I was wondering, how difficult is double major at the U of C? I’m hoping to major in mathematics and history, though that isn’t set in stone. Keep in mind that I hope to do a year of study abroad.
History is a wonderful 2nd major. There’s a regular track and a research track (the latter culminating in the BA thesis) so you can choose the level of intensity. There is also a history minor. You can read all about it in the college catalog:
very doable with a quarter of study abroad. maybe not with a whole year.
I doubt that you can do a year of study abroad and the double major, it would depend on where you went and what UChicago would accept. They do have exchange programs that might work. DD is double majoring in Molecular Engineering and Creative Writing and wanted to do a study abroad quarter in her 2nd year. Frankly it was doable, but she likes being at UChicago so much that she decided against study abroad.
I doubt very much you can do mathematics study abroad, but history fits in study abroad like a glove. You probably can make it, but it will be tough. Perhaps try two summers abroad will be great, you should consult with the department and get approval first.
In my UG years, I took full course load for two summers, as a result, I was able to graduate in 3 years.
I think if you look at the UChicago study-abroad programs, there’s a math-oriented one somewhere (but only for one quarter). I would think, though, that math would be one of the easiest subjects to cover in some other university’s program. My impression is that there’s pretty widespread international agreement about what linear algebra, or real number analysis, or topography are, and that they are taught similarly all over the world.
One friend of my daughter’s did a year at Sciences Po on her way to a BA/MA in IS/IR. But she didn’t double-major, and she was completely fluent in French going in. I don’t know how hard it was for her to pull off. She’s a pretty impressive person.
EDIT: Here’s the Chicago math study abroad program: https://study-abroad.uchicago.edu/programs/paris-mathematics
They also have direct-enrollment deals for full academic years with various European and East Asian universities.
The study abroad in Paris I’ve heard is amazing. It’s only for a quarter though. Math isn’t a huge major and I don’t think history is either. If you can find a history study abroad for a year you might be able to make it work. Plan out your schedule and see if you can do it. Are you alright with just a quarter or are you insistent on a year?
The Civ. studies abroad teach “history”; however those either fulfill the Core or convert to electives. You’d have to check with the History department to understand how any of those courses could translate into fulfilling the history major.
Full year abroad programs (for instance, at one of the UK schools) would be the perfect opportunity to study history. Often, you need to concentrate on only one subject. If you are planning the research track for the major, you’d need to work with the undergraduate coordinator to make sure that missing Part I of BA Seminar (normally in spring of Junior year) is OK. They do allow those who are out of residence to make this up in Fall of senior year. While you might be a bit rushed on your BA thesis, perhaps not since you might be able to get a ton of research done while abroad, depending on your topic. Colloquium, which is required for either track, is typically done in third year as well so that requires some alternative planning if you are gearing up for a full year abroad. It’s possible, for instance, to take Colloquium 2nd year or even 4th year.
Wouldn’t recommend that amount of time away from UChicgo; however, if one desires to, then History is probably a workable major to undertake.
I’d really prefer a longer amount to time spent abroad, but I’m willing to drop the math major.
UChicago has in the past accepted credits towards the major from Budapest Semester in Mathematics. (S1 was a math major.) Do check with the math department, as my info is somewhat outdated by now.