The University of Chicago College Course Catalog
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In Part 2:
Optional Placement Test in Calculus
A Summary of Credit
In order to earn a degree from the College of the University of Chicago, a
student must obtain credit for at least forty-two quarter courses, distributed
among general education requirements, concentration requirements, and
electives, as described in the previous section. All students receive credit
toward their degrees by taking courses in the College. In addition, students
may receive credit in the following ways: by placement test; by Advanced
Placement (AP) examination; by accreditation examination; and by advanced
standing, which is credit transferred from another institution. The limits and
conditions placed on credit earned in these various ways are explained in the
sections below. A student must complete a minimum of eighteen quarter courses
in the College to graduate with a degree from the University of Chicago. At
least half of the concentration courses must be taken at the University.
Placement Tests
Placement tests serve to adapt the needs and backgrounds of individual students
to the College curriculum. They place entering students at the proper level of
study in a given subject and may be used to award academic credit where
appropriate. On the one hand, placement tests minimize the repetition of
subjects already mastered and, on the other, they reduce the possibility that
students might begin their programs with courses for which they are
inadequately prepared. Placement tests measure skill in problem solving as well
as general knowledge in a subject field. Students who have some background in
the areas being tested are urged to review it, but incoming students without
such knowledge are not expected to acquire it over the summer preceding
entrance.
The College administers placement tests to entering students only during
Orientation Week in late September. Placement tests may not be taken at a later
date. Over the summer, information that describes these tests in detail is sent
to all incoming first-year and transfer students.
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Optional Placement Tests in Foreign Languages. Students who have studied
any of the foreign languages below should take placement tests in those
languages, even if they do not plan to continue the study of any of them.
Students are free to begin another language in the College rather than continue
in the language(s) taken for placement. Placement tests are offered in the
following languages: Chinese, French, German, Classical Greek, Modern Hebrew,
Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian,
Spanish, and Swedish.
Required Placement Test in Mathematics. On the basis of their performance
on the required mathematics placement test, students begin their mathematics
education in the College with one of the precalculus courses, with one of the
two nonhonors variants of 100-level calculus, or with one of the approved
noncalculus courses. Students who do not place into calculus must take the
appropriate precalculus mathematics courses (through Mathematics 102 or 106)
before taking any other courses offered by the Physical Sciences Collegiate
Division. Precalculus is also prerequisite to the natural sciences sequences.
The mathematics placement test covers all facets of precalculus mathematics:
arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, and analytic geometry.
Optional Placement Test in Calculus. Entering students may take the
optional calculus placement test and, on the basis of their performance, begin
mathematics at a level higher than that indicated by their scores on the
required placement test in mathematics or by their scores on the AP calculus
examinations. Students with any knowledge whatever of calculus are urged to
take this test, even though it is not required. NOTE: Students who wish to
register for Mathematics 161-162-163 (Honors Calculus) or for Physics
141-142-143 (Honors Physics) must take this test.
Placement Test in Physical Sciences. Students who plan to concentrate in
the biological sciences or the physical sciences fulfill their Common Core
requirement in the physical sciences by passing a three-quarter sequence of
100-level courses in either chemistry or physics. The physical sciences
placement test is required of students who seek to enroll in 100-level
courses in chemistry or physics. Their performance on the physical sciences and
mathematics placement tests will determine the chemistry and physics sequences
for which they are eligible. A high score on the physical sciences test confers
credit for three quarters of electives for students concentrating in the
biological or physical sciences. Students who wish to register for Physics
141-142-143 must also take the calculus placement test.
This test is optional for students whose probable field of
concentration is in the Humanities, Social Sciences, or New Collegiate
divisions. For such students, a high score on this test confers credit for a
three-quarter sequence of physical sciences courses in the Common Core.
Optional Placement Test in the Biological Sciences. The optional placement
test in the biological sciences measures understanding of basic concepts of
evolution, heredity, and regulation of processes at the macromolecular,
cellular, organismic, and population levels. On the basis of their performance,
students may place out of the Common Core requirement in the Biological
Sciences. Students who plan to concentrate in the biological sciences may use
the credit earned by placement to satisfy their Common Core biological sciences
requirement, but they must take Biological Sciences Sequence 1 as four courses
in their concentration.
Advanced Placement Credit
Students who request college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) courses taken
in high school (that is, before a student matriculates in the College) are
asked to submit an official report of their scores on the AP tests given by the
College Entrance Examination Board. In most cases, credit is granted for a
score of 4 or 5. The decision to grant credit is reported at the end of the
first quarter in residence and units of credit awarded appear on the student's
official academic record.
