Fast Facts About the College - College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences offers over 65 majors and close to two-thirds of all courses taught at Oakland University.

Oakland University students generally take a minimum of one-third of their classes within the College.

The Department of Music, Theatre and Dance features nearly 100 performances each year by students, faculty and guest artists.

The college is the academic home to the nationally acclaimed Eisenhower Dance Ensemble.

With the primary focus on regional contemporary art, the Oakland University Art Gallery features six exhibitions annually, drawing an attendance of 30,000 people.

Member scientists in the college's Center for Biomedical Research--from OU and Henry Ford Hospital--are performing important research on a variety of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke and epilepsy.

The Women and Gender Studies program educates the public on the importance of gender equality by hosting several events throughout the year including the Women and Gender Studies Speaker Forum, Issues Forum, and Film Festival.

All departments in the college participate in an annual celebration of undergraduate research and performing arts in a day-long event called “The Meeting of the Minds,” in conjunction with UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint.

Regina Carter, famed jazz violinist and MacArthur Award recipient, serves as artist-in-residence at Oakland University, working with students and performing on campus.

The college features an annual theme, providing opportunity for students and faculty to investigate topics from a wide interdisciplinary perspective. CAS departments offer theme-related courses, and special events such as lectures, panel discussions, and films are scheduled throughout the academic year. Past topics include "Religion and Society," "Cities," "Revolution," and "Environmental Explorations." The topic for the 2010-2011 academic year is "Frontiers and Borders."

The annual Richard J. Burke Lecture in Philosophy, Religion and Society brings to campus a noted philosopher to interact with students in the classroom and to present a public lecture. Past scholars have included Shadia Drury, Daniel Dennett, Peter Singer, Richard Falk and Holmes Rolston.

A new major in Actuarial Science will be offered as of Fall 2010. This program will provide students with the mathematical, statistical and financial skills to enter careers in the insurance industry, computer and data processing services, health services, and management and actuarial consulting industries.