Philosophers systematically explore fundamental issues, ideas, and truths to understand better our place in the world and why we do what we do. Among many questions, philosophers consider what it means to live a good life, the ethics of artificial intelligence, and the relationship between the individual and society. Philosophy students develop logic, general problem-solving, communication, and persuasion skills applicable to many careers, including business, STEM, law, teaching, health, and the arts.

The Mathematics Department offers a range of courses for a variety of needs and plans of study. We support the professional and technical programs as well as the transfer programs. We offer several PreCollege courses that satisfy requirements for students obtaining certificates and students preparing for college-level mathematics courses. Our college-level courses prepare students for the sciences and engineering curriculum, satisfy prerequisites for admission to colleges of business and education, and create the foundation of undergraduate mathematics curriculum for math majors.

In a recent survey, our students expressed a high level of satisfaction with the English program, citing the expert personal attention from the department's dedicated instructors. We provide a sequence of composition courses designed to develop and strengthen critical thinking and writing skills that students need to succeed in their college work. We also offer a variety of elective courses in literature, creative writing, and journalism that fulfill Humanities distribution requirements and, in some cases, the Cultural Diversity requirement for the AA degree. Many of our courses are available online.

Why do we dream? Can intelligence be increased? Which treatments for anxiety are most effective? How can negative stereotypes be changed? Why is it more difficult for adults to learn a new language? What makes the sexual nature of humans unique in the animal world? These are just a few of the many issues addressed in psychology, a science that explores the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and environmental basis of both normal and abnormal behavior.

The Art program is a skills-based curriculum that satisfies humanities distribution requirements, elective requirements, and foundation work required for most four-year art degrees. In each course, you will learn the principles of art and the historical context of the discipline.

The Triton Review journalists are serving an important role by providing up-to-date information about campus events. They ensure that we get to hear our own stories, stories seldom covered in The Herald or The Seattle Times. By providing investigative news stories and hard-hitting editorials and opinion pieces from a range of perspectives, student journalists ensure that readers get what they need to make informed choices on the local, state, and national level. Today’s news is tomorrow’s historical record—a record of the significant events, issues, and debates of campus life.

The Photography program is a skills-based curriculum that satisfies humanities distribution requirements, elective requirements, and foundation work required for most four-year art degrees. In each course, you will learn the history of photography, techniques, and modern applications of both. Both traditional wet and contemporary digital labs provide broad exposure to an ever-changing discipline.

The Music Department provides students a wide range of opportunities to learn music and grow as a performer. Our instructors bring diverse skills and approaches to teaching. Student ensembles at Edmonds College have numerous performance opportunities throughout the academic year.

Computer science is the study of computers and computational systems, including artificial intelligence, networks and security, database systems, human-computer interaction, vision and graphics, numerical analysis, operating systems, programming languages, software engineering, and bioinformatics. Computer scientists work to solve problems and study the performance of computer hardware and software to solve problems, expand functionality, and improve efficiency of our technology-enhanced world.

Where did we come from? What makes us human? How are we similar to and different from other people? Where do we go from here? If these questions inspire you, you may enjoy an anthropology career. Anthropology is the holistic study of humanity. We draw from biology, social sciences, and humanities to better understand our experiences as humans. Anthropology graduates pursue careers in academia, government, cultural and natural resources, medicine, public health, forensics, museums, tourism, and business.

Our approach is a communicative one; we emphasize proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in every course. In addition to our focus on communication in the target language, our courses provide students with the strong grammatical base necessary to progress beyond the elementary level. Moreover, as our department name suggests, cultural instruction is a cornerstone of each and every course we teach. Beyond language classes, we also offer courses that focus on world cultures. Outside of the classroom, our department is active in advising various foreign language student groups.

Courses in diversity studies examine core concepts related to difference, identity, and belonging. You will explore contemporary and historical relationships of power and social change as well as connections between race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, environment, social class, and religion. Classes are interdisciplinary and emphasize hands-on learning.

Research has shown that strong communication skills provide the necessary foundation needed to be successful in business, social, and personal relationships. According to the National Communication Association, “At its foundation, communication focuses on how people use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts, and is the discipline that studies all forms, modes, media, and consequences of communication through humanistic, social scientific, and aesthetic inquiry.”

Political scientists examine how societies govern themselves at the local, state, national, and international levels. We consider how power connections create the institutions, practices, and relations of governance and ask big questions about “Who gets what, when, and how?” You will develop skills in planning and development, research, analysis, communication, and civic engagement. We prepare you for careers in public service, law, business, and more when you graduate.

Why do some people have access to adequate water or health care, and others don’t? How does climate change drive political conflict? If you’re intrigued by these questions, consider majoring in Geography. Geographers study how human society and culture interact with the physical environment. They explore what we build, where we build, and why.