Instructors and Counselors

DES 1111 – Creative Problem Solving [Pilot Phase]

3 credits, class size limit: 34

Eligibility: Juniors or seniors from all fields with 3.0 GPA or instructor approval are welcome to apply. Open to sophomores only with instructor permission.

CI 3901 – Exploring the Teaching Profession I

2 credits, class size limit: 25

CI 3902 – Exploring the Teaching Profession II

2 credits, class size limit: 25

Eligibility: Junior or senior who meets at least ONE of the additional qualifications:

• 3.0 GPA, OR
• Class rank of 50% or above, OR
• Recommendation from a teacher, OR
• Interest in working with kids, demonstrated through interview with CIS instructor

Entry Point Project courses: 60% of the students must also belong to one of the targeted audiences for the Entry Point Project (under Course Requirements and Policies).

COMM 1101 – Introduction to Public Speaking

3 credits, class size limit: 27

Eligibility: Junior or senior with a class rank in the top 50%. Not open to freshmen or sophomores.

ENGL 1001W* – Introduction to Literature: Poetry, Drama, Narrative

4 credits, class size limit: 25

*W = Writing Intensive course and helps fulfill the U of M liberal education Writing Intensive requirement.

Eligibility: This is an intensive course requiring substantial reading, writing and critical thinking throughout the semester. Decisions about admitting students reside with the CIS instructor, in collaboration with the U of M faculty coordinator. Students must be seniors. Juniors are allowed only with the approval of the CIS instructor and the faculty coordinator, but are strongly advised to wait until they are seniors. Not open to freshmen or sophomores.

Students must also meet ONE of the two following additional qualifications:

• Have a cumulative GPA in previously taken English courses that exceeds a 3.25, or
• Be in the top 20% of their high school class.

Students must also be able to demonstrate to the CIS instructor ONE of the following:

• The reading and writing skills necessary for success in the course, or
• A passion for reading and writing about literature.

WRIT 1201 – Writing Studio

4 credits, class size limit: 22

Eligibility: Juniors or seniors who can show a pattern of consistent attendance at school. Also open to freshmen and sophomores graders, but only with teacher permission. The student must also meet one of the following additional criteria:

• A 3.0 GPA or better, OR
• Has completed the ACT or PLAN with reading and writing scores considered sufficient by the instructor, OR
• Has the recommendation of the CIS instructor or counselor.

Entry Point Project course: 60% of the students must also belong to one of the targeted audiences for the Entry Point Project (under Course Requirements and Policies).

WRIT 1301 – University Writing

4 credits, class size limit: 24

Eligibility: WRIT 1301 is a process-based, interactive course that requires a significant time commitment, and students should be ready to engage in intensive reading, writing, and critical thinking.

Seniors who can meet at least TWO of the following criteria:

• In the top 30% of their class
• GPA of 3.0 or higher in previous English coursework
• An eagerness to engage in an interactive, process-based course that requires significant time commitment in and outside of the classroom, as demonstrated in a letter of interest OR teacher recommendation
• Experience with or passion for coursework with intensive reading and writing demands, as demonstrated through a letter of interest, teacher recommendation, OR writing sample

Instructors and schools should strive to make CIS Writing 1301 accessible to students who do not meet the quantitative criteria. We encourage the use of additional methods for meeting the qualitative criteria (e.g. interviews or conversations), and the development of recruitment and promotion strategies, to attract and admit students who have historically been excluded from such coursework.

CI 1806 – College Algebra through Modeling

3 credits, class size limit: 35

Eligibility: Junior or senior who meets at least ONE of the additional qualifications:

• Earned C+ or better in H.S. Algebra I and II classes, OR
• Satisfactory placement test score, OR
• Instructor permission

Open to freshmen or sophomores only with instructor permission.

Entry Point Project course: 60% of the students must also belong to one of the targeted audiences for the Entry Point Project (under Course Requirements and Policies).

MATH 1371 – CSE Calculus I

4 credits, class size limit: 28

Eligibility: Junior or senior who has earned A or A- in rigorous precalculus class. Background in precalculus, geometry, and visualization of functions/graphs, or teacher recommendation; familiarity with graphing calculators recommended. Open to freshmen or sophomores.

