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.
GENERAL SUGGESTIONS:
- Full-time is 12 credits. Most courses are 4 credits, so three courses is typically considered full-time. Labs are often 1-2 credits in addition. 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 Science. Consider your future goals and whether having a language background will be helpful to you.
- The Science major is interdisciplinary major that allows you the flexibility and flexibility to choose the courses that interest you most within the Science disciplines. The only course required for all majors is WR 323 Writing as Critical Inquiry.
- 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:
Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs
Transfers with 30-89 credits:
Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs
Transfers with 90 or more credits credits:
If you are transferring 135 or more credits, you do not need the Upper Division Cluster, and we strongly recommend meeting with your academic advisor to create a plan for your degree completion.
| For BA degree | For BS degree | Advisor Pro Tips |
|---|
| Upper Division Cluster course or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits) | Upper Division Cluster course or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits) | Your cluster courses cannot be in Science departments. Be cautious of choosing Global Environmental Change or Science in Social Context, as these do not include as many non-science courses. |
| Language course (4-5 credits) | MTH 105Z, 111Z, 211, STAT 243Z or a science course (4 credits) | Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you score below 46 or are not confident in your math, take UNST 199. |
| WR 323 Writing as Critical Inquiry or WR 327 Technical Report Writing (4 credits) | WR 323 Writing as Critical Inquiry or WR 327 Technical Report Writing (4 credits) | WR 323/327 is the only specific course required for the Science major and rarely transfers in. This can be taken in any term. If language or math is completed, take any 300/400-level Science course that interests you and fits your schedule or your Pre-Health Track. Pay attention to pre-requisites! |
Helpful video: How to search for Cluster courses
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