Distribution Requirements

In the Spring of 2004, the faculty of Bowdoin College voted to adopt new distribution requirements to be implemented in two phases:

  • Class of 2009: A first-year seminar is required in addition to the traditional division requirements (2 courses in each major division) and 2 non-eurocentric courses.

  • Class of 2010 and beyond: A first-year seminar is required but five new distribution requirements and reduced division requirements replace the traditional division and non-eurocentric requirements.

Five New Distribution Requirements

  1. One course on Mathematical, Computational, or Statistical Reasoning.
  2. One course on Inquiry in the Natural Sciences.
  3. One course on Exploring Social Differences.
  4. One course on International Perspectives.
  5. One course on the Visual and Performing Arts.

Not all College courses will be identified as fulfilling one of the five new distribution requirements (see the Approved Courses). A course may be approved for as many as two of these, but students may not count the same course twice for the five new distribution requirements. Students may not count a first-year seminar (except for clusters) toward any of the five new distribution requirements.

Reduced Division Requirements

At least one course in each of the three following divisions of the College: (a) natural sciences and mathematics, (b) social and behavioral sciences, and (c) humanities (in addition to the required course on the visual and performing arts). Students may meet this expectation by counting first-year seminars as well as courses taken to fulfill one of the first four new distribution requirements. In particular:

  • MCSR courses generally also fulfill either the "a" or the "b" division requirement.
  • INS courses always also fulfill the "a" division requirement.
  • ESD courses generally also fulfill either the "b" or the "c" division requirement.
  • IP courses generally also fulfill either the "b" or the "c" division requirement.

Technicalities

  • These requirements must be fulfilled by courses at Bowdoin (except in instances of transfers where decisions will be case by case).
  • Independent study and honors courses can not be used to satisfy these requirements.
  • Courses will be counted for credit if students receive a grade of CR, D or better.
  • The five distribution requirements should be satisfied by the end of the fourth college semester.

A map comparing the new requirements to old PDF»