Six new minors -- classics, classical civilization, mathematics, history, physics and anthropology -- have been approved in the College of Arts and Sciences during the past year, the most recent in November.

Every year, the physics department had received inquiries about earning a minor in physics, said Erich Mueller, physics director of undergraduate studies. "Many of these students wanted to be able to apply the concepts and techniques of physics to other areas, while some were just interested in physics," he said. "Given how well physics complements other fields, such as medicine, finance, sustainability, education and law, the minor makes a lot of sense."

Students pursuing a minor in physics must take a three course introductory physics sequence, special relativity and three intermediate level physics courses.

According to professor of classics Hayden Pelliccia, the two new classics minors were in response to keen student interest in the topics. "Our hope is that the growing number of students who are interested in the cultures, literatures, languages, history, philosophy, art and archaeology of classical antiquity, but who don't wish to major in classics, will use this minor as a guide toward a more balanced understanding of the ancient world," he said.

Because classics encompasses a diverse group of subjects, classics and classical civilization are both offered in four different tracks: classical literature, ancient history (with emphasis on either Greek or Roman), ancient philosophy, and classical art and archaeology.

Professor of mathematics Ravi Ramakrishna said that the math minor will enable non-majors "to receive recognition for their work and have their greater immersion in mathematics made part of their record," he said.

Students are eligible to be admitted into the mathematics minor after successfully completing a semester of multivariable calculus and a semester of linear algebra.

The history minor allows undergraduates who are majoring in another subject to gain formal recognition for substantial coursework in history without taking on the burden of a second major, said Barry Strauss, chair of the history department, adding, "We hope that the option of a minor in history will lessen student stress."

The minor consists of any five courses in history, one of which must be a seminar at the 2000 level or above.

Chair of anthropology Nerissa Russell said that the new anthropology minor was in response to student demand, adding that "it's a way for students outside the College of Arts and Sciences, who take so many anthropology courses, to be recognized."

The minor requires five courses in anthropology, one of which must be a seminar at the 4000 level.

Linda B. Glaser is staff writer for the College of Arts and Sciences.