Beginning courses for each major

BEGINNING COURSES TO TAKE IN MAJORS

Acknowledgement: All faculty who responded to questions and to email drafts through the years.

Some majors or programs expect that students take specific courses during the first year for at least in the sophomore year. Of those from which I have information -- LISTED ALPHABETICALLY BY MAJOR AND/OR BY PROGRAM:

American Studies majors would do well to take HIST 241 and 242 and ENGL 215 early, as well as AMST 201 as soon as it is offered in a student's career.

Art and Art History see “Visual Arts”

Arts and Performance see "Performing Arts"

BCS major and/or pre-health-profession plans. Students with any interest in this major should take BOTH BIOL 151L AND CHEM 107L in their first semester, and BOTH BIOL 152L AND CHEM 108L the second semester. Failure to do so often results in fairly difficult scheduling problems during future years. Students with a strong science background may also wish to fulfill the math requirement during the first year. All BCS majors should take CHEM 213L during the third semester. Those in the BMB and BIOL concentrations should also take BIOL 213L. Those in the CHEM track will need to take MATH 111 (if not completed earlier) before taking PHYS 111L, a spring-semester course (these two courses are also requirements of the BMB track).

Pre-Med/Pre-Vet students need to take a list of 11 specific courses but may major in anything. Students who have a weaker science background should probably consider majors in one of the BCS concentrations. Unless a student is planning to enter medical school later than immediately after she/he graduates, she/he ordinarily would take at least CHEM 107L, 108L in the first year, and both semesters of organic chemistry in the second year. In addition, in the second year it is wise to take MATH 111 (fall) and then PHYS 111L (a spring-semester course) followed by PHYS 212L (in fall of the third year). Please refer to the separate pages on pre-medical professions course selection. Students should realize that these are scientific professions and should do well in science classes.

For a pre-vet student, a BCS major is a logical choice since vet schools require a few more specific biology courses in addition to those required by medical schools.

Pre-Med/Vet students and other pre-health-profession students should consult the Pre-Health-Professions Advisory Committee (Profs. Sandy Shilepsky, Chair, or Prof. Candace Collmer, Biology, or Nancy Karpinski, Career Services) in addition to their regular academic advisors beginning their first year and throughout their college career. The group maintains a web page: http://aurora.wells.edu/~premed/

BCS and Pre-medical profession students who seem to be weak students or who are just toying with the idea need some dual advising: advisors need to BOTH nurture such students toward academic success AND (simultaneously) invite them to consider other options. Internships can be helpful here. (Note, however, that BCS internships require a midterm grade of B or better in CHEM 107L or BIOL 151L. WLLS 190 is open to all first-year students in good standing.) For such students in their first semester, advisors might insist on CHEM 107L and perhaps BIOL 151L but also on some breadth. Students may enroll in both CHEM 107L and BIOL 151L for a few classes to test the load, leaving the option to drop during the first week. CHEM 107L is the more important course to take in the first semester, if only one science course is taken.

Economics/Management majors should take ECON 101 and 102 and MATH 151 (or 251) early, (see the selection of math courses listed under "required courses") – MATH 111 is needed for either concentration. Management concentration students should take MGMT 201 as soon as they can (2-year rotation).

Education students need to develop a 4-year plan to complete both their major and their certification requirements (Education at Wells is a program, not a major). Consultation with Prof. Susan Talbot, Director of Elementary and Secondary Education, is required as soon as a student decides she/he wishes to pursue New York State teacher certification. Students need to plan on a semester of student teaching (generally the fall of their senior year for secondary and in the spring of their senior year for elementary), during which they will be doing no other coursework beyond student teaching and attached courses -- hence the need for a 4-year plan (or 4 1/2 - year plan, or 5-year plan). If education students also plan a semester of off-campus study, they will need to plan especially carefully.

Specifically, students need to take EDUC 105, Intro. to Teaching, AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. It is offered every semester, so a first-year student does not have to take it the first semester, but if they want to explore education or, especially, if they plan on seeking teaching certification, they should take EDUC 105 right away. Transfer students should definitely take EDUC 105 right away, unless they have an equivalent course from another institution.

Please note also courses that must be taken in sequence: EDUC 301 and 302 (Balanced Literacy I and II) for elementary certification, and EDUC 331 and 332 (Reading and Writing in the Content Areas) for secondary certification. The first course in each sequence, EDUC 301 (for elementary) or EDUC 331 (for secondary), has EDUC 105 as a prerequisite. The second course in each sequence, EDUC 302 (for elementary) or EDUC 332 (for secondary), have as prerequisites EDUC 105 and the first course in the relevant sequence. First-year students can take the relevant sequence in their second or third year; transfer students MUST take the first course in the relevant sequence right away in order to get them both in the right order and in time.

