1996 College Course Catalog
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The University of Chicago
College Course Catalog
Opening Section Part 2
Introductory Section (in 3 parts)
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Optional Placement Test in Calculus
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 Procedures
Course Credit
and Credit by Examination
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 concentrate in the biological sciences may use this
credit to satisfy their Common Core biological sciences requirement; however,
they must complete one of the Biological Sciences 170s, 180s, or 190s sequences
as part of their concentration requirements.
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 concentrate
in the biological sciences may use this credit to satisfy their Common Core
biological sciences requirement; however, students must complete one of
the Biological Sciences 170s, 180s, or 190s sequences as part of 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.
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. 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.
Credit for Courses Taken
at Other Institutions
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.
Academic Advising
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 Deans of Students
Lewis Fortner, HM 286, 2-8613
Ann Harvilla, HM 265 2-0866
Manfred D. E. Ruddat, HM 254, 2-8623
Jean Treese, HM 235, 2-8614
College Advisers
Keith Anderson, HM 263, 2-9483
Susan Art, Asst. Dean of Students, HM 268, 2-8609
Tim Blackman, HM 252, 2-9134
Grace Chan, HM 237, 2-8621
Cynthia Fearn, HM 272, 2-3818
Kathleen Forde, HM 266, 2-0569
Nancy Gilpin, HM 233, 2-8612
Ronald Gorny, HM 264, 2-8624
Audrey Grzywinski, HM 269, 2-8610
Eleanor Hannah, HM 273, 2-8622
Shawn Hawk, HM 270, 2-8619
David Owen, HM 267, 2-3213
Douglas Patton, HM 271, 2-3419
Eileen Talluto HM 262 2-7830
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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
Administrative Assistant, G. Karen Shrode, BSLC 104C, 2-7962
Senior Adviser, Manfred D. E. Ruddat, HM 254, 2-8623
Humanities
Master, Philippe Desan, HM 230, 2-8030
Administrative Assistant, Rose Watson, HM 228, 2-8032
Senior Adviser, Herman Sinaiko, G-B 505, 2-7987
New Collegiate Division
Master and Senior Adviser, Dennis Hutchinson, C 330, 2-3093
Secretary, Delores A. Jackson, C 330, 2-7148
Physical Sciences
Master and Senior Adviser, Peter O. Vandervoort, HM 222, 2-8320
Administrative Assistant, Sheila Naughten, HM 224, 2-8321
Social Sciences
Master, To be announced, HM 250, 2-7925
Administrative Assistant, Toni Ewing, HM 248, 2-7925
Senior Adviser, To be announced,
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
African and African-American Studies: Andrew H. Apter, H 318, 2-7735
Anthropology: Ralph Nicholas, H 314, 2-7721
Art and Design: Thomas Mapp, M, 753-4821
Art History: Thomas Cummins, CWAC 262, 2-0262
Biological Chemistry: Laurie Butler, RI 207A, 2-7206
Marvin Makinen, CLSC 359, 2-1080
Biological Sciences: Manfred D. E. Ruddat, HM 254, 2-8623
Chemistry: Laurie Butler, RI 207A, 2-7206
Cinema and Media Studies: Miriam Hansen, G-B 330, 2-8028
Classical Studies: Elizabeth Asmis, Cl 25B, 2-8517
Comparative Literatures: Françoise Meltzer, HME 688E, 2-8474
Computer Science: Donald E. Crabb, Ry 161B, 2-7173
Early Christian Literature: Jonathan Z. Smith, HM W403, 2-6022
East Asian Languages: Anthony C. Yu, S 330A, 2-8245
and Civilizations
Economics: D. Gale Johnson, SS 421, 2-8251
Robert Lucas SS 410, 2-8179
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: Andreas Gailus, G-B 406, 2-8023
History: Rashid Khalidi, P 202, 2-3013
History, Philosophy, and Social Studies of Science and Medicine: Robert
J. Richards, SS 205, 2-8391
Jewish Studies: Michael Fishbane, S 205, 2-8234
Latin American Studies: Beatriz Riefkohl, 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: To be announced Go H 309, 2-8484
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 Walt, P 518A, 2-8868
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
Linda Waite, 1155 60th, 753-7381
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, 2-3093
Academic Regulations and Procedures
p> 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:
- The Common Core requirements.
- The requirements of a concentration program.
- The minimum number of electives.
- Course credit for a minimum of forty-two quarter courses. This number
may be reached in part by examination or advanced standing where appropriate.
A minimum of eighteen courses must be taken for credit in the College.
-
- An overall grade point average of 1.75 and an average of 2.0 in the
concentration.
- A minimum of six quarters in residence at the University of Chicago.
- Three quarter courses in physical education, unless placement credit
or exemption is granted.
- Completion of a degree application prior to the quarter in which the
degree is to be received.
- Payment of all outstanding bills and return of all equipment and library
books.
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