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The credits earned may reduce the number of courses required for graduation and
may be applied in various ways in the forty-two-course program. AP credit may
meet certain of the Common Core requirements in general education. For example,
AP credit in chemistry or physics will excuse a student from some or all of the
Common Core physical sciences requirement, AP credit in biology will excuse a
student from Common Core biology, and AP credit in foreign language will excuse
a student from some or all of the foreign language requirement. Other AP
credits may be considered elective credits provided that no more than six AP
and/or College placement credits are used in this way.
While AP scores alone are sometimes used to establish placement or to confer
credit, satisfactory performance on the College's own placement tests may
supplement AP scores and lead to additional credit.
For further information on AP credit and how it relates to the Chicago degree
program, a student should consult his or her College adviser or the appropriate
faculty counselor.
AP in Biology. A score of 4 or 5 on the AP biology exam gives credit for
the Common Core biological sciences requirement. Students who plan to
concentrate in biological sciences may use this credit to satisfy their Common
Core Biological Sciences requirement, but they must take Biological Sciences
195-196-197-198 as four courses in their concentration.
AP in Chemistry. A score of 5 on the AP chemistry test gives credit for
Chemistry 111-112-113. A score of 4 on the AP chemistry test gives credit for
the physical sciences Common Core requirement for students whose field of
concentration is in the Humanities, Social Sciences, or New Collegiate
divisions.
AP in French. A score of 4 on the French language AP exam confers credit
for French 101-102-103, and a score of 5 on the exam confers credit for French
101-102-103-201, if no further course work in French is taken. A score of 4 or
5 on the French literature AP exam also gives credit for French 101-102-103-201
if no further course work in French is taken.
AP in German. Credit for German 101-102-103 is earned by a score of 4 on
the German language exam; a score of 5 on this test gives credit for German
101-102-103-201.
AP in Latin. A score of 4 on the Latin AP exam earns credit for Latin
101-102-103. Credit for Latin 101-102-103-204 is given for a score of 5 on the
Latin AP exam.
AP in Mathematics. Students who submit a score of 5 on the AB AP exam in
mathematics or a score of 4 on the BC AP exam in mathematics will receive
credit for Mathematics 151. Students who submit a score of 5 on the BC AP exam
in mathematics will receive credit for Mathematics 151 and 152. Students who
wish to receive credit for Mathematics 153 or to register for Mathematics
161-162-163 or Physics 141-142-143 are required to take the optional calculus
placement exam during Orientation Week.
AP in Physics. A score of 4 or 5 on the AP Physics C (Mechanics) test
confers credit for Physics 121, and a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Physics C
(Electricity and Magnetism) test confers credit for Physics 122, while a score
of 4 or 5 on both parts of the AP Physics C test gives credit for the entire
sequence, Physics 121-122-123. Additional laboratory work may be required of
students planning to apply to medical school. A score of 3 on both parts of the
Physics C exam confers credit for the physical sciences Common Core requirement
for students whose area of concentration is in the Humanities, Social Sciences,
or New Collegiate divisions. NOTE: Students planning to concentrate in physics
must forgo their AP credit and register for Physics 131-132-133 or Physics
141-142-143.
AP in Spanish. A score of 4 or 5 on the Spanish AP language or literature
exam confers credit for Spanish 101-102-103-201 if no further course work in
Spanish is taken. Students who have received scores of 4 or 5 on these AP
language tests should note that a strong performance on the College's own
placement test may confer additional credit.
AP in Other Areas. A score of 4 or 5 on other AP examinations in yearlong
courses, such as U.S. History, European History, Art History, English Language,
English Literature, Government and Politics, Computer Science, and Micro- and
Macroeconomics, confers credit for three elective courses for each examination,
thereby reducing the number of required electives. However, no more than a
total of six credits may be earned by any combination of AP, accreditation, and
placement credit.
International Baccalaureate and A-levels
Credit earned for courses in International Baccalaureate (IB) programs may be
applied to certain Common Core requirements or to elective requirements. Grades
of 6 or 7 on Higher-level IB exams will give credit analogous to the AP credit
described above. Satisfactory performance on the College's placement tests may
supplement IB scores and lead to additional credit. Students should note that
special circumstances, as described under AP credit, apply to mathematics,
chemistry, and physics. It is the student's responsibility to have IB exam
scores sent to the Office of the Dean of Students in the College.
