Ripon College

Anthropology

The mission of the Anthropology program is to equip students with intellectual and practical tools to engage with diverse populations and to appreciate the importance of intercultural communication. With its holistic and cross-cultural comparative approach to understanding the human condition, the Anthropology program offers exciting career opportunities for students interested in education, travel, social justice and working with people.

Art History and Cultural Criticism

The department prepares students to enrich their communities by engagement with the visual arts on personal and professional levels. The Art History and Cultural Criticism major requires 36 credits, combining introductory and advanced art history with 2D and 3D studio electives and eight elective credits involving cultural or social-scientific interpretation, theorizing or criticism offered outside the art department. The major concludes with ART 570: Senior Seminar in Art.

Art History and Museum Studies

The Art History and Museum Studies major requires 40 credits and joins art history coursework with the museum studies curriculum, beginning with MST 115: Museums, Artifacts and Cultural Heritage. Students take art history electives, introductory and upper-level studio art, and eight elective credits relevant to the study of museums chosen in consultation with the advisor.

Biochemistry

Modern biochemistry explores life processes at the molecular level and connects experimental data to the bioinformatics space. The biochemistry major presents the theory, concepts and laboratory experiences of biochemistry in an intimate environment that allows for the personal professional development of students through both individual and team-based approaches. Majors must complete a research project which culminates in a substantial written thesis.

Biology

The Department of Biology provides an intellectually challenging learning environment for students of the life sciences. In laboratory, field and discussions, students come to understand the foundations and diversity of life by posing meaningful biological questions, answering these questions through observation and experimentation, and presenting their findings to a wide audience.

Biomedical Science

The biomedical science major is an interdisciplinary program designed for students interested in the health sciences, molecular and cell biology, environmental disciplines such as ecotoxicology, and any other field in which a good preparation in both chemistry and biology is needed. All biomedical sciences majors must take a basic core of courses in science and math, and a senior thesis is required.

Business and Financial Analytics

A major in business and financial analytics is good preparation for graduate study in economics or another quantitatively advanced master's or doctoral degree program in finance, business, public administration or a related field. Student work on projects in the ECO elective(s) and BSA 502 or ECO 502 must include more advanced primary data analysis than may be required of students completing the courses for other majors.

Business Management

Especially in the interdisciplinary business management major, students practice integrating the communication techniques, analytic tools and modes of thinking of other fields of study. The major requires an individual focus, an integrated set of at least four elective courses from at least two departments totaling at least 12 credits.

Chemistry

Modern chemistry is the study of matter and its transformations. Our department presents the theory, concepts and laboratory experiences of chemistry in an intimate environment that allows for the personal professional development of students through both individual and team-based approaches.

Communication

The Ripon College Department of Communication empowers students to become agents of change within society. We develop students' critical thinking, problem-solving, and oral and written communication skills by challenging them to apply historical, theoretical, and critical approaches to the study of public communication. Communication majors are strongly encouraged to plan an internship in an area related to communication during their junior and/or senior years at the College.

Computer Science

Computer and Data Sciences combines technical skills with the liberal arts to hone problem-solving skills that may be used in a wide array of settings. The major in computer science prepares a student for a wide variety of jobs in computer science or the pursuit of a graduate degree.

Economics

The Ripon College Department of Economics and Business Management prepares students to inform and lead organizations in making and carrying out effective decisions. Early courses address the central economic problem of the scarcity of resources relative to our needs and wants, using quantitative reasoning to evaluate and inform difficult choices among options.

Elementary Education

The Department of Educational Studies promotes the disciplined study of the theory and practice of education as a social process that serves both collective and individual aspirations. The department also is dedicated to the preparation of knowledgeable, effective and reflective teachers for K-12 classrooms in public and private schools in the United States and around the globe.

Engineering

The mission of Ripon College Engineering Program is to provide students a high-quality engineering education that builds upon Ripon College's exceptionally strong liberal arts focus that will prepare students of diverse backgrounds for careers in professional engineering or other careers. The Engineering Program equips students to solve complex engineering problems by applying the principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.

