<p>I was wondering the other day: Why does Rice have so few minors? Is the University possibly going to create more in the future?</p>
<p>A lot of Rice kids double major and have done so in the past. Minors are a relatively new thing at Rice and they are adding them slowly.</p>
<p>Personally I don’t understand the point minoring in something - or double majoring for that matter. I’d much rather just do one thing, and do it well, only take classes I want to, and not have to deal with additional cumbersome course requirements for an extra piece of paper (or in some cases, not even). This is what I learned freshman year. </p>
<p>You’re never going to be hired for something because you minored in, but you can (and should) still take classes you find fulfilling, without having to deal with “Intro to Boring-tedious-whatever-the-crap.”</p>
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<p>I completely agree with this. I do disagree with your statement that double majoring is useless though. Double majoring in Chemical Engineering and CAAM for example is a great foundation for working on control systems etc. I know someone who double majored in theatre and Materials Science. She now works for a company that designs and builds automated theater and concert lighting. Both degrees are extremely useful here.</p>
<p>Finally, you need 120 credits to graduate. Some majors are 50 credits. You can either take random classes or pick a second major you are interested in to finish the remaining 70 credits.</p>
<p>I agree that unless you are double majpring with the purpose of using both majors in a specific field,it is useless to double major, as you can takethe classes you are interested instead of the tedious intro classes. I,for example, am going to double major in computer science and cognitive science in the hopes of working in artificial intelligence. Question: in my case, will I get two degrees or two things listed on one degree (comp sci is a BS and cog sci is a BA)?</p>
<p>PeteyW –> two degrees.</p>
<p>Any opinions on the business minor at Rice? Especially when coupled with a science degree?</p>
<p>In my opinion, a minor is useless as a title. The classes themselves are great but having the “Business minor” attached to your degree does not hold much water. I would recommend majoring in the science degree of your choosing and taking classes with the business school. Take the classes you want and believe that will benefit you. I took a few business classes at Rice and enjoyed them. If you happen to complete a minor, then that is a bonus.</p>
<p>In general, undergraduate business degrees are not the most sought after at hiring time. Business is a profession or trade that deals in goods/services etc. Many companies want talented knowledgeable people who understand the core field of the company, be it science, engineering or economics. The business degree at a masters level is beneficial. Otherwise it leaves a skilled business person who is simply skilled at business.</p>
<p>I’m thinking about majoring in Bioengineering with a minor in Global Health Technologies. Because the two are closely related, would that minor mean anything?</p>
<p>As mentioned above, the minor would mean that you have taken certain courses in Global Health Technologies. The same could be achieved by taking aforementioned courses and not getting a minor.</p>
<p>A minor is not a bad thing. I think it’s importance is severely overstated though. If those classes in GHT interest you and are what you want to learn, then go for it. Don’t take courses that you dont care about for the sake of finishing a minor.</p>
<p>@Katwin -
I’m a BIOE/GLHT minor and the minor definitely means something (it got me three internship offers for the summer that I almost certainly wouldn’t have received otherwise). Antarius is correct to an extent, but there are some classes within the global health department (as in 3 of the 5) that you can’t take without declaring - global health is a hot field, the department has two of our all-star professors (Dr. Richards-Kortum, Dr. Maria Oden) and a competitive summer internship, so they limit the sign-up.</p>
<p>Please feel free to PM me any questions! I’m CRAZY about our global health department - it’s what kept me a BIOE.</p>