Capitalization: Course Names, Majors, Degrees

[Maryn]

Anybody know the current practice in academia regarding the proper capitalization of course names and majors (when the words would not be capitalized in other usage)?

Does someone major in Computer Science and minor in Philosophy, or major in computer science and minor in philosophy? Earn a degree in Biology or biology? Take a physics class or a Physics class? Study anthropology or Anthropology?

And while I've got the academic insiders' attention, are people really using PhD rather than Ph.D. now?

Maryn, wishing the kid were doing French and English

[Medievalist]

Only idjits are using anything but Ph.D. The UCLA Style Guide has this style:

major in Computer Science and minor in Philosophy.

You can go look at the Chronicle of Higher Education or Higher Education online to get an idea of acceptable style.

[Maryn]

Thanks. Once again, my instincts served me reasonably well, but the essay I'm reviewing is important, so I wanted to be sure instead of trust my capitals-loving gut.

Maryn, tipping her hat in your general direction

[veronie]

I'd use the Chicago Manual of Style or Kate Turabian (the same thing?)

http://www.amazon.com/Writers-Dissertations-Chicago-Writing-Publishing/dp/0226816273

[Medievalist]

I'd use the Chicago Manual of Style or Kate Turabian (the same thing?)

http://www.amazon.com/Writers-Dissertations-Chicago-Writing-Publishing/dp/0226816273

No they're not the same thing. But it was a good thought.

[veronie]

True. But, If you go by the modern Turabian, you will also be in conformity with Chicago Manual of Style. But you're right, technically not the same thing.