The College of Arts and Sciences
S = Admission to the College of Arts and Sciences
The University selects new students each year
on the basis of merit, admitting those individuals whom it believes
to be best prepared academically and personally for the University's
educational program and most likely to contribute to and profit
from the life of the Brandeis community. Although it chooses a
class varied in its interests, talents, and experience, it uses
no quotas of any kind--geographic, racial, religious, or economic.
In its evaluation of candidates, the admissions
office weighs evidence of accomplishment and development; school
and teacher statements based on previous study and experience;
relevance to the application of test results; and impressions
gained through the application.
T = Admission Requirements for Freshman Candidates
To be considered for freshman admission a
candidate should be enrolled in a college preparatory course of
study. Students planning to enter college before the completion
of their secondary school programs, veterans, or other persons
with equivalency diplomas or special school backgrounds should
write directly to the dean of admissions regarding their interest
and experience.
An adequate course in preparation for Brandeis
should include four years of English; three years of a foreign
language, including study during the senior year whenever possible
(two years each of two languages is acceptable but less desirable);
three years of college preparatory mathematics (prospective science
concentrators should present a year of advanced mathematics);
at least one year of science (chemistry, physics, or biology);
and one year of history. The remaining courses should generally
be in traditional college preparatory studies. It is recognized,
however, that courses in the creative arts are of value to students
intending to concentrate in these fields in college.
The Scholastic Aptitude Test ("SAT I"
and "SAT II: Subject Tests") of the College Entrance
Examination Board (CEEB) are regarded by the Committee on Admissions
as one of several factors in one's candidacy and as a method of
evaluating the qualifications of candidates from different schools
and areas. All candidates must take the SAT I and three SAT II:
Subject Tests, one of which must be SAT II: Writing Test. The
other two are of the student's own choosing. We recommend that
all candidates take the SATs in their senior year in order to
present the best possible testing results. All tests should be
completed by the end of January of the senior year. Students may
submit results from the American College Testing Program (ACT)
in lieu of College Entrance Examination Board testing.
Full information concerning testing may be
obtained from secondary school guidance counselors or directly
from the agencies administering the exams. For information on
the SAT I and SAT II: Subject Tests, contact the College Entrance
Examination Board, Box 592, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, or Box
1025, Berkeley, California 94707. For information on the ACT,
write the American College Testing Program, Box 168, Iowa City,
Iowa 52243. The candidate should direct the CEEB or ACT offices
to report scores to the dean of admissions.
T = Early Decision
Freshman candidates who, after careful consideration
of various college options, have decided firmly that Brandeis
is their first choice, are encouraged to apply for admission under
the Early Decision Plan. Early Decision candidates and their college
counselors must sign a statement on the application indicating
that they understand the implications of the Early Decision Plan
and that the student will enroll if admitted. Although Early Decision
candidates may file regular applications to other colleges, it
is with the understanding that those applications will be withdrawn
when candidates are offered admission to Brandeis under the Early
Decision Plan. All applications and supporting credentials for
Early Decision must be received no later than January 1. Supporting
credentials should include the SAT I and as many SAT II: Subject
Tests as have been completed, or the ACT. Early Decision applicants
will be notified of a decision within four weeks of the receipt
of a completed application. Candidates not accepted under Early
Decision will automatically be considered in the regular review
period for the April notification date. Further detailed information
about the Early Decision Plan is contained in the admissions application
packet.
T = Admission Requirements for Transfer Candidates
The Committee on Admissions welcomes applications
from individuals whose promise and prior attainment is in keeping
with the opportunity for a continuation of concentrated scholarly
study at Brandeis. Whenever desired, applicants will be granted
a conference with a faculty member in the area of academic interest.
Some financial aid is reserved annually for transfer candidates.
Transfer admission is granted solely in keeping
with the University's degree requirement of a minimum of two
years of full-time study. To be considered for admission,
a candidate should present, in applying, evidence of good standing
(academically and personally) in his or her preceding college
and sound reasons for wishing to transfer.
In its selection of transfer candidates, the
Committee on Admissions gives major consideration to the quality
of college-level work completed and some consideration to further
evidence of promise for achievement at Brandeis based on the secondary
school record, personal evaluations by the appropriate dean and
an instructor, and testing and information conveyed by the candidate.
Candidates should submit either Scholastic Aptitude Test or ACT
scores from testing completed either during secondary school or
by April of the year of application.
T = Admission of International Students
International applicants should request application
materials from the Office of Admissions. To be considered for
admission as an international student, a candidate should have
successfully completed a pre-university program (the duration
of which was at least 12 years) with strong results on nationally
administered examinations where applicable. Undergraduate applicants
whose native tongue is English are required to take the SAT I
and SAT II: Subject Tests administered by the Educational Testing
Service at centers throughout the world. The TOEFL (Test of English
as a Foreign Language) is required of applicants who are not native
speakers of English.
The deadline for receipt of international
applications is January 1 for enrollment the following September.
The deadline for spring semester admission is November 1. Candidates
for September admission are encouraged to apply for financial
aid through the Wien International Scholarship Program, which
is described below. No financial aid is available for international
candidates for spring semester admission.
The Wien International Scholarship Program,
created in 1958 by Lawrence A. and Mae Wien, is designed to further
global understanding, provide international students with opportunities
for study in the United States, and enrich the intellectual and
cultural life of the Brandeis campus.
The program permits the University to offer
undergraduate awards each year to outstanding incoming students.
The scholarships are based on academic excellence and will cover
the cost of tuition, fees, and a stipend for books. Loan funds
and an on-campus job will cover additional costs for room, board,
and personal maintenance, to meet the full need of each individual
scholar. In no case will a scholarship awarded to an international
student include funds for travel expenses. Awards are made for
a single year to degree candidates and may be renewed annually
upon application to the Wien International Scholarship Program
Committee.
T = International Visiting Scholar (IVIS)
Program
Undergraduate applicants may also be accepted
as special students who apply for this "year abroad"
in order to enhance and complement work taken in their own countries.
These students return to their home universities when their year
at Brandeis has been completed. The IVIS Program was inaugurated
in 1986 to allow exceptional students from abroad to broaden their
acquaintance with American culture and society. Students who can
make a significant contribution to the diversity of life on the
Brandeis campus will be admitted for a year of full-time study
in any discipline. They will be expected to live in campus housing
and participate enthusiastically in campus activities.
IVIS Scholars must currently be university
students (or eligible to enter university) and have a fluent command
of English and a solid record of academic achievement in the home
country. They must show evidence of leadership in the activities
of their school, university, or community at home and must demonstrate
flexibility and ability to adapt readily to new challenges. IVIS
Scholars must also have a strong interest in learning about America
and American life, so that they can profit from and contribute
to the Brandeis campus community.
Brandeis University will provide a full tuition
waiver for IVIS Scholars, but they will be responsible for all
other expenses connected with the year, including on-campus room
and board, fees, books, personal costs, and travel. Awards will
be made for a single year only and are not renewable under any
circumstances.
T = Brandeis Adult Student Option
The Committee on Admissions welcomes applications
from adult students who are interested in pursuing their B.A.
degree at Brandeis. For a candidate who has been out of high school
or college for a number of years, the Committee on Admissions
looks for evidence--recent course work (noncredit or credit),
work, or volunteer experience--that the applicant has remained
intellectually curious and highly motivated. Transcripts from
recent course work are particularly helpful in providing documentation.
Letters of recommendation from teachers, supervisors, or colleagues,
a personal statement and a personal interview give further evidence
of promise for achievement at Brandeis. No standardized testing
is required but a candidate may submit official testing if he
or she desires.
Brandeis adult students may pay on a course-by-course
basis taking as few as one or as many as five-and-a-half courses
per semester (see tuition section for the rate per course). In
order to receive the baccalaureate, they must meet all degree
requirements, except rate-of-work requirements, that apply to
full-time students. Credit will be given for course work done
elsewhere if it meets University transfer credit criteria.
Candidates interested in the Brandeis Adult
Student Option should apply by April 1 for the fall semester and
December 1 for the spring semester.
T = Special Student Status
The University accepts as Special Students
for the fall and spring semesters a small number of persons who
are not candidates for a degree at Brandeis and who wish to elect
one or more courses for which they are qualified and can demonstrate
special need. This would include students who are degree candidates
at another college or university wishing to attend Brandeis as
visiting students. Special Student status is subject to approval
on an individual and semester basis. Students whose academic performance
does not meet Brandeis standards may be denied permission to register
for a second semester. Neither residence nor financial aid is
available to Special Students, and no special student may take
precedence over a degree candidate in any limited enrollment course.
Please note that international students in Special Student status
must enroll for a full course of study.
Persons interested in special student status
should apply by July 15 for the fall semester and by December
1 for the spring semester.
T = Credit for College-Level Work Done in
High School
Students may earn credit toward the Brandeis
degree for college-level work taken during American high school
study (grades 9-12) or before entering Brandeis as freshmen. Such
courses must be offered by accredited post-secondary institutions;
designed for and accessible to regular college students and taught
by instructors whose institutional responsibilities are primarily
at the post-secondary level; acceptable for degree credit at the
host institution; and comparable to Brandeis courses in content,
scope, and level of instruction, as judged by Brandeis faculty.
