Choosing a Degree: A.B. and B.S.E. Programs

Explore Princeton's two undergraduate degree programs: the Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) and the Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.).

The A.B. degree is offered in humanities, social science, and natural science departments, while the B.S.E. degree is awarded by the six departments of the School of Engineering and Applied Science. All programs of study are consistent with Princeton’s ideals of a liberal arts education that emphasize breadth across multiple fields of study and depth in one, achieved through your course of study and independent work.

Which Major is Right for You?

A.B. Majors

Consider the following:

• Focus areas: A.B. majors are offered in a wide variety of liberal arts and science disciplines.
• Studies: Explore a body of fundamental knowledge such as texts, general principles, analytical methods, and theories. The general education component of the curriculum provides breadth across multiple fields.
• Writing and languages: All A.B students take a first-year writing seminar and fulfill the language requirement.

B.S.E. Majors

Consider the following:

• Focus areas: B.S.E. degrees are offered in six engineering disciplines. Computer Science also offers the A.B. degree.
• Studies: Focus on the principles of engineering science and their application, especially in design, along with breadth in the humanities and social sciences.
• Writing and languages: All B.S.E. students take a first-year writing seminar. Language study is optional, although many B.S.E students pursue them.

Get into the Details

Although the A.B. degree requires 31 courses and the B.S.E. requires 36, the difference is misleading. In the B.S.E. program, independent work and a thesis count as courses, while in the A.B. program, independent work is counted separately from the course requirements.

• African American Studies
• Anthropology
• Architecture
• Art & Archeology
• Astrophysical Sciences
• Chemistry
• Classics
• Comparative Literature
• Computer Science
• East Asian Studies
• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
• English
• French and Italian
• Geosciences
• German
• History
• Mathematics
• Molecular Biology
• Music
• Near Eastern Studies
• Neuroscience
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Politics
• Psychology
• Public Policy (Princeton School of Public and International Affairs)
• Religion
• Slavic Languages and Literature
• Sociology
• Spanish and Portuguese

• Chemical and Biological Engineering
• Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Operations Research and Financial Engineering

31 taught courses, including:

• Writing seminar
• Language requirement
• General education requirements
• Departmental prerequisites
• Departmental courses
• Electives

36 courses, including:

• Writing seminar
• Basic math and science requirements, computing requirement
• Humanities and social science general education requirements
• Departmental core courses
• Departmental electives
• Departmental independent work or thesis (each term counts as a course)
• Electives

Useful Information

Create or adjust your course schedule and make academic plans.

Showcase the impact of your Princeton education through a junior project, senior thesis, and other independent work.

Plan a course schedule that aligns with your goals and academic readiness.

Plan your courses with the benefit of placement tests in selected subjects in the languages and science.

Additional Resources

Explore majors and minors offered across 36 departments in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering.

Connect to a range of resources focused on learning and living at Princeton.

Review academic regulations, programs of study, and undergraduate course offerings in this publication released each August.