EPSY 3264 – Introduction to Basic and Applied Statistics

3 credits, class size limit: 30

Eligibility: Junior or senior in high school and have successfully completed a high school algebra course with a B+ or higher. Sophomores may also enroll with instructor permission.

ANSC 1101 – Introductory Animal Science

4 credits, class size limit: 36

Eligibility: Junior or senior with class rank in the top 50%. Freshmen and sophomores must be in the top 20% of their class and have teacher permission to participate.

BIOL 1015 – Human Physiology, Technology, and Medical Devices

4 credits, class size limit: capacity of lab

Eligibility: Junior or senior who has earned a B or better in a rigorous high school chemistry course. Not open to freshmen or sophomores.

PHYS 1101W* – Introductory College Physics I

4 credits, class size limit: 25

*This is a Writing Intensive course and helps fulfill the U of M liberal education Writing Intensive requirement.

Eligibility: Junior or senior who has earned a B or better in a rigorous high school algebra 2/trigonometry course (or equivalent) AND completed prerequisite courses in algebra and geometry. Exceptional 10th graders may enroll, with the approval of the CIS instructor and the U of M faculty coordinator.

CI 1563 – Physics by Inquiry

4 credits, class size limit: 24

Eligibility: Junior or senior who has earned a passing grade in an Algebra I course. Not open to freshmen or sophomores.

Entry Point Project course: 60% of the students must also belong to one of the targeted audiences for the Entry Point Project (under Course Requirements and Policies).

EE 1701/1703 – Climate Crisis: Implementing Solutions

4 credits, class size limit: 30

Eligibility: Junior or senior who has earned a B or better in at least one rigorous science course such as physics, chemistry, environmental science, earth science, or biology AND has earned a B or better in at least one upper-level math course such algebra 2/trigonometry, precalculus, calculus, modeling, probability, or statistics. Not open to freshmen or sophomores.

EE 1301 – Introduction to Computing Systems [Pilot Phase]

4 credits, class size limit: 25

Eligibility: Junior or senior who meets ONE of the following qualifications:

• earned a B+ or better in Algebra II, OR
• is concurrently enrolled in Algebra II and earned a B+ or better in the preceding math course

APEC 1101 – Principles of Microeconomics

4 credits, class size limit: 27

APEC 1102 – Principles of Macroeconomics

3 credits, class size limit: 27

Eligibility: Intensive courses that require substantial reading, math, and critical thinking throughout the semester. Students enrolling in APEC 1101 and APEC 1102 must be juniors or seniors who meet at least ONE of the following:

• Earned a B or better in a rigorous high school algebra 2 course, OR
• Have a cumulative GPA that exceeds a 3.25, OR
• Be in the top 20% of their high school class, OR
• Have both teacher and faculty coordinator approval.

Students enrolling in APEC 1102 must also have taken APEC 1101 or equivalent. Not open to freshmen or sophomores.

AFRO 1011 – Introduction to African American Studies

3 credits, class size limit: 25

Eligibility: Student assessment is not strictly determined by reading and writing strength although these areas are important. A range of learning styles is validated so there is some flexibility for assessing student strengths and qualifications. Students should be juniors or seniors in high school AND meet at least TWO of the following additional requirements:

• Rank in the top 50% of their high school class, OR
• Demonstrate strength in visual, written, and/or oral learning styles to the CIS instructor, OR
• Demonstrate reading and writing proficiency to the CIS instructor.

Not open to freshmen or sophomores.

CIS instructors who teach this course every other year are required to attend U of M-sponsored professional development events for AFRO 1011 during their non-teaching years as well as during years when they teach the U of M course. Must be taught over a semester or longer.

HIST 1307 – Authority and Rebellion: American History to 1865

3 credits, class size limit: 30

HIST 1308 – Global America: US History Since 1865

3 credits, class size limit: 30

Eligibility: Intensive U of M courses that require substantial reading and writing throughout the semester. Students enrolling in HIST 1307 or 1308 must be juniors or seniors and meet at least ONE of the following additional qualifications:

• Have a cumulative GPA in recent social science courses that exceeds a 3.25, OR
• Be in the top 30% of their high school class, OR
• Be able to demonstrate sufficient strength in the necessary reading and writing skills to the CIS instructor.

