Frequently Asked Questions

Many of these questions are addressed during the August freshman orientation.

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR FALL COURSES?

Academic advisors register Art students for their classes during the summer. Students will receive their schedule with days, times and instructor names at orientation in August. All first-year BFA/Art students take the courses listed below, which are required for the BFA/Art curriculum. BHA and BSA students usually have a slightly different group of courses. School of Art and university policy prohibit overloading in the first semester.

BFA FIRST-YEAR FALL COURSES (48 UNITS)

60-101 Concept Studio I: The Self and the Human Being — 10 units

60-104 Contemporary Issues Forum and Lecture Series — 6 units

60-110 Electronic Media Studio I: Computer Art —10 units

60-150 2D Media Studio I: Drawing — 10 Units

76-101 Interpretation and Argument — 9 units

99-101 Computing Skills Workshop (CSW) — Begins in October — 3 units

DOES EVERY STUDENT TAKE INTERPRETATION AND ARGUMENT?

76-101 Interpretation and Argument (taught by faculty in the English Department) is required for many CMU majors, including BFA, BHA and BSA Art. However, a score of 5 on an English AP test grants credit for this course. It can then be replaced with another elective course. World History is an the recommended alternative for BFA students. Anyone who earned a 5 score in an AP English test should contact their academic advisor immediately.

WILL I GET CARNEGIE MELLON CREDIT OR WAIVERS FOR MY OTHER AP TESTS?

NON-ART AP TESTS: An AP score of 5 (and sometimes 4) for a non-art AP test (Math, Sciences, Languages, etc.) provides course credit for one or more university academic elective course in that topic. BFA students can count these courses as university elective credit towards their degree.

ART AP TESTS: A score of 5 (and sometimes 4) for an Art AP test provides course credit as a "general Art elective." These appear as earned units on student records, but these units do not substitute for CMU Art courses and no Art courses will be waived.

WHAT KIND OF COMPUTER/PRINTER SHOULD I BRING/BUY?

60-110 Electronic Media Studio I: Computer Art will be taught in a classroom equipped with MACs (called a "cluster"). Carnegie Mellon has several MAC and PC clusters on campus — and many are available 24 hours a day. Students are not required to have their own computer/printer for classes, or for email (etc.). However, if a student owns a computer and printer, it is a good idea to bring them. Whether in MAC or PC format, it will be convenient to have them for a variety of purposes. 

Before purchasing a computer, one must be familiar with the computing environment and understand how the computer will be used. Art students report that it is most convenient to have a laptop since much of the campus has wireless network connections. After the first semester, computer artwork may be done on MACs or PCs (and there will be many other variables to consider), so students cannot truly comprehend their computer/software needs and preferences at this time. Therefore, if they don’t currently own a computer the school recommends that they wait to purchase one. 

HOW WILL I LEARN ABOUT EMAIL (ETC.)?

Email is a vital (indispensable!) tool for communicating at CMU. During orientation, all new Carnegie Mellon University students will learn about how to use email and other Carnegie Mellon online resources. In addition, all Carnegie Mellon students are required to take the 7-week “mini” course Computing Skills Workshop (CSW). CSW helps students get more information about the computing environment at Carnegie Mellon in areas such as choosing and changing passwords; accessing bulletin boards, address books, calendars, library and career resources; getting set up to print; understanding licenses, copyright and other legal issues, etc..

DO I NEED A CAMERA? WHAT KIND?

Art students must document all work on a consistent basis. While it may be possible to borrow a camera from a cluster, the school recommends that each student have his or her own 35-mm OR digital camera to document work as it is produced.

WHAT ART SUPPLIES DO I NEED?

First-year students can bring art supplies they currently own (pencils, paper, charcoal, etc.) since they will have two drawing studios and two concept studios in their first year. (Note: Storage space in dorm rooms is limited.) But students should not buy art supplies for classes until after their classes have met and their professors have given them a list of supplies. It is sometimes more economical for the school to make a volume purchase of supplies/tools for class use. In that case the professor will distribute them to students and the school will bill their student account to cover the cost.

WHO IS MY ACADEMIC ADVISOR?

Academic advisors are always a good place to start when students have questions about school. When academic issues such as earning a minor, choosing electives, finding academic assistance, locating university resources (etc.) come up, they should be contacted first. If they don’t have the answer, they will find someone who does.

ART ADVISOR (BFA, BHA and BSA)

Mark Cato mdcatoandrew.cmu.edu (412) 268-1531

BHA and BSA ADVISORS

Ari Blackford ariblackfordcmu.edu (412) 268-1745

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?

The School of Art will have a REQUIRED ACADEMIC ORIENTATION for all new Art students on THURSDAY, AUGUST 25. Students will learn about the programs, policies and facilities of the School of Art. They’ll met each other and the school staff and have their photo taken for the school photo case. In the interim, they are invited to contact their academic advisors (listed above) with their questions.

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