Few colleges can equal this record. All entering HEOP freshmen are required to take one of the two writing courses. Because most academic and non-academic courses at Bard entail a great deal of writing, successful completion of the Basic Writing course is a must if students are to benefit from the Bard experience. Designed for students who have gaps in their mathematical backgrounds for whatever reasons, the course emphasizes mastery of such topics as the properites of numbers, arithmetic, the use of variables in elementary algebra, basic properties of Euclidean geometry, graphs, and analytic geometry. All entering HEOP students who indicate a possible major in the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics must enroll in this course if pre-testing so suggests.
Classes meet twice weekly for two credits.
The primary objective during this four week period is to ensure that program students reach and maintain academic proficiency level necessary to do college work successfully. In addition to basic math, students do algebra, logarithms, functions, and graphing of functions. Assignments include reading and analysis of selected fiction and non-fiction. Weekly papers are required. Through extensive use of library facilities, this course involves the subject content of an academic course.