Course Planning Specifics

Biology & Biotechnology

In addition to the course recommendations below that are specific to your major, each student must complete 4 Wellness and Physical Education courses in their four years at WPI. You are welcome to add a WPE course to any term. WPE courses are worth 1/12 unit, unlike major subjects discussed in course recommendations which are worth 1/3 unit, and can be taken in addition to the 3 courses recommended below.  

For more information on the degree requirements for your major click here. 

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A & B Term

A Term Recommendations

BB 1101

The introductory sequence for Biology & Biotechnology majors includes Foundations of Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology (BB 1101, A & C terms), Foundations of Ecology and Environmental Biology (BB 1102, B & D terms) and Foundations of Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory (BB 1801, B and C terms), all of which should be completed in the first year. Completing these courses early allows students to take 2000-level BB courses later in their first year if they wish. For example, students who successfully complete BB 1101 in A term may choose to take Cell Biology (BB 2550) in B term,

CH 1010

BB majors should complete the introductory chemistry sequence through CH 1030: Chemical Properties, Bonding, and Forces (1010), Chemical Reactions (CH 1020), and Kinetics, Equilibrium and Thermodynamics (CH 1030).

If you have received AP credit for CH 1010 you can consider taking a Math, GPS, HUA, or Social Science course in it's place. 

GPS/HUA/SS/MA

Your third course should be a GPS, Humanities and Arts, Social Science, or Math. More information about these courses is available below: 

GPS stands for Great Problems Seminar, which are courses exclusively for first year students that allow students to learn about a problem in the world and work with a group on how to fix it. These courses are helpful with the transition to college as well as useful for students when preparing for projects such as IQP and MQP in junior and senior year. GPS courses run for both A and B term, so you will only need to choose one. Biology and Biotechnology majors who are interested in GPS should consider taking topics of particular interest including global health and nutrition. More information can be found here.

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. The subjects available for HUA are:

  • Art/Art History (AR)
  • Music (MU)
  • Theatre (TH)
  • Modern Languages - Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN), Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
    • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu) 
    • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
    • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
    • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
    • For Integrated Skills in English Information: The placement exam is not currently required and students are welcome to register for all ISE courses. Please contact Prof. Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu) or Prof. Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) if you have any questions.
  • Literature (EN)
  • Writing/Rhetoric (WR)
  • History (HI)
  • Humanities (HU)
  • International and Global Studies (INTL)
  • Philosophy (PY)
  • Religion (RE)

You should pick courses in subjects you are interested in. When you come to campus you will learn more about the HUA requirement and how you will complete it. 

You are required to take two Social Science Courses in your time at WPI. The subjects that are considered Social Science are:

  • Development (DEV)
  • Economics (ECON)
  • Environmental Studies (ENV)
  • Government, Political Science, and Law (GOV)
  • Psychology (PSY)
  • System Dynamics (SD)
  • Sociology (SOC)
  • Social Science (SS)
  • Society/Technology Studies (STS)

Note: ID 2050 is a course that is required before you go away for IQP and counts as one of your Social Science Courses. If you are planning on going away for IQP in your junior year, you may only want to take one social science course in your first year. 

Mathematics for biology majors should include Calculus I (MA 1021) and II (MA 1022). After completing or receiving credit for Calculus I and II, students may elect to take statistics, an area of mathematics essential to biological data analysis.  Statistics courses include Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences (MA 2610) and Applied Statistics I and II (MA 2611 and 2612). In order to determine where you should start with your MA courses, please see below.

