June, 2008

Dear Centre First-Year Student,

It is a pleasure to welcome you as a Centre student!

This document is designed to provide you with important information you need to choose your fall term classes. Please read this entire document. After doing so, you should be ready to complete and send us your course selection form.

The usual first-year program for the fall term consists of four academic courses and a personal safety class (HHP 101, required of all first-term students). Also, first-year students are required to take Humanities 110 or Humanities 111 in the fall. Your other three courses are chosen from the following areas:

Social Studies
Science
Foreign Language
Mathematics
Other courses

In choosing your three other courses, keep in mind the following:

1. If you need to establish basic skills in mathematics, you will need to take MAT 110 Mathematics in Our Society or MAT 140 Differential Calculus with Review (depending on your placement) sometime before the end of your sophomore year.

2. If you need to establish basic skills in a foreign language, you will need to study a foreign language through the first-year level. This requirement normally should be completed by the end of the sophomore year.

3. Students must take at least one course in mathematics or computer science or foreign language beyond the basic skills level. This requirement should be completed by the end of the sophomore year.

4. Choose at least one course in an area that you are considering as a possible major.

5. There is additional important information that will help you choose specific courses on the pages with descriptions of courses for first-year students.

After reviewing all these materials, you should complete the course selection form and either email or fax it to us by July 3:

email : jan.stpierre@centre.edu

fax : 859-238-6226

The course selection form is available online at

http://web.centre.edu/regist/Form/courseselectionform.doc

If you have any questions about these materials, please feel free to call us at 859/238-5360.

Later in the summer, you will be registered in specific courses based on the choices you made on the course selection form. You will be able to view your schedule of classes online on or around August 8. When you arrive on campus for orientation, you will discuss your registration with your academic advisor. Any necessary changes to your schedule of classes can be made at that time.

Please remember to see that your final high school transcript is sent to the Admission Office if you have not done so already. Your final high school transcript provides us with important information that will help us in placing you in appropriate courses at Centre.

We look forward to working with you as you begin your career at Centre. In the meantime, we wish you the best for a pleasant, relaxing, and productive summer.

Sincerely,

DESCRIPTIONS OF COURSES FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

HUMANITIES

Humanities 110 serves as preparation for the sophomore-level courses in English, philosophy, and the fine arts. First-year students are required to register for HUM 110. Some students will be placed into HUM 111, a writing-intensive section.

HUM 110 Introduction to Humanities-I
A study of literature, philosophy, and the fine arts in classical Greek and Roman civilization with special attention given to ethical and aesthetic values. Emphasis is placed on writing, analysis, and discussion.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Students may choose any of the following introductory social studies courses to fulfill College requirements and/or pursue potential major interests. Students with social studies related professional interests should note the following:

1. PreLaw and PreBusiness Preparation. Students interested in law or business professions can begin study in any of the first year offerings in social studies listed below. These courses all serve as introductions to majors useful in both law and business professions.

2. PreInternational Preparation. Students interested in professions involving international fields can begin study in any of the first year offerings in social studies below. Students should also evaluate their foreign language skills and consider building on those skills with additional language courses.

3. PreEducation Preparation. Elementary and secondary teaching certification involves the declaration of a major in the sophomore year. First-year course selection normally does not include education courses.

HIS 110 Development of the Modern World-I
A survey of the major Western and non-Western civilizations to the mid-19th century. Considerable attention is given to the factors that made each civilization distinctive and to the interaction of these civilizations over time. The expansion of the West and its rise to global prominence is an important focus of the course.

HIS 120 Development of the Modern World-II
An examination of the most important issues and events from the mid-19th century to the present in global context. Such issues as the origins and consequences of the world wars, the Great Depression, the emergence and collapse of the totalitarian orders, and the impact of Western colonization on the non-Western world are discussed.

HIS 230 Development of the United States -I
First half of a survey of the major trends, conflicts, and crises of a society characterized by growth and change from the Age of Discovery to the present. The internal and external aspects of the United States are examined in an effort to encourage a clearer perspective of our history in its global context.

ECO 110 Introduction to Economics
An introductory course in economic theory with attention given to the construction of simple economic models which deal with consumer behavior, production, pricing, distribution, monetary theory and national income determination.

