Potential Science Majors
Students who are considering completing a major in the sciences are advised to take particular courses in the first semester that will best introduce them to the major and keep them on track. The online STEM Questionnaire, included on your Starting Out task list, will also help guide you toward choosing the appropriate courses.
Students with any questions can contact the chair of the department/program of their interest or Dr. Alison Draper, the director of the Science Center.
For each major listed below, first semester course selection advice follows:
Biology: we recommend that you take CHEM 111 and BIOL 182 in your first semester. If other interests or commitments mean that you can only take one of these courses, you should take BIOL 182. Other courses to consider include the Math 107, 207. Additionally, students are able to successfully complete the Biology major if they begin with BIOL 183 in the spring semester.
Chemistry or Biochemistry: we recommend that you take CHEM 111 and calculus (highest level you qualify for) in your first semester. Other courses to consider are PHYS 141 for Chemistry and BIOL 182 for Biochemistry. If other interests or commitments mean that you can only take one of these courses, you should take CHEM 111.
Computer Science: we recommend that you take CPSC 115L and calculus (highest level you qualify for) in your first semester. If other interests or commitments mean that you can only take one of these courses, you should take CPSC 115L. Students may begin with CPSC 115 in future semesters as well.
Engineering: we recommend that you take PHYS 141 and calculus (highest level you qualify for) in your first semester. To pursue a major in engineering, it is important that you take both of these courses in your first semester. If you have AP or other credit that counts for PHYS 141, please contact the engineering department chair for advice about what classes to take.
Environmental Science: we recommend that you take one or two courses from this list in your first semester: ENVS 112, BIOL 141, BIOL 182, CHEM 111. Other courses to consider include MATH 107, MATH 207, and MATH 131.
Mathematics: we recommend that you take calculus (highest level you qualify for) in your first semester. If you would like to place into a calculus course above Calculus and have not earned credit for Calculus 1, please contact Paula Russo ([email protected]) to find out how to take a qualifying exam. In addition to calculus, you may also choose to take MATH 205, 205 during your first year.
Neuroscience: we recommend that you take CHEM 111 and BIOL 182 in your first semester. If other interests or commitments mean that you can only take one of these courses, you should take CHEM 111. The neuroscience major can still be completed if students begin these courses in a later semester.
Physics: we recommend that you take PHYS 141 and calculus (highest level you qualify for) in your first semester. To pursue a major in physics, it is important that you take both of these courses in your first semester. If you have advanced placement credit in physics and math, or a strong physics and math background, you may be able to start with PHYS 232 instead. If there is room in your schedule, CHEM 111 is also recommended, but you may take that in a later semester.
*In all cases, students should take the calculus course for which they qualify in accordance with results of the math placement test and anticipated AP scores.
