2. Advice By Major

Before you can design your course schedule, you will need to gather some information on the various majors and suggestions for A and B term course selection.  Click on the links below to view Major “notes” and sample course charts. If your major is not listed below, please contact our office at academic-advising@wpi.edu or 508-831-5381 for specific course advice.

Please note you will only be selecting your courses for A and B term this summer.

Abbreviations to note before reading further:

Majors

 

Undecided

If you are undecided about your major there are several course options that you can select that will work for any of our majors.  By including a math and science (physics or chemistry) course as two of your three courses each term, you will keep your options open for any major at WPI.  Your third course should be selected from either the Great Problems Seminar, Humanities, or Social Science.  

Course Suggestions

A term

  • Math
  • Science (BB/CH/PH)
  • HU/SS/GPS

B term

  • Math
  • Science (BB/CH/PH)
  • HU/SS/GPS

If you select Chemistry or Physics continue with the same science in B term.

Engineering Undecided

If you think that you may want to major in engineering then you should consider taking physics as your science course for A and B Term.  It is also strongly recommended that you consider some of the introductory engineering courses.  Mechanical Engineering (ES 1310, ME 1800, ES 1020). Robotics Engineering (RBE 1001) and Chemical Engineering offer an introductory course in B term (CHE 1011), Biomedical Engineering offers BME 1001 in B term, and Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE 1799) offers a seminar during A and B terms.  The other engineering majors offer their introductory courses in C and D Term. You will learn more about these course offerings later in the Fall.  Please consult the appropriate major link in this list for more information on the introductory course options available.

Course Suggestions

A term

B term

 

Civil & Environmental Engineering Notes

Students interested in Civil and Environmental Engineering should use their first year study to satisfy math and science requirements, including calculus (MA 1021-1024) and chemistry (CH 1010-1020). Students with advanced standing in math can continue with differential equations (MA 2051) and statistics (MA 2611). For the third course each term, most students prefer a course in the Humanities, Social Science, or a Great Problems Seminar.

Course Suggestions

A term

B term

Mechanical Engineering Notes

Students with an interest in mechanical engineering are encouraged to engage early in the discipline by taking one or two introductory courses in the first year. Introduction to Computer Aided Design (ES 1310), Introduction to Engineering (ES 1020), and Materials Selection and Manufacturing Processes (ME 1800) are three excellent ways to learn how mechanical engineers design and make artifacts for the modern world.

Course Suggestions

A term

B term

 

Electrical & Computer Engineering Notes

Students considering ECE as a major, both those who have already "decided" as well as those who are "undecided" should enroll in ECE 1799 (Frontiers and Current issues of Electrical and Computer Engineering).  Students enrolled in ECE 1799 will receive 1/6 unit of credit for the full semester and is in addition to your three course load per term.  The class will meet once a week for one hour during the fall semester (A & B terms) and the students will participate in reading, writing and some other hands-on and interesting out of classroom activities.

Please Note: The Seminar is taken in addition to your three courses per term.

Students interested in ECE should begin their science courses with Physics. *The PH 1111-1121 sequence is preferable to PH 1110-1120, but both are completely acceptable. It is recommended to take CS 1101 within your first year if you do not have any programming background. You may opt to take CS 1101 offered in A term or CS 110X which will be offered in C term. 

The Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) program begins with two introductory courses ECE 2010, Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering: An Application Oriented Approach (This course is offered every term, including summer, to make it easier for students to plan their schedules) and ECE 2029, Introduction to Digital Circuit Design. Most students interested in ECE should plan to take ECE 2010 and ECE 2029 in consecutive terms once they have completed Calculus I and II and Physics I and II.

*Do not take the PH 1111 or PH 1121 sequence unless you are starting your Math sequence with Calc 3 (MA 1023).

Course Suggestions

A term

B term

 

Environmental Engineering Notes

Students interested in environmental engineering should use their first year of study to satisfy math and science requirements, including calculus (MA 1021 – 1024) and chemistry (CH 1010 – 1030). Students with advanced standing in math can continue with differential equations and statistics. For the third course each term, most students prefer a course in the Humanities and Arts.

Additional information on the Environmental Engineering program may be found at the program website.

Course Suggestions

A term

B term

 

Environmental and Sustainability Studies Notes

Students who are interested in this major, are encouraged to contact Rob Krueger with any questions, and can also visit the website.