To receive credit for courses taken at institutions other than
Brandeis, the student must achieve grades of B- or higher, as
certified by an official college transcript received by Brandeis,
must not have applied the credit toward high school graduation
requirements, and must petition through the Office of the University
Registrar. Courses which are considered credit worthy by sponsoring
and cooperating colleges and universities may not meet Brandeis
requirements.
T = Advanced Placement
Brandeis University participates in the Advanced
Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. Qualifying
scores necessary to receive credit are recommended by the academic
departments to their school councils and administered by the Office
of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
Generally, especially in the sciences, advanced
placement credit may not be applied toward satisfaction of a field
of concentration. However, it may permit students to begin work
in a field at a higher level. Advanced placement credit may be
applied toward satisfaction of University degree requirements
in the chart on pages 19 and 20.
Unlike some other languages, there is no advanced
placement exam in Hebrew. Therefore, the Hebrew Program at Brandeis
offers students who are nonnative, have studied Hebrew in high
school, have had no college-level courses, and have demonstrated
advanced knowledge in the Brandeis Hebrew placement exam, an opportunity
to take an additional exam for credit. Upon successful completion
of that exam, a student will receive one course credit. This opportunity
is available to students only at the time they first enter Brandeis
University.
Students who receive qualifying scores and
wish to apply eventually for Brandeis course credit must contact
the College Entrance Examination Board and request that their
scores be reported to the Coordinator of Advanced Placement, Office
of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Brandeis University, MS 001,
P.O. Box 9110, Waltham, Massachusetts 02254-9110. Brandeis University's
school code number is 3092. Requests for additional information
on the Advanced Placement Program should be addressed similarly.
Students who apply Advanced Placement credits
to the Brandeis degree may not enroll in courses here or elsewhere
that are regarded as equivalent without experiencing the revocation
of the Advanced Placement credit. Course equivalents are determined
by the academic departments and posted by the Office of Undergraduate
Academic Affairs. Any questions about the use of Advanced Placement
credit should be directed to the coordinator in the Office of
Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
T = International Baccalaureate
Brandeis recognizes the International Baccalaureate
(taken abroad or in the United States) and will award eight course
credits (one full year) for a total of 30 points on the baccalaureate
examination. This must include three examinations at Higher Level
with grades of five or better. If a student has a total of less
than 30 points or has fewer than three acceptable Higher Level
examinations, Brandeis will award two course credits for each
Higher Level examination with a grade of five or better. Students
are obliged to supply an official copy of their credential to
the Office of the University Registrar for evaluation.
T = Credit for Foreign School-Leaving Examination
International students are obliged to supply
the results of their advanced secondary school examinations to
the Office of the University Registrar for evaluation. Brandeis
accepts credit toward the B.A. degree for a number of such examinations,
including the British Advanced Level examinations, the German
Abitur, the French baccalaurÈat and others;
credit is contingent upon level of performance and details may
be obtained from the Office of the University Registrar. Credit
from such sources will not be applied to the Brandeis record until
the student has completed two semesters at the University. Students
may not enroll in courses deemed equivalent to the foreign work
without loss of the foreign credit.
T = Transfer Credit Policies
Transfer students are obliged to supply official
transcripts documenting all previous college-level work. All such
work is evaluated and each incoming transfer student is furnished
by the registrar with an evaluation based upon existing faculty
policies. The evaluation will indicate the number of course credits
granted and the number of degree requirements that have been met.
No more than 16 course credits may be granted because residence
requirements specify that a minimum of 16 courses in four semesters
must be successfully completed at Brandeis.
Courses must have been taken at accredited,
degree-granting institutions from which an official transcript
has been received. The courses must be generally equivalent to
courses offered at Brandeis, and the grade received must be equivalent
to at least a C-, though credit is usually awarded for a "pass"
grade in a system allowing non-letter grades. Occasionally, credit
may be awarded conditionally, pending successful completion of
a year at Brandeis. Only selected overseas study programs are
acceptable for Brandeis credit; for further details on the transfer
of credit from overseas study sources consult the Office of the
University Registrar. Students may not be concurrently enrolled
at Brandeis during a term in which transfer credit is sought,
except as allowed under the provisions of cross-registration.
Credit is granted on an equivalent semester
basis with four course credits being awarded for completion of
a normal semester's work at the other institution. Normally, one
quarter-course receives no credit, two quarter-courses are granted
one course credit, and three quarter-courses are awarded two course
credits.
Students who do not initially receive credit
for a particular course taken at another institution may petition
the registrar for reconsideration. Such a petition requires the
signature of the appropriate Brandeis faculty member and must
indicate the Brandeis course to which it is considered equivalent.
In an unusual situation, the petition may be referred to the Committee
on Academic Standing for final resolution.
In determining progress toward the requirements
of a field of concentration, departments may consider only non-Brandeis
courses that have been accepted for degree credit. Departments
may limit the number of such courses that they will apply toward
the concentration. Rules governing the application of transfer
credit to concentrations may differ from department to department.
T = Application and Admissions Procedures
For the most current information regarding
admissions procedures and deadline dates, prospective candidates
should consult the instructions accompanying the application.
The address for the forwarding of all inquiries, materials, and test results is:
Brandeis University
Office of Admissions
MS 003
P.O. Box 9110
Waltham, Massachusetts 02254-9110
Telephone: 781-736-3500 or 800-622-0622
S = Financial Aid
Brandeis maintains a substantial aid program
consisting of grants, loans, and jobs. Over 50 percent of the
students enrolled at Brandeis receive University assistance. The
staff of the Office of Financial Aid is available to assist parents
and students in planning to finance four years of undergraduate
education.
Financial aid is awarded after a careful analysis
of the family's ability to support the student's costs of education.
The analysis is based on the information submitted by the family
on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the
CSS Financial Aid PROFILE. The student's eligibility for assistance
is determined using a federally mandated system. Standard adjustments
approved by the Committee on Admissions and Financial Aid are
made to the federal system for the awarding of institutional funds.
Included in the analysis is the ability of the parent(s) and the
student to contribute from current income and assets. The difference
between a family's ability to support the student and the actual
costs of education is determined to be the student's financial
need. Within funding limitations, the Office of Financial Aid
will usually meet the established need through a financial aid
"package" consisting of grant, loan, and job assistance.
T = Financial Aid Policy
1. Students
receiving grant aid will usually be expected to assume loan and
work obligations as part of a self-help package determined annually
by the Committee on Admissions and Financial Aid. The work allocation
takes into consideration the student's year in college. Students
may request increased loan and decreased work if loan funds are
available.
2. Financial
aid applicants are required to apply for the federal Pell Grant
and state scholarship programs where available. Brandeis is unable
to replace with University funds non-University aid that students
are eligible to receive, but for which they fail to apply.
3. Brandeis's
policy on awards from sources other than the University requires
that awards received from federal and state programs result in
a dollar for dollar reduction in the Brandeis Grant. All initial
awards received from nongovernmental sources, even if based on
criteria exclusive of need, result in reductions as follows: no
student receiving need-based or merit-based aid from Brandeis
will be permitted to keep outside awards in excess of the academic
year's student budget. The first $1,000 of outside award(s) can
be used to reduce self-help in the financial aid package. Upon
receipt of notification of the outside award(s), the Office of
Financial Aid will replace up to $1,000 of the work allotment
in the package. If students prefer reduction of the packaged loan,
they may so advise a financial aid counselor. Any amount of (an)
outside award(s) in excess of $1,000 will reduce grant dollar
for dollar.
The above policy will be applied to outside
awards received by any Brandeis student regardless of class year.
All awards should be reported in writing to the Office of Financial
Aid.
4. All students
must reapply for financial aid each year. Applications, including
a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a CSS Financial
Aid PROFILE for the next academic year, are distributed by the
Office of Financial Aid during intersession. The deadline for
applying for renewal of financial aid is April 1. While it is
expected that financial assistance will be continued each year
of the recipient's undergraduate enrollment, the FORM and/or AMOUNT
may change in subsequent years to reflect changes in financial
need, federal and University funding, and other circumstances.
Failure to utilize the previous year's self-help
allocation (loan and/or work) may be considered an indication
of reduced student need. Increase in work and loan should be anticipated.
Grant will usually increase when calculated need increases.
5. New students who accept the University's offer of financial aid must provide verification of the previous year's income before their award can be credited. Verification includes copies of student and parent tax returns or Non-Filer's Statements.
Students requesting renewal of financial aid
must submit verification of incomes with other application materials
before an award can be made.
6. Federal
regulations require that a student receiving federal assistance
make satisfactory academic progress in accordance with standards
set by the University. Brandeis delegates the responsibility to
monitor academic progress to the Committee on Academic Standing
and charges it to make such determinations on the basis of individual
merit, and not in relationship to some arbitrary numerical standard.