English

The mission of the Department of English is to prepare students to become part of the larger critical conversation that takes place among students, teachers, critics and texts. We seek to enhance their critical understanding of the discipline, to help them express their own ideas and respond to those of others, and to help them to formulate and engage in critical argument.

Environmental Studies

The major in environmental studies is an interdisciplinary program of study that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. The core includes an introductory course and courses in chemistry, ecology, philosophy and environmental economics. Environmental studies majors do a senior project and complete an individualized learning experience or off-campus experience.

Exercise Science

Ripon College awards a masters of science degree in exercise science. M.S. degrees provide a graduate-level academic degree focused on scientific and technical fields, preparing students for careers that require advanced technical knowledge or serving as a pathway to doctoral studies. The program requires 33 credits, including 12 credits of core coursework, 6 credits of capstone coursework, and 15 credits of specialization coursework.

Exercise Science

The mission of the Department of Exercise Science is to prepare, educate and empower students in their individual journeys toward becoming critical practitioners skilled at evaluating, deconstructing and addressing the problems and issues central to the narrower topic of sport, as well as the broader issue of physical activity across the lifespan.

Finance

The Ripon College Department of Economics and Business Management prepares students to inform and lead organizations in making and carrying out effective decisions. The finance major combines economics and business administration coursework with an elective course of substantial finance content and an elective focused on management and strategy, both approved by the major advisor.

Foreign Languages

The Foreign Languages major enables students to compare the structure and function of different languages. It differs from a single language major in which textual analysis, literary history and culture are studied in considerable depth.

History

Ripon College history students move beyond the "timeline" approach to the past. They don't just learn what happened — they analyze causes and effects of events, arrive at their own view based on evidence, and discover the implications that historical events have for understanding enduring human issues. History at Ripon includes courses that survey a broad range of time, as well as other courses that dive deeply into focused topics.

Integrated Computer Science-Chemistry

The integrated majors with mathematics, chemistry, and physics deepen computer and data science skills while developing specific disciplinary expertise in the application areas. Each integrated major requires students to complete a culminating project applying computer and data sciences to the other discipline; these projects take place in the senior seminar. No student may complete both an integrated computer science major and also complete a major in the associated department.

Integrated Computer Science-Mathematics

The integrated majors with mathematics, chemistry, and physics deepen computer and data science skills while developing specific disciplinary expertise in the application areas. Each integrated major requires students to complete a culminating project applying computer and data sciences to the other discipline; these projects take place in the senior seminar.

Integrated Computer Science-Physics

The integrated majors with mathematics, chemistry, and physics deepen computer and data science skills while developing specific disciplinary expertise in the application areas. Each integrated major requires students to complete a culminating project applying computer and data sciences to the other discipline; these projects take place in the senior seminar. No student may complete both an integrated computer science major and also complete a major in the associated department.

Interdisciplinary Computer Science

The interdisciplinary computer science major allows a student to craft a personalized approach to computer science and the liberal arts by working with an academic advisor to select a sequence of courses from other disciplines to create innovative combinations of technical skills and liberal arts inquiry. Students complete either a departmental seminar or Directed Study at the 500 level, in which a project is completed integrating computer and data science with an associated discipline.

Mathematics

The mathematics major within the Department of Mathematical and Computing Sciences requires CSC 101, MTH 206, 224, 248, 501-502, and at least 16 credits of mathematics courses numbered above 206, at least eight of which are at the 400 level. Students intending to study mathematics in graduate school should consult with their advisors about appropriate additional courses.

Music

The Ripon College Department of Music works with students as individuals and in groups to develop their skills as performers and pre-service teachers, as well as their knowledge of music theory, history and literature.

Music Education

The music education major requires 72-81 credits in music, including the Music Theory sequence, the Music History cluster, techniques and methods courses, applied lessons, piano, and ensembles. Students may complete EDU 421-Student Teaching: Music or MUS 500, and completion of the major with additional educational studies coursework supports PK-12 licensure in music education.

