About Degree Programs, Majors, and Concentrations
The Loyola Schools of Ateneo de Manila University introduces students to fields of specialization in which they pursue, in greater attention, one particular area of knowledge suited to their individual talents and goals. It seeks therefore to build an intellectual tradition in you within the specific context of the developing nation.
Bulletin of Information
For a more detailed look into the degree programs, majors and minors, courses, and other academic matters, we invite you to read the Loyola Schools Undergraduate Bulletin of Information 2020.
The Bulletin of Information summarizes the programs of study, academic requirements, and course offerings for the undergraduate levels of the Loyola Schools of Ateneo de Manila University.
Loyola Schools Bulletin of Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about degree programs, majors, and concentrations.
Q: Are there quota courses in the Ateneo?
A; There are no quota courses, only honors programs. Only those in the top 15% of the ACET can get into the honors programs.
Q: Will my course preference affect my admission?
A: No. An applicant is first accepted into the Ateneo before he or she is assigned to a course.
Q: So what happens if I don’t qualify for my first choice?
A: Applicants who do not qualify for their first choice may be allocated to the next choice they qualify in. If you still do not qualify for your second choice, the committee goes through all your other course preferences.
Q: What are the basic similarities and differences among the following courses?
BS Applied Math: Mathematical Finance (BS/M AMF) versus BS Mathematics (BS MA)
Similarity: All of them provide a solid foundation in mathematics
Differences:
- BS MA: The emphasis is on pure (theoretical) mathematics along with some exposure to applied areas of mathematics.
- BS/M AMF: It aims to produce graduates skilled in the rigorous mathematics behind stocks, investments and financial markets.
BS Computer Science (BS CS) versus BS Computer Engineering (BS CoE) versus BS Management Information Systems (BS MIS)
Similarity: All of these courses have something to do with computers and programming.
Differences:
- BS CS: The curriculum focuses on the programming side/computer tool (software)
- BS CoE: The curriculum focuses on design of parts/components & assembly of computers (hardware)
- BS MIS: The curriculum also has programming courses but it has more of the management courses.
BS Biology (BS BIO) and BS Life Science (BS LfSci)
Similarity: Both courses are designed to have sufficient background in the biological sciences.
Differences:
- BS BIO: It emphasizes the research-based area of biology.
- BS LfSci: The curriculum leads to the development of specialized tracks such as Microbiology, Molecular Biology andBiotechnology, Conservation Biology, and Biomedical Science.
AB Political Science (AB POS), AB/MA Political Science (AB/MA POS), and AB/M Political Science – Masters in Public Management (AB POS-MPM)
Similarity: All have something to do with studies in politics and governance.
Differences:
- AB POS: The curriculum presents a foundational training in theoretical and empirical methods in the area of politics and governmental systems.
- AB/MA POS: The curriculum is more oriented towards International Relations and Global Governance.
- AB POS-MPM: The curriculum is geared towards Public Management in local and national levels of the public sector.
BS Management Engineering (BS ME) versus BS Management-Honors (BS MGT-H)
Similarity: Both courses are business courses through a rigorous foundation in the mathematics, operation management and quantitative methods.
Differences:
- BS ME: The emphasis is on the operations and management of multi-national corporations, by taking up methodologies in management science and information technology applications.
- BS MGT-H: The emphasis is on the development of entrepreneurial skills towards the creation of business ventures, or as managers in small to medium-sized enterprises.
AB Literature-English (AB LITENG) versus BFA Creative Writing (BFA CW)
Similarity: Both are reading courses that introduce the students into the world of literature.
Differences:
- AB LIT(ENG): The curriculum emphasizes the theoretical and critical approaches to literary genres.
- BFA CW: The curriculum emphasizes the art of writing literary pieces through a host of seminars and workshops.
Q: What are the pre-med courses in Ateneo?
A: The Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health is the university's partner institution in training the best and the brightest students to become future physician-leaders. In the effort to better equip Ateneo students in learning under a pioneered curriculum that forms both doctors and health professionals, the Loyola Schools offer four undergraduate programs that are designed to provide integrated preparation for the professional training in the field of medicine, namely BS Biology, BS Health Sciences, BS Life Sciences and BS Psychology. Aside from these courses, BS and AB degrees such as Chemistry, Physics, Economics and Interdisciplinary Studies are other courses which may be taken by Ateneo students in preparation for medical studies.
Q: What are the pre-law courses?
A: Due to the rigorous training and holistic formation that the Ateneo offers, all of the programs under the Loyola Schools may be suitable preparation for law studies. Applicants wishing to apply to the Ateneo Law School at Rockwell Campus, Makati City should be a graduate of any Bachelor's degree who should have earned 18 units of English, 6 units of Mathematics, 18 units of Social Science, and 3 units of Rizal course.
Q: How long does it take to finish a course in Ateneo?
A: All degree programs are four-year courses, with the exception of the following courses (which take five years to complete):
- AB/MA Political Science
- AB/M Political Science - Public Management
- BS Biology
- BS Chemistry/ BS Materials Science and Engineering
- BS Computer Engineering
- BS/MS Computer Science
- BS Electronics and Communications Engineering
- BS Environmental Science
- BS Management Information Systems/ MS Computer Science
- BS/M Applied Mathematics, Major in Mathematical Finance
- BS Physics
- BS Physics/ BS Materials Science and Engineering