Course Suggestions

A term

  • Math
  • ENV 150X
  • GPS/HU/SS

B term

  • Math
  • ENV 1100
  • GPS/HU/SS

Biomedical Engineering Notes

Students are encouraged to fulfill their physics and chemistry requirements in their first year and to postpone taking any biology courses until their sophomore year. Biology courses at the 1000-level are generally not recommended unless students have no background in biology.  Students who are interested in learning about the breadth of the field of biomedical engineering should consider taking BME 1001 in B term of their freshman year. 

Course Suggestions

A term

  • HU/SS/GPS
  • Math
  • Science (CH or PH)

B term

  • HU/SS/GPS/BME 1001 
  • Math
  • Science (CH or PH)

 

Chemical Engineering Notes

Students interested in or considering chemical engineering as a major should start their first year in the chemistry sequence (CH 1010-1040) and in the calculus sequence (MA 1021-1024).

An option available during B term is a course describing the broad discipline of chemical engineering, CHE 1011. An introduction is provided to first principles of chemical engineering, as well as environmental, health, safety, management and ethical issues in chemical engineering practice. This course is particularly recommended for students wanting to know more about chemical engineering so that they make a more informed choice about their major field.

Course Suggestions

A term

B term

Robotics Engineering Notes

The goal of WPI’s Robotics Engineering program is for graduates to be proficient in Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, and to be able to use these skills to design and construct robots for many different applications. Students are encouraged to take a Math course each term along with either Physics sequence PH 1110-1120 or PH 1111-1121.  Most students should take a Humanities course, such as a Great Problem Seminar, each term.  RBE majors should plan to take Introduction to Robotics, RBE 1001, during the first year, typically during D term. Students who are exceptionally well prepared and wish an early start to robotics should take Introduction to Program Design CS 1101 or CS 1102 in A Term and Introduction to Robotics (RBE 1001) in B term instead. If you are undecided about your major and interested in RBE, we encourage you to take RBE 1001 during B term, rather than D term to help you make your decision. For those students who are sure of their major being Robotics, we encourage you to take it during D term.

*Please note: Students who will be taking RBE 1001 in B term should begin with the Physics sequence in A term. Also, students selecting PH 1111-21 must take Calc 3 or higher in A term. 

Course Suggestions

A term

B term

 

Aerospace Engineering Notes

As an Aerospace Engineering Major, students are encouraged to complete their Math sequence (MA 1021-1024) during their first year. It is also recommended to take PH 1110-1120 or PH 111-1121 sequence in A and B term. For your third course, selection from the humanities, social science, or GPS is encouraged.

Course Suggestions

A term

B term

 

Biology & Biotechnology Notes

Students planning to major in Biology & Biotechnology can enter the curriculum in several different ways. Introduction to Biotechnology (BB 1035, A term, also offered in C term), Introduction to Biodiversity (BB 1045, C term) and Human Biology (BB 1025 in D term) are excellent entrees to the Biology & Biotechnology curriculum at WPI. All are taught with the expectation that students have had a high school biology course. BB 1001, Introduction to Biology, taught in the B term, is designed for students who have never taken high school biology or for non-majors seeking basic science credit.  It will not count toward the distribution requirement for Biology & Biotechnology majors, except as a free elective. Students who have taken BB 1035 in the A term may consider BB 2002 (Microbiology) in B term.

All first year Biology & Biotechnology students should plan to take a 1/6 unit course in lab fundamentals, either BB 2903, Anatomy and Physiology Lab (C term) and/or BB 2904, Ecology, Environment, and Animal Behavior Lab (D term). Most Biology and Biotechnology majors, and all students planning a pre-professional curriculum (medical, dental, veterinary) should take Chemistry 1, 2, & 3 (CH 1010, 1020, 1030) and at least two mathematics courses in their first year.

Biology & Biotechnology majors as well as students interested in the health professions may also consider taking a Great Problems Seminar course, Heal the World which confers elective biology credit. Power the World (offered in the spring) offers elective physics credit, which can be used toward  distribution requirements for a Biology & Biotechnology major.

Course Suggestions

A term

  • CH 1010
  • BB (if you do not choose BB 1035 then select 2 courses from HU / SS / GPS or MA 1021)
  • HU / SS / GPS

B term

Please Note: Do not take both BB2002 and BB1035 select one or the other that fits in your interest and background.

