Courses of Study

Curious about the areas of study that Dartmouth has to offer? Dartmouth students can wait until sophomore year to declare a major, leaving plenty of time for exploration. But regardless of what you choose, the classes you take at Dartmouth will span disciplines far outside your chosen concentration. Here, Bess Neiblum ’23 highlights the departments she’s taken courses within—and shares the inside scoop on her favorites. How will you explore?

African and African American Studies

Ancient History

Anthropology

Applied Mathematics for Biological and Social Sciences m

Applied Mathematics for Physical and Engineering Sciences m

Art History

Asian Societies, Cultures, and Languages

Astronomy

Biological Chemistry M

Biological Sciences

Biomedical Engineering Sciences M

Biophysical Chemistry M

Chemistry

Classical Archaeology

Classical Languages and Literatures

Classical Studies

Cognitive Science M

Comparative Literature M

Complex Systems m

Computer Science

Digital Arts m

Earth Sciences

Economics

Education m

Engineering Physics M she / her / hers

Hometown: West Chester, PA

Major: Quantitative Social Science

AAAS 63

Race Matters

Bess says: "Beginning with the fact that race is a social construct, this class reminds us how race still creates real lived experiences and consequences. Race matters, despite the fact that the biological basis for it is a farce invented to create and maintain power hierarchies and economic gain. Professor Keaton is fascinating and incredibly knowledgeable, and I felt during this class that the things I learned would change the way I thought about the world—just as I have always expected a college education to do."

Engineering Sciences

English

Environmental Earth Sciences

Environmental Science m

Environmental Studies

Film and Media Studies

French

French Studies M

Geography

German Studies

Global Health m

Government History

Human-Centered Design m

International Studies m

Italian

Italian Studies M

Jewish Studies m

Latin American, Latino, and Caribbean Studies

Linguistics

Markets, Management, and the Economy m

Materials Science m

Mathematical Biology m

Mathematical Finance m

Mathematical Logic m

Mathematical Physics m

Mathematical Data Science M

Mathematics

Medieval and Renaissance Studies*

Middle Eastern Studies

Music

Native American and Indigenous Studies

Neuroscience

Philosophy

Portuguese (Lusophone Studies)

Physics

Psychology

Public Policy m

Quantitative Social Science

Religion

Romance Languages M

Romance Studies M

Russian

Russian Area Studies

Social Inequalities m

Sociology

Spanish (Hispanic Studies)

Statistics m

Studio Art

Sustainability m Theater

Urban Studies m

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies m

Sart 27

Printmaking I

Bess says: "Studio art is a department I thought I’d never explore during my time at Dartmouth, but a combination of the distributive requirements and fantastic things I’d heard about the class inspired me to take printmaking my junior spring. The course pushed me creatively and technically as I learned how to create successful, artistic, and meaningful prints all in the span of ten weeks. My classmates’ prints are currently hanging in my room, a constant reminder of the close-knit community I found in that class."

MUS 46 Video Games and the Meaning of Life

Bess says: "I took this class to fulfill the Thought, Meaning and Value distributive requirement—one of a series of academic requirements that each undergraduate must fulfill—and I am so glad I did. Not only did we play video games as part of this class, but we delved into extremely interesting conversations about the boundaries of a game and what it means to play and even be present in one. Where do reality and fiction intersect in sports, television shows, and video games? In this class, I was able to explore fascinating philosophical questions without questioning my personal existence."

PSYC 53.15

Positive Psychology and Resilience

Bess says: "In this course, I learned how mindfulness actually increases happiness and well-being, how positive relationships make you happier than money ever can, and that self-compassion is much more beneficial than self-esteem in the long term. Outside the classroom, we practiced meditation, attended a spiritual service, and interviewed successful, happy people. I know that the teachings of this course will have a meaningful and long-term impact on my life."

Qss 18

Introduction to Game Theory

Bess says: "Though initially one of the classes that scared me most about my major, this class turned into perhaps my favorite at Dartmouth, and this was in large part due to Professor Herron. He wants his students to succeed above all else. He has more faith in us to understand tough concepts than we sometimes do in ourselves, and he throws everything into teaching. This class changed the way I looked at the world and viewed problems, and when it pushed me beyond my comfort zone, I realized I could thrive there."

While Dartmouth’s financial aid covers 100% of the demonstrated need of all its students, the opportunity for funding doesn’t stop there. Dartmouth students have access to resources that make all kinds of experiences possible and ensure that every student can take advantage of the range of opportunities Dartmouth has to offer. We asked current students to share experiences made possible with Dartmouth’s financial support.

“Through its new ImpACT Winterim Leadership Intensive, the Dartmouth Center for Social Impact (DCSI) provides students with a $1500 stipend to volunteer with an organization serving underrepresented communities. This past winter break, I received funding to volunteer with the local National Weather Service office in Memphis, Tennessee. I wouldn't have been able to do that if it weren't for this funding; now, I'm getting to learn more about serving the needs of people through the lens of weather and climate.”

’25 from Missouri

“Dartmouth’s Rockefeller Global Leadership Program (RGLP) is a free one-term commitment that allows Dartmouth students to engage in discussions about cultural identity, self-awareness, and cross-cultural communication. On an RGLP-sponsored weekend trip to Boston, we explored culturally and historically significant neighborhoods and sites, toured the Institute for Contemporary Art, and enjoyed Once On This Island, a musical about Haitian culture that challenges stereotypes related to class, race, and gender. Dartmouth paid for all our tickets, hotel rooms, and gave each of us $60 in spending money.”

’24 from California

“During my first-year spring, I received a Lovelace Research Scholarship to fund my research with Assistant Professor of Computer Science Temi Prioleau in Dartmouth’s Augmented Health Lab. We’re analyzing data from wearables like FitBit trackers to study the relationship between glucose levels and sleep duration or activity. Our goal is to use that analysis to develop a mobile application for diabetic patients that provides personalized health recommendations. Professor Prioleau has helped me understand how to apply concepts I’ve learned in my computer science classes to my future career.”

’25 from Ethiopia

“This past summer, I traveled to Morocco to study Arabic and Moroccan culture through a Dartmouth Language Study Abroad (LSA) program. There, I lived with a Moroccan host family in the old city of Rabat, improved my knowledge of the Arabic language, and enjoyed a Middle Eastern Studies seminar on Moroccan history and culture with Tarek El-Ariss, a professor of Middle Eastern studies at Dartmouth. Thanks to Dartmouth's great financial support, my classmates and I were able to visit more than ten major Moroccan cities throughout the term, including Marrakech, Casablanca, and Tangier!”

’25 from Illinois

“Over my spring break, I joined the Ledyard Canoe Club for a white water kayaking trip in North Carolina. Most of us on the trip started out with no experience, so we hired guides while experienced club leaders taught intermediate kayakers how to improve. By the end of the trip, we were cutting through Class 3 rapids! After paddling every day, we returned to our cozy cabin where we cooked dinner, played tons of Bananagrams, and even held our own talent show. The best part of the trip, though? It was mostly cost-covered by the Dartmouth Outing Club.”

’25 from Louisiana