I think I'm dumb. Help.

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
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<p>I'm still not understanding the curriculum requirements for the College. </p>

<p>So. They have foundational approaches, sector requirements and major requirements. Cool.</p>

<p>Do I need to take 1 course from each? So for example, would I need to take one course - any course - that fulfills a writing requirement of the foundational approaches, one for quantitative data analysis and formal reasoning analysis for the Analysis component, one for cross-cultural studies, one for cultural diversity in US etc.? </p>

<p>Then there are 7 Sectors. Does this mean I'll have to take one from each sector for a total of 7 courses to fulfill the sector requirements? Or do I need to take more than 1 from each sector??</p>

<p>Major requirements are pretty self-explanatory as are the foreign language requirements. I'm just confused about the sector/foundational ones...Also, I'm assuming sector courses, foundational courses and major specific courses can all overlap and fulfill 3 requirements at once? </p>

<p>The website just pretty much tells me that I need to take something from each but doesn't really specify how many, when, etc...</p>

<p>Then there's this whole seminar thing. What's Writing seminar and what's Freshman seminar? What's the difference? Can these seminars fulfill foundational approaches and/or sector and/or major requirements?</p>

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<p>Hi powerbomb! I definitely don’t think you’re dumb; everything I can find about CAS requirements is vague and confusing. I doubt that this will help you, but Wharton provides its undergrads with a curriculum worksheet that might at least give you an idea of how Penn’s requirements work:</p>

<p><a href=“http://spike.wharton.upenn.edu/ugrprogram/policies_forms/acad_forms/Curriculum_Worksheet_2010_and_Later.pdf[/url]”>http://spike.wharton.upenn.edu/ugrprogram/policies_forms/acad_forms/Curriculum_Worksheet_2010_and_Later.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I tried Googling “UPenn Arts & Sciences curriculum worksheet,” but had no success in finding one. Also, I’m not sure whether the CAS students have been having the same live Q&A sessions that the Wharton undergrad division has been hosting, but if you do have that option, then I highly recommend logging in and asking your question(s) there. (We’ve had one-way Skype-style meetings with the head of academic advising, etc, where we can type our own questions and receive live answers. I really wish I knew whether CAS offers similar sessions, but definitely check your email for a link!)</p>

<p>I’m sorry I can’t be of more help. It seems that Penn’s four undergrad schools have vastly different requirements, and I am unfortunately not that familiar with the CAS curriculum. Good luck!</p>

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<p>I’ll try my best to explain this…</p>

<p>So you’ll take a class that fulfills each sector, for a total of 7 separate classes. Depending on the classes you choose, one may double count for formal reasoning; one may double count for quantitative data; one may double count for cross cultural analysis, and one may double count for cultural diversity in the us. (and you can’t double count classes between fr/qd/cca/cd, which are the foundational approaches) However, it is extremely doubtful you’d be able to make so many double count in that regard. At least, I think you can double count more than one foundational approach/sector…someone correct me if I’m wrong.</p>

<p>Only one class of those seven sectors can double count for your major (if you’re double majoring, two can–one to each major; of if you’re doing one of the excepted majors, like biology, you can have two sector requirements count towards your major). Any of the foundational approaches can be double counted towards your major.</p>

<p>Writing seminars are classes that are required for every undergraduate. They’re structured courses with specific goals of teaching you about different writing methods; they all have different topics, so choose one that you will enjoy and think you can find something to write about (and that has a good rating on PCR. I cannot stress that enough). I also recommend you get this over with freshman fall and not put it off until the spring. Writing seminars will not count for anything else.</p>

<p>Freshman seminars are just interesting classes you can take, and depending on what you choose, I’m pretty sure they can fulfill a sector or foundational approach requirement, or even a major requirement. </p>

<p>Was this where you were looking: [Curriculum</a> Structure and Policies](<a href=“http://www.college.upenn.edu/curriculum/2010/index.php]Curriculum”>http://www.college.upenn.edu/curriculum/2010/index.php) ? Because if not, it is helpful…</p>

<p>Also, let me know if you need anything clarified. And people in CAS let me know if I got anything wrong (I’m actually in Wharton haha…I’ve just looked at transferring/dualing so I know a little about it).</p>

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<p>@travelbug, the Wharton curriculum and the CAS curriculum are completely different. Kudos for trying, but powerbomb, just ignore that link lol.</p>

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<p>Do we need to worry about this right now? Aren’t we suppose to wait until we start college in the fall?</p>

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<p>@scribber91-</p>

<p>…which is why I wrote:</p>

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<p>But thanks for clarifying.</p>

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<p>@shaheirunderdog - you’re in the college, right?
I would probably say you don’t have to worry about it. You will have to register for courses this summer, but as long as you don’t take all your classes from one department, I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
Just beware of prereqs and stuff–for example, if you’re thinking of doing econ, make sure to take the proper courses/math that are necessary for it. (And if you have no idea what you want to do, just take a bunch of things that interest you).</p>

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<p>I don’t know, I’m probably just being really high maintenance. I am interested in doing a dual degree, though, so I want to make sure I have a plan.</p>

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<p>For all of you incoming CAS freshmen, this page should help:</p>

<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.college.upenn.edu/freshmen/index.php]Freshmen[/url”>http://www.college.upenn.edu/freshmen/index.php]Freshmen[/url</a>]</p>

<p>And note this on that page:</p>

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</p>

<p>Lots more goodies on that page for all you newbies (just click the links). :)</p>

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<p>Yeah I’m College of Arts and Science (CAS), thanks for the info scribbler.</p>

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<p>How do I know if a certain course can be double-counted? Like is there some sort of notation that indicates that it’s a double-count-able course? Or do I have to manually match each course up with the major department? Gah I don’t even know what I’m asking. I should just wait.</p>

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<p>Don’t forget: as indicated on the page to which I linked above, you WILL be assigned a course advisor in June. That person should be able to help you with any questions you have before registering for Fall semester courses, or anything else regarding the CAS curriculum.</p>

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<p>This may help to answer your question:</p>

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<p>[Policies:</a> The Sector Requirement](<a href=“http://www.college.upenn.edu/curriculum/policies/2010sectors.php]Policies:”>http://www.college.upenn.edu/curriculum/policies/2010sectors.php)</p>