<p>I read that incoming freshman can register up to 4.5 credits in the fall - but what classes are .5 credits besides PE or music classes? Does that essentially mean we're limited to 4 classes our first semester at Duke? Or is there some way we can register up to 5?</p>
<p>I think seminars count for .5 credit. But I'm not really sure.</p>
<p>No, not all seminars are 0.5 credits. For example Chinese 170S and 182S are both full credit courses. A few ROTC courses are half credit, a few FOCUS classes are half credit, the obvious PE/music half credit classes, I don't know much beyond that. </p>
<p>Albedo22: Usually you can register 5 courses without trouble. I didn't do that my first semester but I did my second semester. You just can't register the 5th credit during your registration window. You have to wait until a day after all 3 windows have opened before you register for that last class. Besides that restriction, you don't need any approvals or anything like that.</p>
<p>--edited because after DBR's post, what I wrote was superfluous--</p>
<p>Thanks for the info!!</p>
<p>Yeah thanks, we can take 5 courses? Sweet! :D</p>
<p>In your first semester, you are only allowed to enroll in four 1 credit graded courses. You can enroll in additional 0.5 courses which are, for the most part, pass/fail up to 4.5 credits on ACES, 5.0 credits with permission from your premajor dean. I have not really heard of anyone being able to register for five 1 credit graded courses in the 1st semester. In the 2nd semester and afterwards, you can register for 5.5 credits on ACES, 6.0 credits with permission</p>
<p>ACES shows me a 4.5 credit limit for everything even after the first semester. I'm sure with a good reason your premajor dean won't object too much to registering for 5 credits the first semester.</p>
<p>Ok - so do I call before the registration window to ask permission and then by the time I register it'll let me take up to 5?</p>
<p>No, even if you ask beforehand you can only register more than the 4.5 credits after all registration windows have opened and everyone has been given an opportunity to register for their classes. You will not be given permission to register more than the limit during your registration window.</p>
<p>Ok, I see. Though it probably wouldn't hurt to try out something new like Karate or something. :D</p>
<p>Hour long instrumental lessons are .5 credit, half hour lessons are .25 credits - both for a grade. Music ensembles are also .5 credit, pass/fail. I took 5.5 credits as a freshman, simply emailing my premajor dean and saying that I'd be doing the two things regardless of whether I got credit (lessons and orchestra). Always make sure you register for things that are harder to get into (PE classes) before something like a music performance ensembe (tough many require permission numbers anyway).</p>
<p>For what instruments do they offer lessons? And is it hard to make an A in the class or is it based on effort? (ie: would I be hurting my GPA by trying to learn a new instrument?)</p>
<p>Lessons for the most part are for people who have been studying the instrument for a long time. In order to take lessons for an instrument, you must audition. According to the music website, if you do not qualify for lessons at Duke, there are a number of instructors in the area who can be of assistance.</p>