Educational Decisions __Choosing a Major and Making a Career Choice __Programs with Special Admission Requirements Academic Advising __Freshman Mid-Semester Grade Reports __Academic Assitance ____Office of Retention and Learning Assitance Programs (OLA) ____Office of Disability Resources ____Instructor's Office Hours Options for Receiving Credit __Advanced Placement Program (AP) __College Level Examination Program (CLEP) __International Baccalaureate Program (IB) __Department Proficiency Examinations Placement Guides __Algebra and Trigonometry __Calculus __Chemistry __Foreign Language __Physics __Mathematics and Statistics Table __Mathematics Placement Tests

Educational Decisions

Choosing a Major and Making Career Choices

This is never a simple decision. Many students change majors at least once.

Although you do not need to choose a specific major, you will need to choose a division when you register. If you are undecided, you are assigned to the College of Arts and Science for advising purposes. In most cases, if you use your first year to take courses that fulfill the Miami Plan and divisional requirements, you can still complete a major program with no delay. Some programs, however, require more planning.

To make academic and career choices, you need to consider your interests and abilities. By now you probably have a strong sense of your academic strengths and weaknesses. Your interests, however, are still developing and, like more specific skills, depend on exposure to various activities and ideas.

The Career Assistance Center in the Student Counseling Service, 130 Warfield Hall, has reading materials, computer-assisted career guidance programs, and standardized career instruments to help you learn about your interests, abilities, and values and to relate them to your academic and career choices. Occupational and educational information are also available to allow you to explore your options. Career assistants at the center can help you work through the decision-making process and find needed resources; they can make career counseling appointments for you with the professional staff.

A two-credit-hour course,EDL 100 Career Development for College Students, provides opportunities to learn more about selecting a career and appropriate major. It is only offered to first- and second-year students.

If you want information about specific careers or internships, visit the Career Planning and Placement Office at 241 Hoyt Hall. Talk also with advisers in any academic division and department; they can advise you on the department's curriculum, career opportunities within fields, and opportunities for advanced study.

Programs with Special Admission Requirements

Some programs have special requirements that call for careful planning. For example, you must have approval from all programs in the School of Fine Arts or from the Department of Nursing before you register. Also, teacher certification programs and science and technical major programs require specific courses that are usually taken in order.

It is important to check your major's requirements. Programs are listed in each division's chapter.

At present, majors with limited or restricted entry include athletic training, mass communication, social work, special education, speech communication, speech pathology and audiology,all licensure programs in the Department of Teacher Education, the Western College Program, and all programs in the Richard T. Farmer School of Business Administration and the School of Fine Arts.

Academic Advising

Academic advisers are available to help you with your course requirements and academic problems. They can also assist you with the decision-making process of selecting a course of study that is consistent with your interests and abilities.

Each freshman residence hall has a live-in academic adviser. Commuting students' freshman adviser is the commuter adviser, located in Shriver Center. These advisers work closely with departmental and divisional advisers, who are also available to assist you upon request.

Western College Program, School of Fine Arts, and School of Engineering and Applied Science assign faculty advisers to their freshmen during the first semester.

In the second semester of your freshman year or when you transfer to Miami as an upperclass student, contact your major department to be assigned a faculty adviser in your major; for example, if you are a botany major, an instructor in that department will be your adviser. Your adviser can help you with your academic program throughout your time at Miami. If you change your major, contact your new department for an adviser. If you cannot decide on a major, one of the divisional advisers can assist you until you select a major.

You can also get academic advice from your divisional dean's office, your department chair, or other faculty members. If you need general advice and information about a particular program, start with a chief departmental adviser.

Freshman Mid-Semester Grade Reports

Mid-semester grade reports are sent to freshmen during their first semester; freshman advisers also receive these reports. The reports provide students opportunity to assess academic performance while there is time to improve before receiving official grades. These mid-semester grades are not recorded on students' academic records. Freshman advisers meet with students who have earned a grade below C or an overall g.p.a. of less than 2.0 to discuss strategies to improve academic performance.

