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Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2026!

The College of Arts and Sciences’ divisions will hold commencement ceremonies on Monday, June 15, 2026.

CAS Commencement Ceremony

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The Story of B-12

Inside the human gut, billions of microbes compete and cooperate for survival. For many of them, access to a single nutrient — vitamin B12 — determines who thrives and who doesn’t.That microscopic competition is the focus of research led by Romila Mascarenhas, a new assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Mascarenhas' work investigates how gut bacteria recognize, transport and use vitamin B12, a molecule that plays a huge role in shaping microbial communities in the human gut. She anticipates her research will lead to collaboration with fellow CAS researchers across disciplines and attract a new generation of STEM students.

Read more in the May issue of CAS Connection.     

Dive into the Science of the Gut

News from CAS

MATHEMATICS - The Department of Mathematics hosts Victor Reiner for its 2026 Moursund Lectures. Reiner is a Distinguished McKnight Professor in Mathematics at the University of Minnesota. The series of three lectures is 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, at 128 Chiles Hall, 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, at 125 McKenzie Hall and 1:30-2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4 at 245 Straub Hall.
THEATRE ARTS — The College of Arts and Sciences Department of Theatre Arts is expanding opportunities for students to gain hands-on experiences and learn about different career paths. The most recent example is the student-run production of “Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons” recently staged in the Pocket Playhouse and supported by a new student-director pilot program.
BIOCHEMISTRY, CHEMISTRY — Romila Mascarenhas, assistant professor of biochemistry, is starting a lab that investigates how gut bacteria recognize, transport and use vitamin B12, a molecule that plays a huge role in shaping microbial communities in the human gut. She anticipates her research will lead to collaboration with fellow CAS researchers across disciplines and attract a new generation of STEM students.

All news »

We Love Our Supporters

Your gifts change lives

Your Gift Changes Lives

Gifts to the College of Arts and Sciences can help our students make the most of their college careers. To do this, CAS needs your support. Your contributions help us ensure that teaching, research, advising, mentoring, and support services are fully available to every student. Thank you!

Give to CAS

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What’s Happening in CAS?

Congratulations class of 2026! Hear from a few of the members of this diverse graduating class, from a political science PhD student on her way to a tenure-track faculty member position to an undergrad inspired to address bicycle infrastructure in the US. 

Also in the May CAS Connection issue, an economist weighs in on the impact that rising sea levels could have on East Coast real estate, undergrads producing a theatre arts play, why B-12 is for this CAS chemist — and more.

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Undergraduate Studies

Wherever your academic goals eventually take you at the UO, all Ducks begin their journey with foundational courses in CAS. More than 60 percent of students go on to pursue a major in a CAS department or program. With more than 50 departments and programs, there’s an intellectual home for almost any interest, talent, or career aspiration.

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Graduate Studies

The College of Arts and Sciences offers more than 30 master's programs and more than 20 doctoral programs across a diverse range of disciplines. Both as contributors to research teams and through their own scholarship and teaching, our CAS graduate students are indispensable to the vitality of the UO academic mission.

Student Support Services

We provide our students with a variety of resources to help you thrive inside and outside the classroom. Through Tykeson Advising, we provide comprehensive academic and career advising from the start of your journey at the University of Oregon. Learn about career preparation and get assistance in selecting the very best classes. Connect with labs, libraries, IT and tutoring. Find your community on campus.

World-Class Faculty

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The College of Arts and Sciences faculty members are a driving force of the high-output, high-impact research activity that has earned the UO membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). Our world-class faculty members are inspiring teachers.

Among them are five members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, four members of the National Academy of Sciences. They are committed to helping students discover their academic passion. Every day, they work to expand students’ intellectual horizons, preparing them for life after college with real-world knowledge and skills.

Spotlight on CAS Academics

Choose Your Path

The College of Arts and Sciences offers more than 50 majors and nearly 70 minors across multiple departments and programs in the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. We also offer 36 master’s programs and 25 doctoral programs.

dean chris poulsen posing in front of Tykeson hall

Meet our Dean

In the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), we are committed to excellence in research and teaching, student success, and diversity, equity, and belonging. 

