Placement Testing
| Subject |
| Chemistry |
| Chinese Language |
| German Language |
| Hebrew Language |
| Latin |
| Mathematics |
| French |
| Italian |
| Spanish |
| Russian Language |
For placement testing information in other languages taught at Brandeis but not listed here, contact the language department directly.
Chemistry
Chemistry focuses on how atoms of just a few dozen types associate and reassociate to form countless molecules, and how these molecules interact with each other to form materials at the scale at which we encounter them. Chemistry is therefore called "the central science," the material realization of principles of physics, and a foundation of the life, environment, and behavioral sciences. General Chemistry is the required first course in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, or neuroscience majors. It is also required of pre-medical, pre-dental, and pre-veterinary students, so that most first year students with these academic and/or professional interests enroll in this introductory course.
At Brandeis, we have customized introductory chemistry for two levels of preparation:
-
General Chemistry (CHEM 11a with corresponding lab CHEM 18a)
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Honors Chemistry (CHEM 15a with corresponding lab CHEM 19a)
Download the chemistry placement test and you'll find further information.
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German language courses GER 10a and GER 30a are generally offered in the fall; GER 20b is generally offered in the spring. The German placement test will be given at the start of the semester. For further information, please contact the Department Administrator, Linda Boothroyd.
Email: lindab@brandeis.edu
Phone: 781-736-3200.
Hebrew Language
I. Hebrew 10
No exam necessary. Please place yourself in the appropriate section according to these criteria:
If you have no knowledge of Hebrew, or if you have partial knowledge of the Hebrew alphabet and know 10 - 20 words you are considered a beginner and should register for Hebrew 10.
If you are familiar with the Hebrew alphabet and know 30-50 words, or you have some minor background in Hebrew, you are considered an advanced beginner and should register for Hebrew 19 (Honors).
II. Hebrew 20, 29 (Honors), and Hebrew 30
If you think your level is above Hebrew 10, please download and print the Placement Exam and return it to the Hebrew Department completed, handwritten in ink, along with the questionnaire by July 3, 2008. The department will notify you of the result via email, mail or phone. Please register for the assigned section.
III. Hebrew 40 and above
If your placement exam indicated that your level in Hebrew is 40 or above you are a candidate for exemption from the university language requirement. Please note that exemption can only be given based on an exemption test (written and oral). Please contact the director of the Hebrew Program Dr. Vardit Ringvald upon arrival at Brandeis to arrange for the exemption exam. The Hebrew Department will notify you and suggest to you a variety of upper level courses which you may enjoy in either level 40 or level 100.
Please send the questionnaire and your completed Placement Exam to:
Dr. Vardit Ringvald
Hebrew Program, Mail stop 038
Brandeis University
Waltham, MA 02454-9110
Latin
Latin language courses carry credit equivalent to one semester course each; 10a and 30a are generally offered in the fall; 20b in the spring. Brandeis has a placement test to determine the level of instruction at which a student should begin his/her study of Latin. The test cannot be "self-scored," so you will need to download the Latin Placement Test, print it out, fill it in and mail it to the Classic Studies Department (address below) prior to your registration. Along with your answers and any additional pages, please send the Department a telephone number, a regular mail address, or an email address so that they can tell you the level at which they recommend you begin your study of Latin. After you have the results, you can enroll in the appropriate class.
Classical Studies Department:
Professor Patricia A. Johnston
Classical Studies Department
MS 016 Brandeis University
Waltham, MA 02454-9110
Fax: 781-736-2184
Email: classics@brandeis.edu
Mathematics
I. Course Descriptions
-Math 5a (Pre-calculus) contains a brief overview of algebra and then covers trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic and other functions. The calculus courses that follow Math 5a assume that students have mastered this material. Offered every semester.
-Math 10a (Techniques of Calculus I) covers differential calculus of one variable, with a brief introduction to integral calculus. Offered every semester.
-Math 10b (Techniques of Calculus II) continues the study of integral calculus of one variable, with emphasis on techniques and applications. Offered every semester.
