ECS Depths, Areas of Focus and Majors

[TriscuiT]

I've read, re-read, and re-re-read page 26 of the School of Liberal Arts book for the BSL. The pertinent chart can be found here.

I've also read a bunch of threads here, but I am feeling particularly dense today. If I am understanding things, a Major can count as a depth and an Area of Focus (AoF) can count as a depth. You must have two depths, so you can have: a Major and AOF; two AoFs; AoF and depth; Major and depth; and two depths. Is this right?

What advantages are there to an AoF or a Major? According to the chart linked above, going with two depths requires 24 credits (6UL). Going with an Area of Focus requires 21 credits (6U) and a Major requires 30-33 credits (15UL). However, don't you still need at least another depth of 12 credits (3UL) for the AoF or Major? The difference in credits required is significant. Does this greater number of credits reduce the number of Applied Professional Credits or Additional Arts and Sciences Electives?

Hopefully my questions make sense.

Thanks.

[irnbru]

Don't forget the double major option

Could you help me understand your question; are you asking if doing a Major and an AoF requires more than 120 credits? If so, then the short answer is no.

A major is what you probably expect it to be. It's a cumulative study in a particular area demonstrating that you've probably learned a lot more about that specific subject. The upper level credit requirement is part of that demonstration, in addition to the lower level credit. Basically, a quarter of your degree (and potentially the 'harder' bits) is consolidated in that subject.

Also, the major itself is printed on the front of your diploma.

The areas of focus (minors?) and depths aren't on the diploma but are listed in the transcript.

[TriscuiT]

I guess I don't really know a better way to ask my question. Probably because I haven't figured it out enough to do so

I want to take a stab at laying out a path for achieving a BS but I am having a little trouble on depths vs AoF vs Major. Also, I am torn between getting it fast (BSL) versus getting something more "useful" (BIS, etc.).