University of South Florida: A Comprehensive Guide to Undergraduate Majors

The University of South Florida (USF) offers a wide array of undergraduate majors, catering to diverse academic interests and career aspirations. With a student-faculty ratio of 22:1 and 37% of classes having fewer than 20 students, USF provides a learning environment conducive to personalized attention. The average freshman retention rate, a key indicator of student satisfaction, stands at an impressive 91%. This article delves into the various academic programs and offerings available at USF, providing prospective students with a detailed overview to aid in their decision-making process.

Popular Majors at USF

Understanding the popularity of different majors can offer insights into current trends and career opportunities. Here's a glimpse into the ten most popular majors for 2024 graduates:

Health Professions and Related Programs: 18%
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services: 17%
Biological and Biomedical Sciences: 12%
Social Sciences
Psychology
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services: 6%
Engineering
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs: 5%
Education
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities: 2%

These figures highlight the strong interest in healthcare, business, and STEM fields among USF undergraduates.

Academic Programs and Offerings

USF offers a variety of degrees, including Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate - professional practice, and Doctorate - research/scholarship. Furthermore, the university provides combined-degree programs, allowing students to accelerate their academic journey and gain a competitive edge.

Combined-Degree Programs

These programs enable students to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in a shorter time frame. Here are some examples:

B.A. in Art History to M.A. in Art History
B.A. in English to M.A. in English
B.A. in Humanities and Cultural Studies to M.A. in Liberal Arts: Film Studies Concentration
B.A. in Mass Communications to M.A. in Mass Communications
B.A. in Mass Communications to M.S. in Advertising
B.S. in Advertising to M.S. in Advertising
B.S. in Biomedical Sciences to Pharm.D. in Pharmacy
B.S. in Integrated Public Relations and Advertising to M.A. in Mass Communications
B.S. in Integrated Public Relations and Advertising to M.S. in Advertising
B.S.B.E. in Biomedical Engineering to M.S.B.E. in Biomedical Engineering
B.S.C.E. in Civil Engineering to M.S.C.E. in Civil Engineering
B.S.C.E. in Civil Engineering to M.S.E.M. in Engineering Management
B.S.C.E. in Civil Engineering to M.S.E.V. in Environmental Engineering
B.S.C.E. in Civil Engineering to M.S.M.S.E. in Materials Science and Engineering
B.S.C.H. in Chemical Engineering to M.S.B.E. in Biomedical Engineering
B.S.C.H. in Chemical Engineering to M.S.C.H. in Chemical Engineering
B.S.C.H. in Chemical Engineering to M.S.E.M. in Engineering Management
B.S.C.H. in Chemical Engineering to M.S.M.S.E. in Materials Science and Engineering
B.S.C.S. in Computer Science to M.S.C.S. in Computer Science
B.S.E.E. in Electrical Engineering to M.S.E.E. in Electrical Engineering
B.S.E.E. in Electrical Engineering to M.S.E.M. in Engineering Management
B.S.E.E. in Electrical Engineering to M.S.M.S.E.

Detailed Look at Specific Majors and Programs

To provide a comprehensive overview, let's explore some of the specific majors and programs offered at USF, highlighting their unique features and career prospects.

Accounting

Accounting Major (BSAc): A four-year degree program providing a solid foundation in accounting and business principles.
Accounting Minor: Open to all non-accounting students, offering a basic understanding of accounting principles.

Advertising

Advertising Major: Focuses on problem-solving, strategic thinking, and persuasion techniques for effective marketplace communication.
Advertising | Persuasive Messaging Major | UF Online: Specializes in engaging media audiences through strategic, persuasive communication.

African Studies

African Studies Minor: Provides a foundation for careers requiring knowledge of Africa, such as teaching and research.

Agricultural Education

Agricultural Curriculum and Development Minor: Prepares students for careers in school-based agricultural education and outreach programs. Available both on-campus and online.
Agricultural Operations Management Major: Combines applied coursework with business principles and emerging technologies in agriculture.

Sustainable Agriculture

Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems Certificate: Explores the natural and social systems that guide sustainable agriculture.

Animal Sciences

Animal Sciences Major: Studies reproduction, genetics, nutrition, behavior, and management of livestock species.

Anthropology

Anthropology Major: Explores people in their cultural context and all aspects of patterned social behavior. Available both on-campus and online.
Anthropology Minor: Provides an introduction to anthropological concepts and methods. Available both on-campus and online.

Languages and Literature

Arabic Major: Focuses on the Arabic language, culture, and history of North Africa, the Middle East, and the Arabian Peninsula.
Arabic Language and Literature Minor: Offers a basic understanding of Arabic language and culture.
Chinese Major: Part of Foreign Languages and Literatures, offering study of Chinese language and culture.
Dual Languages Major: Provides a foundation for graduate work in Foreign Languages and Literatures or allied fields (anthropology, art history, history, linguistics, political science, religion).
Foreign Languages and Literatures Major: Provides a foundation for graduate work in Foreign Languages and Literatures or allied fields (anthropology, art history, history, linguistics, political science, religion).
French and Francophone Studies Major: Focuses on French language, culture, and its global significance.
French and Francophone Studies Minor: Offers a basic understanding of French language and culture.

Architecture

Architecture Major: A studio-based program that rewards creativity and individuality in design.
Architecture Minor: Introduces the role of architecture in the built environment.

Art and Design

Art Education Certificate: Meets the requirements for teaching art in Florida public schools.
Art History Major: Introduces global culture through the study of art and architecture.
Art History Minor: Available to all students, offered by the School of Art + Art History.
Art Minor: Combines creative and artistic practice with other academic pursuits.
Art | BA Major: Allows students to focus on studio art with more flexibility than the BFA degree.
Art | BFA Major: A comprehensive curriculum in studio art, design, art history, art education, and museum studies.

