Coe College

African American Studies

The African American Studies major offers students the opportunity to study African American culture through an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on courses in areas such as literature, history, and sociology.

Art

A major in art provides a foundation in theory and practice. Students focus on making, meaning, and gaining an understanding of visual and contextual history and analysis, learning to communicate effectively with broad and diverse audiences.

Asian Studies

The Asian Studies program is designed to acquaint students with the great cultures of Asia, primarily those of China, India and Japan. The interdisciplinary major requires courses in areas such as art history, history, literature, and religion.

Biochemistry

A collateral major in biochemistry requires concurrent completion of a primary major in chemistry, including Calculus II and two General Physics courses. Students choosing a collateral major in biochemistry may not select a collateral major in molecular biology.

Biology

The biology program introduces students early to experimental design and the use of instrumentation to investigate the properties of cells and organisms. In addition to the biology major, the department offers collateral majors in Environmental Science, Molecular Biology, and Neuroscience.

Business Administration

The business administration major develops competence in the application of business theories and sound judgment to the solution of business operating problems, with focus on core areas such as management, finance, and marketing. An online degree in Business Administration with a Strategic Leadership concentration is also offered.

Chemistry

The chemistry department provides students with instruction and research opportunities, offering a major and minor in chemistry as well as collateral majors in biochemistry, environmental science and neuroscience. An American Chemical Society certified chemistry major is also available.

Communication Studies

The communication studies major provides a background of theory and practice in oral and mediated communication. Students learn to communicate ethically, responsibly and effectively for diverse audiences in multiple contexts across formal and informal oral, print and digital environments.

Computer Science

Computer science is the study of abstractions and algorithmic processes and how they can be applied to fulfill human information needs. The department of mathematical sciences offers majors and minors in computer science, data science, and mathematics.

Creative Writing

The creative writing program offers instruction in writing fiction, poetry, playwriting, and screenwriting. Workshop students submit a collection of finished work at the end of each course.

Data Science

Data science is an interdisciplinary study that couples programming skills, statistical methods, and domain-specific knowledge to extract meaning, make predictions, and visually present quantitative data.

Economics

Economics is a social science concerning how economic agents make choices in the face of scarcity. The major offers a broad selection of courses for students to develop general competence in economics and to prepare for graduate work in economics or other disciplines such as law or business.

Elementary Education

The elementary teacher licensure program prepares generalists who draw upon a broad knowledge base from multiple disciplines. It consists of content knowledge gained from liberal arts classes and pedagogy learned in education (EDU) courses.

Engineering Physics

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.) degree in engineering physics combines a foundation in physics with engineering design coursework. Students completing the B.S.E. cannot minor in Physics and cannot earn a B.A. with a major in physics.

English

The study of English allows students to explore a wide range of literary and cultural productions from varied parts of the world. Courses develop the ability to read critically, think creatively, and write clearly.

Environmental Science

A collateral major in environmental science requires concurrent completion of a primary major in biology or chemistry.

Environmental Studies

The Environmental Studies major is a collateral, interdisciplinary program in which students study environmental issues using the techniques and perspectives of a variety of academic disciplines. Concurrent completion of a primary major for a B.A. degree is required.

History

The history major offers courses spanning American, European, and non-Western history, requiring The Historian's Craft (HIS-205) and coursework across chronological and geographic fields.

Interdisciplinary Science

The interdisciplinary science major provides a broad background in the natural sciences, suitable for students interested in pre-professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, and engineering, or careers in the health sciences, neuroscience, data analysis, teaching, and writing. Students earning a major in a single natural science are not eligible for the major.

Interdisciplinary Studies

The interdisciplinary major is a rigorous academic program in which the individual student assumes primary responsibility for designing their own academic program. The primary courses selected invariably cross traditional departmental boundaries and must display internal topical coherence.

International Economics

The international economics major is designed to allow students interested in international studies to explore issues of development, growth, and international finance using the tools of economic analysis. Because of significant overlap with the economics major, only one of the two majors may be elected.