The committee thoroughly reviews the records of students whose
performance was unsatisfactory, i.e., more than one D and/or one
or more E or F, at the conclusion of each semester. Students whose
progress has been judged unsatisfactory and whose withdrawal has
been required by the Committee on Academic Standing shall be accorded
a reconsideration by that body in the presence of new information,
judged to be relevant by the dean of the college or his/her designee.
Should a required withdrawal action be rescinded on appeal, financial
aid eligibility shall be reinstated. Any student permitted by
the committee to register for the following semester is considered
to be making academic progress and is eligible for financial aid
from federal and University sources. However, since an ability
to complete the degree within eight semesters is a measure commonly
applied by the committee in making these determinations, students
are advised to consult the sections of the current University
Bulletin pertaining to class standing (under Academic Regulations).
T = Loans
1. Perkins
Loans (formerly National Direct Student Loan)--Interest is not
charged and repayments are not expected while the recipient is
enrolled. During repayment, interest is at the rate of five percent
per year, and repayment may be made over a 10-year period (with
a $90 minimum quarterly payment). Cancellation of a portion of
the aggregate loan is available for service as a teacher of the
handicapped, or in a low-income school district. The number of
Perkins Loans is limited and reserved for the most needy students.
2. Direct
Stafford Loan Program (formerly Guaranteed Student Loan Program
[GSL])--This program enables eligible undergraduate students to
borrow up to $2,625 during the first year, $3,500 during the second
year, and $5,500 per year during the third and fourth years. All
students, regardless of family income, must submit a Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a CSS Financial Aid PROFILE,
and Verification Form for Stafford Loan eligibility. Students
are notified of their eligibility on their Notification of Financial
Aid.
Interest and repayment are deferred while
the borrower attends college at least half-time. Six months after
leaving school, the borrower begins a 10-year repayment period
during which time interest is charged to the student. Consult
the financial aid office for the current interest rate.
The terms of the above loan programs are subject
to federal legislation and may be changed. Additional current
information is available from the Office of Financial Aid upon
request.
T = Student Employment
The student employment section of the Office
of Financial Aid seeks to provide work opportunities to students
seeking work on campus and in the Waltham area. This service is
available to students, regardless of whether or not they are receiving
financial aid. Students who receive job allotments as part of
their financial aid package will have priority for jobs but many
non-aided students find campus employment. Potential job earnings
are not deducted from billed charges from the University
at the beginning of each term. Students receive paychecks based
on hours worked.
T = Financial Aid to Transfer Students
Financial aid is available for students entering Brandeis as transfer students from other institutions of higher education. Applicants who could not afford to attend Brandeis without financial assistance should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and a CSS Financial Aid PROFILE. The application for financial aid is due at the same time as the application for admission.
S = Fees and Expenses
T = Financial Regulations
Any student with outstanding financial obligations
may be denied the privileges of attending classes and using University
facilities. Every student must satisfy his or her financial obligations
in full to the University in order to receive certification of
graduation. Official transcripts and certifications may be withheld
until financial obligations to the University have been discharged.
Failure to discharge financial obligations includes, but is not
limited to, delinquency of a borrower in repaying a loan administered
by the student loan office and the inability of that office to
collect such a loan because the borrower has discharged the indebtedness
through bankruptcy proceedings.
T = Application, Matriculation, and Orientation
Fees
Each application for first year or transfer
admission must be accompanied by a fee of $50. All application
fees are nonrefundable and cannot be credited toward other fees.
A matriculation deposit of $300 must be filed
by each candidate upon notification of acceptance. This deposit
reserves a place in the class and is credited toward the first
semester tuition bill. If the student fails to enroll or withdraws
his or her application, the matriculation deposit is forfeited.
All new students are charged a mandatory $75
orientation fee, which is refundable only if the student cancels
matriculation prior to the date of registration. All new students
who commence study at midyear will be charged a $25 orientation
fee.
T = Tuition
The tuition fee for 1997-98 is $22,360 and
the fee for each semester course required for degree credit is
$2,795.
Library privileges and use of athletic facilities
for the academic year are included in the full tuition fee.
Students who return to the University after
withdrawing will pay the prevailing tuition and other fees. In
view of the constantly increasing costs of education, students
may expect tuition increases during their academic careers.
T = Financial Implications of Course Load
Variation
Extra tuition charges are not incurred when
course loads are within maximum rate of work limits, nor are charges
reduced or refunds applied for course loads below the normal rate
of work. Students who are granted special permission by the Committee
on Academic Standing to undertake course schedules in excess of
maximum rate of work limits will incur extra tuition charges calculated
at the per course tuition rate for the year in which the course
is taken.
Questions regarding the financial implications
of course load variation should be directed to the Office of the
University Registrar. Questions regarding the billing schedule
should be directed to the student accounts office.
T = Room and Board Fee
The total charges for a dormitory room and
a 14-meal per week board contract for the 1997-98 academic year
are $6,970. Other meal contract options are available.
For upperclass students, other living accommodations
are available at annual rates ranging to $1,040 more than the
dormitory room rate of $3,890. In one of the apartment complexes,
occupants are, additionally, directly responsible for pro rata
portions of the monthly utility bills.
Each entering first-year student must mail
a deposit of $200 to the University with his or her completed
residence license and meal contract. Returning upperclass students
must make their advance deposits of $200 during the spring room
drawing.
Students residing in dormitory rooms must
sign room licenses and board contracts binding for the full academic
year. Students residing in either of the apartment complexes must
sign room licenses binding for the full academic year; board contracts
are available to, but not required of, these students.
Nonresident students may eat in the University
dining halls on a cash basis.
T = Transcript Fee
Students are entitled to one formal transcript
of their academic work without charge. A charge of $2 will be
made for each subsequent transcript. The student will pay the
transcript fee in advance at the Office of the University Registrar
(Kutz Hall). Official transcripts will be issued only to those
students whose financial records with the University are in order.
T = Other Fees
The following are other mandatory annual fees
for 1997-98:
1. Student
Activities fee, $156.
2. Student
Health Service fee, $335.
3. Health
Insurance premium (single coverage), $665. Mandatory unless proof
of other coverage is provided.
There are other University fees that a student
may incur for specific services or failure to meet commitments.
These fees include but are not limited to the following for 1997-98:
1. Laboratory
fees, $15-$50.
2. Studio
fees, $10-$60.
3. Medical
school application processing fee, $50.
4. Nine-payment
plan fee, $100.
5. Parking
fees, $35-$150.
6. Study
abroad fee, $300 (semester) or $500 (academic year).
7. Senior
fee, $22.
8. A service
fee will be charged to a studentÌs account if a payment
or a check negotiated through Brandeis is returned by the bank
for any reason.
A complete list of all University fees is available upon request from the Office of the Bursar and the Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences.
S = Payment Plans
T = Semester Plan
The first semester bill will be issued during
July and payment will be due on or before August 4, 1997; the
second semester bill will be issued during November and payment
will be due on or before January 2, 1998.
T = Nine-Payment Plan
Knight College Resource Group handles our
Nine Month Payment Plan. The application and a nonrefundable handling
fee of $100 must be returned to Knight by June 10, 1997. The payment
plan electronic withdrawals will begin on July 1, 1997.
T = Refunds
A student who leaves the University without
the approval of the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs is
not entitled to a refund.
For approved or required leaves, withdrawals,
suspensions, or dismissals, the date will be considered to be
that which is approved by the Office of Undergraduate Academic
Affairs.
All requests for refunds must be in writing
and are subject to review and final approval by the Office of
Student Accounts.
Approved refunds follow this schedule:
1. Tuition
Withdrawal
Before the opening day of instruction: 100%
of semester tuition.
On or before the second Friday following the
opening day of instruction: 75% of semester tuition.
On or before the fifth Friday following the
opening day of instruction: 50% of semester tuition.
After the fifth Friday following the opening
day of instruction: no refund.
2. Other
Fees
There is no refund of any other fee after
the first day of instruction of either semester.
3. Room
and Board Charges
Refund of room and board contract charges
are determined in accordance with the terms outlined in the contract.
4. Financial
Aid
When a student with federal financial aid
withdraws during the period in which he or she is eligible for
a University refund, federal regulations require that the following
formula be applied to their refund to determine how much should
be refunded to federal aid programs:
Federal Aid for semester
Refund x (excluding College Work-Study)
Total Aid for semester
(excluding College Work-Study)
If the student received aid from other (private,
state) sources, refunds to them will be made in accordance with
the policy of the donor(s). In compliance with federal law, special
refund arrangements apply to first-time students receiving aid
under Title IV.
The refund remaining after any funds are returned
to the federal and outside aid programs will be divided between
the student and financial aid programs in the same ratio as these
sources were credited to the student's account, e.g., if a student
paid one-half the bill, one-half of the remainder, after repaying
federal and other aid programs, will be refunded to the student
and one-half to University aid programs from which the student
received assistance.
In cases in which financial aid awards exceed
the University's billed charges (e.g., for students who live off
campus), upon withdrawal from the University, funds that were
dispersed to support educationally related expenses (such as room
and board and books) must be repaid on a prorated basis determined
by the University.