The College Curriculum Committee considers petitions for credit earned by
A-level and other international examinations.
Accreditation Examinations
Credit is available by accreditation examinations to those students who have
already studied certain subjects at the college level. Examinations are set by
the appropriate faculty at the beginning of each quarter in which equivalent
Chicago courses are offered. In the case of a course where both experimental
and theoretical skills are involved, students may be required to fulfill the
laboratory portion along with the rest of the class.
College credit achieved by accreditation examination is entered as units of
credit on the student's official academic record. Letter grades are not
assigned. An accreditation examination may be taken only once.
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Chemistry. Students who are exceptionally well prepared in chemistry may
earn credit for one or more quarters of chemistry on the basis of AP scores or
accreditation examinations. More information is available under the heading
Advanced Placement and Accreditation in the chemistry section.
Physics. Accreditation examinations are given for the content of Physics
121, 122, and 123 and Physics 141, 142, and 143. Students who pass the first
examination (for Physics 121 or 141) will receive credit for the lecture part
of the course only and are then eligible to try the next examination in the
series. Entering students who have taken AP physics in high school but who do
not receive AP credit from the College (and who do not plan to concentrate in
physics) may take the Physics 121 accreditation exam. Students who receive AP
credit for Physics 121-122-123 but whose planned concentration requires Physics
131-132-133 or Physics 141-142-143 are eligible to take the Physics 141 exam.
Entering transfer students who choose a concentration requiring physics but who
are not granted transfer credit for a completed calculus-based introductory
physics course sequence may also be required to take one of these accreditation
exams. NOTE: Accreditation exams in physics confer credit only for the lecture
portion of the courses; additional laboratory work may be required. See further
discussion under "Advanced Placement" in the physics section of the
catalog.
Foreign Languages. (See also the preceding section on foreign language
placement tests.) Accreditation examinations are available in foreign languages
regularly taught at the University.
Students wishing to take such an accreditation examination must submit a
petition to the Office of the Humanities Collegiate Division (G-B 129), which
will then make arrangements for scheduling the examination and reporting the
results. Please note that the examination in Biblical Hebrew is distinct
from those in post-Biblical and modern Hebrew. Although students who perform
well on these exams will receive appropriate course credit, they may not add
these course credits together to satisfy a language requirement in Hebrew.
See the Foreign Languages in the Curriculum section for a list of languages for
which accreditation examinations are regularly available. Students who are
native speakers of one these languages must demonstrate adult literacy in the
accreditation examination.
Courses Taken Elsewhere While in a Degree Program at the University of Chicago.
Students who wish to take courses at other institutions after they enter
the College should discuss their plans with their advisers. Before registering
for course work elsewhere, students must submit to the Office of the Dean of
Students course descriptions and a petition requesting tentative approval for
transfer credit to be applied toward their graduation requirements. Upon
completion of the course work, students should have an official transcript sent
to the Office of the Dean of Students. Credit for language courses must be
validated by accreditation examinations. Depending on the student's
concentration and on the level of work to be evaluated, credit for some courses
in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics may also be subject to
examination. Only courses similar to those taught in the College may transfer;
professional or technical courses do not transfer. Transfer credit is listed on
the student's transcript only as units of credit.
NOTE: More than half the courses required by a student's concentration
program must be taken at the University.
Courses Taken While in a Degree Program Elsewhere. Students transferring
from other institutions must complete a minimum of eighteen courses in the
College and must be in residence for at least six quarters. Generally, the
College grants transfer credit for liberal arts courses carrying at least three
semester hours or four quarter hours of credit and passed with a grade of
C or better (in some cases, B or better) from an accredited
institution.
Transfer credit is listed on the student's University of Chicago transcript
only as units of credit. Courses and grades are not listed, nor do transferred
courses contribute to the student's University of Chicago grade point average.
Credit for courses in precalculus and calculus mathematics and in foreign
language must be validated by College placement examinations. Depending on the
student's concentration and on the level of work to be evaluated, credit for
some courses in chemistry, physics, and biology may also be subject to
examination.
Professional or technical courses, such as journalism, business, law, musical
performance, speech, and nursing do not transfer; only courses similar to those
taught in the College may transfer. The College grants credit for CEEB Advanced
Placement examinations with scores of 4 or 5, but not for CLEP, USAFI, or
correspondence course work.
Most transfer students can complete their studies with no more than one extra
quarter beyond the usual four college years, although this may depend on how
course work elsewhere relates to the structure of a Chicago degree program.
