College of Arts & Sciences

As the oldest and largest unit on campus, the College of Arts & Sciences forms the academic core of the Carolina experience. More than 75 percent of students will graduate with at least one major from the College.

Two female studens use pipettes in a seafood forensics class.

Think. Communicate. Collaborate.
Create. …for meaningful lives.

“To think, communicate, collaborate and create” is not only what we strive to teach students, it’s the environment we seek to provide for faculty and staff so that they may do their best work.

“Think” refers to analytical and creative thinking, to reflecting, to connecting ideas. “Communicate” encapsulates written, oral, visual and digital fluencies. “Collaborate” recognizes that most research and learning experiences require the ability to work cooperatively toward a shared goal. “Create” means producing knowledge as well as inventing techniques or materials; it embraces performance, composition and art.

“…For meaningful lives” refers to the empowering effects of education and self-knowledge. It recognizes that a broad and deep liberal arts education provides perspective, context and understanding. It recognizes that today’s students will likely have multiple careers — and our job is to provide the foundation that permits them to adapt, to excel, to explore the unexpected path.

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  • College of Arts & Sciences Dean's Office 205 South BuildingChapel Hill27514

Facts & Figures

  • 998faculty
  • 10graduate programs ranked in the top 30 by U.S. News & World Report
  • 16,569undergraduate students and 2,514 graduate students
  • 44academic departments and curricula, 101 academic programs
  • 77%of college students participate in a research-intensive course
  • 69%of students enroll in a first-year seminar
  • 36%of undergraduates study abroad
  • $112 millionin research funding
  • Home toHonors Carolina, PlayMakers Rep, three ROTC programs, six Title VI National Resource Centers

Around Campus

  • News

    • ‘Find your why’

      Winter Commencement marked the graduation of 1,194 master’s students, 834 undergraduates, 269 doctoral students and 13 professional students.

    • 225 years of Tar Heels: Molly Barker

      Molly Barker has spent her professional life teaching healthy lifestyles to preteen girls and working to create compassionate communities through intentional communication.

    • Holiday Carolina Blood Drive scheduled for January 8

      To make an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), download the Red Cross Blood Donor App or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code "UNC."

    • Events

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        PlayMakers Repertory Company120 Country Club Rd.Chapel HillNC27599-3235 | $35

        A struggling playwright grows increasingly obsessed with Henry David Thoreau and the flop of epic proportions that preceded his most successful work, Walden. Zach Fine’s new play tickles the funny bone with an entire cast of characters—both real and imagined.

      • -
        PlayMakers Repertory Company120 Country Club Rd.Chapel HillNC27599-3235 | $35

        A struggling playwright grows increasingly obsessed with Henry David Thoreau and the flop of epic proportions that preceded his most successful work, Walden. Zach Fine’s new play tickles the funny bone with an entire cast of characters—both real and imagined.

      • -
        PlayMakers Repertory Company120 Country Club Rd.Chapel HillNC27599-3235 | $35

        A struggling playwright grows increasingly obsessed with Henry David Thoreau and the flop of epic proportions that preceded his most successful work, Walden. Zach Fine’s new play tickles the funny bone with an entire cast of characters—both real and imagined.

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