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Undergraduate Academics
The University of Minnesota is one of the largest universities in the country, with over 50,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs. U of M offers 200+ majors across 13 colleges and six campuses. It has been ranked as one of the top 25 public universities in America and among the top 100 universities worldwide. It also has a strong reputation for research and innovation, ranking third nationally in dollars awarded by industry sponsorships per faculty member among research universities according to U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” rankings.
Overview
The University of Minnesota is a public research university in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was established in 1851 as the nation’s first public land-grant institution, although it had been operating since 1848 under the “University of St. Olaf.”
The campus is spread over several locations throughout the Twin Cities area: Minneapolis, St. Paul and Rochester (M.N.). The main campus is located on South Bank Street in Minneapolis, with additional campuses located at Morris (M.N.), Duluth (M.N.) and Crookston (M.N.).
The University offers more than 100 undergraduate majors as well as graduate programs through its nine colleges: College of Biological Sciences; College of Design; College of Education & Human Development; College of Food Agriculture & Natural Resources; Hubert H Humphrey School Public Affairs Policy Studies Program Social Work Program School Psychology Program.
Majors
You can choose from more than 100 undergraduate majors at the University of Minnesota. This includes traditional disciplines like biology and chemistry and more unique offerings such as astronomy or geology. For each significant, specific requirements must be met before graduation–such as particular coursework or internships–and a list of potential career paths upon graduation.
However you decide to narrow down your choices, it’s essential to consider the types of work environments each field provides when choosing your major so that you can prepare yourself mentally for what lies ahead after graduation!
Colleges of U of M
- College of Biological Sciences
- College of Design
- College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS)
- College of Liberal Arts (CLA)
- College of Science and Engineering (CSE)
- School of Dentistry (SODENT)
The CBS also provides an outstanding opportunity for graduate study by offering three Master’s degrees: Master of Science in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (MSBM), Master of Science in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (MSEEB), and Master’s Degree Program in Neuroscience & behaviour (MNBB). These programs provide advanced training in the biological sciences through rigorous coursework combined with research projects under the guidance of faculty members at both UMN campuses plus several off-campus locations around Minnesota, including Rochester Institute Technology Campus, where classes are held on Tuesdays nights starting at 5 p.m.!
Special Program
Several special programs exist at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
- The Honors Program is designed for students who want to challenge themselves academically while working closely with faculty members and fellow students on research projects. In addition, you’ll get help planning your coursework to fit into your overall academic plan.
- The College Scholars Program offers exceptional high school graduates an opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school, helping them get a head start on their college careers by allowing them to enter as sophomores rather than first-year students when they arrive on campus as full-time UMN students.
Research
Research is an integral part of the University of Minnesota. The U has many research centres and institutes, including the Institute for Sustainable Energy, which was founded in 2008 to study renewable energy sources; the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR), which studies MRI scans; and the PULSE Institute on Physical Activity & Health, which focuses on physical activity.
The University has also been awarded millions in grants from organizations like NIH (National Institutes of Health) or NSF (National Science Foundation). They were awarded $50 million by NIH last year alone! This money goes towards supporting faculty members’ research projects and funding graduate students’ tuition fees while they work on their degrees here in Minnesota.
Rankings
The University of Minnesota is ranked #1 in the nation for undergraduate business programs, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 Best Colleges rankings. The U’s Carlson School of Management also ranked #7 among public institutions and #22 overall on its list of best graduate business schools.
The University’s College of Science and Engineering (CSE) was ranked second in the nation for undergraduate engineering programs by U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 Best Colleges rankings; it also placed third on their list of best graduate engineering schools at public universities behind only Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Stanford University. The CSE also earned a spot on Forbes’ “Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs” list–and boasts three Nobel Laureates who teach there: Thomas A., Jr., Jules A., Jr., and Eric A.
As one might expect from a top-tier research institution like this, many departments offer highly competitive internships that allow students to work alongside professionals before graduation day arrives.”
Academics and Support
The University of Minnesota has a strong tradition of student support. The U has many ways to get help at the U of M, including:
- Career advising and planning offers career exploration activities, workshops on resume writing and interviewing skills, and more.
- Tutoring services for math, science and English classes; students can also receive one-on-one tutoring in their significant fields when needed.
- Support for student organizations (such as fraternities/sororities) through funding opportunities or collaboration with other groups on campus
High Course School Requirements
In addition to the general admissions requirements, you must meet the following coursework and GPA requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) in all high school work attempted during grades 9-12.
- Minimum SAT or ACT scores of 1000 (combined) on the SAT or 19 on the ACT (with an essay). High school students may also qualify by earning an appropriate score on their state’s college entrance exam (e.g., New York State’s Regents Exam).
- At least 15 credits of English composition and literature courses at the high school level; no more than six credits may be taken from a single writing intensive course; at least 12 credits must be taken in different disciplines (i.e., literature, history/social science).