  1. Complete the Math Placement Exam. The Math Placement Exam will tell you which Calculus course you should start in based on your current knowledge. If you are recommended to start in MA 1020, this will be your math course for both terms.
  2. Consider if you have AP Credit (new policy as of 10/20/25):
    Students who obtain a score of “4” on the AB-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021 and should begin with MA 1022 in A term followed by MA 1023 in B term. Those that obtain a score of "5" on the AB-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022 and should begin with MA 1023/1033 in A term followed by MA 1024/1034 in B term.
    Students who obtain a grade of “4” or “5” on the BC-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021, MA 1022 and MA 1023 and could begin with MA 1024 in A-term then MA 2051 in B-term, OR MA 1033 in A-term followed by MA 1034 in B-term. 
  3. If you received a 6 or 7 on the IB, you will receive 2/3 credit of MA 1000, and you should use your math placement exam results to decide which math class to take.
  4. Consider the possibility of retroactive credit. If the Math Placement Exam recommends that you start in MA 1022, MA 1023/1033, or MA 1024 but you do not have AP credit, this could be a great option for you. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1022 and MA 1023/1033 on your first attempt, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1023/1033 and MA 1024/1034 on your first attempt you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022.  If, in your first year, you complete MA 1024 and MA 2051, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022. Please note that there is no retroactive credit for MA 1023. In determining if this is the right path for you, we strongly recommend completing the Math Placement exam and following the suggestion given to you. 

The sequence MA 1033 Theoretical Calculus III and MA 1034 Theoretical Calculus IV is an alternative to the MA 1023, MA 1024 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.

B Term Recommendations

BB 1102 and/or BB 1801

The introductory sequence for Biology & Biotechnology majors includes Foundations of Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology (BB 1101, A & C terms), Foundations of Ecology and Environmental Biology (BB 1102, B & D terms) and Foundations of Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory (BB 1801, B and C terms), all of which should be completed in the first year. Completing these courses early allows students to take 2000-level BB courses later in their first year if they wish; consult WPI Course Listings to identify the recommended background for each 2000-level course.

CH 1020

BB majors should complete the introductory chemistry sequence through CH 1030: Chemical Properties, Bonding, and Forces (1010), Chemical Reactions (CH 1020), and Kinetics, Equilibrium and Thermodynamics (CH 1030).

GPS/HUA/SS/MA

Your third course should be a GPS, Humanities and Arts, Social Science, or Math. More information about these courses is available below: 

GPS stands for Great Problems Seminar, which are courses exclusively for first year students that allow students to learn about a problem in the world and work with a group on how to fix it. These courses are helpful with the transition to college as well as useful for students when preparing for projects such as IQP and MQP in junior and senior year. GPS courses run for both A and B term, so you will only need to choose one. Biology and Biotechnology majors who are interested in GPS should consider taking topics of particular interest including global health and nutrition. More information can be found here.

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. The subjects available for HUA are:

  • Art/Art History (AR)
  • Music (MU)
  • Theatre (TH)
  • Modern Languages - Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN), Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
    • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu) 
    • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
    • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
    • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
    • For Integrated Skills in English Information: The placement exam is not currently required and students are welcome to register for all ISE courses. Please contact Prof. Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu) or Prof. Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) if you have any questions.
  • Literature (EN)
  • Writing/Rhetoric (WR)
  • History (HI)
  • Humanities (HU)
  • International and Global Studies (INTL)
  • Philosophy (PY)
  • Religion (RE)

You should pick courses in subjects you are interested in. When you come to campus you will learn more about the HUA requirement and how you will complete it. 

You are required to take two Social Science Courses in your time at WPI. The subjects that are considered Social Science are:

  • Development (DEV)
  • Economics (ECON)
  • Environmental Studies (ENV)
  • Government, Political Science, and Law (GOV)
  • Psychology (PSY)
  • System Dynamics (SD)
  • Sociology (SOC)
  • Social Science (SS)
  • Society/Technology Studies (STS)

Note: ID 2050 is a course that is required before you go away for IQP and counts as one of your Social Science Courses. If you are planning on going away for IQP in your junior year, you may only want to take one social science course in your first year. 

