Catalog 2020-21 > Programs of Study and Degree Requirements > General Distribution and Course Requirements

General Distribution and Course Requirements

The required minimum of 120 credits must be appropriately distributed among five areas of study. The table below gives the minimum credits required in each area.

A credit corresponds to an average of three hours of student work each week throughout an academic semester. Therefore, a four-credit course (the most common course size at Olin) generally requires students to spend 12 hours each week attending classes, completing homework, participating in laboratory activities, and fulfilling all other course responsibilities.

The course catalog lists, for each course, the number of credits earned and their area. Most courses provide credit in only one area. Some courses distribute their credits across more than one area. Students must register for at least 12 credits but no more than 20 credits each semester. Students typically register for 16 credits per semester. First year students are limited to 18 credits in the first semester. Some activities, like Passionate Pursuits and a few classes, provide non-degree credit, which appears on the transcript, but do not count toward minimum credit requirements. Non-degree credit counts toward the maximum credits per semester, but not toward the minimum.

General Course Requirements

All Olin students, regardless of degree or concentration, must satisfy the following course requirements.  Students are strongly encouraged to complete all required 1000 level courses prior to the start of their junior year.  Note: some courses are required to be taken during a specific semester/year of study while others are suggested.

Designated alternatives are identified in the registration materials as course numbers ending in 88 or 88A.  A designated alternative may also be part of a Curriculum Innovation Experiment or Prototype (CIE) and described in a CIE#### course description.

Modeling Foundation

Mathematics Foundation

Foundational mathematics content in the following areas is required of all students: linear algebra, ordinary differential equations, multivariable calculus, and probability and statistics.

The interdisciplinary three course sequence titled Quantitative Engineering Analysis delivers the content areas of linear algebra, ordinary differential equations, and multivariable calculus, along with the physics foundation requirement. Each course in the sequence blends mathematical content, physics content and engineering content and as such, the full sequence must be completed in order to satisfy these content requirements. Each course builds on content from the previous and thus successful completion is a prerequisite to move on in the sequence.

In the event that the sequence cannot be completed, the following minimum content guide will provide alternative direction for the remaining content areas. Keep in mind that the interdisciplinary courses are designed to build upon mathematical, science and engineering concepts in a sequential manner and must be taken in order.

Linear Algebra-Multivariable Calculus-Ordinary Differential Equations

Probability and Statistics - One of

Science Foundation

Foundation Science content in the following areas is required of all students:  Biology, Chemistry or Materials Science, and Physics.  

Biology Foundation - One of:

The Biology Foundation is satisfied by one of the following courses at the 1000 level or by an intermediate or advanced biology course under the following circumstance:

• Students who successfully completed an AP biology class in high school are automatically eligible to place into an intermediate or advanced biology class. Olin typically offers one or two advanced biology courses per year.  Students choosing this option should complete a course waiver form for the foundation biology requirement.

Chemistry/Materials Science Foundation - One of:

Physics Foundation - all of:

Engineering

Engineering Foundation - All of:

Engineering Capstone - One of:

The student’s decision of intention to enroll in SCOPE or ADE is required a month following the Spring semester SCOPE Summit. This deadline is strictly enforced in an effort to ensure appropriateness of projects based on the composition of student teams.

Each option is a two-consecutive-semester course requirement, totaling 8 credits.  

Design

Design Foundation - All of:

Design Depth Course - One of:

The approved design depth courses listed below adhere to four criteria: 1) focus on a major theme in design thinking covered at an advanced level, 2) involve substantial theoretical consideration of design principles, processes or methods, 3) present the theme and theoretical consideration at an interdisciplinary level covering material that is relevant and accessible to multiple disciplines, and 4) provide substantial project experience that aims to create an artifact such as a component, process or system to meet needs, demonstrate possibilities or offer critique.

AHS and Entrepreneurship

Students complete an AHS foundation, an Entrepreneurship foundation, and either a concentration in AHS or a concentration in Entrepreneurship.

AHS Foundation - One of:

Entrepreneurship Foundation

AHS or Entrepreneurship Concentration

Students choose to concentrate in either AHS or Entrepreneurship. A concentration is a 12 credit sequence of approved courses in the chosen discipline.