The arts and humanities take the history of human creative thought and expression and apply it to understanding and contextualizing events, ideas, policies, and human relationships. They foster an appreciation for other ideas, other times and other cultures, as well as new ways of looking at the world.
Arts and humanities scholarship produces better-informed leaders, innovators and global citizens with a social conscience, who are able to express their views persuasively and through different media and forms.
Private enterprise is the world's primary driver of wealth, employment, technological advancements, and cures for social ailments. Minerva's business major will focus on corporate and market dynamics, the strategy and mechanics behind transactions, and the operational complexity involved with taking a concept from ideation to global availability.
Computational sciences provide the scientific foundations for making sense of natural, human-mediated and social phenomena through analytics, computational methods and modeling.
In an age of ubiquitous — often overwhelming — data, the ability to harness that data to reflect, reach out and make better decisions is increasingly crucial. The Computational Sciences major prepares students to be analytics-driven and logical decision makers, innovators, and leaders.
Natural sciences provide the foundations for understanding the natural world and for using that knowledge to solve practical problems. Scientists and engineers use theories and findings of the physical and chemical sciences as well as the biological and biomedical sciences to develop new technologies, improving the lives of millions of people around the world.
Effective decision making in many technology-oriented organizations requires a deep understanding of the natural sciences; the Natural Sciences major gives students the practical knowledge to become leaders and innovators in science and technology-based organizations.
The social sciences apply the methods of science to understand the way people think and act — individually, in groups, and in societies — and the way that biology and the environment interact to make each of us unique.
Research findings from the social sciences inform public policies on a wide range of issues, such as reducing crime, designing effective political campaigns, helping people overcome addictions, crafting economic/labor policies, and convincing people to conserve resources.
Formal Analyses
Formal Analyses focuses on thinking critically. You will receive training in advanced logic, rational thought, statistics, computational thinking, and formal systems — all of which will help you formulate, analyze, and solve complex challenges.
Empirical Analyses
Empirical Analyses focuses on thinking creatively. You will become familiar with the central methods used in the natural and social sciences, enabling you to frame problems effectively, develop and test hypotheses, and engage in informed conjecture.
Multimodal Communications
Multimodal Communications focuses on communicating effectively. You will learn to understand and convey information at a high level, gaining practical experience in public speaking, visual communication, design, debate, and artistic expression.
Complex Systems
Complex Systems focuses on interacting effectively. You will explore how humans function as members of various systems, learning the concepts of multiple causality and multi-factor interactions, group project collaboration, negotiation, leadership, and formal debate.