FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
MATH
How do I
satisfy the math requirement?
The math requirement may be
satisfied in a variety of ways, depending on a student’s
proposed course of study and individual interests.
Liberal Arts students who are not pre-med and do not
plan to major in math do not necessarily have to take
calculus and should be aware of the available options.
While some of them may elect to take calculus, others
might be interested in alternative, non-calculus math
classes (including Math 6, 8, 9, and 10, offered in the
spring semester) or other courses that fulfill the math
requirement (such as Psychology 31 and Sociology 101).
All Computer Science courses also fulfill the
Mathematics Distribution Requirement. Pre-med students
must take one semester of calculus; only two medical
schools (Harvard and Duke) require two semesters of
calculus. All Engineering students take calculus their
first year (Math 11-12).
What is the
difference between Math 5 and Math 11?
Students should seriously
consider not only their level of preparation but what
major they may choose before selecting Math 5 or Math
11. Most medical schools require only the equivalent of
Math 5. However, certain science majors (e.g.
biochemistry, chemical physics, geology, Math, and
physics) require Math 11 and 12. For students likely to
select one of these majors, Math 11 is the wiser choice,
as Math 5 is not adequate preparation for Math 12.
Please be advised of the following change effective
Fall 2007:
STUDENTS ENTERING TUFTS IN THE
FALL OF 2007 WILL RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL HALF-CREDIT
(WITH GRADE) FOR MATH 11 IF THEY TAKE IT AFTER RECEIVING
CREDIT FOR MATH 5. CREDIT FOR MATH 5 MAY COME IN THE
FORM OF TRANSFER, FOREIGN DIPLOMA CREDIT OR BY TAKING
THE COURSE AT TUFTS, BUT THE EXTRA HALF CREDIT FOR MATH
11 MAY ONLY BE EARNED BY TAKING THE COURSE AT TUFTS FOR
A GRADE. Current students have the option of
choosing between the old or new policy. Please note,
the extra half-credit for Math 11 WILL NOT count
for a mathematical sciences distribution credit. Also,
students WILL NOT receive course credit for Math
5 when taken after or concurrently with Math 11.
WORLD CIVILIZATION
Which courses
fulfill the World Civilizations requirement?
The University Bulletin
contains an up-to-date listing of these courses. The
world civilizations requirement focuses on an in-depth
study of a non-Western civilization or civilizations, or
the interaction of non-Western and Western civilizations
with equal attention given to both. The definition of
the non-Western world is considered to include Africa,
Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and selected
indigenous cultures of Oceania and North America.
Please visit http://ase.tufts.edu/bulletin/worldciv2.html
for the current list of World Civilizations courses.
SCIENCE
Which science
courses are suitable for non-science majors?
The following is a list of
courses that fulfill the science requirement but are
designed specifically for those not interested in
pursuing a science major. Be sure to check the course
listings for availability and prerequisites. This list
is not complete and some of these courses are not
offered every year. Also note that some courses are not
available to first-year students.
-
Anthropology 20
Physical Anthropology
-
Anthropology
124 Diversity in the Americas
-
Anthropology
150 Human Evolution
-
Astronomy
9 Concepts of the Cosmos
-
Astronomy
10 Wanderers in Space
-
Biology
3 Fundamentals of
Biology
-
Biology
7 Environmental Biology
-
Biology 10
Plants and Humanity
-
Biology 81 Environmental
Biology and Conservation
-
Chemistry
8 Environmental Chemistry
-
Community Health 107 The Science and Practice of
Western Medicine
-
Geology
1 The Dynamic Earth
-
Geology
2 Environmental Geology
-
Geology 5 Introduction to
Oceanography
-
Physics 6
Physics for Humanists
-
Physics 10 Physics of Music
and Color
ENGLISH
Do I need to take
English in my first year?
Yes. While this isn’t an
“enforced” requirement, the English Department encourages
students to complete both semesters of the college writing
requirement while they are in their first year.
What is
Philosophy 1?
Philosophy 1 can be taken in
lieu of English 2. If a student wants Philosophy 1 (or any
other English 2 equivalent), to fulfill the writing
requirement, he or she MUST complete English 1 first or
place out of the first semester English requirement.
Can English 1 and
Philosophy 1 be taken in the same semester to fulfill the
College Writing requirement?
No. If a student places out of
English 1 with an AP Exam or SAT II, then they can take
Philosophy 1 in their first semester (or during any
subsequent semester) to fulfill the second half of the
writing requirement.