Technology and Engineering

Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals and Applications Certificate: Open to all majors, providing a foundation in AI.
Bioinformatics Minor: Provides exposure to bioinformatics with an emphasis on microbes. Available both on-campus and online.
Biological Engineering Major: Applies engineering principles to protect natural resources and produce bio-based products.
Biomedical Engineering Major: A rapidly growing field focused on applying engineering principles to medicine and biology.
Civil Engineering Major: The oldest and most diverse branch of engineering, adapting the physical features of the earth to societal needs.
Computer Science Major | UF Online: Combines computer science with a liberal arts education.
Computer Science | CLAS Major: Combines the study of computer science with a liberal arts education.
Data Analytics Certificate: Provides students with the tools necessary to prepare data for analysis and use proper analytic tools.
Data Analytics for Applied Economics and Agribusiness Minor: Provides emphasis on data analytics and quantitative skills.
Digital Arts and Sciences Minor: Crosses traditional college boundaries between the arts, communications, and engineering. Available both on-campus and online.
Digital Arts and Sciences | Bachelor of Science Major: Crosses college boundaries between engineering and the arts.
Electrical Engineering Major: Focuses on the transmission and utilization of electric energy and intelligence.
Engineering Innovation Minor: Prepares graduates to enter the market as innovators and leaders in technology-centric industries.
Geographic Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics Certificate: This certificate will enable students to leverage spatial data, AI, and big data analytics to address geographic problems.

Sciences

Astronomy and Astrophysics Major: For those curious about the universe.
Beekeeping Certificate: Prepares students with foundational knowledge of honey bee biology and beekeeping.
Biology Major | UF Online: Prepares undergraduates for careers in the biological sciences and advanced study.
Biology | CALS Major: Provides a broad overview of the structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution of living organisms.
Biosecurity and Biological Invasions Certificate: Provides skills for the detection, surveillance, and management of agricultural and medical threats.
Botany | CALS Major: Provides a broad background in the biology of plants, from the molecular to the whole-plant level.
Botany | CLAS Major: Focuses on the biology of plants, from the molecular to the organismic level.
Entomology and Nematology Major: Interdisciplinary science focused on the study of insects, mites, ticks, spiders, nematodes, and related organisms. Available both on-campus and online.
Entomology and Nematology Minor: Provides an introduction to the study of insects and nematodes. Available both on-campus and online.
Environmental Engineering Major: Applies engineering and scientific principles to protect human health and the environment.
Environmental Science Major: Integrates natural and social sciences to study the interrelationships between people and nature.
Food Science Minor: Specializing in Food Science.
Forest Resources and Conservation Major: Prepares students to manage and develop forest areas for economic, recreational, and ecological purposes.
Forest Resources and Conservation Minor: Introduces natural resource management.

Other Programs

Asian American Studies Minor: Focuses on the historical and contemporary issues regarding the Asian diaspora in the United States.
Business Administration Minor: Provides non-business undergraduates with an overview of the functional elements of business. Available both on-campus and online.
Business Administration | General Studies | BABA Major: Provides a broad overview of the functional areas of business with a selected area of specialization.
CALS Honors Scholar Certificate: Requires completion of honors coursework and an undergraduate honors thesis.
Challenge 2050 | Global Leadership and Change Certificate: Focuses on global community challenges related to population growth.
Chemical Engineering Major: A dynamic profession that applies principles of chemistry, physics, and mathematics to the design, development, and operation of chemical processes.
Communication Studies Minor: Develops effective communication skills for personal and professional success.
Creative Advertising Certificate: Provides competencies needed to work in the creative advertising field.
Criminology Major: An interdisciplinary program focused on the study of crime and criminal behavior. Available both on-campus and online.
Dance in Medicine Certificate: Offered in conjunction with the School of Theatre and Dance.
Dance | Bachelor of Arts Major: Educates the student as a generalist in dance studies.
Deaf and Hearing Sciences Minor: Includes language courses in American Sign Language and courses to deepen awareness of the impact of hearing loss on everyday life and function.
Dietetics Major: Applies the science of food and nutrition to the health and well-being of individuals and groups.
Economics Major: Studies how people make decisions in the face of scarcity.
Economics Minor: Provides a basic understanding of economic principles.
Education Sciences Major: Promotes an understanding of education and learning systems. Available both on-campus and online.
Education Studies Minor: Provides an understanding of the purpose and function of education.
Educational Technology Minor: Focuses on facilitating the educational process in technology-infused learning environments. Available both on-campus and online.
Environmental Horticulture Management Certificate: Offered via distance learning technologies.
Environmental Horticulture Minor: Helps students who seek employment opportunities associated with plant science, landscape, and nursery horticulture.
Environmental Management in Agriculture and Natural Resources | Interdisciplinary Studies Major: Dedicate your studies to a better environment, to better yourself.
Ethics and Society Certificate: Trains students in the ethical analysis of problems in public life and the professions.
Event Management Minor: Provides specialized knowledge and skills in the field of event management. Available both on-campus and online.
Extension Education Minor: Prepares students for careers in the cooperative extension service.
Finance Major: Provides a broad overview of the functional areas of business with an emphasis in finance.
Fire and Emergency Services Major | UF Online: Prepares graduates to lead public or private sector fire, EMS, and emergency management.

Important Considerations

It is important to note that the information provided in university catalogs is subject to change without notice. Regulations, policies, and statutes may be updated separately from the catalog publication. Therefore, always refer to the most recent and current adopted regulations, policies, or statutes.

The University of South Florida is committed to equal education, access, and employment opportunities, regardless of race, color, marital status, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.

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