Not open to freshmen or sophomores.

POL 1001 – American Democracy in a Changing World

3 credits, class size limit: 30

Eligibility: Intensive course that requires substantial reading, writing, and critical thinking throughout the semester. Students must be juniors or seniors who meet at least ONE of the following additional qualifications:

• Have a cumulative GPA in recent social science courses that exceeds a 3.25, OR
• Be in the top 20% of their high school class, OR
• Demonstrate strength in the necessary reading and writing skills.

Exceptional sophomores may enroll, with approval of CIS instructor and U of M faculty coordinator.

PSY 1001 – Introduction to Psychology

4 credits, class size limit: 25

Eligibility: Junior or senior with a class rank in the top 20%, or instructor approval; previous coursework in high school psychology or high school biology, and reading score review are recommended. Open to sophomores with CIS instructor permission.

FSOS 1211 – An Interdisciplinary Look at the Family in Multicultural America

4 credits, class size limit: 24

Eligibility: Junior or senior. Not open to freshmen or sophomores graders. FSOS 1211 is a service learning course that asks enrolled students to volunteer outside of the classroom. This can be done in a variety of ways using a variety of different models.

Entry Point Project course: 60% of the students must also belong to one of the targeted audiences for the Entry Point Project (under Course Requirements and Policies).

CHN 1011– Beginning Modern Chinese I

5 credits each, class size limit: 22

CHN 1012 – Beginning Modern Chinese II

5 credits each, class size limit: 22

Eligibility: Junior or senior and instructor recommendation. Generally, students will have completed one to two years of secondary school Chinese, or equivalent proficiency, before enrolling in 1011. Open to freshmen and sophomores with instructor permission. Students enrolling in CHN 1012 must have taken CHN 1011, or with instructor permission.

CHN 1015 – Accelerated Beginning Modern Chinese

5 credits, class size limit: 22

Eligibility: Junior or senior and instructor recommendation. Generally, students will have completed two to three years of secondary school Chinese, or equivalent proficiency, before enrolling in 1011. Open to freshmen and sophomores with instructor permission.

CHN 3021– Intermediate Modern Chinese I

5 credits each, class size limit: 22

CHN 3022 – Intermediate Modern Chinese II

5 credits each, class size limit: 22

Eligibility: Junior or senior, placement exam, and instructor recommendation. Open to freshmen and sophomores graders with instructor permission.

Students enrolling in CHN 3021 must have taken CHN 1012 or have instructor permission.

Students enrolling in CHN 3022 must have taken 3021 or have instructor permission.

CHN 3016 – Accelerated Intermediate Modern Chinese

5 credits each, class size limit: 22

Eligibility: Junior or senior, and instructor recommendation. Open to freshmen and sophomores with instructor permission.

Students enrolling in CHN 3016 must have taken CHN 1012 or CHN 1015, or have instructor permission.

FREN 1003– Intermediate French I

5 credits each, class size limit: 24

FREN 1004 – Intermediate French II

5 credits each, class size limit: 24

Eligibility: Junior or senior. Students enrolling in 1003 must have at least three years, and ideally four years, of high school French or equivalent proficiency. Open to freshmen and sophomores, with teacher permission.

Students enrolling in 1004 must have taken 1003 or have instructor permission.

GER 1003– Intermediate German I

5 credits each, class size limit: 26

GER 1004 – Intermediate German II

5 credits each, class size limit: 26 

Eligibility: Junior or senior. Generally, students will have completed two to three years of high school German before enrolling in 1003. Open to freshmen and sophomores, with teacher permission.

Students enrolling in 1004 must have taken 1003 or have instructor permission.

GRK 1001– Beginning Classical Greek I

5 credits each, class size limit: 22

GRK 1002 – Beginning Classical Greek II

5 credits each, class size limit: 22

Eligibility: Junior or senior. Students enrolling in 1001 must have instructor approval. Open to freshmen and sophomores, with teacher permission.