Neuroscience Studies

The neuroscience studies major is an interdisciplinary program of study in the behavioral and biological sciences. It is designed for students interested in such fields as animal behavior, behavior genetics, cognitive or behavioral neuroscience, physiological psychology, psychopharmacology, neurobiology and developmental psychobiology. A basic core of required courses will expose the student to the fundamental knowledge and methodological skills particular to this broad area of study.

Physical Science

The physical science major is an interdisciplinary program designed for students interested in material science, engineering, science teaching and any other field in which a good background in both physics and chemistry is required. Physical science majors also must take basic courses in mathematics. A senior thesis is required.

Physics

The Ripon College Department of Physics engages students in the understanding of the physical world and enhances students' awareness of the critical role of physics in modern society. The department equips students to identify and effectively implement the scientific method, critically analyze scientific arguments, identify and solve analytic problems, synthesize complex information and communicate effectively both orally and in writing through the study of physical phenomena.

Political Science

The department provides a solid liberal arts curriculum that informs students of the issues, scholars, and content of the principal subfields of political science. It helps students gain a reasonably sophisticated understanding of political institutions, processes, behavior, and ideas, and fosters habits of critical, independent thinking about political topics.

Psychobiology

The psychobiology major is an interdisciplinary program of study in the behavioral and biological sciences. Beyond the general core requirements, the student may select courses that emphasize either behavior or physiology. Students who elect the psychobiology major may not elect a major or minor in psychology or biology.

Psychology

The Department of Psychology seeks for its students an understanding of the place of psychology within the liberal arts canon; the attainment of broad knowledge of the field and specific knowledge within areas that comprise the field itself; and the development of the analytical, logical and organizational skills necessary to conduct good research in our field.

Quantitative Economics

A major in quantitative economics is good preparation for graduate study in economics or another quantitatively advanced master's or doctoral degree program in finance, business, public administration or a related field. Student work on projects in ECO 352, 502 and ECO elective courses must include more advanced primary data and/or mathematically theoretical analysis than may be required of students completing the courses for other majors.

Secondary Education

This major, along with a minor or licensure path, leads to teacher licensure in the middle and high school content areas (grades 4-12) in the areas of English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies. Students take a sequence of educational studies courses culminating in student teaching, and students seeking licensure also complete a program of study in the chosen content area.

Sociology

The mission of the sociology major is to help students learn to think sociologically so that they may understand, interpret and analyze the social world. The major prepares students to think critically about societal issues and problems, to understand basic and applied research in the discipline, and to apply the sociological perspective, concepts, and theories to subfields including criminal justice, sociology of health and medicine, and social inequalities.

Spanish

The Spanish major requires 36 credits in coursework beyond the 100 levels, including a survey course and a 500-level seminar in the Spanish language with a capstone project. Spanish majors also should consider taking courses in anthropology, art history, history, Latin American studies, literary theory, and political science. All majors and minors are strongly encouraged to study abroad for a semester in an approved program, for no other path to fluency is so thorough.

Studio Art

The Department of Art and Art History prepares students to understand historical and contemporary currents in visual literacy in terms of art production and its analysis. This includes knowledge of studio practices, methodologies, theories and history. The studio art major requires 48 credits, including studio sequences, art history coursework, and a Senior Studio Project.

Theatre

The Department of Theatre provides all interested students the opportunity to pursue their goals in the theatre. The curriculum and production program furnishes a strong undergraduate background in practical experience in the theatre and in the study of dramatic literature and history.

Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies is a vigorous field which seeks to uncover and understand the effects of gender categories and sex roles on our history, knowledge, cultures, and individual experiences. To that end, Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies is resolutely interdisciplinary and intersectional, drawing on the insights of a new generation of scholars and teachers that encourages analysis of gender and sexuality in critical and creative ways.