Academic Assistance

Bernard B. Rinella Jr. Learning Assistance Center (LAC) 23 Campus Avenue Building, 513-529-8741

Students experiencing academic difficulty can seek assistance at LAC. One-to-one and small group tutoring are available; tutoring is geared to develop self-confidence and independence. Peer tutors reinforce course material and help students to develop strategies to learn class material, prepare for homework, and take exams. For those who need help in reading and writing, tutors and a drop-in writing lab are available. A nominal fee is charged for some services.

Also coordinated in this office are academic support services for student athletes, students with LD / ADD, students on academic probation, and the scholastic enhancement and supplemental instruction programs.

Office of Disability Resources (ODR)
19 Campus Avenue Building, 513-529-1541 (TTY/TDD accessible)

For students with physical disabilities, ODR ensures program accessibility and compliance relative to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. ODR coordinates accommodations through various campus and state agencies to provide services including taped textbooks, route training, campus transportation, sign language interpreters, Realtime captioning, modified housing, testing accommodations, priority scheduling, and access to telecommunications.

Instructors' Office Hours

Most instructors have regularly scheduled office hours to meet with students. These are usually posted outside their office doors. To make an appointment for another time, contact the instructor or department secretary.

Options for Receiving Credit

Note: Transfer credit information is in theAdmission chapter.

Advanced Placement Program (AP)

Any student entering Miami can submit scores from the Advanced Placement test, given by the College Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement Program. Miami accepts AP scores in the areas listed below. More information is available from the Office of the Registrar, 118 Campus Avenue Building (513-529-8726).

Art History (acceptable score 3 to 5)

Credit for ART 187, 188 (6 hours).

Biology (acceptable score 4 to 5)

Credit for BOT/MBI/ZOO 116 (4 hours). You may not be prepared to enter a second year biological science course, however. In this case, take BOT/MBI/ZOO 115. Permission from appropriate department chair is required to enter second year biological science as a freshman. In addition, your choice of major may require you to duplicate some course work already earned through AP.

Chemistry (acceptable score 4 to 5)

Credit for CHM 141, 142, 144, 145 (10 hours).

Computer Science

A Exam (acceptable score 4 to 5)
Credit for SAN 174 (3 hours) for a score of 4.
Credit for SAN 174, 271 (6 hours) for a score of 5.
A-B Exam (acceptable score 3 to 5)
Credit for SAN 174 (3 hours) for a score of 3.
Credit for SAN 174, 271, 274 (9 hours) for a score of 4 or 5.

Economics

Credit for ECO 201 (3 hours) for score of 4 or 5 on microeconomics portion.
Credit for ECO 202 (3 hours) for score of 4 or 5 on macroeconomics portion.

English (acceptable score 4 to 5)

Credit for ENG 111 (3 hours) for score of 4, then enroll in ENG 113.
Credit for ENG 111, 112 (6 hours) for score of 5.

French (acceptable score 3 to 5 in language or literature)

Credit for language or literature for FRE 201, 202 (6 hours).

German (acceptable score 3, 4, or 5)

Credit for GER 201 (3 hours) for score of 3, then enroll in GER 202.
Credit for GER 201, 202 (6 hours) for score of 4 or 5.

Government and Politics (acceptable score 4 to 5)

Credit for POL 141 (4 hours).

History (acceptable score 4 to 5 in American or European)

American: Credit for HST 111, 112 (6 hours).

European: Credit for HST 122 (3 hours).

Latin (acceptable score 3 to 5)

Credit for LAT 201 (3 hours) for score of 3 on Latin literature or Vergil.
Credit for LAT 201, 202 (6 hours) for score of 4 or 5 on Latin literature or Vergil.

Math

A-B Exam (acceptable score 3 to 5)
Credit for MTH 151 (5 hours), then enroll in MTH 249 or 251.
B-C Exam
Credit for MTH 151 (5 hours) for score of 3, then enroll in MTH 249 or 251.Proficiency credit for MTH 251 (4 hours) may be possible. Check with chief departmental adviser.
Credit for MTH 151, 251 (9 hours) for score of 4 or 5, then enroll in MTH 252 and/or 222, or MTH 222.T and 331.T.

