AP/EA Coursework
AP/EA courses are regular Carnegie Mellon classes, so you should anticipate intense, college-level work. AP/EA faculty teach at the university during the regular academic year. The content of AP/EA summer courses reflects the curriculum taught during the fall and spring semesters, and some AP/EA courses enroll degree-seeking university students alongside students in the AP/EA program. View the 2013 course list and APEA addendum as of May 5, 2013.
Resident students are required to take two courses of nine units or greater during the summer program (3 units = 1 credit hour). This six-week, two-course schedule is comparable in demand to the typical five-course schedule completed in a semester.
The flexible AP/EA program allows you to take:
- Two math/science/engineering courses
- One math/science/engineering course and one humanities/social sciences course
- Two humanities/social sciences courses
Some features of the AP/EA classes include:
- meet daily
- small class size
- personal learning environment
- supplemental tutoring
- taught by faculty selected for their enthusiasm and experience teaching college-level material to younger students
Pre-requisites
High school preparation is necessary for some AP/EA classes. For more details, consult the course descriptions or contact the program director.
Calculus requires:
Algebra, trigonometry and geometry. Pre-calculus or an equivalent course is recommended.
Computer science requires:
Knowledge of computers or some computer experience in high school is helpful but not required. PSAT Math of 65 or higher, or SAT Math of 650.
Physics, chemistry and biology require:
Students enrolled in physics, chemistry, biology or engineering must have completed a physics, chemistry or biology high school course.
Students in the AP/EA program are given a computing account enabling them to access the Internet in computer clusters across campus and to connect their own computers to the campus network via Ethernet or WiFi.
In light of the rigors of academic study, full-time AP/EA students cannot be employed on or off campus for the duration of the program. Only non-resident students may elect to enroll in one course and study part-time. In rare circumstances, students with special qualifications may request to enroll in three courses. Permission will be granted only after consultation with the Program Director. If permission is granted, an additional non-refundable charge will be added to the student invoice, which is equivalent to one-half the tuition rate for a course. Carrying three courses is generally not recommended.
Some AP/EA students select courses that extend their current academic interests, while others seek to explore new fields and to demonstrate multiple talents. The flexibility of the AP/EA program allows you to choose your own academic path.
In addition, if you’d like to take a class not available through AP/EA, some classes are open in Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Session II for current college students. The faculty member teaching the course and the AP/EA Program Director must also authorize your decision. For a complete listing of these courses, contact Enrollment Services — The HUB at 412-268-8186.