Academic Departments & Programs
Discover your passion and in the College of Arts & Sciences' more than 30 academic departments and interdisciplinary programs. We offer a diverse selection of programs, and we value the learning that happens in between those disciplines — meaning you'll have unfettered opportunities to explore, wherever your curiosity takes you.
Explore our Departments & Programs
Study social cues in capuchin monkeys, understand how bees learn or discover what motivates rats. Our animal behavior program combines biology and psychology, and gives students hands-on experience in both disciplines.
In studio art, you'll get an intensive one-on-one education in painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, graphic design, multimedia and video and performance art. Art history explores art from prehistory to the present.
Biology majors at Bucknell study the very essence of life — from the molecular level to the origin of species.
We're all made of atoms. With a background in biophysics, you'll learn to see life science from a unique perspective, while engaging some of the same cutting-edge problems as biologists and chemists in the world's leading research labs.
For students who want careers in the fast-advancing field of biomedicine, the cell biology and biochemistry program is a perfect fit.
Explore cell biology/biochemistry
Bucknell’s chemistry major is distinguished by small classes, one-to-one learning with faculty members, and access to advanced instrumentation and undergraduate research — starting as early as your first year.
When you study classics & ancient Mediterranean studies at Bucknell, you'll connect to societies that existed six millennia ago through ancient texts, discussions, research projects and maybe even an archeological dig in Greece.
Explore classics & ancient Mediterranean studies
Explore cultural traditions, history, literature architecture and art from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Explore comparative & digital humanities
Our computer science degree program is for you if you want a rigorous engineering education in computer systems, with an emphasis on computer software. Within Bucknell's liberal arts environment, your curiosity can take you far — Hollywood, Silicon Valley or wherever you want to bring your talents to bear.
Majoring in Critical Black Studies helps students develop international and national perspectives, gain a strong background in research, and become innovative thinkers and future leaders. Majors will also be able to offer employers significant expertise with respect to issues of diversity and inclusion.
Explore critical Black studies
East Asian studies at Bucknell offers majors focused on China and Japan. You'll get a balanced look at the arts, history, literature, politics, philosophy, religion, science and technology of both the past and present of the region. Five levels of study in Chinese or Japanese are available.
When you study economics at Bucknell, we'll challenge you to think independently and understand social responsibility and theories within the global economy. You'll be prepared for a career in management, finance, sales, economic analysis, teaching and social work, or ready to continue your education in law and other graduate and professional programs.
When you study education at Bucknell, you'll gain professional preparation and a solid background in principles and theories of education, rather than a series of methods, so you can be a flexible and proactive professional throughout your career.
With three majors to choose from — creative writing, film/media studies and literary studies — the Department of English provides students with a diverse education, professional opportunities and the readiness to pursue their careers.
Immerse yourself in the great scientific and human issues in contemporary environmental affairs. Choose from two degree options: environmental studies or environmental science.
Explore environmental studies & sciences
Immigration, fashion, prisons, climate change, poverty, discrimination, disease, war, peace — anything that happens on Earth is fair game for geographers. What unites them is a common interest in the how and why of location, movement, boundaries and distribution.
Our degrees in geology & environmental geosciences offer a strong foundation in geology, groundwater, surface processes, shallow geophysics and environmental geochemistry. The in-demand skills you’ll learn in the classroom, lab and field will prepare for graduate school or a career as a geoscientist, mineral exploration geologist, geotechnical engineer or environmental consultant.
Explore geology & environmental geosciences
In Bucknell's history program you will learn to think critically, argue logically, write analytically and make cross-cultural comparisons. Study history to understand the nature, advantages and struggles of human societies in different times and places.
Focus on human rights, peace, food security, law, immigration and more and understand how nations and organizations around the world interact. How will you make the world better?
Explore international relations
The Department of Languages, Cultures & Linguistics at Bucknell offers courses in Arabic, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Russian, American Sign Language and linguistics. For other foreign language opportunities, please see the pages for East Asian Studies, Spanish, and Classics & Ancient Mediterranean Studies.
Explore languages, cultures & linguistics
Latin American Studies uses a framework of study in the humanities and social sciences to foster an integrated approach to understanding Latin American cultures and peoples as well as the important role of Latin America in our 21st-century global system.
Explore Latin American studies
The major in mathematical economics gives you deep computational tools to explore the economic trends and forces that shape the world.
Explore mathematical economics
When you study mathematics at Bucknell, you'll learn from and work alongside faculty who are active researchers. Our mathematics department maintains a vibrant schedule of events and speakers and can connect you with summer research and study abroad opportunities.
As a Bucknell music major, you'll refine your skills and expression while preparing for careers under the direction of highly accomplished faculty artists. Students in the bachelor of arts program build a solid foundation in music theory, history and performance, while the bachelor of music program offers two specialized concentrations in performance and music education.
Technically, neuroscience is the study of the nervous system, but at Bucknell, it’s so much more than that — here, it’s a vibrant, interdisciplinary study.
When you study philosophy at Bucknell, you'll examine questions about the nature of knowledge, reality and value — questions that are so fundamental to human existence that they are neither easily answered nor easily ignored. With the wisdom you gain, you'll be ready for graduate, medical, law or business school, the corporate world, nonprofit work or creative, educational and entrepreneurial pathways.
Physics is the fundamental science of the natural world. The study of physics and astronomy leads to a deeper appreciation and awareness of the world around us and serves as a basis for most other natural sciences and engineering studies.
When you study political science at Bucknell, you'll understand how international and domestic factors create opportunities and constraints for political leadership. And you'll get the background needed for a career in law, journalism, public service, international organizations, teaching, business — or wherever you see yourself making a difference.
Bucknell’s psychology program emphasizes research and collaboration between faculty and students. You’ll get a broad education in traditional areas of psychological experimentation and theory, along with opportunities for more advanced studies of topics that appeal to you.
The academic study of religion contributes to the formation of global citizens by giving students fundamental capacities of intercultural literacy.
Students who major in sociology or anthropology explore the factors that influence societies around the world — from remote developing communities to urban centers of commerce and power.
Explore sociology & anthropology
We encourage our students to think critically, to question their cultural assumptions about the Hispanic world and to seek to immerse themselves, as much as possible, in a Spanish-speaking community.
Experience every aspect of theatre and staging. Perform, design, direct, collaborate and experiment — while our professors inspire, entertain and challenge you. Whether you're interested in costume, makeup, sound, set or lighting design, you are an all-around artist, not a mere player.
In our women's & gender studies program, you'll focus on women's experiences and the social construction of gender in the past and present. You'll explore the meaning and origins of the ideas of femininity and masculinity, the relations between women and men, and the differential power structures that create these social categories.
Explore women's & gender studies