Choosing Courses

Before choosing courses read the College Catalog, especially for important information about Lewis & Clark policies and requirements.

Courses offered in the fall
Current course information may always be accessed by checking “Schedule Your Courses” on the right-hand sidebar. Read the Online Registration Instructions. For example, once you have a list of courses, you can click on the course title to see the description and prerequisites.

PREREQUISITES
When you have a list of courses, check on Section Name and Title in WebAdvisor to see if there are any prerequisites. You will not be able to register for a course if the Registrar has not received documentation that you have met or are meeting the prerequisite. This includes prerequisites that have been met by AP, IB or college transfer credit. Check with Cherilyn Ronningen (cer@lclark.edu) if you have any questions.

The “Math 055 or equivalent” prerequisite
To register for a course with a Math 055 or equivalent prerequisite, you must have met one of the criteria listed below. The official documents for these criteria must be on file in the Registrar’s Office prior to registration.

• SAT I math score of 630 or higher or an ACT math score of 30 or higher
• High school calculus course with a grade of B or better
• Calculus AP score of 4 or 5 or an IB score of 7
• Quantitative Reasoning Proficiency Examination score of Level II or higher (should be taken online during the summer)
• College course work equivalent to Math 055 or higher

If you want to register for a course that requires Math 055 or equivalent as a prerequisite, you will most likely need to take the Quantitative Proficiency Exam even if you (eventually) will have one of these other options because the Registrar’s Office needs official documentation of your equivalency before you can register.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT/INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (AP or IB credit)
Check the AP/IB section of the 2010-2011 Lewis & Clark College Catalog to determine if AP or IB credit affects your placement in courses. (Official documentation must be on file in the Registrar’s Office before you register.) AP/IB credit does not fill any General Education requirements except in foreign language.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
As a liberal arts college, Lewis & Clark encourages students to “seek knowledge for its own sake.” The pursuit of knowledge in a variety of fields expands students’ perspectives and requires that they develop essential skills, helping them to think, write, and speak clearly and effectively so that they may become thoughtful contributors to and leaders of society. The specific General Education Requirements are found in the College Catalog.

Registering for CORE 106:  Although all Exploration and Discovery sections meet on M,W,F, the times the sections meet do vary. Check 2011 Faculty to see the time specific sections are offered. Check the web site for information on how to submit your preferences.

CHOOSING YOUR COURSES

The number of courses to take each semester: A regular course load is four four-credit courses, plus perhaps a one-credit PE course or one or two one-credit Music Performance courses, for a total of 16-19 credits. Students must have their advisor’s permission and signature in order to take more than 19 credits, but overloading is generally not recommended for students in their first semester at Lewis & Clark. To graduate, a student must have 128 credits—that is 32 credits a year, or 16 credits per semester over 8 semesters.

Class size: Class sizes are small, so you may not be able to take all of your first choice courses every semester. It is essential to have already thought of alternates before you begin to register. 

Courses to take in the first semester at LC:

• Courses in your major. If you are planning to major in a science, be sure to see “Majors to Start the First Semester in College” for a guide to the courses you need to take first semester.
• Foreign language. If you have taken a language at your previous college, you should register this summer for the next level (e.g., if you have taken one year of a language, then you should register for 201). If you did not take a language in college and want to continue with a language you studied in high school, you will need to take the Foreign Language Placement Examination and must wait until August 30 to register for the course. If you want to study a language you have not previously studied, you should register for it this summer.
• Courses needed to fulfill your General Education requirements will depend on your Transfer Course Evaluation that is completed after receipt of Official Transcripts.
• Theatre
  If you are interested in auditioning for the fall main-stage production, auditions take place in the first week of the semester. Go to Fir Acres Theatre on the first or second day of classes for details. Auditioning is completely open, with no prerequisites, and casting is non-traditional and colorblind.

  Check class times to avoid conflicts
  Class meeting times are included on the online “Schedule Your Courses” link on the right-hand sidebar on the Registrar’s pages. It is essential to check them carefully. Some classes meet only on Monday-Wednesday-Friday, others on Tuesday-Thursday, and so forth. Be sure to check on lab/discussion times if you take a science course!