Further information on refund policy for aided students and the calculation for any specific case is available from the Office of Financial Aid.
M = Requirements for the Undergraduate Degrees
All candidates for a bachelor's degree, regardless of date of entrance to Brandeis, must satisfactorily complete a field of concentration (major), a writing requirement, a foreign language requirement, a group of courses designed to provide a strong foundation in general education, and the physical education requirement. Students entering Brandeis in September 1994 and thereafter will follow a new curriculum that features modified requirements in foreign language and writing, and a new program of general foundation courses; the section at the back of this Bulletin with the patterned edge contains the courses that will satisfy these requirements. Students who entered prior to September 1994 will satisfy general University requirements as described in detail in the Bulletin in force in their first year as degree candidates at Brandeis; the section at the back of this Bulletin with the solid gray edge lists the courses that will satisfy the requirements for students who entered between the fall of 1989 and the spring of 1994. Clarification regarding University degree requirements may always be obtained from the Office of the University Registrar.
S = Residence Requirement
Brandeis offers the bachelor of arts and the bachelor of science degrees. Students are required to complete 32 semester courses. They must be in residence (i.e., be full-time students at Brandeis) for at least two academic years and complete successfully a minimum of 16 semester courses here, exclusive of Brandeis Summer School. While students may repeat, for the purpose of demonstrating a higher level of mastery, courses in which a passing grade already has been earned, such repeated courses do not yield additional credit toward the degree and are not applied toward the residency requirement. The 16 courses beyond those that must be taken at Brandeis may be earned through college-level work completed prior to registration at Brandeis, satisfactory scores on AP tests, study abroad, or summer school with no more than three semester courses completed in any summer.
S = The Schools of the University
Within the College of Arts and Sciences, courses are offered by academic departments to support educational programs and objectives that are departmental, interdisciplinary, and University-wide in scope. Academic departments reside in schools: the School of Creative Arts, the School of Humanities, the School of Science, and the School of Social Science. Because the organization of undergraduate degree requirements makes reference to this school structure, it is important that students familiarize themselves with it. The section below devoted to fields of concentration outlines the school membership of various academic departments. Most typically, the courses offered by a department will have membership in one school, that in which the department resides. Some courses, however, may have membership in more than one school. Also, some interdisciplinary areas do not fit neatly into a single school; individual courses within such areas may reside in different schools. The school membership of courses has been incorporated into the "requirement codes" appearing in the course listings. A legend for the codes may be found in the "Requirement Codes" section of this Bulletin. The course offering booklets published each fall and spring also indicate to which schools particular courses belong. If in doubt about the school membership of a particular course, consult the Office of the University Registrar.
S = Double Counting
In the new curriculum, it is intended that
courses will serve multiple purposes in a student's program. Specifically,
students are encouraged to satisfy some general University requirements
(e.g., writing, quantitative reasoning, non-Western and comparative
studies, clusters, and school distribution) in the context of
completing a concentration, a minor, or a program.
However, some fields of concentration limit
the degree of "double counting" between and among majors,
minors, and programs. Students pursuing double concentrations,
or other combinations of majors, minors, and programs are advised
to consult with all appropriate undergraduate advisors to come
to a mutually acceptable degree of overlap. Between and among
general University requirements, the only limitations on double
counting are as follows: University Seminars in Humanistic Inquiries
are interdisciplinary in character; they do not have membership
in any specific school of the University, nor do they participate
in the cluster program. The three course foreign language sequence
may not be applied toward the school distribution in the humanities.
No single course in a student's program may satisfy both the quantitative
reasoning requirement and the science component of the school
distribution requirement. No course numbered in the 90s may apply
toward the school distribution component. Finally, a single course
may be used toward school distribution in only one school.
Students who entered Brandeis prior to the fall of 1994 may not double count courses toward general University requirements, and are limited as described above in terms of courses offered in satisfaction of multiple majors, minors, and programs.
S = New General University Requirements
(These requirements are for classes entering
in the fall of 1994 and thereafter; earlier classes should see
the section at the back of this Bulletin with the solid
gray edge.)
In September 1994 the University introduced
new requirements for the bachelor's degree. A strong, general
education foundation will be built through work in a variety of
interconnected elements. The fundamental goals of the program
are to improve students' abilities to integrate knowledge from
different fields; to provide more extensive opportunities for
the acquisition and development of writing, linguistic, and quantitative
skills; to introduce greater flexibility in the scheduling of
degree requirements throughout the undergraduate career; and to
expand students' opportunities to interact with faculty in small
class settings in the first year of instruction.
The basic outline of the new structure
is as follows:
T = A. The Cluster Program
All students will complete three interrelated
semester courses from an approved "cluster," including
selections from at least two different schools of the University:
Creative Arts, Humanities, Science, and Social Science. The cluster
program introduces students to the multidisciplinary study of
a particular topic, theme, problem, region, or period. Courses
offered as University Seminars in Humanistic Inquiries do not
participate in the cluster program.
T = B. University Seminar in Humanistic Inquiries
All students in their first year will complete
one semester course from this program. These courses enable participants
to engage fundamental questions about human existence and meaning
through the critical study of significant texts or artistic creations.
T = C. University Writing
All students will complete two components
of the writing requirement: the University Writing Seminar and
a writing intensive course.
All first-year students are required to take
a University Writing Seminar, which is offered in conjunction
with the University Seminars in Humanistic Inquiries. When students
select their seminars, they will simultaneously enroll for the
associated writing seminar. Writing seminars are designed to introduce
students to the conventions of formal writing and rhetoric and
to develop further writing skills at all levels of ability.
Over the summer, some students may be notified
that they must take a placement test to determine their level
of writing proficiency. Upon evaluation of the test, some students
may be placed in Composition, a course taken in the fall semester.
These students will then take their University Seminar in Humanistic
Inquiries and its accompanying writing seminar in the spring semester.
Some students whose native language is not
English may be required to take the Diagnostic English Language
Examination in addition to the Writing Placement Examination.
On the basis of this evaluation they may be assigned to a noncredit
individual or group tutorial in English as a Second Language to
supplement other writing courses. Transfer students may have their
credits evaluated to see if they have successfully completed the
necessary course to satisfy the first-year writing requirement.
If they have not, they should see the Director of University Writing,
in the English department, for alternative ways to complete this
requirement.
Normally, in their second or third years,
students will take a course that is designated writing intensive.
These courses, which are offered in departments throughout the
University, are based in academic disciplines and include writing
as an integral part of the course work. They involve frequent
writing assignments, opportunities for rewriting, and consultations
with the instructor. Writing intensive courses may serve multiple
purposes, advancing students toward majors, minors, clusters,
programs, non-Western and comparative studies, or distribution
requirements. Courses numbered in the 90s shall not be eligible
for a writing intensive designation.
T = D. Quantitative Reasoning
All students will take one course that is
designated as meeting the quantitative reasoning requirement.
These courses from various disciplines share a commitment to enabling
students to understand, interpret, analyze, and evaluate numerical
data and other quantitative information.
T = E. Foreign Language
The foreign language requirement is met by
successful completion of a third semester course (normally numbered
in the 30s) in the introductory language sequence. No more than
one course (and never the final one) in the sequence may be taken
on the pass-fail grading option.
The foreign language requirement at Brandeis
reflects a belief in the importance of understanding language--our
own and the language of others--as central to society and culture.
The goal of the foreign language requirement, therefore, is to
prepare students to understand better and to participate in a
foreign culture by developing basic skills (speaking, listening,
reading, and writing) in another language.
Alternatively, the requirement may be satisfied
by achieving a score of 4 or 5 on an appropriate Advanced Placement
Test, by a score of 62 on the appropriate CEEB SAT II test, or
by a satisfactory score on a foreign language placement test administered
on campus in the fall. Local placement exams may be taken only
at the time of matriculation at Brandeis. Students for whom English
is a second language may be exempted from this requirement. Students
who satisfy the requirement by means of an advanced placement
score shall be accorded, upon request, appropriate credit toward
the Brandeis degree. Students may also fulfill this requirement
by demonstrating proficiency in American Sign Language through
testing at a site approved by Brandeis.
Individual placement decisions vary depending
on the quality of high school training, the level of performance,
and how recently the language was studied. Foreign language placements
are valid for one year only; subsequent placements are based on
the mandatory placement examinations and consultation with the
appropriate language coordinator. Students are urged to begin
fulfilling the foreign language requirement as soon as they matriculate
and to complete the required sequence without interruption.
T = F. Non-Western and Comparative Studies
Students will complete one semester course
that examines some particular culture, society, or region of the
non-Western world, or that systematically makes comparisons across
cultural barriers. This requirement aims to enlarge students'
understanding of human achievements and potentialities beyond
the Western tradition.