College housing and financial aid are available to all transfer students. After
matriculation in the College, transfer students may not earn additional credits
from schools other than the University of Chicago, except for foreign study
programs sponsored by the University of Chicago. However, these foreign study
courses cannot count toward the minimum of eighteen courses that are required
to be taken in the College.
NOTE: More than half the courses required by a student's concentration
program must be taken at the University.
The College. Every student is assigned to an academic adviser on the staff
of the dean of students in the College. The professional staff offers support
to students as they address the whole range of decisions they will make
throughout the college years. Working with an adviser, each student discovers
how to pursue his or her own interests in relation to the curricular
requirements of the College.
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The College adviser's foremost responsibility is to help students map out an
appropriate program of study leading to a degree in the selected area of
concentration. Advisers are familiar with College academic procedures, such as
the interpretation of AP and placement test results and the details of course
registration, and they understand University rules and regulations. Students
with questions about the Collegiate Divisions, the concentration programs, and
the various special options and degree programs described in this catalog
should not hesitate to consult their College advisers.
Because advisers know the College and campus life well, they can also help
students with other kinds of questions, either directly or by referral to
appropriate sources of advice. For example, if students need additional help in
biology, chemistry, mathematics, or writing, their advisers can refer them to
tutors. Advisers are also a good first source of help with problems, personal
and otherwise, that arise from time to time.
In addition, advisers help students learn about and select among the many
educational programs and opportunities available in the University community.
Some advisers have special responsibility for a particular area of expertise
such as foreign study, fellowships and scholarships, and careers in the health
professions, law, or business. Advisers will help students learn about
application procedures for fellowships, schools, and jobs, and can assist
students in planning for graduate work and careers.
Dean of Students in the College
Katie Nash, HM 281, 2-8629
Associate Dean of Students
Manfred D. E. Ruddat, HM 254, 2-8623
College Advisers
Keith Anderson, HM 263, 2-9483
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The Collegiate Divisions. The master of each Collegiate Division
administers curricular and faculty matters for the Division and oversees the
offerings of the Common Core. The senior adviser of each Collegiate Division,
with the aid of appropriate faculty committees, provides direction for College
advisers and students when questions arise in planning student programs,
interpreting requirements, and evaluating work done elsewhere.
Biological Sciences
Master, José Quintans, BSLC 104A, 2-7964
Humanities,
Master, Philippe Desan, HM 230, 2-8030
New Collegiate Division
Master and Senior Adviser, Dennis Hutchinson, C 330, 2-3093
Physical Sciences
Master and Senior Adviser, Peter O. Vandervoort, HM 222, 2-8320
Social Sciences
Master, Andrew Abbott, HM 250, 2-7925
The Concentrations. Questions specific to the areas of concentration or
special programs are usually directed to the faculty counselors (variously
known as directors of undergraduate studies, departmental counselors, or
concentration chairmen) attached to the various programs. Once students have
decided on a field of concentration, they should consult the appropriate
counselor as soon as possible regarding their plans and the satisfaction of
concentration requirements. Up-to-date information on how to reach faculty
counselors is available at the Advisers' Appointment Desk (HM 280).
Program: Area Counselor, Office, Extension
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African and African-American Studies: Andrew H. Apter, H 318, 2-7735
For a general overview, students are urged to read Regulations and
Policies published in the quarterly Time Schedules. Because students
are held responsible for this information, they are encouraged to discuss any
questions they have with their College advisers or designated faculty members.
The following sections describe some of the College's regulations and
procedures.
