Reed College is highly structured and extremely rigorous. The four basic elements the required humanities sequence, the breadth of study requirement, junior qualifying examinations, and the senior thesis mix a strong component of interdisciplinary work with study of traditional majors. 1st and 2nd-year students at RC develop a strong background in humanistic and scientific study. The junior and senior years provide opportunity for intensive examination of the subject matter and techniques of a more narrowly defined academic discipline, culminating in the senior research project and thesis. At Reed we believe the balance of a general and more specialized education is best achieved where students and faculty members work closely together.