At Middlebury, students can choose a major from among 40 departments and programs. The largest majors in recent years, by number of graduates, have been economics, psychology, English, political science, international studies, environmental studies, and history. Close to 40 percent of graduating seniors choose a single major in a traditional academic discipline, and about 30 percent of students complete a double or joint major combining two disciplines. Another 30 percent of students major in one of the College's interdisciplinary programs such as international studies, environmental studies, neuroscience, molecular biology and biochemistry, or women's and gender studies.
All undergraduates must complete a set of College degree requirements including a writing-intensive first-year seminar taught by their academic adviser, a second writing-intensive course, and 11 distribution and cultures and civilizations requirements covering the major areas of the liberal arts. Middlebury has a 4-1-4 academic calendar, with 12-week fall and spring terms and a four-week winter term during which students take one course.
Nearly two-thirds of Middlebury seniors complete a thesis, project, or other substantial piece of research during their final year at Middlebury. Many of these projects are carried out in collaboration with faculty members. In the sciences, Middlebury undergraduates are able to work with faculty members on research projects using the many pieces of advanced scientific instrumentation that the College has acquired in recent years.