Category: FAA

Computer Science & Music

Major Description

The Bachelor of Science option in Computer Science and Music (CS+Music) is a program for undergraduate students who plan to pursue a career in music technology, as well as students that want to push the state-of-the-art in music composition and explore new avenues of expression.

More About CS+Music
Degree Requirements
ICT Requirements

Courses That Introduce the Major

  • CS 124 – Intro to Computer Science 1
  • CS 128 – Intro to Computer Science 2 
  • MUS 101 – Music Theory and Practice I
  • MUS 107 – Musicianship I
  • MUS 110 – Introduction to Art Music: International Perspective

Students should consult with an academic advisor regarding course selection prior to the advanced registration period.

Possible Career Opportunities

This degree will prepare students for advanced study at the graduate level for many existing programs on music and audio technology, as well as equip them with the proper skills to successfully join and lead a vibrant workforce community centered around the creation and distribution of entertainment media through constantly evolving technological platforms.

Common Career Skills
  • Ability to keep audience’s interests
  • Ability to read and write music
  • Ability to use various sound equipment
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Basic reading, writing, editing skills
  • Communication skills
  • Creativity
  • Entertaining skills
  • Good stage presence
  • Humbleness
  • Observation skills
  • Performance techniques
  • Physical stamina
  • Self-discipline
  • Singing/instrumental talents
  • Teaching abilities
  • Versatility
Common Career Titles
  • Architectural Acoustic Monitor
  • Artist & Repertoire (A&R)
  • Church Music Director
  • Community Development
  • Composer/Arranger
  • Conductor
  • Copyright Specialist
  • Disc Jockey
  • Engineer/Mixer
  • Instrument Service Specialist
  • Film Music Editor
  • Music Software Programmer
  • Music Store Manager
  • Music Stringer
  • Music Teacher
  • Music Therapist
  • Manufacturers Representative
  • Music Attorney
  • Music Copyist
  • Music Critic
  • Music Promoter
  • Music Reporter
  • Musician
  • Orchestra Librarian
  • Piano Tuner
  • Publicist
  • Recording Technician
  • Singer
  • Studio Musician
  • Synthesizer Specialist
  • Tour Manager
  • Voice Teacher

Enhancing Your Academic Experience

  • Participating in undergraduate research
  • Applying for a study abroad experience
  • Utilizing resources of The Career Center
  • Joining a Registered Student Organization (RSO) related to this major, such as:
    • Illinois Student Association of Music Scholars (ISAMS): enhance the academic experience, scholarship and community of students in musicology (historical and ethnographic) and related fields of music scholarship, including music theory, music education, and composition through fostering community interaction and dialogue, providing scholarly support and critical dialogue, offering professional development and organizational support.
    • iRobotics: focuses on competing in CARD and other robotics competitions, as well as spreading the word of science and technology to the community.
    • Women in Computer Science: offers a comfortable environment for everybody who studies and does research in computer science.

Further Information

There are several professional organizations dedicated to Computer Science and Music. Their websites might be able to provide a glimpse into the world of Computer Science and Music. These organizations include Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, Association for Computing Machinery, Association for Women in Computing, IEEE Computer Society, American Federation of Musicians and The American Musical Instruments Society.

Art Education

Major Description

The BFA in Art Education offers a pathway for students to become licensed to teach K-12 art in Illinois public schools. Through hands-on experiences and coursework, students are taught to embrace multiple roles — as artists, educators, and activists — while engaging in a rigorous interdisciplinary study of contemporary art and visual culture in education. For teacher education requirements applicable to all curricula, see the Council on Teacher Education.

More About Art Education
Degree Requirements
ICT Requirements

Courses That Introduce the Major

  • ARTE 101—Art, Design, and Society
  • ARTH 110—Introduction to the History of Art and Visual Culture
  • ARTE 202—Facilitating the Art Experience

Students should consult with an academic advisor regarding course selection prior to the advanced registration period.

Possible Career Opportunities

The question for us is not whether you want to teach art as your occupation. For us, the REAL question is: Do you want to be an art educator throughout your life? We believe that art education is a way of thinking and being in the world. 

Common Career Skills
  • Creative Practice
  • Making
  • Collaboration
  • Facilitation
  • Coordination
  • Organization
  • Communication
  • Imagination
  • Mentoring
Common Career Titles
  • K-12 Visual Arts Teacher
  • Community Arts Educator/ Programmer/Administrator,
  • Teaching Artist
  • Museum Educator

Some careers may require education beyond an undergraduate degree.

Enhancing Your Academic Experience

Further Information

There are several professional organizations dedicated to Art Education, visit their websites might be able to provide a glimpse in the world of Art Education. These organizations include Illinois Art Education Association,  American Art Therapy Association and National Art Education Association.

For further student questions contact Jennifer Bergmark at bergmar1@illinois.edu.

Art & Art History

Major Description

Art History gives students the ability to interpret art as a record of social and personal experience, to assess complex and conflicting arguments critically, to understand and to interpret a diverse range of artistic traditions. Students acquire a broad education that will allow them to advance in a wide variety of careers, including (but not limited to) the arts, business, law, and education. An Art History major also prepares students for graduate study in the field, which can lead to a career as a university professor or in a museum.

