Recommendations by Major
In addition to “Introduction to the Liberal Arts” (ILA, our first-year experience course) and other required courses for first-year students, most students with an intended major will also take a class in that major area in their first fall semester.
Below is a list of recommended first-semester courses for each major. If you don’t have a major yet, don’t panic! Your advisor can help you select a course that makes sense based on your interests or a major you want to explore.
Many students are interested in double-majoring or adding a minor – there will be plenty of time in future semesters to add those courses.
In addition to these courses, you may also be interested to review more information about required courses and elective and general education options.
Recommendations by major
|
Accounting (B.A. or B.S.) |
BUSI-105 or ECON-200 | Intro to Commerce or Principles of Economics |
|
Art (B.A.) Art Education (B.A.)
|
ARTD-110 |
Foundational Drawing: For majors/minors only. It does not satisfy a general education requirement. |
| Biochemistry (B.S.) | CHEM-140 and BIOL-150 |
General Chemistry and Investigating Biological Concepts. Students may also be placed in math course. |
| Biology (B.A.) | BIOL-150 | Investigating Biological Concepts: Students may also be placed in a chemistry or math course. |
| Biopsychology (B.A.) | PSYC-101 |
Intro to Psychology: Students may also be placed in BIOL-150 |
| Business Administration (B.A.) | BUSI-105 or ECON-200 | Intro to Commerce or Principles of Economics |
| Chemistry (B.A. or B.S.) | CHEM-140 | General Chemistry: Students will also be placed in math and/or biology course |
| Classics (B.A.) | LATN-101, CLAS-130, CLAS-200, CLAS-230 or CLAS-295. | Elementary Latin, Sports in Greece and Rome, Intro to Classical Studies, Mythology: Myth and Art or Classical Leadership Day |
| Classical Languages (B.A.) | LATN-101, CLAS-130, CLAS-200, CLAS-230 or CLAS-295 | Elementary Latin, Sports in Greece and Rome, Intro to Classical Studies, Mythology: Myth and Art or Classical Leadership Day |
| Communication Studies (B.A.) | COMM-101 |
Fundamentals of Communication and Workshop: Choose from radio, journalism or video production. |
| Computer Science (B.A.) | COMP-151 |
Intro to Programming |
| Data Science (B.A.) | DATA-151 | Intro to Data Science (COMP-151 Intro to Programming may also be taken If it fits in the schedule). |
| Economics (B.A.) | ECON-200 | Principles of Economics |
| Educational Studies (B.A.) | EDST-100* |
Foundations of Education: Students are encouraged to take QRAC if needed, language and lab science. |
| *Elementary Education (B.A.) | General Education |
Quantitative Reasoning (if needed), Foreign Language, Life or Physical Science. Transfer students or students with advanced standing due to dual or AP credit may take EDST-110. |
| English (B.A.) | ENGL-110 | English Composition and Argument |
| Engineering (B.S.) | ENGR-101, PHYS-130 and Math Course |
Exploring Engineering, Introductory Physics I and Elementary Functions or Calculus |
| Environmental Studies and Sustainability (B.A.) | ESTS-103 | Intro to Environmental Studies and Sustainability |
| Exercise Science (B.A.) | EXSC-130, 140 and/or 160 |
Exercise Performance, Sports Nutrition and/or Health and Human Physiology (advisor will assist with placement) |
| History (B.A.) | HIST-104, HIST-110 or HIST-120 | European History (1450-1850). U.S. History to 1865 or Intro to Latin America |
| International Studies (B.A.) | Choose 2 from following: | Language, Principles of Economics, Intro to Latin America, Comparative Politics, or Intro to International Relations. |
| Mathematics (B.A.) | MATH-141 or MATH-151 | Elementary Functions or Calculus I |
|
Music (B.A.) Music Education (B.A.) |
MUSI-111 and MUSI-121 | Intro to Music Theory and Music Theory I (placement exam given upon arrival on campus) and applied lesson/ensemble. |
| Neuroscience (B.S.) | CHEM-140, BIOL-150 or PSYC-101 |
Principles of Chemistry, Investigating Biological Concepts or Intro to Psychology |
| Philosophy (B.A.) | PHIL-101 |
Intro to Philosophy |
| Physical Education (B.A.) | EXSC-130, 140 and/or 160 |
Exercise Performance, Sports Nutrition and/or Health and Human Physiology (advisor will assist with placement). |
| Physics (B.A.) | PHYS-130 and MATH-141 or 151 |
Introductory Physics I and Elementary Functions or Calculus |
| Political Science (B.A.) | POLS-103 |
American Politics |
| Psychology (B.A.) | PSYC-101 | Intro to Psychology |
| Public Relations (B.A.) | COMM-101 | Fundamentals of Communication |
| Religious Studies (B.A.) | RELG-250 | Sociology of Religion (or can focus on electives and take RELG-100 in spring) |
| Sociology or Anthropology (B.A.) | SOCi-102 | Social Problems (ANTH-103 offered in the spring semester). |
| Spanish (B.A.) | Spanish Course | Based on placement exam. |
|
Theatre (B.A.) Theatre Education (B.A.) |
THEA-173 and THEA-119 |
Intro to Technical Theatre and Theatre Practicum |
*For students seeking teacher licensure: Students who would like to learn more about Elementary Education as a possible major are encouraged to enroll in EDST 100 in the fall semester. EDST 100 does not count toward licensure requirements, but does count as elective credit toward the total number of credits required for the degree.
Those students seeking licensure in Elementary Education are also encouraged to focus on general education courses during the first semester, such as Foreign Language and Beauty and Meaning in Works of Art.
Students interested in pursuing secondary or PK-12 teacher licensure should focus on exploring content area courses during the first semester.