Carnegie Mellon University: A Comprehensive Guide to Undergraduate Majors and Interdisciplinary Opportunities

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has a rich history dating back to 1900. Founded by Andrew Carnegie as the Carnegie Technical Schools, it evolved into the Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1912 and finally became Carnegie Mellon University in 1967 through a merger with the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research. CMU is renowned for its interdisciplinary approach to research and education, offering a wide array of undergraduate majors, minors, and concentrations across its seven colleges.

Undergraduate Majors in the School of Computer Science

The School of Computer Science (SCS) at Carnegie Mellon is consistently ranked among the top computer science programs globally. It offers five distinct Bachelor of Science degrees:

Artificial Intelligence: This major focuses on the theory and practice of creating intelligent agents, equipping students with the skills to design and build systems that can reason, learn, and interact with the world.
Computational Biology: This interdisciplinary major combines computer science with biology, preparing students to tackle complex biological problems using computational tools and techniques.
Computer Science: The flagship program of the SCS, this major provides a comprehensive foundation in computer science principles, covering topics such as algorithms, data structures, programming languages, and software engineering.
Human-Computer Interaction: This major explores the design and evaluation of interactive systems, focusing on the intersection of humans and technology. Students learn to create user-friendly and effective interfaces for a wide range of applications.
Robotics: This major delves into the science and engineering of robots, covering topics such as robot design, control, perception, and planning.

In addition to these primary majors, interdisciplinary programs combining computer science with the arts, and music and technology are available, providing students with the opportunity to explore their interests at the intersection of different fields.

Admission and Major Selection in SCS

Admission to all Bachelor of Science programs in SCS is managed through the Carnegie Mellon Office of Undergraduate Admission. Students admitted to SCS as first-year students are initially undeclared and then select one of the five available primary SCS majors in the second half of their second semester.

Program Objectives

Program objectives for each major are detailed in the CMU undergraduate catalog for artificial intelligence, computational biology, computer science, human-computer interaction, and robotics.

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Additional Majors in the School of Computer Science

SCS offers additional majors in artificial intelligence, computational biology, computer science, human-computer interaction, and robotics. Students interested in pursuing an additional SCS major must fulfill the requirements for both their primary major and their additional major, as defined by the department overseeing the additional major. For more information on requirements and double-counting rules, students should consult with the director or administrator of the additional major.

Undergraduate Minors for Non-SCS Students

The School of Computer Science provides several undergraduate minors for students enrolled in other colleges within Carnegie Mellon. Non-SCS undergraduate students interested in a minor should contact their academic advisor for more information.

Concentrations within the School of Computer Science

SCS undergraduates can pursue a concentration in a specific computing area to gain additional depth. These concentrations assume that students have completed some or all of the SCS undergraduate core courses, preparing them for advanced study. Each concentration is housed within a specific SCS department or institute.

Available concentrations include:

Algorithms & Complexity
Computational Biology
Computer Graphics
Computer Systems
Human-Computer Interaction
Language Technologies
Machine Learning
Principles of Programming Languages
Robotics
Security and Privacy
Software Engineering

IDeATe: Technology, Design and Arts Study

Carnegie Mellon's Integrative Design, Arts and Technology (IDeATe) network caters to students with interdisciplinary interests that bridge technology and creative practice. The IDeATe curriculum and minors connect students and faculty from across the university through coursework and collaborative studio experiences.

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IDeATe Curriculum and Minors

The IDeATe undergraduate curriculum comprises ten interrelated areas, which can be shaped into minors that students pursue alongside their primary majors. The themes of these areas integrate knowledge in technology and arts:

Game Design: Focuses on designing compelling game experiences, covering systems and mechanics, dramatic narrative and character development, programming and engine development, user testing, and iterative development.
Animation & Special Effects: Explores the technical and artistic aspects of 3D and 2D animation within different application contexts, from film animation and visual effects to interactive displays.
Media Design: Centers on designing digitally mediated experiences across various platforms, from mobile devices to large-scale installations, and for varied applications, from media for daily living to mediated performances.
Design for Learning: Explores the art and science of designing engaging learning experiences that creatively merge technology, learning sciences, and media arts know-how.
Sonic Arts: Focuses on creating experimental music and exploring emerging applications and markets for sound design, music creation, and performance.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Provides hands-on explorations of the problems, opportunities, strategies, and circumstances that lead to innovations.
Intelligent Environments: Deals with designing and implementing interactive 3D spaces-both physical and virtual-that shape our experience of time and space.
Physical Computing: Focuses on building interactive devices combining small programmable electronic controllers with physical embodiments, adding on-board processing and reactivity to nearly anything around you.
Soft Technologies: Weaves together a rich set of traditions and experimental techniques to animate soft materials and matter.
Immersive Technologies in Arts & Culture: Blends technological skills with creative imagination and critical humanistic practice.