GOV 110 Introduction to Politics
An introduction to political values and institutions as they have evolved in historical context. Emphasis is placed on the examination of classic texts in political thought and their relevance to contemporary political life.

SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology
A survey of the concepts, theoretical orientations, and classic studies of sociology. Students conduct a small field research project.

ANT 110 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
An introduction to the perspectives and methods of cultural anthropology. Topics covered include the nature of culture, the relation of culture to language, the importance of the environment for human societies, and a cross-cultural examination of family structure, social organization, political and economic systems, religion, arts and folklore, and the impact of social and cultural change.

SCIENTIFIC STUDIES

Following is a brief description of the majors offered in the division of science and mathematics:

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The study of life at the cellular and molecular levels, including chemical reactions, cellular structure, and the central role of DNA.

Biology. The study of living organisms at all levels of organization from cellular structure to ecological interactions.

Chemistry. The study of matter and the changes that it undergoes. Major topics include the structure of matter, reactivity patterns, and the synthesis and analysis of chemical species. Laboratory work is extensively used to develop and illustrate theoretical concepts.

Computer Science. The study of algorithms for the solution of problems in a wide variety of application areas. This includes the design and implementation in an appropriate programming language as well as analysis of efficiency, correctness, and reliability.

Mathematics. Development of quantitative and analytic problem solving skills in a wide range of disciplines. The study of mathematics provides a setting for the development of clear, logical, and creative thought processes.

Chemical Physics. A study of the fundamental aspects of chemical reactions. Concepts studied include energetics of chemical reactions, interaction of radiation with matter, and the relationship between molecular structure and reactivity. Chemical physics is, therefore, central to the understanding and control of chemical reactions.

Physics. The basic science which seeks to understand matter and energy, and to discover fundamental laws which allow us to understand our universe. Physics thus has important applications to other sciences as well as to more applied fields such as medicine and engineering.

Psychobiology. The study of the biological bases of behavior. This includes the role of the nervous and endocrine systems in behavioral expression of humans and other animals as well as the ecological and evolutionary foundations of behavior.

Psychology. The study of behavior and mental processes as they are affected by learning, social environments, motivation, gender, personality, and development.

The College offers a two-course sequence in Natural Science designed to fulfill the science requirements for non-science majors ( NSC 110, 120). Non-science majors wishing to complete a science requirement may select the Natural Science course or any of the science courses listed (note # 8 below). Students planning possible majors in one of the sciences should note the following guidelines when selecting science courses for their freshman year:

1. PreHealth Profession Preparation. Students preparing for professional schools in medicine, dentistry, or pharmacy should take at least one of the following courses in the fall: BIO 110, CHE 131, CHE 135, or PHY 110. CHE 135 is designed for students with at least two years of high school chemistry. It combines the material in the first two terms of college chemistry. If a specific area is a likely major, follow the advice below.

2. Potential majors in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) must take CHE 131 or 135 in the fall, and BIO 110 in either fall or spring of their freshman year.

3. Students planning a major in Biology should take at least one of the following courses in the fall of their freshman year: BIO 110 or CHE 131 or CHE 135.

4. Potential majors in Chemistry should take CHE 131 or 135 in the fall. They can also start with CHE 131 in the spring of their freshman year.

5. Potential majors in Chemical Physics should take CHE 131 or CHE 135 or PHY 110 in the fall. (Students with strong backgrounds in calculus and physics may be placed in PHY 210 instead of PHY 110).

6. Students planning a major in Physics should take PHY 110 or PHY 210 in the fall of their freshman year. (Students with strong backgrounds in calculus and physics may be placed in PHY 210 instead of PHY 110). Also, MAT 171 should be completed by the beginning of the sophomore year.

7. Possible majors in Psychology or Psychobiology should take PSY 110 and BIO 110 during their freshman year, one in the fall and one in the spring.

8. If you need MAT 110 to establish basic skills in math, the only science course that you can take in the fall is PSY 110. All other science courses require that you have met the basic skills requirement in math.

9. Potential majors in Computer Science should take CSS 117 in the freshman year, either fall or spring term. Possible majors in Mathematics should complete MAT 171 by the beginning of the sophomore year.

