Prerequisites
What are MAPS?
Students who graduated from high school in 1988 or thereafter are required
to meet the minimum academic preparation standards (MAPS).
Students admitted to CU-Boulder with MAPS deficiencies must complete
MAPS courses before graduation.
The following are MAPS requirements for students graduating
spring 1995 or thereafter. One unit equals one year of high school
study or one semester of college course work. Students who
graduated prior to spring 1995 should contact the Undergraduate
Office in Koelbel 115.
| Subject |
Number of Units |
| English |
4 units, including 2 in composition |
| Foreign Language |
3 units of a single Foreign Language |
| Mathematics |
4 units |
| Natural Science |
3 units, including 2 in Laboratory Science, with at least one unit in Chemistry or Physics |
| Social Science |
3 units, including 1 unit of U.S.
or World History and 1 unit of Geography. Students who have taken 1 year of U.S. History may use 1/2 year of World History and 1/2 year of Geography in place of one year of Geography |
What courses can I take for a MAPS deficiency?
Not every course is approved for MAPS. For example, if you have a
MAPS deficiency in Geography, you can't just take any course offered
by the Geography department to meet that deficiency. There are certain
courses that are approved to meet these requirements. See below for some
common deficiencies and courses that will fulfill them:
Geography
GEOG 1982, GEOG 1992, GEOG 2002, and GEOG 2412 or proficiency exam
Foreign Language
Two years of high school language and a beginning language class at CU
will NOT meet this requirement. You need the 3rd level of a foreign language.
If you have no language experience, you will need to take 3 courses to get
through level 3. If you have some experience with a language, you might be
able to start on the 2nd or 3rd level. Consult with the department to find out
placement guidelines. Common third level courses: SPAN 2110, GRMN 2010,
ITAL 2110, FREN 2110, CHIN 2020, JPNS 2010, and many others.
Chem or Physics
CHEM 1011, CHEM 1021, PHYS 1000, PHYS 1010, PHYS 1230, PHYS 1240
World History
HIST 1010 or HIST 1020
US History
HIST 1015, HIST 1025, PSCI 1101
See your advisor for MAPS caregories not on this list.