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 ecsmp.advising@pdx.edu.
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?
- Mechanical Engineering is a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. If you did not complete 2 years of language in high school (Oregon graduates only), you will need 101 and 102 of a language before you graduate. If you did complete this, send your high school transcripts to Admissions.
REGISTRATION ISSUES:
We hope everything goes smoothly for your registration, but here are solutions to some common issues:
- Registration error is "pre-requisites have not been met:" To request an override, do one of the following:
- If you get a co-requisite error when trying to add a science lecture and lab (ex: CH221 with CH227 or PH211 with PH214), make sure to add BOTH lecture and labs together before hitting the submit button. The same is true for First Year Inquiry and Sophomore Inquiry - make sure to add BOTH lecture and mentored section/lab together before hitting the submit button.
First-Year Students:
| Requirements | 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 221Z General Chemistry + CH 227Z lab (5 total credits) or CH 121 Prep Chemistry (4 credits) | 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. |
| If your ALEKS Math Placement score is 0-29, take the following: |
| UNST 199 Qualities in Math Confidence (4 credits) | You may also use the Learning Module in ALEKS and retake the assessment. |
| 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. |
| 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) | If you have AP, IB, or college credit, send those transcripts to Admissions. |
| If your ALEKS Math Placement score is 76-100, take the following two courses: |
| MTH 251Z Differential Calculus (4 credits) | If you have AP, IB, or college credit, send those transcripts to Admissions. |
| ME 120 Intro to Engineering (3 credits) | Requires MTH 251Z Differential Calculus or concurrent enrollment. |
Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs
Transfers with 30+ credits not admitted to upper division engineering:
Review courses above first, and take any courses that are not yet completed. All engineering and CS majors must apply or opt-in to take 300 and 400 level (upper division) coursework. Please see admission criteria and application timelines.
Transfers formally admitted to upper division engineering classes:
If you are admitted to the ECE upper division program, consult the ME 320 or 313 course plan received with your admission letter.
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