Chemistry Notes

Study in general chemistry is fundamental to all disciplines in science and engineering. The basic general chemistry course sequence consists of four parts: CH 1010, CH 1020, CH 1030, and CH 1040. The entire sequence begins in Term A only.  CH 1010 and CH 1020 both review material that is generally found in high school chemistry courses, and may not be necessary for students with a good chemistry background.  CH 1030 and CH 1040 are highly recommended for majors in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering and most areas of Biology. For majors in some areas, only the first half of the sequence will be needed; for this reason, CH 1010 and CH 1020 are offered again in Terms C and D, respectively.  

For those students with good high school chemistry backgrounds, we recommend that they take the available credit exams, offered during New Student Orientation.  We have developed one of these for each of the general chemistry courses, and they must be taken in order.   A grade of 70 or better on the CH 1010 credit exam will result in credit being given for the course, and allow the student the opportunity to take the credit exam for CH 1020.  If students test out of CH 1010, we recommend that they consider a Great Problems Seminar in the fall, in place of the chemistry courses.

Chemistry majors should also take mathematics, preferably calculus, throughout the first year.

Course Suggestions

A term

B term

Biochemistry Notes

Biochemistry majors should plan to take Chemistry I-IV (CH 1010, CH 1020, CH 1030, and CH 1040) as the basis for most of the subsequent chemistry and biochemistry information they will learn. CH 1010 and CH 1020 review material that is generally found in high school chemistry courses, and may not be necessary for students with a good chemistry background.  CH 1030 and CH 1040 are highly recommended for majors in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering and most areas of Biology. These courses also provide an introduction to working in a laboratory, a key part of the skills necessary to become a biochemist. Since biochemists work at the interface of chemistry and biology, a background in biology is also essential. For those students who have had biology in high school, we recommend taking Cell Biology (BB 2550 - A term) and Genetics (BB 2920 - C term). For those students who have no biology background, BB 1035-Intro to Biotechnology (A term) should be taken first. Biochemistry majors should also take mathematics, preferably calculus, throughout the first year. Additional courses can be selected from the Humanities, Great Problems Seminars, and Social Sciences. 

For those students with good high school chemistry backgrounds, we recommend that they take the available credit exams, offered during New Student Orientation.  We have developed one of these for each of the general chemistry courses, and they must be taken in order.   A grade of 70 or better on the CH 1010 credit exam will result in credit being given for the course, and allow the student the opportunity to take the credit exam for CH1020.  If students test out of CH1010, we recommend that they consider a first year seminar in the fall, in place of the chemistry courses.

Course Suggestions

A term

B term

Physics Notes

The programs of study in Physics are designed to fulfill the needs and interests of students over the range from "pure" to "applied" or engineering science.  All programs within the Physics major include a common group of recommended courses which provide the foundation beginning with the great themes of physics-matter, motion, forces, energy, and the nature and concepts of electricity and magnetism.

Course Suggestions

A term

B term

Pre-Health

WPI offers pre-professional advising programs for pre-health, pre-vet, pre-dental, or pre-optometry. Students take specific courses, in addition to their major course work, to prepare for entry into professional schools and exams such as MCAT, DAT, GRE and OAT. Course advice for students interested in pursuing any of the mentioned pre-professional programs may follow the course advice below. Students with specific questions regarding these programs can contact with Aleshia Carlsen-Bryan, acarlsen@wpi.edu within the Office of Academic Advising.

A Term

B Term

Computer Science Course Notes

The Computer Science introductory curriculum emphasizes program design; as part of this focus, the order in which languages are covered is Scheme, followed by Java, followed by C++. Students should choose courses for this year according to the following guidelines:

Computer Science Majors

CS majors can follow one of two paths into the CS curriculum. The choice of which path to take should be based on the student's prior programming experience:

Most students should take:
1. CS 1101 Introduction to Program Design (offered in Terms A and C), followed by
2. CS 2102 Object-Oriented Design Concepts (offered in Terms B and D)

Students having substantial previous programming experience are encouraged to take:
3. CS 1102 Accelerated Introduction to Program Design (offered in Term A only), followed by
4. CS 2102 Object-Oriented Design Concepts (offered in Terms B and D)

(substantial previous programming experience might be obtained through a "4" or "5" on the Advanced Placement Computer Science exam or through prior programming background covering at least functions, lists, and recursion.  CS1102 doesn't assume experience with any particular programming language.  Students are encouraged to contact the CS department at undergraduate@cs.wpi.edu if they need help assessing their readiness for CS1102.)