INTRODUCTORY COURSES IN THE SCIENCES

BIO 110 The Unity and Diversity of Life (Freshman Biology)
An introduction to biology through the integrating theme of evolution. The first half of the course develops the foundations of biological unity: cell structure and function, bioenergetics, and genetic control. The last half of the course begins with a survey of the major groups of organisms illustrating the diversity of life. After a brief introduction to formal principles of evolution responsible for the origin of this diversity, the course concludes with a grounding in the ecological relationships which govern survival at all levels of biological organization. Laboratory work is required. Prerequisite: Mat 110 or basic skills in math.

PSY 110 Introduction to Psychology
A comprehensive survey of the basic concepts involved in the study of behavior and applications of these principles. Laboratory work is required.

PHY 110 Introduction to Physics
An introduction to college physics not requiring calculus. Topics include mechanics, gravitation, planetary motion, electricity, the Bohr atom, and radioactivity. Laboratory work is required. Prerequisite: MAT 110 or math basic skills.

CHE 131 Atomic and Molecular Structure
An introduction to modern ideas of atomic and molecular structure. Topics to be studied include the electronic and nuclear structure of the atom, chemical bonding, the periodic properties of the elements and their compounds, and experimental methods for determining atomic and molecular structure. Laboratory work is required. Prerequisite: MAT 110 or math basic skills.

CHE 135 Accelerated General Chemistry
An accelerated coverage of general chemistry for students with strong high school chemistry preparation. Many topics, such as stoichiometry and gas laws, are only briefly reviewed. Topics treated in more detail include atomic and molecular theory, chemical bonding theories, kinetics, equilibrium processes, acids and bases, and chemical thermodynamics. Laboratory work is required. Prerequisite: MAT 110 or math basic skills. (NOTE: CHE 135 is designed for students with at least two years of high school chemistry.)

NSC 110/120 Natural Science-I ,II
An introductory survey of science with emphasis upon how scientific understandings have developed and the bases upon which current explanations depend. The course presents a science-based world view that traces the continuity of natural processes in cosmology and in the physical and biological evolution of our planet. Topics include motion, astronomy, energy, the structure of matter, the origin of the world, evolution, biological diversity of life, regulation of life, and the human position in the world. Laboratory work is required. Prerequisite: MAT 110 or basic skills in math. If selected you will be placed in either course (one is not a prerequisite for the other). Students who know they will not major in science are encouraged to consider this option.

FOREIGN LANGUAGES

The ability to communicate in a foreign language, a deeper understanding of cultural differences, the advantages of international study, and a global vision are key ingredients of the college experience. Foreign language learning deals with enlarging your perspective and relates to numerous areas of expertise: appreciation of a different culture and literature, world history, international relations, diplomacy, and international business.

The determination of a specific language course will depend on the results of your placement test and your interests. You may take a language different from the one you take the test in. If you are starting a new language or feel you are still close to a beginner level, you are encouraged to study foreign language in your freshman year. It is possible to wait until the sophomore year to take foreign language, but if you think you might be a major in a foreign language, in art history, international relations, or plan to take advantage of certain off-campus study opportunities, it is helpful if you study language in your freshman year. It is possible to major in a foreign language at Centre if you start out as a beginner in your freshman year.

MATHEMATICS

MAT 110 Mathematics in Our Society
An introduction to applied mathematics devoted to solving contemporary problems from diverse, disciplines. This course helps students develop logical thinking skills and improve quantitative skills, particularly with linear equations (in the context of decision-making) and with exponential and logarithmic models (in the context of finance). Further topics will be chosen from graph theory, geometry, symmetry, coding, game theory, social issues, and logic.

MAT 140 Differential Calculus with Review
This is the first course in a two-course sequence that provides both an in-depth review of functions and an introduction to differential calculus. In particular, limits and derivatives are introduced as tools used to analyze the behavior of algebraic, exponential, and logarithmic functions. This course is not available to students with credit for MAT 160 or MAT 170. Prerequisite: MAT 110 or placement.

MAT 170 Calculus-I
An introduction to single variable calculus reviewing the real number line, inequalities and absolute value, and discussing functions and graphing, limits, continuity, the derivative, rules of differentiation, the Mean Value Theorem, applications of the derivative, antiderivatives, Riemann sums and the definite integral, the Fundamentals Theorem of Calculus, and applications of the integral. Prerequisite: Placement. Note: This course is not available to students with credit for MAT 140.

