Course Advice By Major

Before you can design your course schedule, you will need to gather some information on the various majors and suggestions for C and D term course selection.  Click on the links below to view Major “notes” and sample course charts. To the right, you can also view academic tracking sheets for most majors. Feel free to print them out to help keep track of the courses that you need for your major. If you are interested in Double Majoring, please contact Academic Advising.

 Majors

HU = Humanities and Arts Course

SS = Social Science Course

Undecided

If you are still undecided regarding your major, we encourage you to visit the Career Devleopment Center to explore Major options. Below you will find course suggestions for C and D term.

Course Suggestions:

C Term

  • Continue Math
  • Continue Science
  • HU/SS/Other introductory courses

D Term

  • Continue Math
  • Continue Science
  • HU/SS/Other introductory courses

 

Aerospace Engineering

Please also view the sample chart on the AE website for more information.

Course Suggestions:

C Term

  • Math
  • Science (PH or CH)
  • HU/SS
  • ES 2502 or ES 2001 (If have taken CH 1010)

D Term

  • Math
  • Science (PH or CH)
  • HU/SS
  • ES 2502 or ES 2001 (if have taken CH 1010)

 

Biochemistry

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. 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 or Genetics (BB 2920 - C term). Biochemistry majors should also take mathematics, preferably calculus, throughout the first year. Additional courses can be selected from the Humanities, and Social Sciences. 

Course Suggestions:

C Term

D Term

 

Biology & Biotechnology

All first year Biology & Biotechnology students should plan to take a 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 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. It is recommended that students take MA 1101 Calculus I for Biology and Management in B term followed by MA 1102 Calculus II for Biology and Management in C term. Students who have completed Calculus I and II may be interested in MA 2610, Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences.

Course Suggestions:

C Term

D Term

Special Notes: CH 1040 is optional for BIO majors, including those interested in prehealth. BB 2903 and 2904 are 1/6 unit courses. The option of doing these as an overload or a 1/6 underload should be discussed with your academic advisor.

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. Biomedical engineering courses begin with BME 1001 - Introduction to Biomedical Engineering, which is offered each D term. Students who are interested in learning about the breadth of the field of biomedical engineering should consider taking BME 1001 in their freshman year. 

Course Suggestions:

C Term

  • Take the other science (CH or PH) that was not taken in A/B terms
  • Math
  • HU/SS

D Term

Special Notes: BME 1001 provides a quantitative overview of the tracks of BME which students are unsure of their major and/or track find helpful. BME1001 is not required; however, it is often used to substitute for one 2000-level BME course. If it is not taken, all three 2000-level BME courses are generally taken.

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).

Course Suggestions:

C Term

  • CH 1030
  • PH 1110/PH 1111/HU/SS (You may substitute the Physics for a Humanities and Arts course, and move your Physics course to your Sophomore year)
  • Math

D Term

  • CH 1040
  • PH 1120/PH 1121/HU/SS (You may substitute the Physics for a Humanities and Arts course, and move your Physics course to your Sophomore year)
  • Math

 

Chemistry

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 and should be taken in the above order in successive terms. The entire four-term sequence is necessary 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.

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

Course Suggestions:

C Term

D 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, or Social Science.

Course Suggestions: 

C term

  • Take the other Science (PH or CH) that was not taken in A and B terms
  • Math
  • HU/SS or CE 1030

D term

  • Science
  • Math
  • CE 1030 (Students are highly encouraged to register for this course)

 

Computer Science Notes

All CS majors should take CS 2102 by the end of their first year, as well as mathematics and some combination of science, humanities and arts, and social science.

Computer Science Courses

If you have not taken CS 1101 or CS 1102 in A and CS 2102 in B Term:

  You should take CS 1101 in C-Term and CS 2102 in D-Term.

If you have taken CS 1101/1102 and CS 2102:

If you wish to take additional CS courses in your first year, you should choose one of the following pairs of courses:

  1. CS 2303 (System Programming Concepts; C-Term) and CS 2011 (Introduction to Machine Organization and Assembly Language; D-Term)

OR

  1. CS 2022 (Discrete Mathematics; C-Term) and CS 2223 (Algorithms).

Mathematics Courses

  You should take mathematics courses in C and D Terms.  If you have completed the calculus sequence, you should consider courses in statistics (MA 2611; C and D Terms) and probability (CS 2621; C Term).

Other Courses

For your additional courses in C and D Terms, choose from among Science, Humanities and Arts, and Social Science

Chart form:

C Term

  • CS Course
  • Math
  • HU/PH/SS

D Term

  • CS Course
  • Math
  • HU/PH/SS

Take one of the following pairs in C and D terms:

 

Electrical And Computer Engineering Notes

The Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) program begins with two introductory courses ECE 2010, Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering and ECE 2029, Introduction to Digital Circuits and Computer Engineering. Most students interested in ECE should plan to take ECE 2010 in C term and ECE 2029 in D term of the first year.

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. Do not take the PH 1111 or PH 1121 sequence unless you have taken or are taking MA 1023 concurrent with PH 1111 and MA 1024 concurrent with PH 1121.

Course Suggestions:

C Term

  • ECE 2010
  • HU, PH, or CS
  • Math

D Term

  • ECE 2029
  • HU or PH
  • Math

Special notes: Should be in at least MA 1023 in C term; if unsure between CS and ECE, take intro courses in both. (Warning: three technical courses is tough)

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), chemistry (CH 1010 – 1030), and additional courses in math, chemistry, physics or biology. Students with advanced standing in math can continue with differential equations and statistics. Additional courses may be taken in the Humanities and Arts and the Social Sciences.