-Math 15a (Applied Linear Algebra) examines matrices, linear transformations and vector spaces, topics that are important in economics and the sciences. Offered every semester. May be taken before, after, or concurrently with Math 20a.
-Math 20a (Techniques of Calculus: Calculus of Several Variables) continues the study of calculus with vectors, partial derivatives, and multiple integrals. Offered every semester. May be taken before, after, or concurrently with Math 15a.
-Math 22a/b (Linear Algebra and Intermediate Calculus) covers in two semesters material similar to that covered in Math 15a and Math 20a, but it is more theoretical and is directed at students with a stronger background in mathematics. Unlike Math 15a and 20a, Math 22a/b meets four hours a week. Math 22a is offered in the fall semester only and Math 22b in the spring semester only.
II. Placement Exams
There are two placement exams for students planning to enroll in a mathematics course: the Calculus Placement Exam and the Math 22a Placement Exam.
-Students who are planning to take one of the following courses should take the Calculus Placement Exam: Math 5a, Math 10a, Math 10b, Math 15a or Math 20a.
-Students who are interested in Math 22a should take Part C of the Calculus Placement Exam and then take the Math 22a Placement Exam.
III. Taking the Calculus Placement Exam
-The Calculus Placement Exam is a pdf document with three parts. Part A consists of 24 questions on topics in algebra and pre-calculus, Part B of 16 questions on topics from differential calculus and Part C of 16 questions on topics from integral calculus.
-Download the exam and take it. Work on your own, without the help of books or notes and without consulting other people. You may not use a calculator.
-If you didn't take any calculus in high school, take Part A only of the exam. If you did take calculus in high school, take Part A of the exam and then do as much of Parts B and C as you can.
-When you finish the exam, correct it using the Answer Key. Give yourself one point for each correct answer. Then place yourself in the correct course, using the guidelines given below.
IV. Guidelines for Interpreting Your Score
-If you scored between 0 and 18 on Part A, place yourself in Math 5a regardless of what you scored on other parts of the exam.
-If you scored between 0 and 11 on Part B, place yourself in Math 10a.
-If you scored between 12 and 16 on Part B and between 0 and 11 on Part C, place yourself in Math 10b.
-If you scored between 12 and 16 on Part B and between 12 and 16 on Part C, place yourself in Math 15a, 20a or 22a. If you are interested in Math 22a, go on to take the Math 22a Placement Exam.
-Important: On the first day of classes, students in Math 5a, 10a and 10b will be given a short diagnostic quiz that covers the same material as the relevant parts of the placement exam. If you have placed yourself at too high a level, you may be required to switch to the appropriate course. This can create scheduling difficulties, so place yourself carefully now.
-If you have any questions, contact Susan Parker.
V. Taking the Math 22 Placement Exam
The Math 22a Placement Exam should be taken by students trying to decide between Math 15a or 20a, on the one hand, and Math 22a on the other. You must have permission of the instructor to enroll in Math 22a.Math 22a/b covers much of the same material as Math 15a and 20a, but Math 22a/b puts more emphasis on the ideas and theory behind linear algebra and multivariable calculus, and less emphasis on applications. If you have a strong math background and good problem-solving skills, Math 22a/b is an excellent entryway into the math major.
The placement exam is a pdf document. Download it and take the exam. When you are done, enter your answers into the online answer sheet, which may be found at http://my.brandeis.edu/survsimp/one?survey_id=3550. You will need to log in using your UNet ID and password, which you should have already obtained.
Most of the problems on the exam are multiple choice; for these you can just enter the correct letter choice for your answer. For the remaining problems, simply type in your answer. The answer sheet also asks for some additional information about your background in mathematics that will be helpful in determining your placement.
The Math 22a placement exam will be graded by the mathematics department and you will receive an email with our recommended placement. If you qualify for Math 22a, a course code will be included in the email, which will allow you to enroll. Placement advice will be based on your performance on the exam as well as on the information you provide on the online answer sheet. We recommend that you complete the placement exam as soon as possible. To receive a response by July 8th, the first day of summer registration, please submit the answer sheet no later than Tuesday, July 1st.
If you have any questions, contact Professor Daniel Ruberman at ruberman@brandeis.edu.
Romance Languages
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I. French
The curricular and extracurricular offerings in French and Francophone studies are extensive. We offer a range of courses in French and Francophone literature and culture as well as activities that encourage students to discover the Francophone world. In the Boston area, you will find the French Library and Cultural Center, many French films and French plays, music from almost every French-speaking culture, French art, and much more. We offer research opportunities ranging from independently-funded projects to senior essays and honors theses, summer research fellowships, and the Undergraduate Fellowship Program, which allows students to work with a faculty member on a project of mutual interest. And, of course, we encourage our students to study abroad whenever possible, in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Africa, or the Caribbean.
-French Placement Test
-Answer Key
II. Italian
Italian Studies is a small but lively program involving the language, literature, and culture of Italy, from Dante to Primo Levi, and from Michelangelo to Federico Fellini. Students who complete the language sequence can take courses in several departments, including History and Fine Arts, and can specialize in Italian Studies. Many of our students go abroad in the junior year to study in Florence, Rome, Milan, or Siena. Whatever your interest in Italian, whether it is to fulfill the University language requirement or to immerse yourself in Italian culture on a continuous and developmental basis, our faculty are ready to help you reach your goals. Outside of the classroom, you will find a diverse array of extracurricular events, including the presentation of Italian films, a weekly "Circolo Italiano" or Italian get-together, visits to the Boston Italian community in the North End, line-ups over the Internet with Italy, and the student-run annual "Carnevale."
-Italian Placement Test
-Answer Key
III. Spanish
Brandeis provides a number of avenues to students interested in the Spanish language and in Hispanic and Latino literatures and cultures. We offer a wide range of courses in Spanish, Latin American, and Latino literature and culture as well as activities having to do with different aspects of the Hispanic world. Moreover, the Latin American Studies program is growing rapidly under the direction of History professor Silvia Arróm; in fact, Brandeis is the central office for the Boston Area consortium in Latin American Studies. Finally, there are research opportunities that range from courses of independent study to senior essays and theses, and from summer research fellowships to the Undergraduate Fellowship Program, described above. You should also keep in mind the possibility of improving your Spanish skills and your knowledge of the world by studying abroad for one or two semesters during your junior year.
-Spanish Placement Test
-Answer Key
Russian Language
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All students who have studied Russian language previously and wish to continue studying Russian at Brandeis must take a placement test to determine the level of language skills. The test will be scheduled during the first week of the semester so that there is sufficient time to choose and register for an appropriate class. Please check the departmental website in August for the exact date, time and place of the exam. In general, you can use the following guidelines: if you have completed one full year of high-school Russian, you should expect to be in Russian 20. If you had 2 years of high-school Russian, you should count on Russian 30. However, these decisions cannot be made final until you take the placement test in the first week of the semester.
If you are a heritage speaker of Russian (somebody who grew up speaking Russian at home, but did not formally study the language) and you would like to sign up for a Russian language course at Brandeis, you need to contact Irina Dubinina, the Russian Language Program Director (idubinin@brandeis.edu) about the appropriate placement. Brandeis offers classes specifically designed to address the needs of heritage speakers of Russian. The options vary by semester. You will need to take a placement test in order to determine your level. The same examination can be taken to test out of the university language requirement. Please check the departmental website in August for the exact date, time and place of the exam
- Placement of all students with a background in Russian language is subject to final approval by the Russian Language Program Director.
- Please visit the departmental website for information on courses offered, cultural and social activities organized, and faculty profiles.
Irina Dubinina, Russian Language Program Director
Department of German, Russian, and Asian Languages and Literature
Brandeis University
415 South Street / P.O. Box 549110
Mailstop 024 / Office: Shiffman 116
Waltham, MA 02454-9110
Please e-mail the Registrar's Office for more information.