<p>Is it true that everyone has to study humanity courses for the first two years regardless of his/her major? </p>
<p>I intend to study physics but am scared not to be able to study any of my strong subjects - math and physics. I am not fit in U of Chicago?</p>
<p>Not true. You have to take a variety of Core courses, such as humanities, social sciences, and civilization. (For science majors, Core classes can be completed in a year.)</p>
<p>You start with your major courses right away, regardless of what Core courses you need to complete.</p>
<p>You do take some non-science courses, but that’s not ALL you can take; I have several friends (I’m a first-year) that are taking Honors Calculus or Honors Analysis and Honors Physics. If you want, you can spread out your core over four years. Technically, all you have to do as a 1st year is your HUM sequence, which yes, it is humanities, but it’s only one course per term!</p>
<p>Thank you. </p>
<p>Another Q: My research tells me that at other schools, sci majors are to take 8 humanity courses, usually. At U of Chicago, is it double? 16 humanity out of total 32?</p>
<p>We’re on the quarter system, so something like 41 credits are required for graduation. For a science major, about 10 of these have to humanities/sosc/civ. It’s not actually that much more than other schools; it’s just that the material is deeper, and you’ll have to work harder to understand it.</p>
<p>I know how hard U of C is from its nickname: “Where fun goes to die!” That is why I am scared. I am not a social sci/ humanity person. On top of that, it is a quarter system! Yet, what you have just told me relieves me a bit… </p>
<p>I am having a hard time deciding on my early app school. </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>phuriku may have been doing a little too much high-level math; his “math facts” are a little approximate.</p>
<p>The minimum required for graduation is 42 quarter course units, although most students wind up with more than that (you could take up to 48 for the same tuition). The minimum non-science core requirements are three units of a Social Science core course, and a total of six units of a combination of 2-3 units of a Humanities core course, 2-3 units of a course that meets the Civilization requirements (there are lots to choose from), and at least 1 elective in visual, musical, or dramatic arts. That’s a total of 9 units, or about 20% of your total courses. However, everyone who does not test out of the requirement must also complete at least a year of studying a language other than English. So that could be an additional 1-3 units, although I think many/most people test out of it. (Usually a 4 or 5 on an AP will be good enough.)</p>
<p>It’s not that much. But is IS worth thinking about. If you are a math/science person who really doesn’t feel enthusiastic about taking some humanities and social science courses, the University of Chicago may not be your best fit.</p>
<p>^ Thanks. I do want to join the Chicago phsyics dept but had better not.</p>
<p>Just to clarify some things here:</p>
<p>All first years must take 2-3 quarters of Humanities, and many also take their Social Science course as well during their first or second years. However, many students are just like you - very strong in the math/science areas. But there are a variety of courses available within the Humanities and Social Science subjects you can take that aren’t all about writing papers and reading the classics. You can really tailor your Core experience to your comfort level.</p>