<p>I'm looking to possibly transfer into Rice as a history major, but I've had a hard time finding out about the core curriculum requirements. Does anyone have any information about the humanities curriculum or how I'd be able to find out about it?
Thanks.</p>
<p>Here is the link for the catalog that should answer your questions.<br>
<a href=“http://www.rice.edu/catalog/2008_2009/PDF/07_UndergradInfo.pdf[/url]”>http://www.rice.edu/catalog/2008_2009/PDF/07_UndergradInfo.pdf</a></p>
<p>and the department page.
[Rice</a> University History Department](<a href=“http://history.rice.edu/undergraduate.aspx?id=68]Rice”>http://history.rice.edu/undergraduate.aspx?id=68)</p>
<p>One of the great things about Rice is that there isn’t a set core curriculum. Instead, Rice has Distribution Requirements. Each student must take 12 hours (3-4 classes) in each of the three distribution areas. D1 classes revolve around the humanities, D2 classes generally deal with the social sciences, and D3 classes are math and science-related. Before registration for the upcoming semester, the Registrar publishes a list of classes that will be offered to satisfy distribution requirements. The list for each distribution area typically has upwards of 100 courses offered per semester, so it’s pretty easy for an English major to find a D3 class that would interest him or her. The only restriction within the distribution requirement system is that you must take classes from at least two different departments (e.g., Economics, Spanish, Bioengineering, etc.) in each distribution area. In other words, you can’t satisfy all your D3 credit with math classes. In addition to distribution requirements, students are required to take at least two different zero-credit courses in the Lifetime Physical Activity Program (LPAP). These courses range from East Coast swing dancing to yoga to soccer. Lastly, you must satisfy the composition requirement. This can be done by either passing the Rice Composition Exam (taken the summer before matriculation) or by taking and passing COMM 103: Intro to Academic Writing and Argument once you get to Rice. Most students end up having to take the course, but it’s nothing to worry about.</p>
<p>Does Rice take AP credit for core classes?</p>
<p>There’s no core - just distribution classes. And yes - but check the catalog link above because Rice accepts most AP credit (if 4,5s) but not all of it qualifies for distribution credit. You should be able to find the list that shows which APs count for distribution credit. The list has changed some over the last 5 years.</p>
<p>Is there a list somewhere of which courses satisfied the distribution requirements last year? We are comparing schools and would like to have some idea of the courses that my son would be required to take at Rice in order to graduate.<br>
btw-- I have the 08-09 catalog but can’t tell anything about what would satisfy the distribution requirements.</p>
<p>Here’s the link for the registrar’s page on the distribution requirements. From it there is the master list of courses that satisfy each of the distributions. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>[Distribution</a> Credit | Office of the Registrar | Rice University](<a href=“http://registrar.rice.edu/content.aspx?id=92]Distribution”>http://registrar.rice.edu/content.aspx?id=92)</p>
<p>This is the first time I’ve heard that there are specific restrictions with respect to satisfying the distribution requirements. My freshman son has been enjoying his D1, D2, D3 classes – delving into some studies he might not otherwise have explored. For one class now, he’s using the P/F option. You can register for the option until about the 10th week, and then during the beginning of the next term you can go to the Registrar’s Office to see your grade and you can opt to take the grade rather than the P/F.
Four P/F’s allowed. [The</a> Pass-Fail Option | Office of the Registrar | Rice University](<a href=“http://registrar.rice.edu/content.aspx?id=116]The”>http://registrar.rice.edu/content.aspx?id=116) </p>
<p>I understand that Rice’s requirements used to be stricter. I think the present system is fair and leads to greater enrichment for the student body. Yet another reason why grad schools and professional schools respect the Rice degree.</p>
<p>sff— awesome! That’s exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!</p>
<p>sffhgoalie73 –
Thanks for the info!</p>
<p>Ottoline-- I did not know Rice had a Pass-Fail option. Rice is looking better and better!</p>
<p>Yes the P/F option is great. It meant I could take a hard math class last semester and not stress too much about the grade. But then when I found out I did just fine, I took off my P/F, got the grade counted and I still have 4 pass/fails left. There is basically no harm in doing it as it can be taken off. You just can’t use it for any class in your major.</p>
<p>sff-- what if you take a P/F class before you declare your major, or if you change your major? Do you have to retake the class for a grade?</p>
<p>I’m not exactly sure what would happen in that situation but what it looks like from the link above that during the final degree audit, the registrar would just automatically take the p/f off and replace it with the letter grade that the professor submitted that they keep on file. That’s the other good thing about p/f, your professor never knows because the grade designation happens at the registrar and not with the professor. So you don’t have to worry about the professor thinking lesser of you for taking their class p/f.</p>
<p>Thanks, sff.</p>