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. 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 Chemistry or Biochemistry, 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.
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. Life Unlimited (UNST 134) is a great choice for Biochemistry majors! |
| If your ALEKS Math Placement score is 0-29, take the following two courses: |
| UNST 199 Qualities in Math Confidence (4 credits) | You may also use the Learning Module in ALEKS and retake the assessment. |
| 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 30-45, take the following two courses: |
MTH 095 Intermediate Algebra (4 credits) OR MTH 111Z Precalculus: I: Functions (4 credits) AND MTH 199 Precalculus Support (1 credit) | Talk to your advisor about which option is best for you. You will need approval to register for MTH 111Z + MTH 199. 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) 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 46-75, take the following two courses: |
| MTH 111Z Precalculus: I: Functions (4 credits) OR MTH 112Z Precalculus II: Trigonometry (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 76-100, take the following two courses: |
| MTH 251Z Differential Calculus I (4 credits) | |
| CH 221Z General Chemistry (4 credit lecture) + CH 227Z (1 credit lab) | CH 221Z/227Z requires a minimum score of 60 on the Math Placement Assessment or completion of MTH 111Z. If you do not place into that, take CH 121. |
Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs
Transfers with 30-89 credits:
If you have not completed the general chemistry sequence, complete the courses as listed in the section above. If you have completed the general chemistry sequence, 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 theme that interests you. |
| Any additional math not yet completed | Three terms of Calculus (MTH 251Z, 252Z and 253Z) are required, but you must have the pre-requisite within one year or the appropriate score on the Math Placement Assessment. |
| CH 320 Quantitative Analysis + CH 321 lab (6 credits total) | Check with an advisor to see if you have taken an equivalent course to these requirements first. |
| CH 334 Organic Chemistry (4 credits) + CH 384 Workshop (Optional 1 credit) | Check with an advisor to see if you have taken an equivalent course to these requirements first. |
Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs
Transfers with 90 or more credits:
If you have not completed the general chemistry sequence, complete the courses as listed in the section above. If you have completed the general chemistry sequence, 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 | Three terms of Calculus (MTH 251Z, 252Z and 253Z) are required, but you must have the pre-requisite within one year or the appropriate score on the Math Placement Assessment. |
| CH 320 Quantitative Analysis + CH 321 lab (6 credits total) | Check with an advisor to see if you have taken an equivalent course to these requirements first. |
| CH 334 Organic Chemistry (4 credits) + CH 384 Workshop (Optional 1 credit) | Check with an advisor to see if you have taken an equivalent course to these requirements first. |
Helpful video: How to search for Cluster courses
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