Music

Credit and acceptable score determined by department.

Physics (acceptable score 4 to 5)

Test B:Credit for PHY 171, 172 and 183, 184 (8 hours).

Test C (mechanics): Credit for PHY 181 and 183 (5 hours).

Test C (electricity and magnetism):

Credit for PHY 182 and 184 (5 hours).

Psychology (acceptable score 4 to 5)

Credit for PSY 111 (4 hours).

Spanish

Credit for SPN 311 (3 hours) for score of 4 or 5 on language or literature.
Credit for SPN 202 and 311 (6 hours) for score of 4 or 5 on both language and literature.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Contact the Student Counseling Service (30 Warfield Hall, 513-529-4634) for information about CLEP.

Credit is given for satisfactory scores on some CLEP Subject Examinations. Tests are scored by the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey. Because there is a fee for each test (see the Fees and Expenses chapter), we encourage you to take them only if you have had the equivalent of a college course in the subject area.

Miami operates a closed CLEP testing center, which means it offers these tests only to Miami University students on three dates during the year. CLEP examinations, however, are given throughout the country at "open" testing centers.

American Government: credit for POL 141 (4 hours) for score of 55.

Calculus with Elementary Functions: credit for MTH 151 (5 hours) for score of 50.

College French, Levels I and II:credit for FRE 201, 202 (6 hours) for score of 45.

College Level Spanish Language: credit for SPN 201, 202 (6 hours) for score of 53.

General Chemistry: credit for CHM 141, 142, 144, 145 (10 hours) for score of 52.

Introductory Psychology: credit for PSY 111 (4 hours) for score of 47.

Human Growth and Development: psychology department waives requirement for course in developmental psychology for score of 47.

Introductory Sociology: credit for SOC 151 (4 hours) for score of 60.

International Baccalaureate Program (IB)

Miami awards credit to IB diploma graduates for higher level subjects passed at a satisfactory level (minimum scores vary 5 to 7 by subject area). Subsidiary levels are not awarded credit. Departments make the final determinations on credit.

Anthropology (acceptable score 5 or better)

Credit determined by department.

Chemistry (acceptable score 5 or better)

Credit for CHM 141, 142 (6 hours) and CHM 144, 145 (4 hours).

Economics (acceptable score 5 or better)

Credit for ECO 201 and 202 determined by department.

English (acceptable score 6 to 7)

Credit for ENG 111 and 112 (6 hours).

History

Credit for HST 298 (3 hours) for score of 5 or better.

Credit awarded on an individual basis for selected upper-level courses with a score of 6 or 7.

Latin (acceptable score 6 to 7)

Credit determined by department.

Management (acceptable score 5 or better)

Credit for MGT 301 (3 hours).

Mathematics (acceptable score 6 to 7)

Credit for MTH 151 (5 hours).

Philosophy (acceptable score 6 or better)

Credit determined by department.

Physics (acceptable score 6 to 7)

Credit for PHY 181, 182 (8 hours) and PHY 183, 184 (2 hours).

Psychology (acceptable score 5 or better)

Credit for PSY 111 (4 hours).

Spanish (acceptable score 6 to 7)

Credit determined by department.

Zoology (acceptable score 5 or better)

Credit for ZOO 115, 116 (8 hours).

Department Proficiency Examinations

These exams may be offered each semester. Each department administers its own test, and credit applies toward graduation. You may take a proficiency examination during any semester or term in which you are enrolled. See the Fees and Expenses chapter for test charges.

To be approved for a proficiency examination, you must satisfy the department that you have a reasonable chance of passing it. Normally, these examinations are for courses below the 300 level, but they may be given for advanced courses with approvals of the department chair and the dean of the division in which the course is offered.

You may obtain credit or advanced placement, or both, by examinations in areas in which you have had adequate preparation. Credit earned is traditional credit and is not counted in the admissible 32 semester hours of non-traditional credit. No grades are awarded for proficiency examinations.

