Departments and Programs
Arts and Humanities (H)
American Sign Language
Our American Sign Language (ASL) Program not only teaches the language, but also explores ASL culture and the community that shapes it.
Art and Art History
Through creative practice and critical study, our department examines the powerful role of art in reflecting and shaping society.
Dance and Movement
This interdisciplinary program explores dance and movement as creative, spiritual, and communal practices.
English
The Department of English is devoted to the study of literature, media, and creative arts.
Film and Media Studies
Our program offers students an opportunity to explore film and media as art forms and cultural phenomena.
Literary Translation (Graduate program only)
This program provides a multi-faceted approach to the art, technique, and business of translation.
Modern Languages and Cultures
Our department explores both national traditions and global connections as reflected in languages, literatures, media, arts and cultures around the world.
Music
From ensembles and lessons to music theory and history the Department of Music has something for everyone.
Philosophy
Our philosophers engage with topics ranging from epistemology to bioethics, combining diverse specialties and perspectives with a cross-disciplinary approach to research.
Religion and Classics
Our department explores the great, classical civilizations of West and East as well as the major religions that emerged from them.
Theatre
In addition to multiple yearly productions, the Theatre program also offers courses in performing, stage management, design, and theatre technology.
Visual and Cultural Studies (Graduate program only)
Our program investigates the connections between cultural productions, critical theory, and society, and explores the relationship between literary and visual culture.
Natural Sciences (N)
Biology
Our department explores a range of biological and biomedical expertise, developing pioneering research in this diverse field.
Brain and Cognitive Sciences
This interdisciplinary department studies cognition, complex behavior, and brain function, through a variety of clinical and computational methods.
Chemistry
Our department expertise spans virtually all areas of modern chemical research and related fields, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary research.
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Our department integrates chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, and computer sciences into the study of Earth and planetary systems.
Mathematics
We are a research-oriented department with a strong interest in preparing the next generation of mathematicians, scientists, and engineers.
Physics and Astronomy
Our department is engaged in explaining and predicting the behavior of the physical world around us including everything from subatomic particles to supernovas.
Statistics
Our program is responsible for teaching statistics to undergraduate students, offering a variety of courses and clusters, as well as a major and minor.
Variable
These programs may fall into two or more distribution areas: arts and humanities, natural sciences, or social sciences. The distribution area is determined at the time of official entrance into the program.
Archaeology, Technology, and Historical Structures
Our students study the creation and evolution of technological, architectural, and engineering practices and their relationship to societies and cultures.
Black Studies
Our institute brings multiple perspectives and approaches to Black studies, including the historical, cultural, psychological, economical, and political.
Data Science
The Goergen Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence prepares students to collect, curate, analyze, and make discoveries from large-scale data.
Digital Media Studies
Digital media combines creative and technical approaches to computer-based expression, integrating both theory and production.
East Asian Studies
Our interdisciplinary program brings together to the languages, deep history, and rich culture of East Asia.
Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies
Our institute focuses on the changing cultural, economic, political, and psychological relations among people of all genders and sexualities.
Individualized Interdepartmental Programs
This program allows students to forge their own academic experience by combining courses already offered at the University to create a customized program of study.
Public Health-Related Programs
At Rochester, the study of public health incorporates both the science and art of protecting and improving health through education and research.
Russian Studies
This interdisciplinary program looks at Russia’s language, history, and culture to analyze its present, and make responsible predictions about its future.
Sustainability Studies
We study the science and technology of sustainability as well as the role of the arts and humanities in shaping the culture of sustainability.
Writing, Speaking, and Argument
Our program draws on theory and research in writing studies to help students understand different disciplinary practices around writing, speaking, and argument.
Social Sciences (S)
Anthropology
Our department specializes in sociocultural anthropology, with faculty who have lived and worked with people in rural and urban communities around the world.
Business
Our program equips the next generation of entrepreneurial and innovative minds with the analytical tools needed for success.
Economics
One of the world's leading institutions for studying modern economics, our department provides rigorous analytic training to students from around the world.
History
Our students develop analytical skills to understand and interpret evidence drawn from cultures, times, and places ranging from the ancient world to modern times.
Linguistics
The Department of Linguistics works to advance our understanding of language on several important fronts.
Political Science
The Department of Political Science strives to offer leadership in advancing the scientific study of politics.
Psychology
At Rochester, we study psychology as a natural science and social science, while also considering the discipline’s real-world applications.