Advising

Fall Term Suggested Courses: Physics

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 directly.

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 Physics, 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.

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 Freshmen Inquiry, Sophomore Inquiry, or HON - make sure to add BOTH lecture and mentored section/lab together before hitting the submit button.

First-Year Students:

For BS degreeAdvisor 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 0-29, 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) OR

UNST 194 College Success (3 credits)

Examples: PSY 201Z, PSY 202Z, SOC 204Z, COMM 111Z, PHL 201.
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:
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) ORExamples: PSY 201Z, PSY 202Z, SOC 204Z, COMM 111Z, PHL 201.
If your ALEKS Math Placement score is 76-100, take the following two courses:
MTH 251Z Differential Calculus (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:

Review courses above first, and take any courses that are not yet completed.

For BS degreeAdvisor 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 completedMTH 251Z-254 Calculus I-IV, 256 Differential Equations, and 261 Linear Algebra are all required
PH 201 or 211 General Physics + PH 214 Lab (5 credits total)Prerequisite: MTH 251Z Differential Calculus

Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs

Transfers with 90 or more credits:

Review courses above first and take any courses that are not yet completed. We strongly you consult with Physics faculty advisor to create a plan for your degree completion.

For BS degreeAdvisor Pro-Tips
Upper Division Cluster course or HON 360 Honors Writing for Junior Transfers (4 credits)Helpful video: How to search for Cluster courses
PH 311 Intro to Modern Physics (4 credits)This is the first in a two-term sequence. Pre-requisite: MTH 252Z, PH 203 or 213
PH 314 Experimental Physics I (4 credits)This is the first in a three-term sequence

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