Don't understand the core...

<p>Lol sorry I'm a very interested student in UChicago, and I consider myself relatively intelligent, but the Core is a little too much for me. What is it? I understand that one must take 6 units of humanities, 6 of natural sciences (split up in a certain way), and 3 units of social sciences, but i don't quite understand what makes it different from distributional requirements. Is there a specific list of "core" courses that one must choose from for each category? If I am to be a math major, does my math core class need to be something like "Using Math to Decipher Ancient Greek Philosophy?" Sorry again, I'm just a little lost as to the actual nature of the requirements. Thanks for all of your help!</p>

<p>there are like 6 choices or something for your humanities credit, i think 5 for your social sciences, a bunch for civilization studies, a ton for biology topics classes. basically if you took a year of chemistry or physics, 2 quarters of math, 2 of bio, 3 of language, 3 of humanities, 1 of arts (a ton of choices here too), 2 of civ, and 3 of social sciences you're done. the science/math is really the only confusing one. its not nearly as bad as it sounds.</p>

<p>For each core requirement, e.g., humanities, social science, etc., there are a set of classes which are specifically designated as core classes. The core classes you take as a math concentrator will be similar the the core classes you would take as an English concentrator. Your math core class will probably be calculus, which is what most people take irrespective of concentration, though there are other classes of higher and lower levels which also satisfy the requirements.</p>

<p>is UofC one of those schools whose core also includes passing a swimming test to graduate?</p>

<p>I'm not so wonderful at swimming, and don't see how that has anything to do with graduation</p>

<p>Yes, to graduate, one must complete both swim and PE requirements -- if one does not pass out based on how one did on the tests. Don't worry about the swim test, though; all one has to do is swim four laps, using whatever stroke one wishes, taking as much time as one wants. I passed, and I entered the pool after an ~eight year hiatus from swimming.</p>

<p>Oh, that's a relief, I never learned any proper strokes for swimming at all.</p>

<p>It's worth noting that Chicago accepts AP credit for some of the core curriculum requirements- mostly for science and foreign language, I think.</p>

<p>If you think Chicago's Core is confusing, check out Duke's distribution requirements. It took me forever to figure it out. We have CZ, NS, SS, ALP, QS, CCI, EI, STS, FL, R, and W requirements all combined into an evil matrix. :eek:</p>

<p>So what entails the PE requirement? I haven't taken PE in four years, thanks to the marching band waiver...</p>

<p>This might help:</p>

<p>
[quote]
Physical Education Tests</p>

<p>Students are required to take two physical education tests: a general test and a swimming test. The general test includes tests in flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular endurance. The only way to get out of either test is a temporary medical waiver, and certified lifeguards do not have to take the swimming test. Without the general physical education test, students are required to take three quarters of physical education (one of which must be swimming, if the swim test is not completed). With it, they can place out of some or all of the physical education requirement. Note: Physical education classes do not count as required courses for enrollment; thus a student may take 4 academic courses and one phys-ed course without paying extra tuition (which is normally paid when taking 5 or more courses in one quarter), while a student who takes two academic courses and one phys-ed course will not be counted as a full-time student.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>and:
<a href="http://athletics.uchicago.edu/physed/pe-test-faq.doc%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://athletics.uchicago.edu/physed/pe-test-faq.doc&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>bump... 10 char. sorry for having to do this.</p>

<p>Thanks for the link. And, may I also add: ouch...</p>

<p>Chicago's not the only school that does this fitness thing, is it? Uhhh... time to get my butt out of this chair :rolleyes:</p>

<p>the physical fitness test hardly measures your physical fitness, fyi.</p>