Can someone explain the difference between majors and minors for me?

DTH10 · 08-03-2007, 05:59 PM

I didn't even know about minors until orientation and I still clueless about this thing.

andreaaaaaa · 08-03-2007, 06:54 PM

you can minor in something with fewer credits.

like on this website: http://www.washington.edu/students/g...hropology.html

it shows that majoring in anthropology requires 55 credits but minoring only requires 30 credits.

so if you have multiple interests but dont have the time/desire to do a double major, you can minor in something.

hopefully this helps.

Hi-Power · 08-03-2007, 07:21 PM

Simply put, you don't take as many classes in your minor as you would in your major, i.e. 36 hours or so for a major, an additional 18 hours for a minor.

Minors will normally keep you in school another semester or two in order to graduate, so I don't know a lot of people with minors. If you pick a really good major, then you really don't need a minor. For example, I think it's totally pointless to major in finance and then minor in economics. You already have a career with the finance major by itself.

Pearlinthemist · 08-03-2007, 10:08 PM

Your major is the subject matter you will be most educated in (the most classes needed), and this will most likely be what your job will hire you for in the future.

Minors are optional. If you're interested in other subjects, you can minor in them by taking some classes (but not as many classes as someone majoring in that subject would).

Example:
B.S. in Chemistry with a minor in fiber and polymer science.
Chemistry = major, 107 units
Fiber & polymer science = minor, 18 units

B.S. in Fiber & polymer science, with a minor in Chemistry
Fiber & polymer science = major, 180 units
Chemistry = minor, 20 units

Bmbmasta · 08-07-2007, 09:27 PM

Be sure to read the detailed requirements of each minor carefully. With some minors, you might as well double major because to the prereqs that you will need to take that are not included in the minor.

DTH10 · 08-09-2007, 08:21 PM

Thanks for clearing that up. Just one more question (kinda stupid): how do I declare major/minor? Do I have to submit some forms/request or meet my advisor?

worldpeace21 · 08-20-2007, 01:52 PM

I am thinking of majoring in international relations, but I have always loved writing and I am good at it.

Would it be pointless to major in international relations and minor/double major in journalism?
That way I could be a journalist and if I go to another country or something I would know what I was writing about.