MAT 171 Calculus-II
The techniques of single variable calculus are applied to inverse trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Also included are further techniques of integration, indeterminate forms, improper integrals and infinite series. Prerequisite: MAT 170 or placement.

MAT 230 Calculus-III
An extension of the concepts of function, limit, derivative, and integral to three-dimensional space and vector spaces; the course describes many applications and their historical significance, such as planetary motion and magnetic fields. Topics include vector algebra, elementary differential geometry of curves and surfaces, limits, continuity, partial derivatives, directional derivatives, multiple integrals, line integrals, surface integrals, Green's Theorem, Stokes' Theorem, and the Divergence Theorem. Prerequisite: MAT 161 or 171 or placement.

OTHER COURSES

ARH 260 Survey of Western Art-I
An introduction to the language and processes of art history. Focus is placed on the understanding of historical periods–their social, political, and aesthetic values–through the interpretation of the visual arts. ARH 260 emphasizes the arts of the West from prehistory through the High Middle Ages.

ARS 230 Ceramics-I
An initial studio experience in ceramic techniques which includes art theory and ceramic history. Processing, forming, and firing are studied in concert with an aesthetic consideration of the articulation of form and surface decoration.

CSC 117 Introduction to Structured Programming
An examination of the ideas behind the operation of computers and the Internet, with an emphasis on programming. Students learn to use selection, repetition, function definition, structured types, and standard libraries to build useful programs. Topics include databases, the basic operation of the Internet, and related social, legal, and ethical issues. Prerequisite: MAT 140 or equivalent or permission of the instructor.

DRA 150 Intro to Technical Theater (four credit hours)
An introduction to the foundation concepts of theatrical production. Topics covered include: theatrical architecture, scenic production, lighting production and theatrical organizational structures.

DRA 230 History of the Theatre
A survey of theatre history from the classical world to the Modern Age.

ENG 210, 220 British Literature- I, II
Survey of major works of British literature from the medieval period to the 20th century, with emphasis upon understanding and evaluating literary works in their historical and cultural backgrounds. Together with ENG 230, provides a general introduction to prosody, the vocabulary of literary analysis, and the varieties of literary criticism. (ENG 210 is not a prerequisite for ENG 210.)

MUS 111 Listening to Music
An introduction to Western musical culture and style. Through careful listening to music from the Middle Ages to the present, students study the historical and cultural context of a wide range of music and learn critical listening skills. While the primary focus is on music of the Western classical tradition, regular comparisons with contemporary popular music and culture forms are an integral part of the course. Special emphasis is also placed on music that students hear live at the Norton Center or in other area concert venues. No prerequisite; the ability to read music is not required.

MUS 120 Materials and Structure of Music / MUS 121 Musicianship-I (one credit hour)
An introduction to the music of the "common practice period" (European music from about 1650-1900) as well as more recent music based on similar principles (much of 20th-century popular music). Topics include diatonic harmony and voice-leading, melodic organization, and simple forms. Students develop fluency in analysis and in composing imitative style exercises using computer notation. Students normally enroll in MUS 121 (a skills lab) concurrently. Prerequisite: Sufficient grounding in music fundamentals.

PHI 170 Philosophy of Religion
A critical examination of traditional and recent theories concerning such issues in the philosophy of religion as the existence of God, the nature of ultimate reality, the nature and destiny of human beings, and the validity of claims to religious knowledge.

REL 132 Islam
An exploration of the beliefs, practices, institutions, and history of Islam from the inside – as its adherents see them. Particular attention is given to the current revival of Islam.

WRITING PLACEMENT AND BASIC SKILLS

A. Placement

First-year students are initially placed into one of two groups, based on ACT or SAT scores:

1. Students with combined rhetoric and usage ACT subscores of 25 or less, or with a score of 580 or less on the verbal SAT will be placed in Humanities 111, a four credit, writing-intensive version of the Humanities 110 course required for all freshmen.

2. Students with combined rhetoric and usage ACT subscores of 26 or above, or with SAT verbal scores of 590 or above, will be placed in Humanities 110.