IDeATe serves as a multidisciplinary collaborative learning addition to the education that students receive through their disciplinary major rather than a standalone learning experience. Students can integrate a tech-arts area of study into their curricular plan through the IDeATe minors.

Educational Objectives of IDeATe

The educational objectives of the IDeATe network are:

Immersing students in a collaborative community of faculty and peers who share expertise, experience, and passions at the intersection of arts and technology.
Engaging students in active "learning by doing" in shared labs and maker spaces.
Addressing current and emerging real-world challenges that require disciplinary expertise coupled with multidisciplinary perspectives and integrative approaches.

Students are assisted in their choice of courses and minor by a dedicated IDeATe advisor who works in tandem with the advisor in their home department.

Additional Academic Opportunities

Besides the majors, minors, and concentrations offered by the School of Computer Science and the IDeATe program, Carnegie Mellon provides a range of additional academic opportunities for undergraduate students.

Additional Majors and Dual Degrees

Students interested in pursuing more than one area of study can consider an additional major or a dual degree. Completing an additional major allows students to earn a single degree in two areas, while dual degree programs enable students to earn two separate degrees.

Integrated Master's/Bachelor's Programs

Qualified undergraduates can apply to one of several programs to earn their bachelor's and master's degrees in five years. These programs offer students superior technical preparation for careers in industry. Departments offering such programs include Electrical and Computer Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Philosophy.

Health Professions Program

The Health Professions Program (HPP) at Carnegie Mellon University is an advising resource for all university students and alumni interested in a career in the health professions. The HPP complements a student's curricular advising and helps students explore their interests, prepare for graduate programs in the health professions, and facilitate their application process.

Students in the HPP span all colleges of the university and have diverse career interests, including medicine, dentistry, optometry, biomedical research, medical physics, biomedical engineering, public health, medical informatics, and health policy.

Basic Course Requirements for Medicine and Dental Medicine

Regardless of a student's major, the following basic course requirements must be completed before matriculation into medical or dental school:

Two courses in Biology, plus one lab, plus Biochemistry.
Two courses in Chemistry, plus one lab.
Two courses in Organic Chemistry, plus one lab.
Two courses in Physics, plus one lab.
Any two Math courses, including at least one stats course.
Two courses in English.

In addition to these general course requirements, recommended coursework includes microbiology, developmental biology, anatomy, behavioral sciences, ethics, history, and modern languages. Interdisciplinary studies are also strongly encouraged.

Other Colleges and Programs

Carnegie Mellon University comprises seven colleges, each offering unique undergraduate programs:

Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences: This college emphasizes the study of the human condition through rigorous analysis and technology.
H. John Heinz III College of Information Systems and Public Policy: This college offers top-ranked master's degrees in various fields related to information systems and public policy.
Mellon College of Science: This college offers programs in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematical Sciences, and Physics.
Tepper School of Business: This school offers undergraduate programs in Business Administration and Economics, as well as master's and doctoral degrees in various business-related fields.
College of Engineering: Offers a wide variety of engineering disciplines.
College of Fine Arts: Offers programs in architecture, art, design, drama, and music.

Campus Life and Culture

Carnegie Mellon offers a vibrant campus life with a strong emphasis on research and innovation. The student-faculty ratio is 6:1, and 67.9% of classes have fewer than 20 students. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97%.

Research Opportunities

Participating in research is a hallmark of the educational experience at Carnegie Mellon. Students have opportunities to engage in research across various disciplines, including biomedical science, social science, biomedical engineering, and public health.

Interdisciplinary Approach

Carnegie Mellon is distinct in its interdisciplinary approach to research and education. The university fosters collaboration across different colleges and departments, encouraging students to explore their interests at the intersection of multiple fields.

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