Mathematics for biology majors should include Calculus I (MA 1021) and II (MA 1022). After completing or receiving credit for Calculus I and II, students may elect to take statistics, an area of mathematics essential to biological data analysis.  Statistics courses include Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences (MA 2610) and Applied Statistics I and II (MA 2611 and 2612). In choosing which Math course you will begin with, please consider the following:  

  1. Complete the Math Placement Exam. The Math Placement Exam will tell you which Calculus course you should start in based on your current knowledge. If you are recommended to start in MA 1020, this will be your math course for both terms.
  2. Consider if you have AP Credit (new policy as of 10/20/25):
    Students who obtain a score of “4” on the AB-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021 and should begin with MA 1022 in A term followed by MA 1023 in B term. Those that obtain a score of "5" on the AB-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022 and should begin with MA 1023/1033 in A term followed by MA 1024/1034 in B term.
    Students who obtain a grade of “4” or “5” on the BC-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021, MA 1022 and MA 1023 and could begin with MA 1024 in A-term then MA 2051 in B-term, OR MA 1033 in A-term followed by MA 1034 in B-term. 
  3. If you received a 6 or 7 on the IB, you will receive 2/3 credit of MA 1000, and you should use your math placement exam results to decide which math class to take.
  4. Consider the possibility of retroactive credit. If the Math Placement Exam recommends that you start in MA 1022, MA 1023/1033, or MA 1024 but you do not have AP credit, this could be a great option for you. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1022 and MA 1023/1033 on your first attempt, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1023/1033 and MA 1024/1034 on your first attempt you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022.  If, in your first year, you complete MA 1024 and MA 2051, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022. Please note that there is no retroactive credit for MA 1023. In determining if this is the right path for you, we strongly recommend completing the Math Placement exam and following the suggestion given to you. 

The sequence MA 1033 Theoretical Calculus III and MA 1034 Theoretical Calculus IV is an alternative to the MA 1023, MA 1024 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.

Searching for Courses

As you begin to plan your course preferences, consider using one of the following methods:  

  • Visit the Course Listings page. On this page, you can search for courses you are interested in and filter your search by subject, term, keyword, etc.  
  • The  WPI Planner is a helpful tool to assist you in viewing schedule and course times as you develop your plan. Click on this link to view the planner and instructions on how to use it.

Please note: As you begin to search for courses, it is helpful to review the recommended or suggested background included in the course descriptions. Recommended background is coursework or information that has been identified as important for you to have or understand before taking that course. Suggested background is helpful information to have but may not be absolutely necessary in order to excel in the course.  

Your Academic Support Advisor is available to assist you with questions.

C & D Term

C Term Recommendations

BB 1101 and/or BB 1801

The introductory sequence for Biology & Biotechnology majors includes Foundations of Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology (BB 1101, A & C terms), Foundations of Ecology and Environmental Biology (BB 1102, B & D terms) and Foundations of Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory (BB 1801, B and C terms), all of which should be completed in the first year. Completing these courses early allows students to take 2000-level BB courses later in their first year if they wish; consult WPI Course Listings to identify the recommended background for each 2000-level course.

CH 1010 or CH 1030

BB majors and all students planning careers in the health professions should complete the introductory chemistry sequence through CH 1030: Chemical Properties, Bonding, and Forces (1010), Chemical Reactions (CH 1020) and Kinetics, Equilibrium and Thermodynamics (CH 1030).

HUA/SS/MA/BB

Your third course should be a Humanities and Arts, Social Science, Math, or additional BB course. More information about these courses is available below: 

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. The subjects available for HUA are:

  • Art/Art History (AR)
  • Music (MU)
  • Theatre (TH)
  • Modern Languages - Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN), Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
    • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu) 
    • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
    • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
    • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
    • For Integrated Skills in English Information: The placement exam is not currently required and students are welcome to register for all ISE courses. Please contact Prof. Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu) or Prof. Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) if you have any questions.
  • Literature (EN)
  • Writing/Rhetoric (WR)
  • History (HI)
  • Humanities (HU)
  • International and Global Studies (INTL)
  • Philosophy (PY)
  • Religion (RE)

You are required to take two Social Science Courses in your time at WPI. The subjects that are considered Social Science are:

  • Development (DEV)
  • Economics (ECON)
  • Environmental Studies (ENV)
  • Government, Political Science, and Law (GOV)
  • Psychology (PSY)
  • System Dynamics (SD)
  • Sociology (SOC)
  • Social Science (SS)
  • Society/Technology Studies (STS)

Note: ID 2050 is a course that is required before you go away for IQP and counts as one of your Social Science Courses. If you are planning on going away for IQP in your junior year, you may only want to take one social science course in your first year. 