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

Course Suggestions:

C term

D term

  • Math
  • Science (e.g., CH 1040 or BB)
  • Humanities or SS

 

 

Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary bachelor of arts degree program that provides students with both intensive technological and social policy training. The new major will focus students on working toward solving the complex environmental problems of our time. The program is designed to educate future environmental professionals with the knowledge and skills that will cross boundaries and foster thought leadership in this important area. For course advice, please contact Rob Krueger at Krueger@wpi.edu or attend the Environmental Studies Advising open house.

Industrial Engineering Notes

Course Suggestions:

C Term

  • Take the other science (CH or PH) that was not taken in A/B terms
  • Math
  • HU/SS/Introductory engineering courses

D Term

  • Science
  • Math
  • HU/SS/Introductory engineering courses

Special notes: Overall math for the major must include Calculus (MA 1021, MA 1022, MA 1023, MA 1024), MA 2051 and one statistics course.

Interactive Media and Game Development Notes

Students are encouraged to consult with an IMGD faculty member in addition to their faculty advisor. The IMGD faculty can examine the courses the student has taken and recommend courses specifically for that student. Students should verify they have the recommended background for all course selections below. Overall by the end of the first year, ideally an IMGD major will have taken at least:

  • Two of the three IMGD core courses (IMGD 1000, IMGD 1001 or IMGD 1002)
  • An Art course (AR 1100)
  • A Computer Science course (CS 1101 or CS 1102)
  • An English, Writing or Rhetoric course
  • If IMGD-Tech:
  • If IMGD-Art:
    • Additional AR courses (such as AR 1101, AR 2101, AR 2201, or AR 2202)
    • A CS, Math or Science course
  • Those interested in music, might have taken MU 1611

Artistic Track

C Term

*Depending on what you took in A and B terms*

  • AR 1100, AR 1101, AR 2101, AR 2201, or AR 2202
  • Math or Science
  • Courses to fulfill the Humanities Requirement-- Depth or breadth courses
  • Or IMGD 2000, IMGD 2005, IMGD 203X, IMGD 2500

D Term

Technical Track

*Depending on what you took in A and B terms*

C Term

D Term

 

School of Business Notes (including MG, MIS and MGE)

First year students who are interested in any of these majors should take two calculus courses (MA 1101 and MA 1102) and two statistics courses (MA 2611 and MA 2612), and should make other selections from the areas of science, computer science (CS 1101), humanities and arts, and social science/economics courses (ECON 1110 and ECON 1120). If the schedule permits, students may consider taking Organizational Science (OBC 2300) or Leadership Practice (BUS 1010); or Legal Environment of Business Decisions (BUS 2020). Majors should wait until their second year to register for other Management courses.

Course Suggestions:

C Term

D term

Mathematical Sciences including Actuarial Math

Course Suggestions:

C Term

  • Math (Continue on with your math from A and B terms)
  • CS 1101
  • HU or SS

D Term

  • Math (Continue on with your math from A and B terms)
  • CS course
  • HU or SS

  **If you are considering either one of these majors, please consider taking MA 197X "Bridge to Higher Mathematics" as a math course.

Mechanical Engineering Notes

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

Course Suggestions:

C Term

  • Math
  • Humanities/Social Science/Introductory Engineering courses
  • Science: Take the other science (CH or PH) that was not taken in A/B terms

D term

  • Science
  • Math
  • Humanities/Social Science/Introductory Engineering courses

 

Physics Notes

The first-year physics courses are organized such that they are generally offered twice a year.  The entire sequence of Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics, and Oscillations and Waves, are designed as a whole to provide a comprehensive background in physics for any major.  In the fall, Mechanics (PH1110/11) and Modern Physics (PH1130) in A-term are followed in B-term with Electricity&Magnetism (PH1120/21) and Oscillations&Waves (PH1140).  This sequence repeats in the spring with Mechanics (PH1110) and Modern Physics (PH1130) in C-term followed by Electricity&Magnetism (PH1120) and Oscillations&Waves (PH1140) in D-term. This allows for flexibility in fitting Physics for any major's basic science requirements. 

While all physics courses are calculus-based, the first-year Mechanics and E&M courses are offered at two levels but cover the same content. Students taking up to Calc. II should consider the PH1110/20 sequence while those who are taking Calc. III and above should consider the PH1111/21 sequence.

For non-physics majors, difficulty in scheduling the PH1110/1120 physics courses in A and B terms can consider taking these courses in C and D terms.  Physics majors typically follow the sequence PH1110/11 in A, PH1120/21 in B, PH1130 in C, and PH1140 in D term.  However, variations to this sequence are possible depending on the mathematical background.  For example, a student may consider PH1110 in A, PH1140 in B, PH1130 in C, and finish with PH1120 in D term in order to take the entire physics sequence. 

Depending on major and the needs of the student, sub-sets of these first-year courses are possible but most will involve the PH1110/11 course. For most students, physics and math courses occupy two of the three slots in either their A/B or C/D terms of their first-year.  The remaining slots are typically filled with humanities courses for progress towards the Humanities and Arts Practicum (the first major project).

Robotics Engineering Notes

Course Suggestions:

C Term

D Term

  • Math
  • Science
  • RBE 1001
  • ECE 2029/HU/SS (If have already taken RBE 1001) CS 2102 (if taking CS 1101 C term)

 

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Last modified: November 09, 2011 15:24:52