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First Steps with the University - First-Year Classes

During the first year, you will complete courses that are required by the University College Core Curriculum, which provides the academic foundations you need to be successful in your major and your career beyond the university. The minimum course load for a semester is twelve credit hours, though you will probably be enrolled in 14 - 16 hours in your first semester.

General Requirements

The Core Curriculum includes requirements in a number
of areas:
First-year students will typically have a first-semester schedule similar to the following:
Requirement
Credit Hours
Freshman Seminar/University Studies  2
Critical Thinking  3
English Composition  6
Speech  3
Physical Education/Health Education  2
Mathematics  6
Natural Sciences  8
History/Social Sciences  3
Humanities/Fine Arts  3
University College Restricted Electives  9
Total

45

Typical Course Schedule

Cr Hrs

Class

UNIV 101, Freshman Seminar I 1
ENGL 110, English Composition I 3
MATH 123, College Algebra 3
PHIL 110, Critical Thinking 3
HUMN 211, Humanities 3
PEDU 107, Weight Training 1
MUSI 191, Choir 1
Total 15

Your actual course schedule may be different, depending on your intended major, course availability, placement scores, and your preferences as indicated on the Freshman Questionnaire.

Major and Program Restrictions

Although several requirements offer multiple courses, many majors require specific choices from the list of Core courses. Depending on profile examination scores and program requirements, students in some programs may be required to complete more than 45 credit hours. Ask an advisor for one of the following guides:

Major
Business: Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Administration, Management Information Systems, Marketing Education, Business Education
Education: Elementary Education; Birth-Kindergarten Education; Health Education; Physical Education; Middle Grades Education (for secondary education, see the subject areas above and below)
Social Science: Criminal Justice, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, Social Science Secondary Education, Sociology
Humanities: Art Education, Communication, English Language & Literature, English Language & Literature Secondary Education, Music, Music Education, Speech-Theater, Visual Arts, Spanish, Spanish Teaching (K-12)
Mathematics and Computer Science: Computer Science, Mathematics, Mathematics Secondary Education, Pre-Engineering
Natural Sciences: Biology, Biology with Concentration in Medical Technology, Biology Secondary Education, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Forensic Science, Pre-Dental, Medical, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Veterinary
Undecided: If you are not sure what you would like to take, this guide can help.