Credit earned by proficiency examinations at other institutions must be validated or accepted by the appropriate department of Miami.

See departments listed below for specific information.

Botany:

offered in any course below 200 level.

Communication:

offered in COM 127 (3 hours), 128 (3 hours), and COM 135 (3 hours).

Comparative Religion:

see department.

English:

Submit a writing portfolio to the department in the summer before your enrollment; see department brochure for specific requirements and deadline. Students whose portfolios are rated excellent receive 6 hours of credit for ENG 111 and 112; students whose portfolios are rated good receive 3 hours of credit for ENG 111 and placement in ENG 113.

History:

offered in HST 111, 112, 121, 122 (3 hours each).

Latin:

see department.

Mathematics and Statistics:

offered in MTH 121, 151, 222, 251; STA 261. Register at the department office. You must arrange your exam on an individual basis. A group proficiency exam in MTH 151 is usually given during the first week of the first semester.

Physics:

offered in any course below 200 level.

Theatre:

see department.

Placement Guides

These are designed to help you choose your first course in the fields below. These guides describe the background necessary to enter courses at a certain level.

If you find that you have chosen a course that is too difficult, you can drop it (before the deadline to drop, listed in the Academic Calendar in the front of this Bulletin or a Course Schedule) and begin with an easier course in a later semester.

Algebra and Trigonometry

(SeeMathematics and Statistics information at the end of this chapter.)

MTH 102 Intermediate Algebra (3):

not usually taken by business students. Preparation for MTH 123.

MTH 104 Precalculus with Algebra (5):

covers MTH 102 and precalculus in one semester. Preparation for MTH 151.

MTH 123 Precalculus (3):

preparation for MTH 151.

Calculus

(See theMathematics and Statistics information at the end of this chapter.)

MTH 151 Calculus I (5):

for students who have had little or no high school calculus. This is the first semester in calculus sequence MTH 151, 251, 252.

MTH 153 Calculus I (4):

for students with at least one semester of high school calculus including transcendental functions and strong precalculus backgrounds. In this case, the calculus sequence is MTH 153, 251, 252.

MTH 157.H Honors Calculus (5):

for students with outstanding ability in mathematics. Intellectually challenging in-depth development of calculus. Enrollment only by permission of department. (MPF)

MTH 249 Calculus II (5):

for students who have had a year of calculus in high school. Limited to freshmen. Reviews concepts of limit, derivative, and integration from Calculus I, then covers same content as MTH 251 Calculus II. This is the first semester of calculus sequence MTH 249, 252 that covers same topics as MTH 151 (or 153), 251, 252.

Chemistry

If you did not have chemistry in high school (or you have a very weak background), it is possible to take CHM 111 before taking the CHM 140 series, although this is not recommended.

CHM 111:

for non-science majors; no previous chemistry necessary.

CHM 137, 142, 144, 145:

for students preparing for careers in health professions and sciences, engineering, or science teaching. No previous high school chemistry necessary.

CHM 141, 142, 144, 145:

for students preparing for careers in health professions and sciences, engineering, or science teaching. Previous high school chemistry necessary.

CHM 141.M, 153, 142.M, 161:

for students planning careers (or special interests) in chemistry. A high school chemistry course is necessary. You cannot receive credit for both CHM 144, 145 and CHM 153, nor can you receive credit for both CHM 121 and the CHM 140 series. These four courses are the required sequence for B.S. chemistry and biochemistry majors.

Foreign Language

Placement is based on: (1) high school preparation (typically, one year of high school equates to one college semester), and (2) results of placement testing administered by Miami University. You cannot take a foreign language course for credit at a lower level than you are prepared for. After being placed, you cannot skip a course in the sequence leading to 202.

If you intend to continue studying the same foreign language as in high school, you are required to take the placement exam for that language before you enroll. Placement exams for French, German, and Spanish are taken by freshmen during Summer Orientation; transfer students take them during transfer student advising in the summer. Results are immediately available at orientation for placement and advising. Continuing students wishing to enter a language sequence should take the placement exam and then seek advising before enrolling in a course.