T = G. School Distribution
Students will complete one semester course in each of the four Schools of the University: Creative Arts, Humanities, Science, and Social Science. Because "double counting" generally is encouraged, most students will satisfy the school distribution requirement in the context of others, e.g., in satisfying the requirements of a cluster, a concentration, a minor, or a program. Between and among general University requirements, the only limitations on double counting are as follows: University Seminars in Humanistic Inquiries are interdisciplinary in character, and have membership in no specific school of the University. The three course foreign language sequence may not be applied toward the humanities component of this requirement. No single course in a student's program may satisfy both the quantitative requirement and the science component of this requirement. No courses numbered in the 90s may apply toward this component. Finally, a single course may be used toward school distribution in only one school.
S = Field of Concentration
T = General Requirements
To obtain a bachelor's degree in the College
of Arts and Sciences, students must complete the requirements
of a field of concentration. Students are encouraged to choose
an intended field of concentration after consultation with a faculty
advisor in that department by the end of the first year, and required
to do so by the middle of the sophomore year.
Certain departments permit qualified students
to offer a limited number of related courses in other fields toward
their concentration requirements. This option is open to students
able to present a purposeful and coherent course of study as judged
by the department; such requests are subject to rigorous examination.
Students should consult individual departmental listing.
T = Completion of a Field of Concentration
To enroll in courses fulfilling concentration
requirements, students must have received a C- or better in prerequisite
courses.
A 2.00 (C) average is normally required in
courses offered for completion of requirements for concentration.
T = School of Creative Arts
Courses in the School of Creative Arts teach
the history of the visual and performing arts, engage students
in the creative process itself, and develop artistic skills and
aesthetic sensibilities. Requirements for concentration in each
department are listed on the pages indicated.
L =
Fine Arts
L =
Music
L =
Theater Arts
L =
Candidates for honors must have the approval
of the appropriate department.
T = School of Humanities
The School of Humanities offers the undergraduate
a systematic introduction to our literary and philosophical heritage.
Requirements for concentration and honors are listed on the pages
indicated.
L =
Classical Studies
L =
Comparative Literature
L =
English and American Literature
L =
European Cultural Studies
L =
French Language and Literature
L =
German Language and Literature
L =
Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies
L =
Near Eastern and Judaic Studies
L =
Philosophy
L =
Russian Language and Literature
L =
Spanish Language and Literature
L =
At Brandeis, the following ancient languages
are offered: Akkadian (the Semitic language and literature of
Assyria and Babylonia preserved in cuneiform), Greek, Biblical
Hebrew, Latin, and Sanskrit.
T = School of Science
The School of Science provides the basic scientific
training to qualify students for entry into graduate school or
for work at the intermediate level in their scientific fields.
Students are encouraged to take such courses outside the School
of Science as will best broaden and further their intellectual
growth. Requirements for concentration are listed on the pages
indicated.
L =
Biochemistry
L =
Biology
L =
Chemistry
L =
Computer Science
L =
General Science
L =
Mathematics
L =
Neuroscience
L =
Physics
L =
T = School of Social Science
In addition to the basic coverage of the social
sciences provided by the departmental disciplines noted below,
the School of Social Science supports cross-disciplinary programs
such as East Asian studies; education; environmental studies;
film studies; health, law, and society; history of ideas; Islamic
and Middle Eastern studies; journalism; legal studies; medieval
studies; peace and conflict studies; Russian and East European
studies; and women's studies. The concentration in neuroscience
is supported by various members of the psychology department.
Requirements for concentration are listed on the pages indicated.
L =
African and Afro-American Studies
L =
American Studies
L =
Anthropology
L =
Economics
L =
History
L =
Latin American Studies
L =
Linguistics and Cognitive Science
L =
Politics
L =
Psychology
L =
Sociology
L =
A student in the School of Social Science who is a candidate for a degree with honors will, in addition to the designated requirements for the several fields, also enroll in Senior Research (99). Candidates for honors must have the approval of the appropriate department. One reader of a senior thesis must come from outside the department of concentration.
S = Physical Education
Physical Education is an undergraduate degree
requirement at Brandeis. This requirement is satisfied by successful
completion of two, semester-long, noncredit, activity courses
and demonstration of an ability to swim. The swimming component
may be met (1) by passing the swim test, (2) with a Red Cross
Card, or (3) by taking a swimming course, satisfactory completion
of which counts as one of the two required activity courses. Students
should complete the physical education requirement by the end
of their sophomore year.
New students may earn exemption from all or part of the physical education requirement by scoring well on a battery of physical fitness tests that are administered at the University each year. Participation in these exemption tests is voluntary, and the opportunity is available only during a student's first year at the University. For additional details, see the introductory remarks in the physical education course offerings section. Transfer students may offer physical education courses that appear on the transcripts of their previous institutions.
M = Academic Regulations
S = Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is central to the mission
of Brandeis University. As stated in the Student Handbook,
"Every member of the University community is expected to
maintain the highest standards of academic honesty. A student
shall not receive credit for work that is not the product of the
student's own effort." Examples of penalties for a student
found responsible for an infringement of academic honesty are
no credit for the work in question, failure in the course, and
the traditional range of conduct sanctions from disciplinary warning
through permanent dismissal from the University.
It is one of the chief obligations of each
member of Brandeis's academic community to understand the University's
policies regarding academic honesty and to uphold those standards.
Allegations of academic dishonesty by undergraduate or graduate students are reported to the Office of Campus Life for adjudication within the Student Judicial System.
S = Rate of Work
The normal rate of work is defined as four
courses per semester, each bearing four credit hours and each
counting toward the 32 courses required as the graduation standard.
Some courses, notably physical education courses, do not contribute
toward the calculation of a legal course load or progress toward
the graduation standard. Students enrolling in them do so as a
supplement to an otherwise legal program of study.
Note that tuition bills are predicated upon
the normal rate of work of four courses per term; consult the
section on fees and expenses for explanation of the financial
implication of course load variations.
The minimum rate of work is three semester
courses per term and seven per academic year. A student electing
to work at the three-course rate may not enroll in any of them
on a pass/fail basis; similarly, a student may not drop to the
three-course rate unless all are being taken for regular letter
grades.
The maximum rate of work is 5.5 semester
courses per term and 11 per academic year.
Rate of Work Limits
Minimum per semester 3
Maximum per semester 5.5
Minimum per year 7
Maximum per year 11
Exceptions to Rate of Work Provisions
The minimum course load for students in the
Brandeis Adult Student Option is one course per semester. Students
in this program pay tuition at the per-course rate.
With the permission of the University Registrar,
a student may repeat a course previously completed with a passing
grade; however, the repeated effort will not count toward the
graduation standard of 32 courses nor contribute toward the grade
point average.
Seniors who have completed all degree requirements
and 32 semester courses by the conclusion of the fall term of
the senior year may petition through the Office of the University
Registrar to carry one or more semester courses during the spring
term and to pay at the per-course rate. Such petitions must be
approved before the first day of instruction in the spring term
according to the deadlines promulgated by the Office of the University
Registrar. Detailed information may be obtained from the Office
of the University Registrar.
Otherwise, permission to carry fewer courses than outlined above may be granted only by the Committee on Academic Standing and only on grounds of illness or personal hardship. Permission to work and pay at the six-course per semester rate may be granted by the Committee in exceptional circumstances.
S = Changes in Courses
Registration and course enrollment occur at
the beginning of each semester. During the first two weeks of
each term, students finalize their course selections in consultation
with their faculty advisors. Final course enrollment materials
are filed at the end of that period.
Requests for program changes after the second
week must be submitted to the Committee on Academic Standing.
Petitions to add courses after the second week must be initiated
in the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs; such requests
are granted only in exceptional circumstances.
Students who wish to drop a course may do so on or before the deadline announced in the university calendar, normally the Friday closest to the 40th day of instruction, without academic penalty, providing they adhere to the constraints of rate of work. In such cases a program change form must be submitted to the Office of the University Registrar. Petitions to drop a course after the deadline must be initiated in the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs; such requests are granted only in exceptional circumstances. If granted, the Committee on Academic Standing will normally instruct the University Registrar to record a grade of "WL" (withdrawn late) on the student's permanent record.
S = Elective Courses
Any course not used in the fulfillment of
a specific degree requirement or fulfillment of field of concentration
requirements is considered an elective. Students are strongly
encouraged to take elective courses to complement a strong liberal
arts foundation.
Independent study courses and senior research courses may also be considered electives if not used to complete a field of concentration. Enrollment in such courses requires the signature of the instructor and department chair.
S = Auditing
There is no formal audit status for undergraduate students. Students wishing to audit a course informally must secure the permission of the instructor.
S = Class Standing
The minimum number of semester courses required for advancement to each class is as follows: sophomore: 6; junior: 14; senior: 22. The minimum number of courses required for graduation is 32.
S = Attendance
All students are expected to attend classes
regularly. Students on probation are compelled by University policy
to attend every class meeting; students on warning are allowed
maximally three excused absences. In addition, an individual faculty
member may establish attendance requirements for all students
in the course, and may insist on the completion of all assignments
even if a student was not in attendance for the period.
Classes begin at 10 minutes after the hour and end on the hour. Tardy students may be marked absent at the discretion of the instructor.