Students enrolling in 1002 must have a grade of at least C- in 1001 or instructor approval.

JPN 1011– Beginning Japanese I

5 credits each, class size limit: 22

JPN 1012 – Beginning Japanese II

5 credits each, class size limit: 22

Eligibility: Junior or senior, with instructor approval. Exceptional sophomores may enroll, with approval of CIS instructor.

Students enrolling in 1012 must have taken 1011 or have instructor approval.

LAT 3003/3004 – Intermediate Latin Prose/Poetry

4 credits each, class size limit: 22

Eligibility: Junior or senior, with instructor approval. Open to freshmen and sophomores, with teacher permission. Generally, students have completed three years of Latin, including a comprehensive grounding in Latin grammar and syntax, before enrolling in LAT 3003. Experience reading Latin literature is helpful.

Students enrolling in 3004 must have a grade of at least C- in 3003 or the approval of the department.

SPAN 1003 – Intermediate Spanish I

5 credits each, class size limit: 24

SPAN 1004 – Intermediate Spanish II

5 credits each, class size limit: 24

Eligibility: Junior or senior. Open to freshmen and sophomores, with teacher permission. Generally, students will have successfully completed four years of HS Spanish with an average GPA of 3.00 or better (in the prior Spanish classes) before enrolling in SPAN 1003.

Students enrolling in 1004 must have taken 1003 or have instructor permission.

Sixty percent of the students enrolled in courses identified as Entry Point Project courses need to be from one or more of the following student populations: 

• Multilingual/ELL
• Racial or ethnic minorities
• First-generation college-bound 
• Families of low-to-moderate income
• Academic middle (between the top 50% and the top 20% of their class)

In order to ensure a U of M course offered through CIS functions at the University level, at least 75% of participating students need to be enrolled for U of M credit. Up to 25% may be enrolled for high school credit only. All students must meet the student eligibility criteria, whether or not they are enrolled for U of M credit.

CIS instructors and schools need to observe the same class-size limits that are used in discussion sections of the course taken by University students; these limits are set by the academic departments that own the courses. Students enrolled for U of M credit and those taking the course for high school credit only, are to be counted equally for the purposes of measuring class size. If a CIS instructor learns that any of their sections will exceed the class-size limit, they should communicate with their Faculty Coordinator to discuss any exceptions and implement strategies to manage workload. When monitoring class-size limits, CIS looks for a pattern of over-enrollment over a two-year period. If sections are repeatedly over-enrolled, schools risk losing the option to offer the course.

CIS students, like full-time U of M undergraduates, may not register for more than 20 credits per semester. The credits for year-long courses are counted in credit loads for both fall and spring semesters. Students who wish to take more than 20 credits per term require CCAPS Scholastic Committee approval. For information and assistance, contact CIS Enrollment Services.

Some courses allow a student who is a freshman or sophomore to register, and this is noted in the course description as well as in . Specifics are noted in the course description and in Student Eligibility by Course and Class Size. Some courses allow for a class section composed entirely of of freshmen and sophomores. In order to offer the course for U of M credit to this population, CIS requires a signed agreement from the University department that owns the course. If you are considering this option, contact Associate Director Jan M. Erickson well in advance.

Most U of M CIS courses host Student Field Days, giving students the opportunity to learn course content through activities on the U of M campus. Participation in Student Field Days are recommended and for a few courses, required. Learn more by checking individual course descriptions.

Because former CIS students often present a course syllabus to gain credit recognition at colleges and universities, it’s imperative that courses be clearly identified as a University of Minnesota course. As long as the content of the U of M course is fully and completely covered, instructors may include additional course material. On the syllabus, however, a course should be identified only as a U of M course. University courses offered through CIS are not CIS courses, nor U of M/Advanced Placement courses, nor U of M/CIS courses. Learn more about how to develop your syllabus.

Foreign exchange and international students are eligible to enroll for U of M credit, but generally are not eligible to generate concurrent enrollment aid from the State of Minnesota. The high school administration is responsible for approving the student’s participation, and acknowledging that they will not receive state aid for that student. Review the policy for additional details