B. Basic Skills

It is essential for entering students to understand that the College's basic skills requirement in writing cannot be met at entrance, as it can be in mathematics and foreign language. Nor does a passing grade in Humanities 110 or 111 satisfy the writing requirement. Rather, at the end of the fall term, the writing performance of all first-year students is evaluated, including both those who were required to take Humanities 111 in the fall, and those who were not. This evaluation is performed by a faculty writing committee. Students whose writing this committee judges to be competent will be notified that they have met the writing requirement. Students whose writing falls short of competency will be required to take a writing-intensive section of HUM 120 during spring term. Students who pass this course will have then met the basic skills requirement in writing.

For a complete list of Centre's degree requirements, consult the on-line catalog at:

http://www.centre.edu/web/catalog.html

MATHEMATICS PLACEMENT AND BASIC SKILLS

1. What math course is best for you? What are the math requirements at Centre?

A math course is required if you have not established basic skills or if your intended major requires it. In addition, all students must complete a course beyond the basic skills level in one of math ematics, foreign language, or computer science.

a. How can you tell if you have established basic skills?

You establish basic skills if either

i. your SAT I math score is 550 or higher

or

ii. using your ACT math score, the sum of the sub-scores labeled Alg./Coord.Geom. and Plane Geom./Trig. is 25 or higher.

b. If you do not meet the score requirements above, how may you establish basic skills at Centre College ?

You must take MAT 110 or 140 and obtain a grade of C- or higher. We strongly recommend that students who have not established basic skills take MAT 110. However, a student who requests MAT 140 will be permitted to take that course provided they score appropriately on the math placement test.

2. If you choose to study math at Centre, how will you be placed in your first math course?

A committee of math faculty will examine your math courses and grades, standardized test scores, rank in high school class, the high school, your requested course, and of course your results on the math placement test.

a. Most students who have not established basic skills are placed in MAT 110. This course is taught in the fall.

b. Some students who have not established basic skills may be placed in the MAT 140 course. This is the first part of a two-course sequence integrating precalculus and calculus topics. The follow-up course, MAT 141, is taught in the spring term.

c. Students who have established basic skills are placed in MAT 140, 170, 171, or 230, depending on the factors listed above. It is not unusual for students to be placed in courses that they have had in high school. Students who are placed in or request to take Calculus II or III are asked to talk with a member of the math ematics faculty to discuss their placement. We will recommend a specific placement but students will make the final decision.

d. Since the introductory math ematics courses are sequential in nature, you should pay special attention to the timing if you are planning to take more than one math course at Centre. Not all math courses are offered every long term. MAT 110, 140, and 170 are only offered every fall; MAT 141 is only offered every spring; MAT 171 and 230 are offered every fall and every spring.

3. Do you need a specific kind of calculator for your math classes?

In most courses the math program provides a calculator for students to use on exams. In some courses this will be a TI-83 Plus and in other courses it will be a TI-30X 2S.  In most courses, students are not allowed to use their own calculators during exams.

COURSES IN APPLIED MUSIC

Centre currently offers courses in applied music for those students who wish to pursue an academic or personal interest in these areas. All of these courses are one credit hour courses. Freshmen are eligible for enrollment in the courses listed below:

Keyboard (piano, organ, harpsichord )

Strings (violin, viola, cello, or bass)

Woodwinds (flute, oboe, clarinet, or bassoon)

Brass (saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba, or French horn)

Percussion

Voice

Guitar (classical or rock)

Ensembles: choirs (Centre Singers, Centre Men's Choir, Centre Women's Choir), orchestra, trumpets, jazz band, flutes, percussion

NOTE: There is an extra fee of $275 for registration in applied music (music scholarship holders pay $100). There is no charge for participation in musical ensembles.

All applied music courses are taken for academic credit. Music ensembles are graded on a pass/unsatisfactory basis only. Students have the option of taking the other courses either on a regular letter-graded basis or on a pass/unsatisfactory graded basis.

Students choosing an applied music course will be contacted by the music department at the beginning of the fall term. You may also visit the Centre music website for names and contact information about applied music instructors (web.centre.edu/mus/).

If you are interested in enrolling in one of the applied music or dance courses, check the appropriate blank on page 2 of the course selection form. In addition, please list any experience you have had which relates to that study.