The U.S. Educational System
The American university system seeks to meet three basic goals. First, U.S. colleges and universities attempt to educate as many people as possible, regardless of their educational or social background. For this reason, American universities have a variety of students who range in age, economic status, and interests. Admittance tests, such as ACT or SAT, are required but do not always disqualify candidates. As a result of this open admission policy, introductory level courses at most colleges and universities tend to have larger enrollments and cover topics of general interest. Junior and senior level courses, however, deal with the student's specific area of interest.

Second, the curriculum of most American colleges is also different from that of institutions around the world, where students focus on their major immediately, and to the exclusion of almost all other subjects. American universities, whether or not they have a liberal arts focus, attempt to provide a general education at a level above high school. As such, the first two years of college are usually spent taking required "general education" courses. During the last two years, the courses focus on the student's major.

The third major objective of the American educational system is to promote and stimulate the thought process. Memorization is not enough. Students are expected to think, draw conclusions, and defend positions. The objective here is to create independent and individualistic students.

In short, American universities are extremely egalitarian institutions. They admit many students and attempt to provide them with the tools needed for a successful future: broad-based education and practice in critical thinking.

Methods of Evaluation
You may find American methods of evaluation to be very different from those with which you are familiar. Here, faculty members use a variety of ways to evaluate a student's performance. Examinations, usually given several times during the semester, are generally the main basis of evaluation. However, many professors also assign projects, research papers and classroom presentations. They combine the grades earned on these assignments and on the examinations to determine the student's final grade.
Note: Many professors also take attendance and classroom participation into consideration when evaluating a student.

Attendance Policy
Ideally, you should attend every lecture, seminar, and laboratory session for which you are enrolled. However, professors understand that absences do occur and usually accept a valid excuse (e.g., illness, emergency). Attendance policy in specific classes is provided at the beginning of the semester. Instructors will set forth their expectations on class attendance and make-up work for missed classes. Each faculty member has the authority to set policy guidelines and regulations for his/her courses. As a general rule, do not miss class except in an emergency. The general attendance policy at Allegheny College is stated in the Compass, a student handbook that includes an academic calendar, the Allegheny College code of conduct, the Honor Code, and information about the offices on campus and their roles. You will receive a copy of the Compass in your mailbox once you arrive.

Classroom Participation
Many international students come from educational systems where speaking to the professor during or after class may not be acceptable. But this is not the case at most American universities, especially Allegheny College. Here, a great deal of interaction occurs between teachers and their students. In fact, almost all professors encourage students to join in class discussions and express their opinions. Many teachers include class participation in determining a student's grade and will lower the grade if the student does not ask questions or make comments in class.

All instructors at Allegheny College have "office hours," regular times when they are available in their offices to meet with students. You should take advantage of these times to visit your teachers even if you are doing well in your courses; by getting to know the professor, you might find it easier to participate in class.

Academic Honesty
Allegheny College expects all students to be academically honest. Professors insist that their students fulfill course requirements in an ethical manner. Plagiarism is a very serious offense and punishment could be as harsh as expulsion. If a professor assigns a research paper, you are to work on it alone and are not allowed to copy sources without providing the appropriate references (internet sites included!). Also, you must complete examinations without taking or giving assistance. What you may think of as 'helping' may be considered cheating at Allegheny and could result in a failing grade or expulsion from the College. The Allegheny "Honor Code," designed by students to address matters of academic integrity, is fully described in the Compass.

The Course Title/Numbering System

http://www.educationusa.state.gov/undergrad/about/system.htm
A degree in the U.S. is awarded after you complete a specified number of credits, which are usually completed in four years of full-time study. The first year is called the freshman year; the second is called sophomore; the third, junior; and the fourth, senior

At Allegheny, the departments (faculties) and interdisciplinary programs are classified in the following three divisions:
HUMANITIES: Art, Communication Arts, English, Modern & Classical Languages, Music, Religious Studies and Philosophy

NATURAL SCIENCES: Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geology, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Physics

SOCIAL SCIENCES: Economics, History, International Studies, Political Science, Psychology

Courses are numbered as follows:
001-299: Primarily for freshman (first-year) and sophomores (second-year)
190-199: Special topics, primarily for freshman and sophomores
300-569: Advanced, primarily for juniors (third-year) and seniors (fourth-year)
489: Student-designed seminars
490-499: Special topics, advanced level, offered only once
500-529: Undergraduate Internships
550-589: Seminars
590: Independent Study
600-699: Senior Project

You have 2 weeks after the beginning of instruction to add or drop classes. You can ask staff in the Registrar's Office in Bentley Hall about the deadline for adding or dropping classes. This information will also be posted on the Registrar's home page on the internet.

All the professors have office hours. You can always talk to the professor about the content or expectations of a class before signing up for it.

Your academic advisor, who is a member of the faculty, will advise you on course selection and other academic matters.

Welcome from President Richard J. Cook

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Updated on 6-26-07*

*The information on this page changes frequently. To ensure that the information you receive on this page is current, please note when the information was last updated. Thank You.