S = Reading Period
An instructor, with the approval of the department chair or interdepartmental committee chair, and the dean of arts and sciences, may institute a reading period in advanced courses. A reading period is a two-week period immediately preceding final examinations during which no classes are held. A student works on assigned course material not covered in class sessions. The reading period material will be dealt with in the midyear and final examinations.
S = Grades
Grades are reported to the Office of the University
Registrar four times a year. In arriving at these grades, faculty
members are obliged to utilize the same criteria for all students
in a course, and are at liberty to consider any and all components
of the student's work in a course: written work, recitations,
laboratory technique and reports, special reports or research,
and all examinations. Grading in full-year courses is cumulative
so that spring grades take into account the fall semester work
and replace the midyear grades. The following grades will be used
with plus or minus where appropriate:
L =
A High Distinction
L =
B Distinction
L =
C Satisfactory
L =
D Passing, but Unsatisfactory
L =
E Failure
L =
The letters "S" (Satisfactory) or
"U" (Unsatisfactory) may be used as the midsemester
grades for undergraduates. At midyear there must be a regular
letter grade, even in full-year courses. The only exception is
that "S" or "U" may be used in a full-year
reading course (usually numbered 98 or 99).
The numerical equivalents of the grades as
determined by the faculty are:
L =
A+ or A 4.00
L =
A- 3.67
L =
B+ 3.33
L =
B 3.00
L =
B- 2.67
L =
C+ 2.33
L =
C 2.00
L =
C- 1.67
L =
D+ 1.33
L =
D 1.00
L =
D- 0.67
L =
E 0.00
L =
The University Registrar reports midyear and year-end grades to students in writing. Instructors notify students of midsemester grades.
S = Credit/No Credit Grading
Certain courses, specifically ENG 19a, ENG 109a and b, ENG 119a and b, MUS 10a,b-15a,b, MUS 111a and b, MUS 112a and b, and MUS 116a and b do not utilize letter grades. For pedagogical reasons, the grades assigned in these courses are either Credit ("CR") or No Credit ("NC"), accompanied by written evaluations that are not included in the student's transcript. These grades are the equivalent of "pass" and "fail" for purposes of computing grade point averages. A student may take an unlimited number of semester courses graded CR/NC. However, a course utilizing this grading pattern may not be undertaken in a semester in which the student has fewer than two courses (eight semester hours credit) enrolled on a regular letter graded basis.
S = Degrees with Honor
Students whose grade point average at the
end of the junior year is 3.00 or above in their field of concentration
may petition the department concerned for permission to work for
honors in their field of concentration. Department distinction
is awarded by each department or interdepartmental committee.
The levels of distinction are "honors," "high honors,"
or "highest honors."
The awards of cum laude and magna
cum laude require a cumulative grade point average of 3.250
and 3.600, respectively. Students graduating in May 2000 and thereafter
will require grade point averages of 3.500 and 3.700 respectively.
The award of summa cum laude requires
a cumulative grade point average of 3.700 and the award of distinction
in the field of concentration. Students graduating in May 2000
and thereafter will require a grade point average of 3.800 and
departmental honors.
The University has a policy of depositing honors theses with the Library and making them available to future students and scholars for research purposes.
S = Pass/Fail Option
A student may take up to four semester courses pass/fail while enrolled at Brandeis. No more than one course may be taken pass/fail during a single term. No course being offered to satisfy a University writing requirement may be taken on the pass/fail grading option. No more than one course (and never the final one) in the foreign language sequence may be taken pass/fail if the language is being offered in satisfaction of the foreign language requirement. No courses used to fulfill any general University requirement may be taken on the pass/fail grading option. Grades of "pass" or "fail" ("P" for performance at the D- level or above, or "F") will not be used in computing grade point averages. Normally, courses taken pass/fail will not satisfy concentration requirements. (Some departments may allow courses in excess of those required for concentration to be taken pass/fail; consult the undergraduate advising head for concentration-specific practices.) The pass/fail option may not be used in a semester unless the course program includes at least three courses (12 semester hours credit) enrolled on a regular letter grade basis. Hence, students working at a reduced rate of work may not also utilize the pass/fail option. In full-year courses the grading option (pass/fail or letter grade) elected applies to both semesters and may not be changed at midyear. (Such a course taken pass/fail would expend two of the allowable four pass/fail semesters.) The decision to take a course pass/fail must be made on or before the deadline announced in the University calendar, normally the Friday closest to the 20th day of instruction. Courses elected on the pass/fail basis may be converted to a graded basis at any time before the announced deadline in the following semester, normally the Friday closest to the 20th day of instruction, except in an undergraduate's final semester when conversions must be completed by the deadline announced in the university calendar, approximately two weeks prior to the last day of classes. Petitions will not be entertained for exception to these deadlines. Informal understandings between students and instructors do not constitute official pass/fail enrollment. Instructors are not informed of the grading option that a student has chosen. Students taking courses pass/fail must complete all assignments and must take midyear and final examinations. Finally, students who entered Brandeis prior to the fall of 1989 are governed by an earlier version of pass/fail regulations; these appear in previous editions of the Bulletin, and clarification with respect to them may be obtained from the Office of the University Registrar.
S = Incompletes and Excused Absences from Final Exams
Students who are unable to take their final
examinations for legitimate reasons and wish to request a make-up
exam must obtain advance authorization from the Office of Undergraduate
Academic Affairs.
If a student is absent without excuse from
a term-end examination and does not obtain authorization for a
make-up examination, the student will be given a grade of zero
on the exam. The instructor will be asked to supply a grade for
the course. If the instructor fails to do so on or before the
institutional deadline, the registrar will enter a failing grade
on the student's record.
A student is expected to complete the work
in each course before the beginning of the examination period.
Students unable to complete the work in a course by this time
for legitimate reasons may request an Incomplete. Application
forms are obtained from and returned to the Office of Undergraduate
Academic Affairs by the last day of instruction. Approval of the
faculty advisor as well as that of the instructor is required;
for students on warning or probation, the approval of the Office
of Undergraduate Academic Affairs is also required. The work must
be completed by a date stipulated by the instructor and in no
case later than two weeks after the beginning of the next semester.
The grade for the course must be filed by the instructor no later
than the third week of the next semester.
The record of a student will display an incomplete
or absence until a permanent grade has been provided or until
these designations expire. Upon expiration, if a permanent final
grade has not been submitted to replace the temporary grade, the
registrar is instructed to record an "E" for the course.
Such a grade may be altered only by special petition to the Committee
on Academic Standing.
When other required academic exercises, such as laboratory assignments, minor papers, or quizzes are not completed, and when such noncompliance is excused, instructors may, at their discretion, require the work to be made up or not count the assignment in determining a grade. When there is no satisfactory excuse for the incomplete work, instructors may record a failing grade.
S = Academic Status
At the end of each semester, the Committee
on Academic Standing announces the Dean's List of honor students.
Students are placed on the Dean's List when they have earned a
grade point average in the preceding semester of 3.50 or higher
and have not received a D, E, U, F, or NC (labs and physical education
included) or more than one C; and has received a regular letter
grade in at least three regular, four-credit courses. Seniors
doing honors work in the fall may receive an "S" in
that course (99) and still be eligible. Dean's List students receive
formal acknowledgment of this achievement from the Office of Undergraduate
Academic Affairs.
Degree eligibility normally requires a cumulative
grade point average of at least 2.000.
A satisfactory semester record contains no
grades of D, E, F, or NC and requires a semester grade point average
of at least 2.000. At the conclusion of each semester the Committee
on Academic Standing shall review the records of students whose
performance is unsatisfactory. Such students will be placed on
advising alert, warning, probation, or required withdrawal status,
according to the guidelines specified below:
L =
Semester Record Semester GPA 2.000 Semester GPA 2.000 or
L =
1 D Probation Warning/Probation*
L =
1 E, F, or NC Probation Warning/Probation
L =
More than one unsatisfactory grade Probation/Withdrawal Warning/Probation
L =
*If a student had an unsatisfactory record
in a previous semester.
To be restored to good standing, a student
on warning or probation must earn in the following semester a
satisfactory record with no incomplete grades. Repeated semesters
of unsatisfactory work may lead to required withdrawal for a period
of one year. The University may sever relations at any time
with a student whose academic performance is so profoundly deficient
as to suggest an inability to meet academic requirements. Students
are informed in writing of any change in academic status.
Involuntary withdrawal from the University occasioned by academic deficiency requires the student to interrupt formal study for a minimum of one year. After that time the Committee on Academic Standing will consider application for readmission. Primary considerations in making readmission decisions are evidence of sustained and productive activity during the period of absence from the campus, evidence of serious academic purpose, and pertinent letters of recommendation attesting to the candidate's readiness to resume formal study. Courses taken for academic credit while on involuntary withdrawal from the University are not eligible for transfer toward the Brandeis degree.
