What can you study at Dartmouth?

Read this guide to find out what you can study at Dartmouth College. Located in Hanover, New Hampshire, this prestigious Ivy League institution is renowned for its commitment to liberal arts education and offers a diverse array of undergraduate and graduate programmes across various disciplines. This creates an environment that encourages interdisciplinary exploration and academic excellence.

For more tips and insights, read our comprehensive guide How Hard is it to get into Dartmouth?

Undergraduate Courses at Dartmouth

Dartmouth College provides over 60 majors and numerous minors, with students free to tailor their academic journeys according to their interests and career aspirations. The college’s curriculum is highly flexible, allowing for the combination of majors and minors, the creation of modified majors, or the design of special majors to accommodate unique academic goals.

To choose what to study at Dartmouth, Students can explore a wide range of disciplines that will cultivate a multifaceted educational experience.

Major Fields of Study

There are several broad categories at Dartmouth:

Programmes include Art History, English and Creative Writing, Music, Philosophy, Theatre, and Studio Art. These courses foster critical thinking, creativity, and cultural understanding through comprehensive studies and hands-on practice.

The sciences at Dartmouth cover extensive fields such as Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics. Students have access to state-of-the-art research facilities and opportunities to collaborate on research projects with leading faculty.

Programmes in this category include Anthropology, Economics, Government, History, Psychology, and Sociology. These disciplines delve into human behaviour, societies, and global economic and political systems, preparing students for a wide array of careers and advanced studies.

Dartmouth’s commitment to interdisciplinary education is reflected in programmes that integrate various fields of study. Options include Environmental Studies, Cognitive Science, Native American and Indigenous Studies, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. These programmes promote a well-rounded academic perspective by combining methodologies and knowledge from different departments.

Graduate and Professional Schools

Dartmouth College’s dedication to advanced education is exemplified by its array of distinguished graduate and professional schools, each encouraging academic excellence, innovation, and leadership across various fields.

Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies

The Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies supports a robust selection of master’s and doctoral programmes designed to drive forward-thinking research and scholarship. Students can pursue advanced degrees in disciplines such as Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Ecology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Quantitative Biomedical Sciences.

The school emphasises interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging students to engage in research that spans multiple fields to solve complex global challenges. It also supports postdoctoral training and various initiatives aimed at enhancing academic and professional development.

Geisel School of Medicine

The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth is one of the oldest medical schools in the United States, combining a legacy of medical education with cutting-edge research and patient care. The school offers a Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme as well as advanced research-focused degrees, including PhDs in biomedical and health sciences. Geisel also integrates dual-degree options such as the MD-PhD, fostering a pathway for students interested in bridging clinical practice and research. The school’s main goal is to improve global health and advance innovative healthcare solutions.

Thayer School of Engineering

Dartmouth’s Thayer School of Engineering is unique in its holistic approach to engineering education, which emphasises both theory and application. It offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programmes, including the Bachelor of Engineering (BE), Master of Engineering (MEng), Master of Science (MS), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. Notably, the Thayer School encourages a collaborative, project-based learning environment where students tackle real-world engineering challenges.

The school also houses the renowned PhD Innovation Programme, which blends doctoral research with entrepreneurial training to foster the translation of research into impactful commercial applications.

Tuck School of Business

The Tuck School of Business is celebrated for its selective Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme. This is a widely recognised course that encourages both collaborative leadership and strategic thinking. Tuck offers tailored learning experiences through elective courses, global learning initiatives, and experiential projects with leading companies and non-profit organisations.

Additionally, the school provides executive education for professionals seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities and collaborative degree programmes, such as the MBA-MPH (Master of Public Health). These create incredible opportunities for students to combine business acumen with other skills.

Additional Programmes and Opportunities

Dartmouth’s graduate and professional offerings extend beyond degree programmes, incorporating research centres, fellowships, and workshops that allow students to gain hands-on experience. Collaborative research initiatives often engage faculty from different departments, supporting students in tackling interdisciplinary projects.  

Distinctive Courses at Dartmouth

Dartmouth has several distinctive programmes that highlight its dedication to comprehensive education and innovation:

Engineering Sciences

The undergraduate major in Engineering Sciences is a hallmark of Dartmouth’s Thayer School of Engineering. It leads to a Bachelor of Arts (AB) and can be pursued alongside a Bachelor of Engineering (BE). This approach offers students a unique opportunity to blend liberal arts education with rigorous engineering training. This dual approach equips students with both creative problem-solving abilities and technical expertise, so they can tackle complex engineering challenges.

Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS)

The MALS programme at Dartmouth is an interdisciplinary graduate course that caters to students with varied academic interests. Concentrations include Cultural Studies, Creative Writing, Globalization Studies, and General Liberal Studies. This flexible and personalised programme allows students to delve deeply into their areas of passion while fostering a broad intellectual foundation that spans multiple disciplines.

PhD Innovation Programme

The PhD Innovation Programme at the Thayer School of Engineering is a distinctive track that integrates advanced engineering research with entrepreneurial training. This programme is designed to prepare students to translate their research discoveries into marketable solutions and lead technology-based startups. Participants receive mentorship in business development, access to venture funding opportunities, and comprehensive training in both technical and entrepreneurial fields.

Quantitative Biomedical Sciences (QBS)

The QBS programme, offered through the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, is an example of Dartmouth’s interdisciplinary approach. It combines biomedical data science, bioinformatics, and epidemiology. This programme equips students with the skills to tackle complex health challenges through quantitative analysis, which makes it particularly relevant in the era of big data and precision medicine.

Research and Practical Application

These distinctive programmes, coupled with Dartmouth’s emphasis on research and experiential learning, provide students with unparalleled opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Whether through capstone projects, internships, or entrepreneurial ventures, Dartmouth ensures that its graduates know how to lead and innovate across various industries and fields.

Academic Flexibility

Dartmouth’s distinctive D-Plan offers students the ability to customise their academic schedules, aligning with personal and professional ambitions. This flexibility allows students to engage in off-campus study, internships, and research throughout the year, enriching their educational experience and better preparing them for their future endeavours.

FAQs

Dartmouth offers over 60 majors across various disciplines, including Arts and Humanities, Sciences, Social Sciences, and Interdisciplinary Programmes.

Yes, students have the option to create special majors by combining courses from multiple departments to suit their unique academic interests.

Graduate programmes are available through the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, Geisel School of Medicine, Thayer School of Engineering, and Tuck School of Business, encompassing a wide range of disciplines.

Absolutely. Dartmouth encourages interdisciplinary exploration through various programmes that integrate multiple fields of study.

The D-Plan is Dartmouth’s flexible academic calendar system, allowing students to customise their schedules and engage in diverse learning experiences year-round.

Yes, Dartmouth provides numerous research opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students across various disciplines.

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Sources

Dartmouth Graduate School

 Wikipedia

 Dartmouth Home

Dartmouth Engineering