International Studies

The international studies major requires core courses plus a term-long study abroad experience, with students selecting one of three tracks: The Global South, International Relations, or Contemporary European Studies.

Kinesiology

The kinesiology department enables students to earn a major in Kinesiology with a concentration in physical education for teacher certification, fitness development-strength & conditioning, fitness development-health & wellness, or Pre-Athletic Training.

Managerial Accounting

The managerial accounting major is designed for students interested in a career in private industry or the not-for-profit sector. Because of the identical core course requirements, a student may elect only one of the managerial accounting and public accounting majors.

Mathematics

The department of mathematical sciences offers majors in computer science, data science, and mathematics. The department holds that the mathematical sciences and the habits of mind they engender are components of a fine liberal arts education.

Molecular Biology

A collateral major in molecular biology requires concurrent completion of a primary major in biology. It may be considered by students interested in technical positions in academia or industry, or those planning to pursue a graduate program in molecular biology, cell biology, or microbiology.

Music

All Coe students are encouraged to participate in music as part of their liberal arts education. Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts in Music complete coursework in music fundamentals, conducting, and applied lessons or ensembles, with optional emphases in Jazz, Music Industry, or Pre-Music Therapy.

Neuroscience

A collateral major in neuroscience requires concurrent completion of a primary major in biology, chemistry, or psychology. A minimum of six course credits must not count toward the student's primary major.

Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is a baccalaureate program designed to prepare students for practice as professional nurses in a variety of settings. Graduates are eligible to take the state board licensing examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.

Philosophy

The Philosophy and Religion Department offers courses for students to engage with human thought and practice through the study of important texts and historical evidence as well as recent and contemporary writings. Students grow in their abilities to read texts, construct arguments, think critically, and communicate accurately.

Physics

The physics department serves a variety of students with a balanced program, giving equal emphasis to the needs of the technically and the non-technically oriented. The Bachelor of Arts physics major covers general physics, mathematical methods, electromagnetism, modern physics, and advanced electives.

Political Science

The department of political science emphasizes the breadth of political science and presents politics as a worldwide phenomenon. The department nurtures active and responsible habits of citizenship, encouraging service learning and the development of political values.

Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Required and elective courses are grounded in the scientific approach, including the study of basic statistical and methodological concepts. Students may also complete a concentration in Organizational Science.

Public Accounting

The public accounting major is designed for students interested in practicing public accounting and those seeking the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation. The program is structured to help students meet the 150-semester-hour requirement.

Public Relations

The Public Relations major prepares students for a career in public relations and related communication fields, integrating course work in business administration, professional writing, graphic arts, and other relevant disciplines. Concurrent completion of a primary B.A. (residential) major is required.

Social & Criminal Justice

The Social & Criminal Justice Program offers an interdisciplinary major drawing from Coe's liberal arts tradition. Core courses address multifaceted questions surrounding restorative, retributive, procedural, and distributive justice, introducing students to the ways matters of justice are at work across many areas of study.

Sociology

The sociology department offers a rigorous curriculum designed to promote students' awareness and understanding of 21st-century social problems, including the enduring presence of social inequality, preparing students to lead productive and satisfying lives in the global society.

Spanish

Students who major in Spanish complete a minimum of eight courses beyond Intermediate Spanish II, with study abroad encouraged. A capstone in Spanish (SPA-464) is required in the final spring term before graduation.

Spanish Studies

The Spanish Studies major requires four courses beyond Intermediate Spanish II plus a departmentally approved list of five interdisciplinary courses proposed by the student that exhibit both internal coherence and relevance to the course work in Spanish.

Theatre Arts

The Theatre Arts major is based on experiential learning encompassing diverse aspects of theatre, including examination of the human condition through creative expression, collaboration, verbal and visual communication, problem-solving and design thinking. The practicum is completed with a theatre internship, NY Term Internship or Independent Study.