S = Leaves of Absence and Voluntary Withdrawal from the University
Any regular undergraduate student who has
been in residence for two semesters, and who has a complete and
satisfactory record from the preceding semester, is eligible for
a leave of absence. A leave of absence is granted for one or two
semesters and may be extended once only. Normally, leaves are
arranged in advance through the Office of Undergraduate Academic
Affairs. On an exceptional basis, personal leave may be granted
for a semester in progress, in which case permission must be secured
from the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs no later than
the 20th day of instruction. Students are required to inform the
Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs in writing of their intentions
at a specified date prior to the beginning of the term in which
they are scheduled to register. Credit will not be granted for
academic work taken at other institutions during a leave of absence,
except as stipulated in the section titled "Leave of Absence
with Credit."
A student wishing to withdraw from the University
may do so at any time. From students who withdraw in good standing,
the Committee on Academic Standing will consider applications
for readmission after one full semester of absence from the campus.
Other students may apply for readmission after one calendar year
has elapsed.
In order to obtain a leave of absence or to withdraw from the University, a student must consult the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs and obtain clearance from all appropriate administrative offices.
M = Special Academic Opportunities
S = Dual BachelorÌs/MasterÌs Degree Programs
The four-year BachelorÌs/Master's Program
is designed to enable exceptional or gifted undergraduates to
earn two degrees simultaneously during their period of study at
Brandeis University.
Any program offering graduate study is eligible
to offer a four-year dual degree program. At present, participating
programs are: biochemistry, biology, chemistry, history, mathematics,
neuroscience, and physics.
Requirements for the bachelorÌs degree,
defined by the College of Arts and Sciences, remain unaffected
by participation in the program. Students will be eligible for
the simultaneous award of the bachelorÌs and master's degree
if, while completing undergraduate requirements, they can:
A. fulfill
a minimum of three years' residence on campus, one of which must
be study at the graduate level;
B. submit
a master's thesis in departments requiring one (Whether such thesis
may also be considered for undergraduate departmental honors may
differ among programs, and will be addressed specifically in the
program requirements.);
C. complete
a total of 38 courses, of which at least four must be at the graduate
level and not counted toward undergraduate concentration requirements;
D. complete
all other departmental and University requirements that apply
to earning a master's degree in the chosen department. Specifically,
undergraduates should be aware that "B-" is the minimal
grade that yields progress toward a graduate degree.
A student must make formal written application
for admission to this program on forms available at the Office
of the Graduate School. This must be done by May 1 of the student's
junior year (usually the sixth semester at Brandeis). Transfer
students should apply by the fourth semester in residence. All
applications must include a proposed course of study, specifying
how all degree requirements will be met.
Computer science, international economics and finance, Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, and theater arts offer programs in which the bachelor's degree is conferred at the end of the fourth year, and the requirements for a master's degree are satisfied with one additional year of study. Consult the departments for details.
S = Independent Concentration
An independent concentration offers students
with interdisciplinary academic interests the opportunity to pursue
a self-designed course of study with the support of appropriate
faculty members and the approval of the Committee on Academic
Standing. Independent concentration proposals include courses
in at least two departments at the University and form an integrated
program focusing on some issue, theme, or subject area not available
within the context of existing departmental concentrations. An
independent concentration must be declared before the end of the
student's junior year.
Additional information and guidance in designing an independent concentration may be obtained in the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
S = Interdepartmental Programs
Brandeis University offers interdepartmental
programs at the undergraduate level in the following areas: East
Asian studies; education; environmental studies; film studies;
health, law, and society; history of ideas; humanities; international
studies; Islamic and Middle Eastern studies; Italian studies;
journalism; Latin American studies; legal studies; medieval studies;
peace and conflict studies; Russian and East European studies;
and women's studies.
Interdepartmental programs provide a structured, intellectually coherent opportunity to explore areas of study that are interdisciplinary in scope. An interdepartmental program augments, complements, or supplements (but does not replace) a field of concentration. Completion of the requirements of an interdepartmental program is so noted on the student's transcript.
S = Minors
In addition to a field of concentration, students
have the opportunity to select a "minor." A minor consists
of a coherent group of courses defined by a department that is
either a limited version of a field of concentration or a more
specialized subset of a field. Minors are optional; they do not
replace a field of concentration. Satisfactory completion of them
is noted on students' transcripts.
Minors are available in African and Afro-American studies, anthropology, art history, business and managerial economics, chemistry, classical studies, computer science, English, German and Slavic languages, international business, linguistics, mathematics, music, Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, philosophy, physics, romance languages, and theater arts. The specific requirements of each minor can be found with the departmental listings in this publication.
S = Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Brandeis offers special opportunities for undergraduates to engage in scholarly research under the guidance of the faculty. Funds are available on a competitive basis to support student research enterprises during the academic year and during the summer months. Each year the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs recognizes the achievements of student researchers by publishing their work in a research journal. Further details about research opportunities for undergraduates may be obtained from the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, the Office of Student Enrichment Services, and the Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences.
S = Internship for Credit
Internships, undertaken during the academic
year or the summer, allow students to apply the liberal arts skills
of research, writing, and analysis in work world situations, thereby
enhancing the development of these skills. The University encourages
internship experiences and has established guidelines to ensure
that internships yielding academic credit have significant academic
components and make meaningful contributions to students' programs
of study.
Credit-bearing internships are offered by
departments with the course number "92" and the course
title "Internship and Analysis." Internship courses
are subject to the normal enrollment deadlines, but require manual
enrollment, which must be done at the RegistrarÌs Office.
Participation is normally limited to juniors and seniors. A student
may not receive credit for more than two such courses.
Students seeking credit for an internship will apply to the appropriate department for sponsorship prior to undertaking the internship. Normally, students will enroll in a credit-bearing internship in their concentration or minor field. However, departments and programs have discretionary authority in this regard. Students complete an application form available in the Hiatt Career Development Center explaining the internship responsibilities and how they relate to the program of study.
S = Undergraduate Peer Assistantships for Credit
Peer teaching yields many benefits to both undergraduate teachers and learners. The University has established uniform standards for the utilization of undergraduate peer assistants and for the awarding of academic credit for such activities. Opportunities to serve as peer assistants are by invitation and generally limited to juniors and seniors who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement. Undergraduates serving in this capacity may be compensated for their services or receive one, and only one, semester course credit for their assistance in any one course. Credit-bearing peer assistantships are enrolled under the course number "94" and the course title "Peer Assistantship" and are subject to the normal enrollment procedures and deadlines.
S = Humanities and Medicine Program
In association with the Mount Sinai School
of Medicine, Brandeis University offers a Humanities and Medicine
Program. This program was specifically designed to interest nonscience
concentrators in medical careers. Each year as many as five (5)
qualified sophomores may be selected by the School of Medicine
to participate in this program. Acceptance to the program guarantees
acceptance to the Mount Sinai School of Medicine upon graduation
from Brandeis as long as specific minimum requirements are met.
The program offers more flexibility in a student's choice of undergraduate
curriculum and special summer enrichment opportunities at Mount
Sinai for which a stipend of $1,500 and housing are provided.
Those who wish to obtain an application and more information about the program should contact Professor Peter Conrad in the sociology department or Assistant Dean Joy Playter in the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. Pre-applications are due by November 1 and accepted applicants will be notified by December 15. Successful candidates must have satisfactorily completed four years of high school education and have achieved SAT scores of 1200. Other criteria for admission include high school performance, assessment by faculty and administration at Brandeis, and personal letters of recommendation.
S = Tufts University School of Medicine Early Acceptance Program
The Tufts University School of Medicine Early
Acceptance Program is designed for academically strong undergraduate
students who are pursuing a premedical curriculum. Successful
completion of this program assures candidates of acceptance to
Tufts University School of Medicine after graduation.
Interested candidates apply to the program
in the spring of their sophomore year and are expected to have
completed at Brandeis two semesters of general chemistry and biology
with laboratories and one semester of organic chemistry with a
grade point average of 3.5 or better, and a cumulative grade point
average of at least 3.5 at the time of application. Students must
apply by March 1 and will be notified of their acceptance in July.
Accepted students are expected to complete one year of physics,
mathematics, English and American literature, and requirements
for graduation with a B+ average before entering Tufts University
Medical School.
Once accepted to the program, students will have access to a faculty mentoring program at Tufts Medical School, and the opportunity to participate in special seminars. Accepted students will have until August 1 following their sophomore year to accept the offer via the AMCAS early decision process. If a student does not accept the offer, he or she has not jeopardized the chance to apply to any other medical school. For statistical purposes only, the MCAT is required for accepted students and must be taken prior to matriculation at the medical school.
S = Columbia University Law School's Accelerated Program in Interdisciplinary Legal Education
Brandeis is affiliated with Columbia University
Law School in a special program that allows two outstanding students
to gain admission to the Law School after three years at Brandeis.
Students must have completed 28 courses, have taken the Law School
Admission Test, and have been nominated by Brandeis after a rigorous
screening process. Students accepted by the Columbia University
Law School will complete their four courses required for the completion
of the Brandeis degree during their second and third years at
the Law School. They will be awarded the Brandeis B.A. and the
Columbia J.D. simultaneously.
