The academic departments and programs of instruction in the following descriptions are listed in alphabetical order. Note that major and minor requirements listed apply to students who matriculate in 2024–2025; other students must follow the major and minor requirements that were in place the year they matriculated. Recent editions of the Bowdoin College Catalogue and Academic Handbook can be found in the Archive. Visit the Bowdoin Digital Commons for the comprehensive collection.

Explanation of Symbols Used for Faculty

Symbols Used

Symbol	Definition
*	On leave for the fall semester.
**	On leave for the spring semester.
‡	On leave for the entire academic year.

All courses are listed under the originating department or program and may be cross-listed into other subject areas. Courses are numbered according to the following system:

Course Numbering

Numbers	Definition
1000–1049	First-year writing seminars
1050–1099	Courses intended for non-majors
1100–1999	Introductory courses
2000–2969	Intermediate courses and seminars
2970–2998	Intermediate independent studies
2999	Intermediate collaborative study
3000–3999	Advanced courses and seminars
4000–4079	Advanced independent studies, advanced collaborative study, senior projects, and honors projects

Additional Information in the Course Descriptions

The Catalogue displays detailed information for courses offered in the last four academic years: the originating course subject, number, and title, the course description, the subject and number for any cross-listings, the course offering frequency, the enrollment limit, the most recent instructor, and the previous terms offered within the last four academic years. Courses that meet distribution (DPI, INS, IP, MSCR, VPA) or division (a, b, c) requirements are marked with the corresponding symbol in parentheses to aid students and advisors in identifying courses that will help students satisfy the distribution and division requirements of the degree. 

Distribution Requirements

Students must earn at least one full credit for a letter grade in each of the following five distribution areas^b:

1. Difference, Power, and Inequity (DPI): These courses examine difference in terms of power and inequity. Students learn theories, methods, and skills to analyze structures of privilege and inequality. Students confront how such structures intersect with their own experiences.
2. Inquiry in the Natural Sciences (INS): In these courses students engage in the practice and methods of inquiry-based learning in the natural sciences. This requirement is satisfied through courses that both fall within “Division A” (natural science and mathematics) and satisfy the INS learning goals. 
3. International Perspectives (IP): These courses assist students in developing a critical understanding of the world beyond the United States. IP courses provide students with the tools necessary to analyze non-US cultures, societies, and states (including indigenous societies and sovereign nations within the United States and its territories), either modern or historical.
4. Mathematical, Computational, or Statistical Reasoning (MCSR): These courses enable students to use mathematics and quantitative models and techniques to understand the world around them either by learning the general tools of mathematics and statistics or by applying them in a subject area.
5. Visual and Performing Arts (VPA): These courses help students expand their understanding of artistic expression and judgment through creation, performance, and analysis of artistic work in the areas of dance, film, music, theater, and visual art.

b

First-year writing seminars, independent study courses, and honors projects do not fulfill any of the five distribution requirements. Distribution requirements may only satisfied with courses taken at Bowdoin and may not be met by Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or any other pre-matriculation credits. Distribution requirements should be completed by the end of the student’s fourth semester in college. A course will be counted as meeting a distribution requirement if a student earns a grade of D or better; courses will only be counted if they are taken for a letter grade, though courses will count if they are required to be taken for a Credit/D/Fail grade, e.g., music ensembles, if a grade of CR (credit) is earned. Students may not count the same course toward more than one distribution requirement.

Division Requirements

Students must earn at least one full credit from each of the following three divisions of the curriculum^c.

1. Natural Science and Mathematics (a)
2. Social and Behavioral Sciences (b)
3. Humanities (c)

c

Like the distribution requirements, division requirements may only be satisfied with courses taken at Bowdoin and may not be met by Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or any other pre-matriculation credits. A course will be counted as meeting a division requirement if a student earns a grade of D or better; courses will only be counted if they are taken for a letter grade, though courses will count if they are required to be taken for a Credit/D/Fail grade, e.g., music ensembles, if a grade of CR (credit) is earned. With one exception, students may count the same course to meet a division and a distribution requirement. The exception is a course that is designated to meet the humanities division (c) requirement and the visual and performing arts (VPA) distribution requirement; students may not count such a course to meet both requirements.