University of Rochester

The curriculum at the University of Rochester is what really makes it special. There are no general education requirements. The only required course for all majors is a writing class, which is offered in many subject areas to allow you to explore a subject different to your major, or enhance your interest in your current major. Students are required to complete a cluster (or minor if you are ambitious) in subject areas outside of your major. Between humanities, social sciences and natural/applied sciences, students major in at least one, and complete a cluster (3 connected classes) or minor in each of the other. You are allowed and encouraged to diversification in an area of your interest, whether or not it is directly applicable to your future career or not. The idea is to have you learn as much as you can about any and all areas of interest. We have a huge number of majors and minors, and you can create your own as well. We are known for our fantastic science and engineering programs, but a little known fact is we are the top political science school for our size! You really get it all!

The University of Rochester offers a unique curriculum that allows students to explore their different interests. Instead of wasting time on General Education Requirements UR gives students the freedom to find what really interests them and what they want to do with their lives. The University of Rochester uses a cluster system instead of General Education Requirements. Basically, every student has to take a cluster of at least three classes in three different general disciplines: humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. However, the cluster system is very flexible and can fit in with students' interests, for the most part. In addition, there are other schools at the University besides the College of arts and sciences including, school of nursing, school of medicine and dentistry, school of engineering, and Eastman School of Music. This is nice because it allows UR students to take free voice lessons at Eastman. UR really offers classes for every interest in every subject area.

The quality of education at Rochester is superb. The professors know what they are talking about and are willing to help you individually after class. Your classmates are some of your best resources because they are struggling through the material at the same time as you. Courses are very challenging, but extremely rewarding. If you are interested in the natural sciences, engineering, or pre-medicine, Rochester is the place to be!

unique. rigorous. rewarding.

I really am receiving an excellent education here at U of R. I love the professors, and they love to teach the subjects they love. They want students to comprehend the subject, and excel in the future.

One of the great things about the University of Rochester is its curriculum. Unlike many other schools, the curriculum is not rigid and allows students to explore many different subjects. The one required course that all students must complete is the writing course, which is taken freshman year and prepares students for college writing. It is also required that you must complete at least a cluster in each of the three following areas: natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. A cluster is just a group of three related classes. This allows students to double major and explore the many different areas of learning in order to obtain a broad and educated view of the world.

The Rochester Curriculum perfectly shows the philosophy of the U of R. Diversify! Try new things and explore. Rather than the first year or two being filled with general requirements that prevent you from taking courses of interest to you, Rochester allows you to take courses you are most interested in taking right off the bat. The cluster system allows for this flexibility. The curriculum is broken down into the following subject areas: physical sciences, social sciences and humanities (Your major will fall into one of these categories and the other two can be satisfied by a minor, a double major or a cluster which is just 3 related courses!). The available clusters are NUMEROUS. Anything you can think of and are interested in, it is available. This is the idea behind the Rochester Curriculum and as a current student, I can say that it is effective. Taking courses that you are interested from day 1 of your academic career allows you to personalize your education and be engaged throughout.

A true liberal arts college, the U of R offers students an open curriculum, a vibrant on-campus life, and a small college feel with approachable faculty and graduate staff. Rochester is the place for an innovative mind - many classmates created their own majors, double majored, or Took Five to explore a non-major side of academia in a tuition-free fifth year. The school listens to its student body, and is renowned for its pre-medical, pre-law, economics, fine arts, and neuroscience departments.

The Open Curriculum serves the purpose for student to explore ad take their academic path into their own hands.
The University is known for its music school: Eastman School of Music.
An Awesome Science and Engineering College, with the added bonus of the super Rush Rhees Library.

The University of Rochester is not merely a place where one comes to learn and grow in the classroom but is a place where students grow and develop as individuals of the social society along with the academic society. The numerous opportunities around campus along with its open curriculum not only allows one to explore different interests but gives us a glimpse and a hands on experience on the lives we would like to pursue. The academics, the faculty, the students and the community makes University of Rochester one of the best colleges in the United States and makes it Meliora, Ever better!