For other languages, placement exams are taken at home by entering freshmen prior to Summer Orientation; transfer students in Latin and Russian take the exam prior to transfer student advising. Examinations are returned to Miami by mail; results are available at orientation for placement and advising.

There is no award of academic credit with placement tests.

101-level:

for those beginning a new language.

102-level:

for those who have successfully completed GER 101 or 111. Also for those whose placement scores indicate they are not prepared to enter second-year level French.

111 in German:

review course for those whose placement exam scores indicate they are not prepared to enter second-year level. After completing 111, students enter 102.

111 in Spanish:

review course for those whose placement exam scores indicate they are not prepared to enter second-year level. After completing 111, students enter 102.

121-level:

intensive review course offered in Latin and Spanish for those whose placement exam scores indicate they are not prepared to enter second-year level. After completing 121, students enter 202.

201-level:

for those who have successfully completed 102, SPN 111, or equivalent, or achieved an appropriate placement exam score.

202-level:

for those who have successfully completed 121, 201, or equivalent, or achieved an appropriate placement exam score; this course fulfills the language requirement for the College of Arts and Science (CAS-A).

301-level and above:

for those who have successfully completed 202 or equivalent, or achieved an appropriate placement exam score. Any foreign language course at 300 level or above fulfills the language requirement for the College of Arts and Science (CAS-A), not including courses in translation.

Physics

PHY 101, 103, 111, 118, 121, 131, 141:

PHY 103 has a prerequisite; see course descriptions.

PHY 181, 182, 183, 184:

calculus corequisite course recommended for science, systems analysis, engineering, and pre-engineering majors. Freshmen should enroll in PHY 181.F, 182.F. There is no physics prerequisite for 181, although concurrent registration in laboratory course PHY 183 is required. See course descriptions.

Mathematics and Statistics

Two placement tests are offered to Oxford campus students. (The regional campuses offer other standardized placement tests.) Test One must be taken before Test Two. Test One (precalculus) helps assesss your readiness for calculus if you expect to take a mathematics or statistics course. Algebra, trigonomentry, functions, and basic geometry are included on the test. Also, take Test Two(calculus) if you have taken a semester or more of calculus, even AP calculus, during high school and expect to take a calculus course. Test Two is based on topics covered in Calculus I. More information about these tests is online here or available from a departmental adviser. Students on campus who have not taken these tests can pick them up in the department office, 123 BachelorHall, then return them later for evaluation and advice.

In the advising table below, I and II refer to Placement Tests One and Two, and I + II denotes the sum of your scores on I and II.

If you plan to	and you have passed these high school	and have these scores on I and/or II	then take
Take a calculus course	(a) a year of calculus, including log, exponential, and trig functions.	I + II from 35 to 45	MTH 249
	(b) at least one semester of calculus, with strong background in precalculus	I + II from 26 to 34	MTH 153
	(c) three and one-half or four years of math, with trig but little or no calculus	I + II from 16 to 25	MTH 151
	(d) three or four years of math, including some trig	I from 12 to 15	MTH 123
	(e) less than three years of math	I from 8 to 11 I from 0 to 7	MTH 104 MTH 102
Take a noncalculus course, e.g. MTH 121 or STA 261	(a) three years of math, including two years of algebra	I from 12 to 25	MTH 121 or STA 261
	(b) less than three years of math	I from 0 to 11	MTH 102 or 104
Seek middle childhood licensure with a math concentration	more than three years of math, including geometry, with grades of B or better	I from 16 to 25	MTH 117
Seek licensure in early or middle childhood, not concentrating in math	(a) three years of math, including geometry	I from 12 to 25	MTH 115
	(b) less than three years of math	I from 0 to 11	MTH 102

Since recommendations given above or online may not consider all information relevant to your situation, you should contact a departmental advisor if you have questions. The goal is to place you in a course with students of similar preparations.

To contact a departmental adviser via e-mail: placement@notch.mathstat.muohio.edu