UW Bothell Academic Advising

Areas of Inquiry

Overview

Nearly half of your degree at UW Bothell will be made up of courses in the Areas of Inquiry (AOI)—more than most majors require. These broad subject areas form the foundation of your education, supporting lifelong learning and enriching your major by encouraging you to think across disciplines.

The AOI are grouped into three key areas:

  • Arts & Humanities (A&H): These courses focus on questions of meaning and value in human life, as well as the effective expression of human experience. Art is used here in a very broad sense, from the ancient Greek arête, meaning excellence. While first-year languages courses have limitations on use towards A&H, second-year language courses and beyond always apply.
  • Social Sciences (SSc): These courses focus on the study of human behavior both individually and socially. This includes the history, development, and dynamics of human behavior, as well as social and cultural institutions.
  • Natural Sciences (NSc): These courses focus on the scientific study of the physical world.

*Note: Each UW Bothell school sets its own AOI credit requirements, but all students must complete at least 15 credits in each area.

Some courses may apply to more than one AOI. For example: BIS 236: Introduction to Interactive Media is designated as (A&H/SSc) — you may count it toward either A&H or SSc, but not both. Always check the Time Schedule or Course Catalog for AOI designations.

Why AOI?

Rather than focusing on a single discipline, the Areas of Inquiry (AOI) encourage you to explore diverse perspectives, engage with new ideas, and connect knowledge across fields. This broad approach helps you develop the ability to make meaningful connections between topics—an essential skill in today’s complex, interconnected world.

You may find yourself drawn more to one Area of Inquiry than others—and that’s okay. Your major may align with that interest. Still, each area offers valuable perspectives and reflects time-honored traditions of knowledge. Embrace this opportunity to explore broadly and make connections, even where they aren’t obvious.