Academic major

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An academic major, major concentration, concentration, or simply major is mainly a U.S. and Canadian term for a college or university student's main field of specialization during his or her undergraduate studies which would be in addition to, and may incorporate portions of, a core curriculum. The university department offering the major defines a framework for this specialized portion of a student's studies, including a certain number of required courses and a certain number of freely chosen courses relevant to the major. Some majors in some universities effectively define the student's full course of study; many others allow students considerable latitude both within their field and in their other courses. The university also generally defines general education or core education and distribution requirements.

Although many students choose their major before entering a college or university, many others select it during their first or second year of a four-year program. Some schools do not allow students to officially declare their major until the end of their second year so that students can experience explore a core liberal arts curriculum and help them choose the one most appropriate major for them.

In many other countries, including South Africa and the United Kingdom, undergraduate students are normally required to concentrate on one subject throughout their degree, so the concept of a "major" is not relevant. Instead, the choice of degree and subject determines the entire course of study. However, some UK universities require that students study the first year course material from three degree schemes. In Australia, the U.S. system is followed to some extent, but there are also more specialist bachelor degrees than in the U.S.