Faculty of Arts and Sciences Handbook for Students 2005–2006 Harvard College Official Register of Harvard University PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS Faculty of Arts and Sciences Harvard College Handbook for Students 2005–2006 Vol. 20, No. 10 August 1, 2005 Review of academic, financial, and other considerations leads to changes in the poli- cies, rules, and regulations applicable to students. The Faculty of Arts and Sciences there- fore reserves the right to make changes at any time. These changes may affect such matters as tuition and all other fees, courses, degrees and programs offered (including the modifica- tion or possible elimination of degrees and programs), degree and other academic require- ments, academic policies, rules pertaining to student conduct and discipline, fields or areas of concentration, and other rules and regulations applicable to students. While every effort has been made to ensure that this book is accurate and up-to-date, it may include typographical or other errors. Changes are periodically made to this publica- tion and will be incorporated in new editions. Barry S. Kane, Registrar Stephanie H. Kenen, Assistant Dean of Harvard College John T. O’Keefe, Assistant Dean of Harvard College Patricia A. O’Brien, Associate Registrar, Courses, Scheduling, and Publications Hana Boston-Howes, Coordinator The Official Register of Harvard University (ISSN #0199-1787) is published thirteen times a year, four times in July, four times in August, one time in September, November, January, February, and March. The Official Register of Harvard University is published by Harvard Printing and Publication Services, 219 Western Avenue, Allston, Massachusetts 02134. Periodicals postage paid at Boston, Massachusetts, and additional mailing points. Printed and bound by Webcom Limited, Ontario, Canada Printed in Canada. Notice to Students This book contains a concise review of the rules and procedures of Harvard College with which students are expected to be familiar. Included are the specific requirements for the AB and SB degrees (Chapter 2) and both basic and honors requirements for each of the forty fields of concentration (Chapter 3). Also included is information on a number of the services, programs, and organizations that have been created to bring assistance and en- richment to a student’s undergraduate experience. In this book, “the Registrar” refers to the Office of the Registrar of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, located at 20 Garden Street. Harvard University makes all decisions concerning applicants, students, faculty, and staff on the basis of the individual’s qualifications to contribute to Harvard’s educational objectives and institutional needs. Discriminating against individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, vet- eran status, or disability unrelated to job or course requirements is inconsistent with the purposes of a university and with the law. Harvard expects that those with whom it deals will comply with all applicable antidiscrimination laws. In June of 2004, the completion or graduation rate for students who entered Harvard College as freshmen in September 1998 was 98 percent. Introduction Greetings from the Dean of Harvard College.............................................................................1 Mission of Harvard College......................................................................................................2 A Brief History of Harvard College............................................................................................3 Organizational Chart of Harvard College.....................................................................................6 Chapter 1: Academic Calendar................................................................7 Academic Year 2005–2006...........................................................................................................8 Academic Year 2006–2007.........................................................................................................16 Examination Scheduling............................................................................................................16 Examination Groups and Dates..................................................................................................17 Chapter 2: Academic Information...........................................................19 The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Degrees...........................................................20 Core Curriculum Requirement..........................................................................................21 Core Curriculum Requirement...........................................................................21 Core Areas by Concentration............................................................................21 Options for Meeting Core Area Requirements.................................................26 Concentration Requirement...............................................................................................28 Other Requirements...........................................................................................................31 Writing Requirement.........................................................................................31 Language Requirement......................................................................................31 Residence Requirement.....................................................................................33 Other Academic Opportunities..........................................................................................33 Study Abroad......................................................................................................33 Citations in a Foreign Language........................................................................35 Advanced Standing............................................................................................41 Study at Other Boston-Area Institutions...........................................................42 The Undergraduate Teacher Education Program...............................................42 Registration and Course Enrollment..........................................................................................43 Registration...............................................................................................................43 Choice of Courses.............................................................................................................43 Study Cards........................................................................................................................44 Course Credit Without Letter Grades................................................................................45 Simultaneous Enrollment..................................................................................................47 Cross-Registration.................................................................................................47 Change of Course (Add, Drop, Withdraw)........................................................................49 Full Courses - Divisible and Indivisible............................................................................50 Repeating Courses.............................................................................................................52 Rate of Work......................................................................................................................52 Additional Term.................................................................................................................53 Extra Transfer Term...........................................................................................................53 Harvard Summer School...................................................................................................54 Grades and Honors.....................................................................................................................55 The Grading System...........................................................................................................55 Grade Point Averages.........................................................................................................57 Promotion................................................................................................................57 Requirements for Honors Degrees.....................................................................................57 Prizes.......................................................................................................................58 Academic Performance...............................................................................................................59 Minimum Requirements....................................................................................................59 Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory Academic Records..........................................................59 Exclusion from a Course...................................................................................................60 Submission of Written Work.............................................................................................60 Academic Dishonesty.........................................................................................................60 Plagiarism and Collaboration.............................................................................60