Undergraduates Programs
American Studies

The American Studies program promotes an awareness of the complex cultural, political, and economic structures at the root of the social organizations that have existed throughout the history of the Western Hemisphere.  Our studies range from the first immigrants across the land bridge from Siberia, to the colonization of the Americas by Europeans, to the nationalist movements of the 18th and 19th centuries, to the present day.  Other areas of concentration may include the ways in which literary, musical, and visual artists have articulated cultural concerns, and the study of our changing understandings of new world geography and ecology.  Students are encouraged to fashion a course of study that will allow them to pursue their particular interests and prepare for graduate study or careers in education, law, policy, marketing, or business.

Coastal Studies

The interdisciplinary major Coastal Studies provides opportunities to learn how to keep our oceans and coasts beautiful, productive and healthy.  The curriculum combines a solid foundation in coastal marine science and a background in the human dimensions that are crucial for solving real-world environmental problems.  Courses include fieldwork in the region’s varied marine habitats integrated with laboratory analysis.  Coastal Studies graduates go on to jobs or further study in marine research, environmental consulting, coastal policy, and environmental law.

Maritime Studies

The Maritime Studies program embraces the liberal arts as the foundation for exploring humankind’s critical and continually evolving connections with the world’s waterways and watersheds.  Through this interdisciplinary major, students will explore the historical and contemporary aspects of human society and the marine and coastal environments.  Students will complete a series of core courses that explore maritime issues from historical, literary, social science and natural science perspectives.  The Maritime Studies program equips students with liberal arts training in recognized disciplines such as history, English, economics, political science, and anthropology, but also with specialized knowledge of the opportunities, issues, and traditions that influence life in maritime regions.  Graduates pursue graduate study or jobs in law, public history, aquaculture, marine or environmental policy, consulting, maritime recreation, marketing, education, and other fields.

Minors

Degree-seeking students at Avery Point can pursue many of the wide variety of minors offered at the University.  A minor offers an option for students who want an academic focus in addition to their major.  Minors are supervised by the sponsoring department or program.  Minors offered through Avery Point include:

• Environmental Economics and Policy
• Marine Biology
• Oceanography

Minors in Aquaculture and Maritime Archaeology are in the planning stages.

Other Majors

At Avery Point, students may launch any of the more than 120 majors and programs available through the eleven undergraduate schools and colleges at University. Typically, students with 54 credits will move to another UConn campus to pursue their chosen major.  For example, a chemistry major would finish at Storrs, while an Urban Studies major would continue courses at the Hartford campus.

Undecided Degree Students

At Avery Point, students who are undecided about a major are welcomed into the university-wide Academic Center for Entering Students (ACES).  This program allows students to explore their interests and chart their educational path.