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The Rochester Curriculum

The University of Rochester’s unique undergraduate curriculum lets our students take control of their education from day one. With no general education requirements and no traditional “core” curriculum, you get to curate your own program of study. This flexibility provides students individual academic opportunities, whether singularly focused on a specific discipline or, like most,  exploratory across programs of study.

How it works

1. Complete the Primary Writing Requirement

While there are no required subjects at Rochester, we do have a required skill: mastery of written communication. Choose from dozens of writing courses on a range of topics. Some examples:

  • Philosophy in science fiction
  • America’s national parks
  • Comics and culture

Writing at Rochester

2. Complete course requirements for your major

Majors fall into one of three broad areas of learning:

  • Humanities
  • Social sciences
  • Natural sciences and engineering

The coursework for each major is designed to prepare you for your future after Rochester.

How majors work

3. Complete a cluster in the remaining two areas

Clusters are sets of three thematically related courses. Choose from hundreds of clusters or create your own. Some examples:

  • Politics and math
  • Sonic arts and technology
  • Power and inequality

(Engineering majors, you’ll only need to complete one cluster.)

Search clusters

Students weed the community garden at Wilson Magnet High School.

Freedom + Intentionality

Your education, your way

The Rochester Curriculum is about flexibility. This means our students have time to double-major, explore various minors / concentrations, study abroad, conduct research, take music lessons, lead teams or clubs, or give back to the community. At the University of Rochester, in whatever academic pursuit you ultimately choose, you will have an enriching opportunity to have both breadth and depth of study across disciplines.

Explore majors and minors

Go beyond your major

Combined degree programs

Our combined degree programs give you two simultaneous offers of admission from one application. Programs include combined undergraduate and graduate degrees, or degrees from two different schools at Rochester.

Learn more

Academic opportunities

Rochester offers a variety of unique opportunities to expand your academic horizons, including a tuition-free fifth year of study, music lessons at one of the world’s best music conservatories, and internships for credit.

Discover opportunities

Student groups

Choose from more than 250 student organizations, including club sports teams, fraternities and sororities, performing arts ensembles, academic and professional societies, and community engagement organizations.

Get involved

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