<p>Is anyone enrolled in Core? I heard it’s more reading/analyzing intensive, going deeply into Classics readings. Are there any advantages of taking the risk of enrolling in Core? Is it like Honors? I guess some of the advantages are that you can meet students that are willing to work hard. I am thinking about enrolling in Core, but I fear I might struggle too much the first year. Opinions?</p>
<p>Hi,
My son is enrolled in the Core Curriculum, in fact, Core is one reason why he chose BU. He has always loved reading, the Classics, philosophy, and thought that this "Great Books" type program would be a really interesting way to meet his CAS requirements. </p>
<p>You do NOT have to be in the honors program to be in Core, in fact, most are not. Will you struggle? Core is demanding but if you enjoy reading and are looking to challenge yourself, you may find it a good match for your learning style.</p>
<p>How hard is it to double-major if you enroll in the Core Curriculum?</p>
<p>FWIW, my son is double majoring in International Relations and Philosophy.</p>
<p>I think your son really enjoys reading! I am not that type of person, who loves reading for pleasure. Also, Classics and other philosophy books require a great degree of analytical thinking. That's why I am a bit worried; I might not be fully prepared for the courseload I will be about to face in Core.</p>
<p>Perhaps then you should choose Divisional Studies to meet your degree requirements. :)</p>
<p>Information about Divisional Studies
Boston</a> University College of Arts and Sciences</p>
<p>Information about Core Curriculum:
Core</a> Curriculum at Boston University</p>
<p>Hey kevster1001!
Bear with me, this post might be long:</p>
<p>The way I like to describe the difference between Core and Divisional is like this: Core is more like the healthy meal your mom makes for you...she might make you eat it all, and you might not like all of it, but you'll definitely be better off for doing it.
Divisional studies is more like a buffet: you can pick and choose the things you like, though they must include classes in each of the 4 divisions (Social Science, Natural Science, Math/Computer Science, Humanities). Whether you take Core or Divisional, you will complete the same number of general ed classes (8), unless you have AP credit.</p>
<p>As far as Core being more reading-intensive, I wouldn't say you'll be doing a lot more reading than you would if you were in divisional. However, it definitely is more humanities-based than science-based. If you take Core, you won't have to take Math at BU unless your major requires it. You also won't have to take the Writing seminars as your writing will be built into Core.</p>
<p>Benefits for Core: Smaller classes, discussions led by a Professor (not a grad student, as will be the case in your divisionals unless you're in Honors), special lectures with amazing people like Elie Wiesel, small community within CAS, true liberal arts education</p>
<p>Cons: AP credit won't necessarily "get you out of" classes (though you will still get university credit), if you choose Core and then drop out, you might have to go back and take additional classes you weren't planning on taking (i.e. Math and Writing, which aren't part of Core)</p>
<p>Benefits of Divisional: can choose classes you like/are good at to fulfill requirements, more flexibility in your schedule, AP credits can get you out of classes</p>
<p>Cons: classes might be bigger, won't see the same students all the time like you would in Core, discussions led by Grad students (not always a con!)</p>
<p>What is your intended major? Some majors work better with Core than others.</p>
<p>If any of this was confusing, PM me, I'll try to clarify :)</p>
<p>"AP credit won't necessarily "get you out of" classes (though you will still get university credit)" </p>
<p>Can you clarify a little more about what that means exactly? </p>
<p>I'm planning on majoring in Biology- does that work well with Core?
(Thanks in advance to anyone who answers.)</p>
<p>Let's say, for example, you got a 5 on AP European History. You will receive credit for 2 BU history classes, or 8 credits toward graduation. If you choose divisional studies, and you're a biology major, you will not have to take those 2 classes to fulfill your Social Sciences divisional requirement. IE you will be done with social sciences forever, if you so choose.</p>
<p>If you take Core, you will have to take Core Social Sciences your sophomore year (one class each semester). Your AP credit will not have gotten you out of taking social sciences, though you will still have 8 credits counted toward graduation. Still good- like if you want to study abroad or take less credits another semester but don't want to take summer classes or overload down the line.</p>
<p>Biology and core...typically natural science majors have a little harder choice when it comes to Core. This is because the Natural Science part of Core might feel like a waste of time, as you're taking Bio, chem, etc anyway. </p>
<p>Here's something to consider, though. You can take just the Humanities/Social Sciences part of Core as Divisional studies classes and knock out your social science and humanities requirements as well as your writing requirements in only 4 classes as opposed to 6 if you just did divisional studies. This can be great for Pre-Med people who don't have a lot of time in their schedules. Also good for Bio majors in general, as you're likely to have labs and such.</p>
<p>Wow, thanks for the great post BUBailey! Are you a current student at BU?
I am an IR major and I have no interest in the sciences. Would Core still be the better choice? (And actually leaning more toward Core after reading your comparison).</p>
<p>Thanks! Very helpful information- I'll definitely consider doing that.</p>
<p>Yep, Core can go very nicely with IR. Especially your sophomore year in the Social Sciences classes- you'll be reading Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Weber etc etc. </p>
<p>Ultimately, choosing Core will be a personal decision. I've had friends who absolutely love love love it and friends who couldn't stand it and dropped out. I took divisional, but I can't say I'd dislike the Core Natural Sciences any more than I disliked my computer science and math classes! I did like divisional a lot because it allowed me to specialize in my major sooner by using my AP credit.</p>
<p>I am a current student at BU, majoring in Political Science. Have worked as a student advisor for Orientation for CAS and a Dean's Host, so I get this question a lot!</p>
<p>Here's the Core website, if you haven't already checked it out. It's got reading lists and the syllabus for each class.
Core</a> Curriculum at Boston University</p>
<p>oops... I see jjsmom has already posted the website...ah well, here it is again!</p>
<p>I thought that BU required about 14 classes in gen ed requirements?</p>
<p>For the College of Arts and Sciences, if you choose Divisional Studies, you'll need to take 2 classes in each of the divisions outside your major. That is, if you are a social science major you will need to take 2 humanities classes, 2 natural science classes (one with a lab component), and 2 math/computer science classes. You'll also need to take 2 writing courses (WR 100 and WR 150). So that's 8 classes.</p>
<p>If you take Core, you'll be taking 4 semesters of Core Humanities, 2 semesters of Core Social Science, and 2 semesters of Core Natural Science. So that's 8 again.</p>
<p>CAS also requires 4 semesters of foreign language, but that's an area outside Core/Divisional studies.</p>
<p>I heard that if you enroll in the Core, the program sponsors field trips to museums and other local attractions. How often does this happen? Once every two months or so? Or, once a year?</p>
<p>I'm not positive on the exact number of museum trips etc, but looking at calendars from last year there seem to be at least 4 Core-related events a month. These include lectures, trips, and seminars.</p>
<p>Here's something cool too...all BU students get free admission to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston with their BU ID. Random fun fact :)</p>
<p>So is CAS Core Curriculum similar to the CGS one except it is more spread out?</p>
<p>There might be some crossover reading, but they're really not comparable. I feel that CAS Core is much more reading/writing intense than CGS.</p>
<p>This is just my opinion, but I also feel like CGSers must do a lot more memorizing than Core students.</p>
<p>For first year classes, how would an average Div. studies class compare to a Core class, in terms of size? The Core seems to emphasize its small discussion-based classes which resemble a liberal arts school. But, does this only apply to upperclassmen classes?</p>