There are two ways to major in Art History at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Students may work toward either a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in the College of Fine and Applied Arts or a Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The B.F.A. program is a degree in Art & Art History and requires more studio and design courses. The B.A. program is a degree in History of Art and requires more extensive study in the humanities. Both majors have a Senior Honors Program that is strongly recommended to qualified students. This program offers seniors the opportunity to work closely with a member of the faculty researching and writing a scholarly paper over the course of two semesters.

More About Art History
Degree Requirements
ICT Requirements

Courses That Introduce the Major

  • ARTH 110—Introduction to the History of Art and Visual Culture
  • Any upper-level (200-400) courses for a more focused introduction, such as:
    • ARTH 241—Modern Art
    • ARTH 260—Graffiti and Murals
    • ARTH 257—History of Photography

Students should consult with an academic advisor regarding course selection prior to the advanced registration period.

Possible Career Opportunities

Studying Art & Art History can lead to careers in museums and galleries, in education, art librarianship, the management of visual resources for universities and arts institutions, and conservation. The broad education provided by an Art & Art History degree serves as preparation for a wide variety of careers, including the arts, business, law, and education.

Common Career Skills
  • Ability to communicate through the materials used to create works of art
  • Analytical thinking
  • Creativity/inventive skills
  • Discipline and perseverance to build skills in different techniques by working and reworking art
  • Research and writing skills to combine visual analysis of works of art with in-depth research
  • Visual Analysis
Common Career Titles
  • Author
  • Art Lawyer
  • Curator
  • Curatorial Researcher
  • Documentary Researcher
  • Conservator
  • Critic
  • Grant Writer
  • Educational Coordinator
  • Independent Producer
  • Publisher
  • Lecturer
  • Librarian
  • Museum Director
  • Visual Resource Librarian

Some careers may require education beyond an undergraduate degree.

Enhancing Your Academic Experience

  • Participating in undergraduate research
  • Applying for a study abroad experience
  • Utilizing resources of The Career Center
  • Joining a Registered Student Organization (RSO) related to this major, such as:
    • For Art’s Sake: For Art’s Sake is an organization serving lovers of art at UIUC. Anyone interested in art, art history, art theory, film studies, architecture history, new media, criticism, etc. is welcome, regardless of background or major. We are happy to act as educators for those new to Art & Art History and as a community for seasoned historians. We will provide a space for intelligent, insightful conversation as well as activities to extend and practice your understanding of art.
    • Montage Arts Journal: Our purpose is to publish a yearly journal of exceptional undergraduate work in prose, poetry, art, and drama.
    • Society for Art and Fine Art: Builds bridges between undergraduate students in Art and fine arts.

Further Information

There are several professional organizations dedicated to Art & Art History.  Their websites might be able to provide a glimpse in the world of  Art & Art History.  These organizations include Association for Art History and College Art Association. 

Architectural Studies

Major Description

Architectural Studies provides an undergraduate academic education in architecture that can serve as a foundation for advanced professional education. It offers an appropriate balance of basic professional studies in architectural design, architectural history, practice and technology, structures, and studies in the arts and sciences.  It is humanistic and professional discipline, which synthesizes art and science through intellectual rigor, aesthetic judgment, and technical understanding. 

More About Architectural Studies
Degree Requirements
ICT Requirements

Courses That Introduce the Major

  • ARCH 171—Design I: Concepts and Theories of Architectural Design
  • ARCH 172 —Design II: Drawing and Modeling
  • ARCH 101—Introduction to Architecture
  • MATH 220—Calculus
  • MATH 231—Calculus II or Physics 101—College physics: Mech & Heat

Students should consult with an academic advisor regarding course selection prior to the advanced registration period.

Possible Career Opportunities

This major prepares students to enter a two-year NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture degree program, or to pursue a graduate degree or career in an allied discipline.

Common Career Skills
  • Ability to conceptualize & understand spatial relationships
  • Ability to generate ideas and evaluate feasibility of implementation
  • Ability to identify past influences
  • Ability to understand measurements
  • Aptitude for details, logic and reasoning
  • Computer skills
  • Creativity
  • Good technical writing ability
  • Knowledge of construction
  • Research and analytical skills
Common Career Titles
  • Architect
  • Architectural Historian
  • Building Contractor
  • City Planner
  • Conservator
  • Construction Manager
  • Consumer Researcher Educator
  • Draftsperson
  • Graphic Designer
  • Historic Preservationist
  • Industrial Designer
  • Inspector
  • Interior Architect
  • Interior Designer
  • Landscape Architect
  • Product Designer
  • Professor
  • Regional Planner
  • Surveyor
  • Technical Writer
  • Town Planner
  • Urban Designer

Some careers may require education beyond an undergraduate degree.

Enhancing Your Academic Experience

Further Information

There are several professional organizations dedicated to Architectural Studies.  Their websites might be able to provide a glimpse in the world of Architecture.  These organizations include American Institute of Architects; Architects, Designers, American Institute of Architecture Students, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, and National Association of Minority Architects.

Division of Exploratory Studies
Illini Union Bookstore, Floor 5
807 S. Wright Street
Champaign, Illinois 61820
217-333-4710

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