Not sure what classes to take in your first term at PSU? Use the guides below for suggestions, and connect with an academic advisor if you need more help. You can also email hse.advising@pdx.edu, if you have quick questions or need reassurance about your schedule.
General suggestions:
- Full-time is 12 credits. Most courses are 4 credits, so three courses is typically considered full-time. Labs also typically add 1-2 credits. You should also budget 2-3 hours per credit outside of class for homework and studying.
- Consider the times when courses are offered and how they fit in your personal schedule/preferences. If you are not a morning person, you may want to avoid 8 am courses. If you have school-aged children, how does that impact your choices?
- You can earn either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology, but only the BS requirements are listed here. If you choose to earn a BA degree, consult your advisor. Consider your future goals and whether having a language background will be helpful to you.
- If you are planning on pursuing a clinical health field (nursing, dentistry, medicine, etc.), be sure to review the Pre-Health guide for your track.
REGISTRATION ISSUES:
We hope everything goes smoothly for your registration, but here are solutions to some common issues:
- Pre-requisite errors: If you have completed the pre-requisite, email your advisor an unofficial transcript as proof that it has been completed or set up an appointment. Exceptions include:
- Co-requisite error: make sure to add BOTH lecture and labs together (for BI/CH/PH) or mentored inquiry (for UNST) before hitting the submit button.
- Class is full. Add yourself to the waitlist, if available. If you need support with alternate courses and many options are full, email or set-up an appointment with your advisor.
- If you have a lot of transfer courses coming in, you can review your DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System) to see the courses completed and remaining courses you need to complete to earn your degree. Here are instructions on how to run a Degree Audit (DARS). If you need support, email or set-up an appointment with an academic advisor.
First-Year Students:
| For BS degree | Advisor Pro-Tips |
|---|
| UNST 1XX First Year Inquiry or Honors 101 The Global City (5 credits) | These are yearlong sequences, so check out the First Year Inquiry Planning Guide and Honors website for descriptions and bios, and pick a theme that interests you. |
| If your ALEKS Math Placement score is 0-45, take the following: |
UNST 199 Qualities in Math Confidence (4 credits) OR MTH 095 Intermediate Algebra (4 credits) | If you are not confident in your math ability, or scored below 30, take UNST 199. If you scored 30-45, you may take MTH 111Z + MTH 199. Talk with an advisor about your options. |
Any 100 or 200 level Social Science or Arts & Letters course (4 credits) OR UNST 194 College Success (3 credits) | Examples: PSY 201Z, PSY 202Z, SOC 204Z, COMM 111Z, PHL 201, WR 121Z. |
| If your ALEKS Math Placement score is 46-60, take the following: |
| MTH 111Z Pre-Calculus (4 credits) | Take the appropriate class based on your score on the Math Placement Assessment. If you have AP, IB, or college credit, send those transcripts to Admissions. |
| Any 100 or 200 level Social Science or Arts & Letters course (4 credits) | Examples: PSY 201Z, PSY 202Z, SOC 204Z, COMM 111Z, PHL 201, WR 121Z. |
| If your ALEKS Math Placement score is 61-100, take the following courses: |
| MTH 112Z (4 credits) | |
| CH 221Z General Chemistry (4 credit lecture) + CH 227Z (1 credit lab) | CH 221Z requires Math Placement Assessment score of 60 or higher. If you do not place into that, take CH 121. |
| *BI 221Z Principles of Biology (4 credit lecture) + BI 214 (1 credit lab) | *This schedule is more rigorous. Based on your prior knowledge in these subjects, time management skills and commitment outside school, decide if taking both courses is appropriate. |
Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs
Transfers with 30-89 credits:
If you have not completed the general chemistry sequence and/or majors-level biology, complete the courses listed in the section above. If you have completed the general chemistry sequence and majors-level biology, you can take the courses below:
| For BS degree | Advisor Pro-Tips |
|---|
| UNST 2XX Sophomore Inquiry or HON 260 Honors Writing for Sophomore Transfers (4 credits) | Refer to descriptions on the websites linked and pick a SINQ theme that interests you. |
| Any additional math not yet completed | Two terms of statistics (STAT 243Z, 244) or calculus (MTH 251Z, 252Z) are required for this major but take the appropriate class based on your score on the Math Placement Assessment. If you have AP, IB, or college credit, send those transcripts to Admissions. If you are doing a pre-health track with Biology, consult with your advisor which option may be best. |
Biology Major Requirements: Area A, B, or C course, Requirement 2 or 3 course; OR
PH201/214 or 211/214 OR
Additional Science elective | Check with an advisor to see if you have taken an equivalent course to these requirements first. If you are doing a pre-health track with Biology, consult with your advisor. |
Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs
Transfers with 90 or more credits:
If you have not completed the general chemistry sequence and/or majors-level biology, complete the courses listed in the section above. If you have completed the general chemistry sequence and majors-level biology, you can take the courses below. If you are transferring in with 135 or more credits, you do not need an Upper Division Cluster. We also strongly recommend meeting with your academic advisor to create a plan for your degree completion.
| For BS degree | Advisor Pro-Tips |
|---|
| Upper Division Cluster course or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits) | Remember that you cannot use any major courses to fulfill your cluster. If you are completing a minor, those courses can be applied to the cluster. |
| Any additional math not yet completed | Two terms of statistics (STAT 243Z, 244) or calculus (MTH 251Z, 252Z) are required for this major but please take the appropriate class based on your score on the Math Placement Assessment. If you have AP, IB, or college credit, send those transcripts to Admissions. If you are doing a pre-health track with Biology, consult with your advisor which option may be best. |
Biology Major Requirements: Area A, B, or C course, Requirement 2 or 3 course; OR
PH201/214 or 211/214 OR
Additional Science elective | Check with an advisor to see if you have taken an equivalent course to these requirements first. If you are doing a pre-health track with Biology, consult with your advisor. |
Helpful video: How to search for Cluster courses
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