The goal for all CS majors should be to complete CS 2102 by the end of the first year. Those students wishing to pursue the major at a more aggressive pace may consider taking as many as four CS courses the first year: CS 1101 or CS 1102 in Term A, CS 2102 in Term B, are encouraged.

All CS majors should take 4 mathematics courses in the first year and round out the rest of the schedule with science, humanities, GPS or social science courses.

Course Suggestions

A term

  • GPS or HU or SS
  • Math
  • CS or Physics

B term

  • GPS or HU or SS
  • Math
  • CS or Physics

 

Interactive Media & Game Development Notes

WPI's Interactive Media and Game Development (IMGD) majors receive a base education in both the technical and artistic aspects of interactive media.  There is particular emphasis on programmers and artists working closely together, providing invaluable experience for their post-graduate years.  IMGD majors are also provided with a base of knowledge in mathematics and science, which serves as a foundation for IMGD professional activities or post-graduate studies.

Technical

Course Suggestions

A term

B term

Artistic

Course Suggestions

A term

  • IMGD 1001
  • AR 1100 (If course is closed, consider an English/Writing or Music course instead)
  • Math or Science

B term

  • IMGD 1000
  • consider an English/Writing or Music 
  • Math  or AR 1101

Humanities and Arts Courses to consider as English courses: EN 1251, EN 2210, EN 2211, EN 2232, EN 2234, EN 2238, EN 2243, EN 2251, EN 2252, EN 3237, and EN 3248. Writing courses to consider are WR 2211 and RH 3211. 

Courses to consider as Music courses: MU 3611, MU 3612 and MU 3613. MU 3613 does not require any music reading background.

 

School of Business Notes

Business Management

After listening to employers, our alumni, and business executives, we crafted four different majors that prepare our graduates to be innovative and entrepreneurial leaders in a global technological world.  That is why our students get such great jobs, and at starting salaries that are about $11,000 higher than the national average for business graduates.  Additionally, our students benefit from the same great faculty members and curriculum focus that earned our part-time MBA the distinction of being ranked #1 in the U.S. by BusinessWeek in November 2009 as well as #1 in the Northeast for the past five years!

Our Industrial Engineering (IE) major is unique because it is housed in a business program and is ABET accredited.  We believe that this close interaction between IE and business is precisely what students need, and employers seem to agree with us as they readily hire our IE graduates into their leadership programs!  Please see the separate section on IE for more information.

Our business majors are: Management, Management Engineering, and Management Information Systems.  These are business majors that are accredited by the world’s leading, and most selective, accrediting body for business programs – AACSB international.  All of our students must complete a broad base of courses that provide a solid understanding of business.  These are organized into three clusters: Business Context and Mindset (Leadership Practice, Global Environment of Decision Making, and Legal Environment of Decision Making), Business Managerial Tools (Financial Statements for Decision Making, Risk Analysis for Decision Making, and Data Analysis for Decision Making), and Business Executive (Creating Value through Innovation, Achieving Effective Operations, and Achieving Strategic Effectiveness).

Management (MG)

At some schools our Management major would simply be called Business.  This major is designed for those students who know that they want to pursue non-engineering careers, but who nonetheless recognize the value of understanding technological organizations and how various management functions differ in these organizations from non-technological organizations.  These are the generalists of the business world, able to go in many different directions, such as sales, marketing, human resource management, operations, and so forth. Most Management majors will be hired into management training programs.   In addition to the broad base of courses mentioned above, Management majors will choose six courses from up to three different course groupings (see our website).  This ensures that students can get some level of depth in multiple business areas to provide them with the flexibility they need to be a successful generalist. 

Management Engineering (MGE)

Management Engineering majors have chosen specifically to combine a technical area with business.  They do this primarily by selecting one of the seven different concentrations we have developed, one wholly within the Department, and the other six in areas such as Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and so forth.  The goal is to complete a mix of courses that helps students meet their career objective of managing in an engineering or science organization.  Many MGE majors are hired by companies for their very selective leadership talent programs. If you are thinking of majoring in MGE, course guidance for your first two terms is provided below.

