The liberal arts and sciences are more essential than ever
As the largest unit on campus, the College of Arts and Sciences has always been at the academic center of “the Carolina experience.” Now our teaching, research and engagement are more essential than ever, as we prepare our students for leadership in a fast-changing world.
Our academic mission is to create new knowledge and discover innovative solutions to the world’s greatest challenges, to educate our outstanding undergraduate and graduate students, and to contribute meaningfully to North Carolina, the nation and the world.
We are committed to giving Carolina students an exceptional liberal arts and sciences education where they will acquire the knowledge, skills and experiences needed for success in a global society.
The College has more than 16,000 undergraduates and our faculty teach nearly 90 percent of all undergraduate credit hours here. We also have about 2,700 graduate students, about 25 percent of all graduate and professional students on campus.
All undergraduates spend their first two years in the College, selecting courses across the disciplines. They learn about the fine arts and humanities, the social sciences and the natural and mathematical sciences. Students are expected to be globally aware and to hone their skills in oral and written communication, critical analysis, language, and ethical decision-making. They also have opportunities for experiential education where they work closely with world-class scholars and teachers through special seminars, research projects, entrepreneurship and study abroad. More than 75% of Carolina undergraduates choose their majors from about 40 different academic departments and curricula in the College.
This is what makes the College a vibrant intellectual community. Through scholarship and creative work, our extraordinary faculty shed light on the past, communicate new ideas and interpret the world. They also take on some of the biggest challenges of our time: social and economic disparities, drug addiction, climate change, international conflict, life threatening diseases and more.
My goal as dean is to work with our colleagues, students, alumni and friends to ensure that the College of Arts and Sciences thrives as Carolina’s vital hub of learning, discovery and innovation.
Karen Gil, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences