Dickinson College
Course Planning Guide for First-Year Students

Course Selection and Advising at Dickinson

The advising process at Dickinson is designed to support and assist you on the unique path that you will take in earning your degree. Central to Dickinson’s system is the acknowledgement and understanding that both you and your advisor have the responsibility to make this process work in a deliberate and thoughtful way. Ultimately, of course, you are responsible for your chosen academic program.

As a new Dickinsonian, you will begin your academic journey this summer by selecting your first four courses, one of which will be your First-Year Seminar. Calls will be made from the Advising Office to each incoming student between July 7-11 – please check the information on the Orientation website for Summer Advising to know when you can expect to receive your call.

Please be ready to discuss your fall course selection with a summer faculty advisor, at which time you will receive your alternate PIN allowing you to enter the classes you select during the Course Request Period, July 14-21. When you arrive on campus in August for Orientation, you will meet with your First Year Seminar professor (who is also your faculty advisor). At that time you will have an opportunity to discuss your interests and academic goals, and review the classes for which you are registered for the fall semester. Come to this advising session prepared to talk with your advisor about your fall classes and plans for your education at Dickinson.

Your advisor is here to offer you support and advice, and to assist you in developing your critical thinking and responsible decision-making skills. Building a positive relationship with your advisor and learning how to be a responsible and communicative advisee are two of the most important things you can do during your first year at Dickinson.

Your First Semester

In addition to your First-Year Seminar, you will be requesting three more courses for a total of four, which is considered a normal full-time load for the semester. An additional half-credit course (certain music, dance or military science classes) may be added to your four courses each semester. There are several general guidelines to consider when initially selecting your courses:

• Try to create a balance between reading-intensive, writing and lab-based classes
• Think about taking one course in the academic discipline you are considering for a major
• Use common sense about scheduling the degree requirements over the next four years

Be assured that, in one way or another, no matter which courses you select for your first semester, each will contribute to your Dickinson education and progress towards your degree.

Sample schedule for your first semester

First-Year Seminar Foreign language of your choice Lab science Elective course in a field of interest or a new field you wish to explore

First Course -- First-Year Seminar

• During the summer you will receive the name of your advisor and title of your First-Year Seminar. After checking the time that your First-Year Seminar meets, you are ready to select your remaining three courses in times that do not conflict with your First-Year Seminar.

Second Course

• For your second course, most of you should take a foreign language. Whether you have some proficiency in a language or wish to begin a new language, Dickinson’s language requirement may take from one to four semesters to complete.
• Starting your language study early is important, particularly if you plan to study a language beyond the minimum requirement of intermediate proficiency.
• Some of you may also need a language to study abroad, so waiting until your second or third semester is generally not a good idea.
• Please note that all language courses at Dickinson are sequenced, but not all courses in the sequence are offered each semester.

Determining appropriate level for languages Placement tests for French, Spanish and German should be taken online during the summer. Please plan to take the test(s) before July 1st in order to have the results to guide you in your course selection. PLEASE NOTE: If you place out of French, Spanish or German during summer online placement, you must confirm your fulfillment of the requirement by taking the placement exam again on August 22nd on campus.

Placement tests and interviews will be given in other languages on Friday morning, August 22. For now, estimate your course level by the experience you have. Generally, you may estimate that a year of high school language equals a semester of college language study. http://www.dickinson.edu/academics/advising/chapter.cfm?forlang

 Third Course

• For your third course, most of you should take a course in the natural or computer sciences, which meets the Division III lab science requirement.

OR

• You could select a class that will support your intended degree goals or fulfill a requirement for a potential major. Several programs of study require taking foundation (pre-requisite) courses during the first semester.
• If you are planning on a medical, engineering or scientific career, you must include a combination of two science or math courses your first semester, so your third and fourth choice of classes this first semester should include recommended courses for these programs.
• Please note that some majors have very specific requirements for getting started during your first year at Dickinson. http://www.dickinson.edu/academics/advising/

Fourth Course

• For your fourth course, you should plan to take a class in a general area or subject that interests you -- such as the arts and humanities (Division I), social sciences (Division II), or laboratory sciences (Division III).
• This early opportunity to explore anacademic discipline may also be a course that will meet one of the graduation requirements of Dickinson’s core curriculum.
• Use Attributes on Banner Self-Service to select a listing of courses that meet various degree requirements.

If you prefer to explore available options in the social sciences, humanities or arts, you may find it most helpful to read descriptions of individual majors. This may help you distinguish between two choices. The online DickinsonCollege Bulletin gives you current information on major requirements and a suggested four-year sequence of courses in that major. http://www.dickinson.edu/bulletin Not all courses listed in the College Bulletin are offered every semester (or year).

 Schedule for Fall Semester 2008

• To find courses that are recommended for first-year students, use the Appropriate for First-YearAttribute when searching the class offerings on Banner Self-Service.
• Many departments save seats specifically for incoming first-year students in their classes. To find these classes, check out the Course Priorities web page on the Registrar’s web page (http://cfserv.dickinson.edu/dc_reg/dc_reg_200870_SubjectListing.cfm). Seats are reserved for first-year students and it is recommended that you take advantage of these seats now, especially in the lab sciences and foreign languages.
• Use the scheduling worksheet to work out possible four-course schedules and see how different combinations of courses will fit together.
• Be careful to note courses scheduled across more than one regular class time slot (e.g. a 101 language that meets at 9:30 am Monday through Friday, cuts across the Tuesday and Thursday courses beginning at 9:00 am.)
• You may also select up to two (2) blocks of Physical Education (PHED). These courses do not receive academic credit, but four are required for graduation. Do not plan your schedule around physical education courses.
• Be prepared to discuss your course choices and the reasons for them when you talk with your summer advisor during the advising period, July 7-11. Try to have six (6) courses that can work together for this preliminary discussion with the summer advisor who calls you.

Planning Ahead -- Twenty-eight courses in the future

Be flexible! You cannot schedule everything in your first semester and you don’t have to make all of your choices before you have an opportunity to take some of the courses that interest you. Remember that one of the important aspects of your liberal arts education is being able to explore a wide range of interest areas while combining your courses in the unique path that defines your Dickinson educational journey.

TOOLS AND TIPS
FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS -- FALL 2008

The Registrar’s web page (www.dickinson.edu/departments/reg/) is a very helpful resource.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION -- Before you begin

• Transfer Credits – In order to transfer credits to Dickinson from courses you have taken at another college, you need to submit an official transcript from that college or university. Once we have reviewed it, you will receive an e-mail (in your Dickinson account) from us informing you of any Dickinson College credit awarded. If you earned specific course credit for this work, do not request those same courses – you can receive credit for a course only one time. If you have not heard from us, you should still use this same advice: don’t request a course that sounds the same as something you have already taken at the college level.
• Advanced Placement – If you took Advanced Placement exams and already know your scores, you should consult our AP Policy on the Registrar’s web page (from the menu on the left of that page, select Advanced Placement) for guidance on credit and/or placement. If you have not already instructed the College Board to send your AP scores to Dickinson College, please do so immediately.
• Language & Math Placement – For questions about the language or math placement exams that you took online, contact the French, German, Spanish or Math department, as appropriate.
• The official College Bulletin provides details about graduation & major requirements and academic regulations.
• Individual Department home pages – here you can obtain additional information about departmental events and faculty members. Syllabi are often posted on these pages for specific courses.

If you have questions about any of this information, someone is available to help by contacting:

Advising Office – 717-245-1080 – advising@dickinson.edu

Registrar’s Office – 717-245-1315 – reg@dickinson.edu

Orientation Office – 717-245-1555 – orient@dickinson.edu

Welcome to the Class of 2012!