University College Raj Soin College of   Business Education and   Human Services Engineering and   Computer Science Liberal Arts Nursing and Health Science and   Mathematics Lake Campus
	First Year Experience Choosing Courses Math and Statistics   Sequences Still Deciding on a   Major? Exploring Majors and   Careers Summary of Program   Admission   Requirements

Choosing Courses

Students are responsible for choosing courses that are appropriate for their academic needs and goals. Although there are many factors for students to consider, choosing classes need not be viewed as a difficult task. Normally a student who has declared an intended major will refer to an official listing of required and recommended courses for that major, including General Education courses. There are several sources for finding these required and recommended courses. This catalog, for instance, shows program requirements for each major and a summary of General Education courses. Also, most academic departments provide program check sheets. The DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System), available on Wings Express, tracks progress toward a degree.

In a previous section of this catalog, students can find details about the General Education Program. This information is very useful for first- and second-year students in selecting primary and alternate courses. Students should check their intended major's requirements for GE substitutions or selections.

On the next few pages, students will find additional information to help plan courses in the following areas:

Meeting with an Advisor

All first-year University College students must meet with their academic advisor each quarter for help in choosing courses consistent with goals, needs, and academic progress. Other students in University College may be required to meet with their advisor as a result of their academic standing. It is recommended that students meet with their new advisor upon transferring to the college or school of their major. Although students are ultimately responsible for their own decisions, advisors are available to assist.

Course Registration Tools

Several tools are available to students for checking the availability of a specific course, prerequisites, co-requisites (e.g., a concurrent lab), and restrictions that limit enrollment in a particular section of a course to a specific group of students, such as "honors" or "early childhood education majors."

• Look Up Classes (Wings Express)
• Designated computer terminals
• Quarterly Class Schedule Bulletin
  

First-Year Courses

First-year students usually choose most of their courses from General Education, math, developmental education, and specific courses required for their major as listed in the catalog, on DARS, or on a program check sheet. Students are expected to complete the General Education English, math, history, and natural science requirements before reaching junior status.

English Courses

The English course a student should enroll in first is determined through directed self-placement (or transfer credit). Advisors will assist students in assessing whether they need developmental education course work to prepare them for ENG 101. Many first-year students will not start ENG 101 until their second quarter, and many of those who do take ENG 101 their first quarter will not enroll in ENG 102 until their third quarter.

Math Courses

Once students begin math courses, it is recommended that they continue with math each quarter until their math requirements are completed. The starting point is determined by placement test score or transfer credit, and the final math courses are shown in the major's program requirements in the catalog listing, on DARS, and on the departmental check sheets. The Math and Statistics Sequences chart in this catalog is a graphic guide showing common math and statistics course pathways.

Writing Across the Curriculum

For information on the university's Writing Across the Curriculum program and Writing Intensive (WI) courses, see the "Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree" section of this catalog. Writing Intensive courses are identified as "WI" on the General Education Program listing.

Courses Required to Enter a Major

First- and second-year students should select appropriate courses that will allow them to satisfy the requirements to enter the college and department of their intended major. The Summary of Program Admission Requirements in this catalog is an abbreviated listing of these requirements. Using this guide, students may determine what specific courses, grades, or GPA they need for entry. The listing may also be useful to students advised in the University College who must select a new major because they have reached 90 hours (135 hours for transfer students) and still have not met the admission requirements for their intended major.

Entering a Major

All University College students with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher must enter a major within a degree-granting college by the time they have earned 90 credit hours (135 credit hours for students who entered WSU as transfer students), or they will be converted to nondegree status. Nondegree students are ineligible for financial aid, veteran's education benefits, and intercollegiate athletics.