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 are an additional 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 Public Health Studies, 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.
- Be sure to review the Pre-Health guide for your track in addition to this guide.
- If you have a lot of transfer courses coming in, you can run a Degree Audit (DARS) to see the courses completed and remaining courses you need to complete to earn your degree. If you need support, email your advisor or set up an appointment.
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:
If you scored 0-45 on the ALEKS math placement, choose the following:
| Math Placement Score 0-45 | 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. |
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. Talk with an advisor about your options. |
| BI 207 Biology for Allied Health + 207L (4 credits) | |
| PHE 250 Our Community, Our Health (4 credits) | *17 credits is heavy courseload for your first term. You can take this later, if you prefer. |
If you scored 46-100 on the ALEKS math placement, choose the following:
| Math Placement Score 46-100 | 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. |
| CH 104 Intro to Chemistry + CH 107 lab (5 credits total) | 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. |
| BI 207 Biology for Allied Health + 207L (4 credits) | |
| PHE 250 Our Community, Our Health (4 credits) | *17 credits is heavy courseload for your first term. You can take this later, if you prefer. |
Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs
Transfer Students:
Your schedule will vary based on if you plan to be full-time (12 credits) or part-time and how your transfer credits apply to your graduation requirements. We recommend choosing the appropriate University Studies course based on your transfer credits as well as courses from the guide for your pre-health track.
University Studies or Honors Program
If you are transferring 30-89 credits, take a Sophomore Inquiry (UNST 2XX) or Honors Writing for Sophomore Transfers course (HON 260). Suggestion options include: Understanding Communities; Families and Society; Healthy People, Healthy Places; and Leading Social Change. Use this helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs
If you are transferring 90-134 credits, take an Upper Division Cluster course or Honors Writing for Junior Transfers (HON 360). Use this helpful video: How to search for Cluster courses
If you are transferring 135 or more credits, we strongly recommend meeting with your academic advisor to create a plan for your degree completion.
Major Requirements
The following courses are required for the Public Health: Clinical Health Studies core. You should prioritize the science courses needed for your pre-health track, but these are other choices (all courses are 4 credits). Junior standing (90 or more credits) is required to register for all but PHE 250 and STAT 243Z:
PHE 250 Our Community, Our Health (HE 251 from PCC is equivalent to PHE 250. HE 250 is not.)
STAT 243Z Intro to Probability & Statistics I
PHE 350 Health and Health Systems
PHE 363 Communicable and Chronic Disease
PHE 450 Epidemiology (rec. prerequisite: STAT 243 or STAT 243Z)
PHE 452 Gender, Race, Class & Health
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