Mathematics for biology majors should include Calculus I (MA 1021) and II (MA 1022). After completing or receiving credit for Calculus I and II, students may elect to take statistics, an area of mathematics essential to biological data analysis.  Statistics courses include Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences (MA 2610) and Applied Statistics I and II (MA 2611 and 2612). 

2000-level BB courses may be taken once students have completed the recommended background courses; consult WPI Course Listings to identify the recommended background for each 2000-level course.

D Term Recommendations

BB 1102 and/or 2000-level BB courses

The introductory sequence for Biology & Biotechnology majors includes Foundations of Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology (BB 1101, A & C terms), Foundations of Ecology and Environmental Biology (BB 1102, B & D terms) and Foundations of Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory (BB 1801, B and C terms), all of which should be completed in the first year.

2000-level BB courses may be taken once students have completed the recommended background courses; consult WPI Course Listings to identify the recommended background for each 2000-level course.

CH 1020/MA

BB majors and all students planning careers in the health professions should complete the introductory chemistry sequence through CH 1030: Chemical Properties, Bonding, and Forces (1010), Chemical Reactions (CH 1020) and Kinetics, Equilibrium and Thermodynamics (CH 1030).

Mathematics for biology majors should include Calculus I (MA 1021) and II (MA 1022). After completing or receiving credit for Calculus I and II, students may elect to take statistics, an area of mathematics essential to biological data analysis.  Statistics courses include Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences (MA 2610) and Applied Statistics I and II (MA 2611 and 2612).

HUA/SS

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. The subjects available for HUA are:

  • Art/Art History (AR)
  • Music (MU)
  • Theatre (TH)
  • Modern Languages - Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN), Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
    • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu) 
    • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
    • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
    • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
    • For Integrated Skills in English Information: The placement exam is not currently required and students are welcome to register for all ISE courses. Please contact Prof. Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu) or Prof. Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) if you have any questions.
  • Literature (EN)
  • Writing/Rhetoric (WR)
  • History (HI)
  • Humanities (HU)
  • International and Global Studies (INTL)
  • Philosophy (PY)
  • Religion (RE)

You are required to take two Social Science Courses in your time at WPI. The subjects that are considered Social Science are:

  • Development (DEV)
  • Economics (ECON)
  • Environmental Studies (ENV)
  • Government, Political Science, and Law (GOV)
  • Psychology (PSY)
  • System Dynamics (SD)
  • Sociology (SOC)
  • Social Science (SS)
  • Society/Technology Studies (STS)

Note: ID 2050 is a course that is required before you go away for IQP and counts as one of your Social Science Courses. If you are planning on going away for IQP in your junior year, you may only want to take one social science course in your first year. 

Once you go through the above recommendations, please be sure to review Registration Information so you know how to register on November 11th. 

Registering in Workday

Note: This task is only for registering for C & D Term.

PRE-REGISTRATION PREP​ 

  • Watch the 10 min. overview  video 
  • Login to Workday​
  • Use Find Course Sections to build at least one Saved Schedule for C-Term, D-Term, and if you're taking any 10 or 14 week classes, Spring Semester (instructions)​​​ 

November 11, 7AM ET: REGISTER​ 

  • Login to Workday​
  • Open a browser tab or window for C-Term, D-Term, and Spring Semester (if you have any 10 or 14 week classes) and View My Saved Schedules for each​
  • [Optional] Open tabs for alternate course sections from other Saved Schedules or search results​
  • When registration opens, click Start Registration, then click Register (instructions)
  • Open View My Courses, scroll right to Drop or Swap (instructions)​
  • Waitlisted? If a spot opens, a notification will be sent to your WPI email asking you to login to Workday and take action