Liberal Arts and Sciences: Additional Requirements

The Freshman Year
Freshman Seminar
Natural Science Requirement for Freshmen
Mathematics Proficiency
Additional General Education Requirements:
Physical Education/Health | Focus on Race and Gender

The Freshman Year
Freshmen in the liberal arts and sciences normally complete from three to seven general education courses, depending on their program of study. Because the freshman general education program is carefully planned to provide a foundation for further academic study at Purchase College, students in the liberal arts and sciences may not withdraw from:

• FRS 1000 and 1001/Culture and Society in the West I and II
• LWR 1110/College Writing
• FRS 1200/Science in the Modern World, or
• FRS 1030/Freshman Seminar.

If extenuating circumstances exist, a student may petition the instructor; however, withdrawal will only be allowed with the permission of the student’s advisor and the associate dean of liberal arts and sciences. In addition, freshmen who fail both FRS 1000/Culture and Society in the West I and LWR 1110/College Writing are subject to academic dismissal at the end of the first semester.

The following course is also required for incoming freshmen and selected transfer students in the liberal arts and sciences:

Freshman Seminar: Liberal Arts and Sciences
FRS 1030 / 1 credit / Every semester
In this introduction to the merits and expectations of a liberal arts education, incoming freshmen in the liberal arts and sciences are encouraged to become members of the Purchase College intellectual community. Through readings, discussions, and supervised activities, students learn about the College’s academic expectations and its educational and co-curricular opportunities. Graded on a pass/fail basis; cannot be repeated. Required for liberal arts and sciences freshmen.

Natural Science Requirement for Freshmen
All entering freshmen in the liberal arts and sciences—except those who have declared a major in biology, chemistry, or environmental studies—fulfill the natural science general education requirement by completing FRS 1200/Science in the Modern World in the spring of their freshman year. Designed to provide a common experience, this course is taught by selected faculty from their particular perspectives.

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Mathematics Proficiency Requirement
The mathematics proficiency requirement for students in the liberal arts and sciences has the following goals:

1. To assure that all students have the ability to read newspapers and other literature addressed to the general public with full understanding of quantitative references, graphs, ratios, etc.
2. To assume comprehension of high school-level algebra and geometry, including such abilities as the manipulation of algebraic expressions, the solution of elementary equations and their use in solving verbal problems, an understanding of the elementary geometric figure, and the computation of areas, lengths, and angles.

The mathematics proficiency requirement is satisfied by one of the following:

1. Passing a minimum of three years of sequential math in high school and receiving a score of 85 on the Sequential III (Math B) Regents exam or its equivalent; or
   
2. Achieving a score of 550 or higher on the quantitative portion of the SAT examination (recentered); or
3. Passing the College-administered mathematics examination; or
4. Passing MAT 1100/Intermediate Mathematics at Purchase; or
5. Passing an equivalent course at an accredited college.

Please note: This proficiency only partially fulfills the mathematics general education requirement; an approved course in mathematics (beyond MAT 1100) is also required.

Additional General Education Requirements
At Purchase College, undergraduate students in the liberal arts and sciences must also successfully complete at least one course in each of the following two categories:

1. Physical Education/Health
2. Focus on Race and Gender

For the most current list of approved courses in each category, students should consult the Liberal Arts and Sciences Handbook and each semester’s Course Schedule.

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