Requirements for the Degree. The College awards the B.A. or the B.S. degree
to qualified students who are recommended by the faculty. In order to qualify
for the degree, students must complete the following:
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Opening Section Part 2 of 3
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Advanced Placement Credit
International Baccalaureate and A-Levels
Acreditation Examinations
Credit for Courses Taken at Other Institutions
Academic Advising
College Advisers
Program: Area Counselor, Office, Extension
Academic Regulations and ProceduresPlacement and Course Credit
and Credit by Examination
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at Other InstitutionsAcademic Advising
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Susan Art, HM 237, 2-8609
Tim Blackman, HM 252, 2-9134
Kathleen Forde, HM 273, 2-0569
Lewis Fortner, Asst. Dean of Students, HM 286, 2-8613
Nancy Gilpin, HM 233, 2-8612
Ronald Gorny, HM 264, 2-8624
Audrey Grzywinski , HM 269, 2-8610
Eleanor Hannah, HM 273, 2-8622
Ann Harvilla, Asst. Dean of Students, HM 265, 2-0866
Shawn Hawk, HM 272, 2-8619
David Owen, HM 262, 2-3213
Douglas Patton, HM 271, 2-3419
Sylvia Robertson, HM 268, 2-8611
Jean Treese, Asst. Dean of Students , HM 235, 2-8614
Deborah Weiss, HM 262, 2-7830
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Administrative Assistant, G. Karen Shrode, BSLC 104C, 2-7962
Senior Adviser, Manfred D. E. Ruddat, HM 254, 2-8623
Administrative Assistant, Rose Watson, HM 228, 2-8032
Senior Adviser, Herman Sinaiko, G-B 505, 2-7987
Secretary, Delores A. Jackson, C 330, 2-7148
Administrative Assistant, Sheila Naughten, HM 224, 2-8321
Administrative Assistant, Toni Ewing, HM 248, 2-7925
Senior Adviser, Guy Alitto, SS 211, 2-8390
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Anthropology: John D. Kelly, H 206, 2-4333
Art and Design: Thomas Mapp, M, 753-4821
Art History: Ingrid Rowland, CWAC 266, 2-0266
Biological Chemistry: Nien-Chu C. Yang, SCL 429, 2-7064
Marvin Makinen, CLSC 359, 2-1080
Biological Sciences: Manfred D. E. Ruddat, HM 254, 2-8623
Chemistry: Gregory Hillhouse, SCL 333, 2-7057
Classical Studies: Elizabeth Asmis, Cl 25B, 2-8517
Comparative Literatures: Michael J. Murrin, GB 315, 2-7985
Computer Science: Donald E. Crabb, Ry 161B, 2-7173
Early Christian Literature: Jonathan Z. Smith, HM W403, 2-6022
East Asian Languages and Civilizations: Eske J. Mollgaard, Wb 301G, 2-5802
Economics: D. Gale Johnson, SS 421, 2-8251
Grace Tsiang, SS 508, 2-3410
English: Lisa Ruddick, G-B 308, 2-8024
Environmental Studies: Theodore L. Steck, CLSC 721, 2-1329
Fundamentals: Issues and Texts: Leon R. Kass, HM E482, 2-8571
General Studies in the Humanities: Herman L. Sinaiko, G-B 505, 2-7987
Geography: Marvin Mikesell, P 323, 2-8313
Geophysical Sciences: Douglas R. MacAyeal, HGS 413, 2-8027
Germanic Studies: Peter K. Jansen, Wb 215, 2-8547
History: Kathleen Conzen, SS 225, 2-8381
History, Philosophy, and Social Studies of Science and Medicine: Robert J. Richards, SS 205, 2-8391
Ideas and Methods: David Smigelskis, C 326, 2-7125
Jewish Studies: Michael Fishbane, S 205, 2-8234
Latin American Studies: Rachel Massey, Ky 308, 2-8420
Law, Letters, and Society: Dennis J. Hutchinson, LBQ 411, 2-9575
Linguistics: Gene B. Gragg, Or 316, 2-9511
Mathematics: Diane L. Herrmann, E 212, 2-7332
Medieval Studies: Christina von Nolcken, G-B 331, 2-7977
Music: Larry Zbikowski, Go H 202, 2-8788
Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations: Gene B. Gragg, Or 316, 2-9511
Philosophy: Ted Cohen, HM W502, 2-8506
Physics: Joseph J. O'Gallagher, KPTC 201C, 2-7007
Political Science: Stephen Holmes, P 415, 2-3404
Psychology: Starkey Duncan, Br 204, 2-8862
Public Policy Studies: Richard Taub , G-B 223, 2-7927
Religion and the Humanities: Jonathan Z. Smith, HM W403, 2-6022
Romance Languages and Literatures: Elissa Weaver, Wb 205D, 2-8481
Russian and Other Slavic Languages and Literatures: Bill J. Darden, F 405, 2-8033
Russian Civilization: Richard Hellie, SS 204A, 2-8377
Sociology: Gerald Suttles, SS 325, 2-8685
South Asian Languages and Civilizations: Clinton Seely, F 213, 2-8645
South Asian Studies: Lloyd Rudolph, P 422A, 2-8056
Statistics: Per A. Mykland, E 128, 2-8044
Tutorial Studies: Dennis J. Hutchinson, C 328, 2-3093Academic Regulations and Procedures