What Do Majoring and Minoring in College Really Mean?

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In summary, the concept of a major and minor varies depending on the country and educational system. In some countries, a major is equivalent to a bachelor's degree and a minor is a collection of courses that allow students to further specialize in a specific topic. However, in other countries, minors may not even exist and students simply graduate in one field. In the UK, there are variations of degrees, where the accompanying subject becomes the minor.
  • #1
CrimpJiggler
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Probably seems like a stupid question for a 3rd chemistry student to be asking but what is a major? Online I read people say "I'm majoring in this and minoring in that" all the time but I have no idea what this means. I'm in a chemistry course, does that mean I'm majoring in chemistry? What am I minoring in then?
 
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  • #3
In your country a major would probably be called a bachelor, can that be?
A minor represents a certain collection of interrelated courses that let's you learn more about a certain topic that isn't your major, but not as detailed as your major.
In my country a minor is called a minor (and a major a bachelor).
 
  • #4
In my country I don't even think there are minors...and majors are called bachelor's degree.(translating)
And since there are no minors people don't even make that difference, you just graduate in one field. And undergraduate would be graduate in free translation and graduate would be post graduation.
 
  • #5
Yeah the degree I get will be a BSc (bachelors in science). If that's my major then where does the minor come into the picture? I didn't have the option of taking any additional classes. The workload of this course is pretty heavy, I don't think I'd be able to handle additional classes.
 
  • #6
CrimpJiggler said:
Yeah the degree I get will be a BSc (bachelors in science). If that's my major then where does the minor come into the picture? I didn't have the option of taking any additional classes. The workload of this course is pretty heavy, I don't think I'd be able to handle additional classes.

Which country are you from?

In the UK, they have a lot of variants of their degrees. Say, Chemistry with Molecular Physics or Chemistry with Management, where the subject that "accompanies" the major subject, is the minor.
 

FAQ: What Do Majoring and Minoring in College Really Mean?

What are majors and minors?

Majors and minors are academic programs or fields of study that a student can choose to focus on during their undergraduate or graduate education.

What is the difference between a major and a minor?

A major is the primary area of study that a student chooses to specialize in and typically requires a higher number of courses and credit hours than a minor, which is a secondary area of study.

Can I have more than one major or minor?

Yes, many universities allow students to have multiple majors and minors, as long as they are able to fulfill the requirements for each one. However, the workload may be more demanding for students with multiple majors or minors.

How do I choose a major or minor?

Choosing a major or minor is a personal decision and will depend on your interests, skills, and career goals. It's important to research the different options and speak with advisors or professors to help you make an informed decision.

Do majors and minors affect job opportunities?

Majors and minors can have an impact on job opportunities, as they can demonstrate a specific area of expertise or knowledge. However, employers also value transferable skills and experience, so it's important to gain practical experience and develop a well-rounded skill set regardless of your major or minor.

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