First-Year Courses

Students in lab setting

Below, you will find suggestions about the courses you should take based on your area of interest. FAQ's are listed at the bottom of the page. You can click on the program titles to be taken to the list of modules available in that area and view all of the required courses.

General Guidance

  • Students may not take more than 5.0 courses in first-year. Students must take a minimum of 1.0 first-year elective course(s) that is non-science.
  • If you have IB or AP credit that is non-science, the non-science first-year requirement has been met.
  • Western Scholars: Consider signing up if you have at least a 90% final admission average.

First Year Course Selection Tips

Advanced Standing Credit Advice:

  • A degree requires a minimum of 5.0 first year courses. Advanced standing courses count towards this requirement.
  • Students may repeat an advanced standing course(s) OR take a combination of first year courses and senior level courses. If they repeat an advanced standing credit, the IB or AP advanced standing transfer credit will be lost.
  • If students receive advanced standings for prerequisite courses such as Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and/or Physics, and choose not to repeat any of those advanced standing credits, they may take module courses (2000 level) that have those courses as prerequisites. This will mean that their course load will have some first year requirements (could be required first year prerequisites and/or electives) and some module courses.
  • If admitted with 3.0 advanced standing credits or more, students will be considered as second year. Transfer credits may satisfy breadth but no essay requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions