Course Sequence Information

General chemistry lecture sequence options include:

• Option 1: CHEM 105, CHEM 106
  -or-
• Option 2: CHEM 111, ENGR 145

NOTE: Unless otherwise stated in major, students are advised to complete general chemistry coursework prior to the start of their second year (one of the two sequences above and CHEM 113, if required for major). 

Chemistry lab (CHEM 113): This is the general chemistry laboratory course that comprises the entire general chemistry lab requirement.

Students will register for this course if required for major or pre-med/pre-health requirements.

• This course is offered both fall and spring semesters, so it can be taken alongside either the first or second course in the general chemistry sequence.
• Students are encouraged to take this course as soon as their schedule allows, and it should be completed prior to the beginning of their second year.

If you have incoming AP/IB/transfer credit for CHEM 111, you may choose to do one of the following:

• If pursuing the CHEM 105/106 sequence:
  • Forfeit the credit and register for CHEM 105 to solidify understanding of the material, or
  • Register for CHEM 106 to advance in the sequence, or
  • Defer taking CHEM 106 until spring and replace with a different course of interest in the fall instead; some students pursue CHEM 113 in the fall (if required for major or pre-med/pre-health requirements), and CHEM 106 in the spring.
• If pursing the CHEM 111/ENGR 145 sequence:
  • Forfeit the credit and register for CHEM 111 to solidify understanding of the material, or 
  • Register for ENGR 145 in fall to advance in the sequence, or
  • Defer taking ENGR 145 until spring and replace with a different course of interest in the fall instead

Incoming AP/IB/transfer credit and your math placement score (if applicable) will impact where in the sequence you are eligible to begin your mathematics studies.

Math sequence options include:

• Option 1: MATH 120, 125, 126
  -or-
• Option 2: MATH 120, 121, 122, 223, 224
  -or-
• Option 3, by invitation only: MATH 124, 227
  • Please note: these courses require an email invitation from the department and associated prerequisites (e.g. AP/IB credit); if eligible, more information will be emailed to you. These courses can substitute for same-level math courses in the other sequences.

If you have incoming AP/IB/transfer credit for any calculus courses, you may choose to do one of the following:

• Forfeit the credit and register for the lower-level course in order to solidify understanding of the material, or
• Register for the next course in the sequence in fall (if required for major), or
• Defer taking the next course in the sequence until spring and replace with a different course of interest in the fall instead

Most languages allow for self-placement using the below guidelines, however please be sure to review the language-specific major recommendations.

• Students with no prior language experience may begin at the 101-level.
• For students with previous experience, one year of language in high school equals one semester in college. Students with four years of high school language and/or incoming AP/IB/transfer credit may begin at the 300-level, and should review major-specific recommendations for further instruction.
• Students uncertain of their placement may contact the faculty member teaching the course in which they want to enroll to discuss their background.

If you have incoming AP/IB/transfer credit for BIOL 114 or BIOL 200-TR, you may choose to:

• Forfeit the credit and take BIOL 114 in the fall in order to solidify your understanding of the material, or
• Replace this course with a breadth requirement, or
• Take no course

Some majors have specific guidance on when students should begin the PHYS sequence. The below information can be used to further guide your selection process.

Physics sequence options include:

• Option 1: PHYS 115, 116
  -or-
• Option 2: PHYS 121, 122
  -or-
• Option 3, by invitation only: PHYS 123
  • Please note: these courses require an email invitation from the department and associated prerequisites (e.g. AP/IB credit); if eligible, more information will be emailed to you. These courses can substitute for same-level physics courses in the other sequences.

Each PHYS course includes both a lecture and required lab component.

If pursuing the PHYS 121/122 sequence, please consider your MATH placement:

• Students should take PHYS 121 only when registered for MATH 121 (or higher).
• Students should not advance to PHYS 122 unless they are also at the MATH 122 level or higher.
• Students who place into MATH 120 via the math diagnostic should take a computer programming course in the fall (determine by major recommendations) and PHYS 121 in the spring semester.

If you have credit for any PHYS course, you may choose to:

• If pursuing the or PHYS 121/122 sequence:
  • Forfeit the credit and register for PHYS 121 to solidify understanding of the material, or
  • Register for PHYS 122 in fall to advance in the sequence (if MATH prerequisite is satisfied), or
  • Defer taking PHYS 122 until spring and replace a different course of interest in the fall instead
• If pursuing the PHYS 115/116 sequence:
  • Forfeit credit and register for PHYS 115 to solidify understanding of the material, or
  • Defer taking PHYS 116 until spring (spring only course) and replace with a different course of interest in the fall instead

Some majors have specific guidance on choosing a programming sequence. The below information can be used to further guide your selection process.

Programming course options include:

• ENGR 130 (MatLab)
  -or-
• CSDS 101, 132 (Java)

If you opt for the Java sequence and have credit for CSDS 132 plus strong coding experience, you may choose to:

• Forfeit the credit and take the course in the fall to solidify your understanding of the material, or
• Register for CSDS 233 or 281 (if required by intended major), or
• Replace this course with a breadth requirement, or
• Take no course