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Welcome to the College of Arts and Sciences!There are nearly seventy departments and programs within the College that offer majors, undergraduate certificates, and minors. Each department in the College has at least one undergraduate academic advisor on staff. As a Direct Admit Program student, you will have direct contact with the advisor for your major department. Other advantages to being a DAP student include: expert advice on the courses in the field that interests you, meeting other students who share your interests through departmental undergraduate organizations or activities, and working with a faculty mentor. We want you to become comfortable in your intellectual home in this academic community. If you have any questions regarding your intended major, please contact your major advisor. The best way to contact your advisor over the summer is by e-mail. Please see the list of advisors.The following information will be helpful as you get ready to register for your fall courses: Declaring your Major Declaring your MajorEvery Direct Admit Program student will officially declare a major during summer orientation. The advisor you meet with during the summer orientation program may or may not be your assigned departmental advisor, as only a portion of College of Arts and Sciences advisors work with students on any given orientation day. You will meet your major advisor during Welcome Week at a mandatory advising session. Hutton Honors College StudentsIf you have been invited into the Hutton Honors College in addition to being a Direct Admit student in the College of Arts and Sciences, you will meet your Hutton Honors College advisor during summer orientation and your major advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences during Welcome Week. Your Hutton Honors College advisor will be able help you determine the best way to take advantage of your membership in the Hutton Honors College. Your major advisor will be able to help you determine the best way to meet all of the requirements for your major and general degree requirements, as well as inform you about special opportunities for students in your major. Remember that both of your advisors will be working with you to reach your goals and gain the most out of your time spent at IU. Suggested Academic Program for First Year Direct AdmitsStudents should complete the Mathematics and English composition fundamental skills requirements, and the Topics requirement during their freshman year. The following program is suggested only as a general guide. Students must meet with their advisor before determining a schedule. First Semester
Second Semester
Q175 – Welcome to the CollegeThis course is strongly recommended for Direct Admit Students. The goal of this 8-week, 1-credit hour course is to acquaint students with valuable tools at their disposal and to teach them how to use these resources most effectively. Students will negotiate on-line resources such as OneStart and On-Course, and have key introductions to units on campus including Overseas Study, Arts and Sciences Career Services, Service Learning and more. Guest speakers from the Bloomington campus will contribute to this course and on-site visits to individual resources such as the Main Library will take place. Attendance is mandatory and brief homework assignments will be given. There is no final exam. Students in the Direct Admit Program who do not enroll in Q175 will be required to attend three evening sessions during the fall semester, for which no credit will be given. Degree ProgramsThe College of Arts and Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A) degree in addition to several interdisciplinary certificates. In general, the B.A. degree is the more flexible degree, emphasizing breadth of study. Each B.S. degree is individually tailored to ensure that students can study their chosen field in depth. Depending on your major, you may be able to choose which degree program you would like to pursue. The requirements for each degree program differ slightly, but they all ensure that a student receives a strong liberal arts education. Please see your major advisor for information on degree programs in your major. Topics CurriculumOne of the enhancements to your liberal arts education includes the study of topics and subjects across the various academic disciplines. The Topics curriculum is an exciting, innovative introduction to college-level learning in the College of Arts and Sciences. It is recommended that you fulfill your Topics requirement during your first year at IU. Click here for the current listing and descriptions of Topics courses. English CompositionPolicy: In order to remain eligible to enroll through the College of Arts and Sciences, undergraduate students must complete the English composition requirement within the first 55 hours of credit on their university transcript or within their first two semesters at IUB (fall or spring). Those students who have not completed the requirement within 55 hours of credit or within their first two semesters will be placed on the academic checklist and will not be allowed to register further through the College. If they have already enrolled for further classes, their enrollments will be monitored and their registrations may be cancelled. Math PlacementEach student is required to take the Math Skills Assessment (MSA) test during the summer orientation program. The Department of Mathematics has used this test for many years and it is a very reliable tool for placing students into appropriate mathematics courses. In order to be successful, it is very important to have the appropriate foundation to move through the mathematics curriculum for your program. It is strongly recommended that you enroll in a Mathematics course at the level as indicated by your MSA score. Language PlacementAll students in the College of Arts and Sciences are required to demonstrate proficiency in at least one foreign language. The level of proficiency required depends upon the degree program; for students earning the B.A. or B.F.A, the requirement is four semesters of a single foreign language. The foreign language requirement for B.S. degrees varies by individual field. Understanding another language reveals the structure and nature of language itself, displays the commonalities among and difference between people of various cultures, and prepares students to succeed. All or part of this requirement can be fulfilled by a strong performance on placement tests. For more information on individual language programs, please contact the individual language departments. Advanced Placement ExaminationMany departments at IU recognize excellent performance in preparation for college and previous academic achievement. They may provide advanced placement, credit, or exemption.
If you have taken AP tests, and have performed well on them, you may be eligible for credit or exemption. Consult your advisor at summer orientation to determine what credit you may have received. Your test scores must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions for consideration. Students who plan to enroll in Chemistry classes are required to take an online exam before Orientation. Complete information is available here. Additional examinations administered by departments at IU also allow you to receive credit and exemption. Information regarding these exams will be sent to you with your summer orientation materials. Distribution AreasStudents enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences take courses in three distribution areas of the College:
This distribution ensures that every student gains a rich and varied education in a true liberal arts tradition. Students seeking a B.A. degree are required to complete four courses in each distribution area, as well as two culture studies courses. Students seeking a B.S. or B.F.A. degree should consult their major advisor to determine the distribution requirements for that degree. Arts and Sciences Career Services CoursesWe understand that although you have already selected a major in the College, you may wish to explore other areas of study. We encourage you to evaluate and consider other majors. ASCS-Q 294 is an 8-week course designed for freshmen and sophomores who are in the process of choosing a major or exploring career fields. The course covers the three components of good career decision-making:
This course is ideal for students who want to
At the end of this course, you’ll have a clearer understanding of career options and their relationship to your academic choices. |
