education requirements, designed to introduce students to the full range of the liberal arts and sciences, and which will prepare them to make informed decisions about their advanced coursework and major. A student may elect to complete one or more interdisciplinary programs in addition to a major, or may complete two majors, or even complete two different degrees. Interdepartmental majors are available to provide emphasis in a field, such as Neuroscience or Medieval and Renaissance Studies, rather than in a single department. Students may also design their own major in Independent Work, leading to either a B.A. or B.S. with the guidance of faculty advisors. Finally, the College also offers combined-plan programs in engineering with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Columbia University.