LANGUAGES/CULTURE
Which courses
fulfill the Foreign Language and Culture Option?
The University Bulletin
contains an up-to-date listing of these courses. Please
visit http://ase.tufts.edu/bulletin/culture-courses2.html
for the current list of culture courses.
How can you combine Language
and Culture Courses?
Students have 4 paths they may
choose to complete the Language/Culture Option:
-
6 Semesters of one
language (or the equivalent of six semesters, if the
student has placed into a higher level from a language
placement exam of SAT II score).
-
6 Semesters of a
language/culture combination
-
5 semesters of
one language, 1 semester of the same
culture
-
4 semesters of
one language, 2 semesters of the same
culture
-
3 semesters of
one language, 3 semesters of the same
culture
-
3 semesters of one
language, 3 semesters of another culture
(all 3 courses must be from the same culture)
-
3 semesters of one
language, 3 semesters of a second language.
GENERAL
Why did our group
get such a bad registration time?
First-year students may be very
sensitive about this issue, particularly during the actual
registration period. Thus, it is important to stress that
registration times are RANDOMLY assigned and are not subject
to any bias. When this question comes up, you might suggest
that, because of their later registration time, it would be
wise to choose several substitutes for each class so
registration will run more smoothly.
Who should take
the placement exams and when should they be taken?
ANYONE who is even remotely
considering taking a language at Tufts should take one of
the placement exams administered during Orientation Week.
Even if students have placed into a specific language level
through the AP or Achievement tests, they may still benefit
from taking a placement exam because these exams are a more
accurate indicator of their preparation to take a Tufts
language course. Students should consult the Orientation
calendar for details about when and where the placement
exams will be held.
Can I change my
advisor?
Yes, but only after
orientation. Tell students to make an appointment to see
Kate Nash, Program Director of Advising and Scholarships by
calling x75869.
Can I change my
advising group?
Students cannot change their
advising group, but they can opt not to take the
class attached to it, regardless of what type of advising
group they are in. If a student wishes not to enroll in the
course to which he or she has been assigned, on registration
day they must DROP the course on SIS (every first-year is
pre-registered for his or her advising course). No drop
form is necessary if this is done on registration day.
I’m in a
CAP/Faculty Seminar advising group, but I no longer want to
take the course. Will my advisor be upset that I want to
drop the class that he/she is teaching?
No. Students can bring their
advisor an ADD/DROP form to be signed. They will no longer
be a member of the class, but will continue to see the same
advisor.
How do I
determine my advanced standing status?
Complete information about
advanced standing, exemptions, and acceleration credits are
given in the University Bulletin. No student’s class
standing will be changed until after their 4th
semester at Tufts.
How can I
exercise the pass/fail option?
For Liberal Arts students, any
elective may be taken pass/fail, but courses taken to
satisfy Foundation, Distribution, or Concentration
requirements MUST be taken for a letter grade. Engineering
students should speak to their advisors about these choices.
How long is the
add/drop period for first-year students?
All students have two weeks to
add a class. First-year students have ten weeks to drop a
class without record of enrollment. All students may
withdraw from a course until the last day of classes each
semester, but it will be noted with a W on the transcript.
TRANSFER STUDENTS are NOT first-year students; they must
abide by the four-week deadline to drop without record of
enrollment.
Where can I get
advice on pre-med or pre-law concerns?
Students with questions
regarding any of the health professions should contact Carol
Baffi-Dugan at x72000. Pre-law questions should be directed
to Dean Karen Garrett Gould in Dowling Hall also at x72000.
When do I need to
declare my major?
Liberal Arts students declare
in the spring in their sophomore year. Engineering students
declare at the end of their first year.
How can I receive
credit for college courses taken during high school?
If applicable, students should
attend the Transfer of Credit Meeting on Thursday, August
30th. Please note that Tufts will transfer
credit only for courses taken at the college with college
students. They must bring an official description of the
courses taken. To receive credit, students must have earned
a C- or higher. Transferred courses may count toward
foundation, distribution, and concentration requirements.
Courses taken at community college before the students
matriculate into Tufts may be accepted for transfer.
However, once students have matriculated in September,
credits can no longer be transferred. Tufts does not accept
transfer credit for college courses offered at nearby
secondary schools. However, the relevant chairperson may
decide that having taken that course may allow students to
take upper level classes in the department. |