Students interested in this program are advised to seek additional information at the outset of their fourth semester in the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
S = Brandeis Summer School
The Brandeis Summer School offers students
a diverse selection of undergraduate courses in two, five-week
sessions. Special summer programs both on campus and abroad provide
students with further opportunities for in-depth study.
The student has the opportunity to enroll
in courses to meet University degree requirements, accelerate
individual programs of study, work toward a double concentration,
or take enrichment courses. These courses may not be used to meet
the minimum residence requirement. The average summer program
course has a small student enrollment, generating a rigorous but
informal atmosphere for teacher-student interaction.
Of particular interest to students are the
strong summer program offerings in the area of premedical education,
intensive language study, computer science courses, the wide variety
of liberal arts selections, and special programs in which academic
work complements practical work experience.
A student may earn credit toward the Brandeis
degree for no more than three semester courses in one summer.
For full information, see the Summer School Bulletin or contact the Rabb School of Summer, Special, and Continuing Studies, 781-736-3424, in Ford/Sydeman 6.
S = Preparation for Professional Training
The College of Arts and Sciences does not
design courses of study with specific vocational goals in mind.
In pursuing a broad education in the liberal arts and sciences,
students develop a firm foundation for subsequent professional
education.
T = Architecture
Architectural schools are looking for solid
experience in any field of concentration. It is not necessary
to concentrate in fine arts. There are several kinds of courses,
however, that should be taken: basic calculus and basic physics;
basic design, life drawing, and as many other fine arts studio
courses as practicable; courses in architectural history; and
principles of urban studies and other urban studies courses, if
feasible.
In addition, past experience indicates that
students should prepare an art portfolio consisting of studies
prepared in conjunction with basic design or another studio course.
Finally, summer employment in architectural offices, gained on
the student's own initiative, remains useful.
T = Law
Most law schools advise undergraduates to
concentrate in what interests them since the later specific legal
training will build on the advantages of a sound liberal arts
education.
Although there is no prescribed program of
study for prospective law school applicants, many concentrate
in such social sciences as politics, economics, history, and American
studies. Since law schools tend to look for evidence of a rigorous
schedule of courses and high verbal competence, a background in
logic, the natural sciences, and English is desirable. Although
courses from the Legal Studies Program might familiarize the prospective
law student with law school material, it is not necessary that
such courses be taken as preparation for professional training.
Prospective applicants to law school should
consult the Hiatt Career Development Center for law school catalogs
and Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) registration materials.
Also available in that office is the Brandeis Prelaw Handbook,
which includes a survey of the experiences of recent Brandeis
alumni in seeking admission to law school, as well as a more detailed
description of law school application procedures. Several members
of the faculty serve informally as advisors to prospective law
school applicants. Students requesting a dean's certification
should contact the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
T = Medicine and Dentistry
The course of study for pre-health professionals
at Brandeis is more than simply a collection of required courses.
An assistant dean in the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs
is available for advice and guidance throughout a student's undergraduate
career. In the junior year, each student is assigned a faculty
member on the Board of Premedical Advisors. These advisors provide
ongoing guidance, aid in the application procedure, and participate
in the preparation of letters of recommendation.
The basic requirements for pre-health professionals
are satisfied by the following courses: two introductory courses
(plus laboratory) in general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics,
and biology.
A Guide for Premedical Students at Brandeis
University, a comprehensive handbook
that addresses all aspects of the premedical curriculum and the
process of applying to medical schools, is available to all premedical
students through the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
Students planning to pursue a career in medicine,
dentistry, or veterinary science should notify the Office of Undergraduate
Academic Affairs.
T = Teaching
While the University does not have a field of concentration in education, it offers a program that fulfills Massachusetts's requirements for teacher certification and at least partially fulfills those of other states as well. Students interested in preparing for a career as a teacher in preschool, primary, or secondary schools should inform themselves of certification requirements in the state where they plan to work and should consult the Director of the Education Program.
M = Off-Campus Study
S = Study Abroad
Brandeis University permits students to enroll
in specified programs abroad that provide a sound course of study
to enrich and enhance the American collegiate experience. Students
may receive credit toward their Brandeis degrees through participation
in educational programs abroad that have been approved by the
Committee on Academic Standing on the recommendation of the Office
of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. This committee may permit eligible
students to enroll in overseas programs of American universities,
or in special cases, to pursue individual programs of study at
foreign universities. Over 120 programs in 45 countries have been
approved for Brandeis students' participation. The Office of Undergraduate
Academic Affairs maintains a resource library of materials on
approved programs and offers counseling to undergraduates interested
in enriching their Brandeis experience with a period of international
study. Eligibility criteria include appropriate class standing
(usually junior), good academic standing, the approval of the
department of concentration and a plan for completing all Brandeis
degree and concentration requirements within eight semesters.
Credit for work completed abroad will be accepted
from those programs previously approved for foreign study by Brandeis
University, or from programs that receive special approval from
the registrar according to University guidelines. Such transfer
of course credits will not necessarily imply that the work will
be accepted for concentration credit by individual departments.
In order to receive credit for work done abroad students must
return to Brandeis for at least one semester at the full course
rate.
Outstanding students may apply for a limited number of special scholarship grants to aid them in completing their program of study abroad. The Abram L. Sachar International Fellowship Program awards stipends for international study to exceptional students who plan to study abroad in the junior year, or who are graduate students undertaking pre-dissertation or dissertation research abroad. The program is competitive; awards are made on the basis of academic excellence and financial need. The Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs provides information and assistance in applying for the Sachar scholarships, as well as for foreign study grants available through the Fulbright, Rhodes, Marshall, and DAAD competitions.
S = University College (London)-Brandeis University Cooperation
University College (London) offers up to five
places annually to Brandeis University juniors who have been selected
by the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs as academically
well-qualified for a full year of study in London. Final admissions
decisions are made by University College. Those Brandeis students
who are admitted through the official cooperation process will
receive a reduction in the cost of tuition and may use Brandeis
financial aid awards as appropriate.
University College (London) is the oldest and largest constituent college of the University of London consortium. It is located in the heart of the city, not far from the British Museum. Brandeis students are fully integrated into the academic and social life of the college.
S = Leave of Absence with Credit
Students in good standing may petition for
a personal leave without credit, a leave to study abroad with
credit, or a domestic leave of absence with credit. Other sections
of the Bulletin are devoted to leave of absence without
credit and study abroad. This section deals exclusively with domestic
credit-bearing leaves of absence. To qualify for full credit transfer
upon return, a student on credit-bearing leave status must work
at a full rate of work as defined by the host institution and
earn grades of at least a C-. Applicants must be in good standing;
must have a complete and satisfactory record in the most recent
semester of Brandeis study; must have completed at least two and
not more than five semesters at Brandeis; and must have compelling
academic reasons. Only in exceptional cases may the senior year
be spent on leave of absence with credit. No more than one course
in a full course load may be taken in a subject area that will
not transfer to the Brandeis degree.
Proposals for domestic leave of absence with
credit must be submitted prior to the period of leave,
contain a detailed course of study for one or two semesters of
full-time work of demonstrable academic merit; bear the approval
of the applicant's faculty advisor; and develop a feasible plan
for satisfying all degree requirements by the expected graduation
date.
Complete information on the regulations governing this program and assistance in preparing proposals may be obtained from the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
S = Cross-Registration
Full-time Brandeis students enjoy cross-registration privileges with Babson, Bentley, and Wellesley Colleges, and with the undergraduate schools of arts and sciences at Boston College, Boston University, and Tufts University. Under this program students may earn credit toward the Brandeis degree without payment of additional tuition through satisfactory completion of courses taken on these neighboring campuses. Additional information may be obtained from the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
S = Summer School Credit
A student may attend daytime summer schools conducted by accredited colleges and universities for credit toward the bachelor's degree. In order to be assured that credit will be granted upon satisfactory completion, approval should be obtained in advance from the Office of the University Registrar. Normally, courses must be taken at summer programs of at least six weeks in duration; however, the Committee on Academic Standing may approve for credit selected programs with a minimum of 37 contact hours and five weeks in duration. For summer work taken at institutions other than Brandeis, only grades of B- or higher will receive credit. A student may earn credit for no more than three semester courses in one summer.
S = Field Study
During their junior or senior year, undergraduates
may undertake a substantial research project in certain fields
of concentration in lieu of four semester courses. Research may
be conducted either on campus or in the field--execution of the
project may involve prolonged absence from the Brandeis campus--at
another institution, government agency, etc. The field study project
must have the approval of the student's department of concentration.
The project will be supervised by a faculty advisor assigned by
the department, and a second member of the faculty will participate
in evaluation of the student's work and the assignment of a grade.
Work in the project may occupy a full semester or it may be of
two semesters' duration. In the latter case, the two semesters
must be consecutive. Students may receive no more than four semester-course
credits for field study, and may offer no more than two semester-course
credits from the field study course toward the department's concentration
requirements. Interested students should explore the possibility
of field study in their concentrations with a faculty member in
their department of concentration. Through affiliation with the
School for Field Studies, up to four semester course credits may
be earned for work at one of five environmentally oriented Study
Centers abroad.