A liberal arts education—one that offers a breadth of intellectual approaches and perspectives and depth in a major discipline—is the foundation to a purposeful life as a life-long learner, engaged citizen, and leader. The skills you will learn here—from written and verbal communication to analytical and quantitative reasoning, to compassion and understanding—are those that employers seek and will open the door to a wealth of opportunities. 

You will find more than 50 majors and a multitude of minors within CAS, and seemingly endless opportunities for personal exploration and discovery. Whether you are an incoming first-year student, a grad student or a transfer student, you can map an exciting future and be part of a fun, warm, engaged liberal arts community here. Come join us. And go Ducks! 

More from Dean Chris Poulsen

The College of Arts and Sciences includes:

52
undergraduate degree programs
36
masters programs
25
PhD programs
11,000+
Undergraduate students in CAS Majors
800+
faculty members
1,200+
masters and PhD students in CAS

Happening at CAS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

UO College of Arts & Sciences (@uocas) • Instagram photos and videos

Jun 5
"Los Dreamers" 7:30 p.m.

Scoobi is an undocumented-law-student-love-child of the Zapatista rebellion of 1994. Petra, her mother, a former revolutionary is also undocumented. Dylan...
"Los Dreamers"
May 22–June 7
7:30 p.m.
Robinson Theatre

Scoobi is an undocumented-law-student-love-child of the Zapatista rebellion of 1994. Petra, her mother, a former revolutionary is also undocumented. Dylan O’Reilly, is Scoobi’s ticket to citizenship. This odd trio navigates personal and political borders on the heels of Scoobi’s marriage of inconvenience to Dylan. Oh yes, Roko, the soldier-ghost of Scoobi’s soulmate is hanging out too. 

Credit: Los Dreamers is produced by special arrangement with Mónica Sánchez. Directed by Michael Malek Najjar. A University Theatre production.

Jun 6
"Los Dreamers" 7:30 p.m.

Scoobi is an undocumented-law-student-love-child of the Zapatista rebellion of 1994. Petra, her mother, a former revolutionary is also undocumented. Dylan...
"Los Dreamers"
May 22–June 7
7:30 p.m.
Robinson Theatre

Scoobi is an undocumented-law-student-love-child of the Zapatista rebellion of 1994. Petra, her mother, a former revolutionary is also undocumented. Dylan O’Reilly, is Scoobi’s ticket to citizenship. This odd trio navigates personal and political borders on the heels of Scoobi’s marriage of inconvenience to Dylan. Oh yes, Roko, the soldier-ghost of Scoobi’s soulmate is hanging out too. 

Credit: Los Dreamers is produced by special arrangement with Mónica Sánchez. Directed by Michael Malek Najjar. A University Theatre production.

Jun 7
"Los Dreamers" 2:00 p.m.

Scoobi is an undocumented-law-student-love-child of the Zapatista rebellion of 1994. Petra, her mother, a former revolutionary is also undocumented. Dylan...
"Los Dreamers"
May 22–June 7
2:00 p.m.
Robinson Theatre

Scoobi is an undocumented-law-student-love-child of the Zapatista rebellion of 1994. Petra, her mother, a former revolutionary is also undocumented. Dylan O’Reilly, is Scoobi’s ticket to citizenship. This odd trio navigates personal and political borders on the heels of Scoobi’s marriage of inconvenience to Dylan. Oh yes, Roko, the soldier-ghost of Scoobi’s soulmate is hanging out too. 

Credit: Los Dreamers is produced by special arrangement with Mónica Sánchez. Directed by Michael Malek Najjar. A University Theatre production.

Jun 13
Military Connected Graduation Celebrations 11:00 a.m.

Join us for the 2026 Military Connected Graduation Celebration on June 13, 2026 from 11 am – 1 pm in the Crater Lakes South room. All graduating...
Military Connected Graduation Celebrations
June 13
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Erb Memorial Union (EMU) Crater Lake South room

Join us for the 2026 Military Connected Graduation Celebration on June 13, 2026 from 11 am – 1 pm in the Crater Lakes South room.

All graduating students are welcome to participate. 

Graduating Students should registered using this link: https://oregon.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_248irnJ0S14D4JU

*Please submit the form by May 25, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.