distribution requirements and APs

Colleges and Universities A-Z Davidson College
1

<p>Does anyone know the distribution requirements and APs at Davidson? I'll check the website, but it would be great to know from current students about that.</p>

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<p>Freshmen don’t HAVE to take anything, per se, except the Writing Course, but it’s a good idea to start on your distribution requirements.</p>

<p>The [academic] distribution requirements are as follows:

  1. 2 social sciences (Poli Sci, Econ, Psych, Socy)
  2. 1 history
  3. 2 religions OR 1 religion and 1 philosophy
  4. 1 literature (can be in a foreign language)
  5. 1 freshmen writing “W”-course
  6. 1 science with a lab
  7. 1 science with or without a lab
  8. 1 math
  9. 1 cultural diversity credit (a course that has predominantly elements of non-European/American culture
  10. 1 fine arts (studio art, music, art history, theater)
  11. 1 foreign language through Intermediate (201) level…ie, Spanish 201, French 201, German 201, etc.</p>

<p>If you have mostly 4’s and 5’s on your AP exams or credit for certain courses from other colleges, you can get credit for as many as four of these requirements, but the rest you have to satisfy here at Davidson or during the summers after your freshmen year at other colleges (with pre-approval of the registrar’s office).</p>

<p>My freshman year, I took:
Biology 111 - lab science (hard, if you’re not into science)
Math 130 - math (calc - hard if you’re not into math)
English 240 - literature (english major survey course)
W-course - composition requirement
Physics 105 - science w/out a lab (astronomy…one of several “baby science” courses for non-science majors)
English 260 literature
Philosophy 235 - philosophy
Art 201 - fine arts</p>

<p>This year, I took mostly a mix of courses that interest me and courses that are actually in my major (political science).</p>

<p>You have to take four courses per semester, and freshman year, it’s highly unlikely that you’d be permitted to take more than that. Next semester I’m going to brave five credits, and everyone is calling me a crazy for it!</p>

<p>You should try to take your writing course first semester so you reap the benefits of a W-course from day one.</p>

<p>Take classes that sound easy, interesting, and helpful to you.</p>

<p>PE is required as well, but it will be entirely separate from these classes. You’ll register for PEs in the first week of classes (if you choose to do one at all) and those usually meet once a week or an hour or two. Do freshmen flickerball for your team sport, and if you have time and find a “lifetime” PE that works with your schedule, go for it.</p>

<p>So, four academic classes and 1-2 PEs.</p>

<p>Specific Distribution Requirements and Graduation Requirements:
[Graduation</a> Requirements - Purpose](<a href=“http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x24553.xml]Graduation”>http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x24553.xml)</p>

<p>Specific AP policies:
[Advanced</a> Placement Program](<a href=“http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x6836.xml]Advanced”>http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x6836.xml)</p>