Management Information Systems (MIS)

Management Information Systems majors are the lifeblood of modern organizations.  Most of the advances in business practice over the past 20-30 years have come because of the emergence of modern information systems.  With more and more information available, we need people to help ensure that the information is available at our fingertips in ways that we can use it quickly and effectively to make decisions.  MIS majors design those systems by working closely with executives and managers to identify their information needs and the best format for presenting the information, then they bring them to “life.”  Our MIS majors have distinguished themselves as analysts, consultants, entrepreneurs, and in many other roles. The best part of being an MIS major: There are more jobs for MIS majors than just about any other major offered - and at great starting salaries! Course guidance for the first two terms is provided below.

In Your First Year

In the School of Business we encourage students to work on basic courses during their first year.  These would include:

  1. Math 
  2. Science (PH 1110 and PH 1120 for MGE majors with an engineering concentration, CH 1010 and CH 1020 for MGE with Chemistry concentration; MG, MIS, and non-engineering MGE concentrators may choose from a combination of BB, CH, and PH);
  3. Humanities; and
  4. Business Context and Mindset Cluster courses.

Course Recommendations for MG, MIS, and MGE (with concentration in Operations)

 

A-term

B-term

Course 1

BUS 1010

MATH

Course 2

Science                              

ECON 1110

Course 3

Humanities & Arts/GPS/SS

Humanities & Arts/GPS/SS

Course Recommendations for MGE (with concentrations in Engineering)

 

A-term

B-term

Course 1

BUS 1010

Humanities & Arts/GPS/SS

Course 2

Science

ECON 1110

Course 3

HUA/GPS/SS

MA 1021 or MATH 

 

 Please also feel free to reference this interactive chart

Industrial Engineering Notes

Industrial Engineering (IE) is a major within the School of Business. Through IE, majors learn about the analysis, effective design, and implementation of integrated systems of people, materials, information, equipment, and technology. Many Industrial Engineers serve as a bridge between engineering and management because they are concerned about both the technological and organizational impact of changes. The example titles of their first jobs for our IE graduates include operations analyst, business analyst, and process engineer/analyst, among others.

First year students who are interested in Industrial Engineering should take mathematics and science courses – at least three calculus courses and statistics and either (a) two courses in chemistry and one in physics or (b) one course in chemistry and two in physics along with humanities and arts courses for the Humanities and Arts Requirement, and a social science course or an introductory level engineering course. 

Course Suggestions

A term

  • HU / SS / GPS
  • Math
  • Science (CH or PH)

B term

  • HU / SS / GPS
  • Math
  • Science (CH or PH)

 

Mathematical Sciences Notes

Mathematical Sciences majors can choose to take courses either in the regular calculus sequence MA1021 – MA1024, or if they are entering WPI with credit for MA1021, MA1022, they are encouraged to consider MA143X and MA144X. Please see the math placement exam to choose the regular calculus course that's right for you.

If you are considering Actuarial Mathematics, you could consider taking Introduction to Microeconomics, ECON 1110, or Introduction to Macroeconomics, ECON 1120, instead of a science course in A and/or B terms.  

The sequence MA143X Calculus III: A Theoretical Approach and MA144X Calculus IV: A Theoretical Approach is an alternative to the MA1023, MA1024  sequence in A and B terms.  The sequence is designed to give a deeper and more mathematically rigorous presentation of the relevant calculus topics.  If you really enjoy math and have credit for Calculus I and II already, you should consider this sequence instead of the MA 1023-MA 1024 sequence.

Course Suggestions

A term

  • Math
  • Science (Math Majors) or SS (Specifically ECON 1110 or ECON 1120 for Actuarial Math Majors)
  • HU / CS / GPS

B term

  • Math
  • Science (Math Majors) or SS (Specifically ECON 1110 or ECON 1120 for Actuarial Math Majors)
  • HU / GPS

Social Science & Policy Notes

The department offers majors in systems dynamics, economic science, psychology science, environmental policy and development, and science-technology and policy.  Course selections for these major programs should begin by choosing a social science course as you first course.  Please consult the list of social science course offerings to make the appropriate choice.

Course Suggestions

A term

  • SS
  • Science
  • HU / GPS

B term

  • SS
  • Math (Recommend MA 1101 for Calc I)
  • HU / GPS

 

Maintained by webmaster@wpi.edu
Last modified: May 15, 2012 09:08:13