See also http://aurora.wells.edu/~advising/eledchk.htm for elementary education requirements or http://aurora.wells.edu/~advising/secedchk.htm for secondary education requirements

English majors should take ENGL 104 and 105 early. AP exam scores of 4 or 5 will give them credit but will generally not substitute for ENGL 104 and 105. "Freshman Comp" courses elsewhere will generally not substitute for ENGL 104 and 105.

Engineering -- Students who are considering the 3/2 engineering program will ordinarily need to have taken two years of introductory physics, two years of mathematics (including differential equations), and at least one course each in chemistry and computer programming, by the end of their third year. Generally, mathematics (MATH 111 or 112, depending on placement) should be started right away. Students need to take PHYS 111L in the spring, preceded by MATH 111 if they have not had the equivalent of MATH 111 or exemption by exam. It could be useful to take CHEM 107L and/or CS 131 in the first year. If they have AP physics, then students might consider getting into PHYS 212L right away, too. The MPS majors are the ones that are most suitable for 3/2 engineering, but other majors may be appropriate. Students with interest and ability in this area should develop their plans with Prof. Heinekamp, 3/2 engineering advisor. All students are encouraged to (and transfers to Cornell must) take courses in engineering at Cornell before their 4th year.

Environmental studies majors should take ENVR 101L and 102L their first year and should take ECON 102 in the spring of their first year. If the student plans to choose the environmental science concentration of the major, then she or he should take as soon as possible, ideally in her or his first year, 2 courses in biology (151L, 152L), or chemistry (107L, 108L), or physics (111L, 112L – MATH 111 is the prerequisite for PHYS 111L, which is offered in the spring semester). If the student plans to choose the environmental policy and values concentration of the major, then she or he should take INTL 151 as soon as possible, ideally in her or his first year.

FLLC and international studies majors should give high priority to continuing their primary foreign language (see the catalogue for provisions for special cases for the INTL major, such as for non-native-English speakers -- http://aurora.wells.edu/~advising/intllang.htm). Students MUST take the level indicated by the placement system French or Spanish, if they have had any experience in those languages (for German, Italian, and Japanese, see instructors early in the fall) -- http://aurora.wells.edu/~advising/flplacemt.htm. Their "first course" will be determined by the placement system. International studies majors should take INTL 151 and POLS 165 as early as they can. Both majors require a semester of off-campus study abroad. OCS 271 (offered annually, fall) is required for students going abroad. If students plan off-campus study as a sophomore, they need to take FLLC 270 the fall semester of their first year.

The History major is not hierarchical, as a language or science major might be. Both the 100- and 200-level courses are "entry-level" courses and can be taken by first and second-year students. Students who intend a history major should take either HIST 101 or 103 early.

International Studies -- Take INTL 151 and POLS 165 at the earliest opportunity and keep up language courses. All incoming students MUST take the course indicated in the placement system -- http://aurora.wells.edu/~advising/flplacemt.htm -- in French and Spanish if they have had any experience in those languages. For German, Italian, and Japanese, see the faculty early in the fall. Students' placement will determine their first course in their language. INTL Studies requires 4 courses in a language at the 200 or 300 level. (For students with other language backgrounds, see the catalog, or http://aurora.wells.edu/~advising/intllang.htm

). The major requires a semester of off-campus study abroad. If students have had a study experience or a recent extensive stay in a foreign country they should contact a faculty member in the languages for an exemption. Students whose native language is not English should speak with the major chair. OCS 271 (offered annually, fall) is required for students going abroad. Students who plan to study for a semester abroad as a sophomore need to take OCS 271 in the fall semester of their first year. Not all Wells programs abroad are open for sophomores; some require junior status. Please consult the catalogue

MPS majors should consult with the math faculty and/or take exemption exams during orientation, to see if they should start with MATH 112 or higher. There is also another brief diagnostic test to help decide between MATH 109 and 111. MPS/math majors should take the appropriate math course their first semester. MPS/computer science majors should take CS 131 early on in their careers. (See also engineering). MPS/physics majors need to take MATH 111 in the fall of their first year (unless exempted) and PHYS 111L in the spring of their first year and continue the sequences in both. CS 131 is also a possibility for the first semester. For specifics on mathematics advising for both MPS majors and non-MPS majors, there is a separate information site on Mathematics and Computer.

Off-Campus Study: Sometimes OCS plans, whether for FLLC/INTL or, for example, the PLEN, SALT, of SFS programs, necessitate working out a 4-year plan with the major. OCS 271 (offered annually, fall) is required for students going abroad. If students plan off-campus study as a sophomore, they need to take OCS 271 the fall semester of their first year.

Performing Arts majors in Dance or Theatre concentrations should take PART 100 and either PART 106 or 128 as soon as they are offered in their career and should seek advice from PART faculty about performance courses. Music concentrators should take music skills, MUS 112, and PART 100 as soon as they are offered in their career and see faculty about performance options. For both concentrations students should begin any performance techniques and performance classes ASAP and plan on repeating them regularly, e.g., dance, acting, choir, consort, etc. These techniques need years of refining.

Pre-Law advisors are Professor Sandra Marshall and Laura Purdy and Ms. Nancy Karpinski in the Career Services Office.

For a pre-vet student, a BCS major is a logical choice since vet schools require a few more specific biology courses in addition to those required by medical schools.

Pre-medical profession students who seem to be weak students or who are just toying with the idea need some dual advising: advisors need to BOTH nurture such students toward academic success AND (simultaneously) invite them to consider other options. Internships can be helpful here. (Note, however, that BCS internships require a midterm grade of B or better in CHEM 107L or BIOL 151L. WLLS 190 is open to all first-year students in good standing.) For such students in their first semester, advisors might insist on CHEM 107L and perhaps BIOL 151L but also on some breadth. Students may enroll in both CHEM 107L and BIOL 151L for a few classes to test the load, leaving the option to drop during the first week. CHEM 107L is the more important course to take in the first semester, if only one science course is taken.

Psychology majors should take PSY 101 as soon as they can. PSY 214 is also open to first-year students without a prerequisite, and WS 260, which can be used in the Psychology Major, also has no pre-requisites, and first-year students may take it. Students considering a major in psychology should take MATH 151 as soon as possible, definitely by the end of the sophomore year. It is both a requirement for the major and a pre-requisite for each of the methods courses (PSY 360L and 365L), one of which is required -- taking both is best for excellent "coverage" in the methods area and as strong preparation for grad school in psychology -- and best taken in the junior year if possible. The prerequisite for MATH 151 is 3 years of high school math, including algebra through straight line equations, and ability to substitute into formulas. This prerequisite will be enforced rigorously. Professor Sievers has a short pre-test that can spot difficulties. Though MATH 151 is open to first-year students with the prerequisite, it is usually taken by students with a little more maturity. In the Psychology Major, the senior seminar (thesis) is offered in the fall of the senior year only; students should plan off-campus study accordingly.

Public Affairs majors should complete PHIL 240 and POLS 165 by the end of their sophomore year. Students planning a Government and Politics Concentration also should complete POLS 235 by the end of their sophomore year. All majors (both concentrations) should make sure they have taken PHIL 310 before their senior year. Since Public Affairs majors participate in a senior seminar during the fall semester of their senior year, students should plan to do off-campus study during their junior year, not their senior year. Students should note the prerequisites for off-campus study through the PLEN Program, which require some advance planning.

Religion majors should begin by taking RELG 105 (Western Traditions) or RELG 106 (Eastern Traditions). By the end of the sophomore year they should take either RELG 263 or RELG 264 or RELG 255 or PHIL 230. Students should also take RELG 200, RELG 245, RELG 269, or RELG 275 by the end of their junior year. The Senior Seminar and Thesis is offered during the fall semester of the senior year, so students should plan off-campus study for their junior year, not their senior year. Two concentrations are available, one in Religion and Culture, the other in Historical and Comparative Studies.

Sociology/Anthropology majors should take SOC 151 if possible in the first year, and ANTH 161 in the first couple of years. They should take SOC 394 in the spring of their sophomore year.

Visual arts majors should take ARTH 101 and ARTH 102 their first year (both the art and the art history concentrations). Students in the Studio Art concentration would do well to take an ART course each semester the first year, one semester a 2-dimensional area and one semester a 3-demensional area. ART HISTORY concentrators have a requirement in ART (a course in each dimensional area) and could pick ART courses to fulfill it their first year, one in a 2-dimensional area and one in a 3-dimenstional area. STUDIO ART concentrators need to take two upper-level art history courses, in addition to ARTH 101, 102 -- ARTH 255 and either ARTH 260 or 270. Since these courses are not offered every year, students and advisors need to pay careful attention to fitting these into their educational plan.

Women's studies majors should take WS 148 as early as possible. WS 301 and WS 310 are also required for the major, but need not be taken the first year. (Ideally they should be taken before the senior year, however. In the most recent form of the major, WS 310 is taking the fall of the senior year, leading up to WS 401.) The major also has a lot of courses from many disciplines available; consult the catalogue for a list. Students must also focus on one discipline, taking four courses in that discipline, which do not necessarily have to be about women or gender. It is a good idea to include methods and/or theory courses from that discipline among the four used for the focus.

This page (Beginning Courses to Take in Majors) is maintained by Diane Koester, Associate Dean for Academic and Learning Resources and Director of Academic Advising, who is solely responsible for its content. Please see our Statement of Responsibility. Last updated June 5, 2006.

Return to Advising at Wells College (top-level page on advising).