Building a First-Semester Premedical Schedule

Most incoming freshmen are advised and enroll during New Student Orientation programs held in June, July or January. You can find tentative evaluation information for Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and college transfer credit at www.admissions.ku.edu/credit/earned.shtml.

A typical first-semester schedule would include English, math, science, and foreign language or principal humanities and social science courses.

English:
___ ENGL 101 Composition
___ ENGL 102 Critical Reading & Writing or 105 Freshman Honors English
Note: In addition, most College of Liberal Arts & Sciences degrees require an ENGL 203-211 course.

Math, as placed by Math ACT, courses for college credit, placement test, or math advisor:
___ Math ACT < 22, then MATH 002 Intermediate Mathematics
___ 22-24, then MATH 104 Pre-Calculus (need 104, or 101 and 103 for physics),
___ 25, then MATH 101 College Algebra,
___ 26-27, then MATH 115 Calculus I, or
___ 28+, then MATH 115 or 121 Calculus I
Note: Most biology majors require either MATH 115 and 116, or MATH 121. BS Biochemistry requires 121 &122.

Natural Science: BIOL 100 and CHEM 125 are not appropriate for premedical students. The Biology Department recommends students complete CHEM 184 concurrently or before taking BIOL 150, the appropriate first course for premedical students.
___ If eligible to take calculus (Math ACT > 25, or credit for college algebra),
take CHEM 184 Foundations of Chemistry I.
___ If not eligible to take calculus, but well-prepared in chemistry, biology & mathematics, take BIOL 150 Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology.
___ If less-prepared, wait on science. Instead, take PRE 101 Orientation Seminar.

Foreign Language (If French, German or Spanish, as placed by test and advisor):

__________ _______ ________________________________________ ___________

Principal Humanities Historical Studies, Literature & Arts, or Philosophy & Religion (HT, HL, or HR):

__________ _______ ________________________________________ ___________

Principal Social Sciences Culture & Society, Individual Behavior or Public Affairs (SC, SI, or SF):

__________ _______ ________________________________________ ___________

Argument & Reason (COMS 130 or 230, or PHIL 148 or 310):

__________ _______ ________________________________________ ___________

This should be enough courses for a full schedule, plus at least two alternates.

Sample Schedules

If MATH ACT < 22, and no higher placement by credit or test, then:
ENGL 101 Composition 3
MATH 002 Intermediate Mathematics 3
Foreign Language, Principal Courses, and/or Reason & Argument 6-8
PRE 101 Orientation Seminar 2
14-16

If MATH ACT = 22, and no higher placement by credit or test, then:
ENGL 101 Composition 3
MATH 104 Pre-Calculus (to meet physics pre-requisite) 5
Foreign Language, Principal Courses, and/or Reason & Argument 5-6
PRE 101 Orientation Seminar 2
15-16

If MATH ACT = 23 or 24, and no higher placement by credit or test, then:
ENGL 101 Composition 3
MATH 104 Pre-Calculus (to meet physics pre-requisite) 5
BIOL 150 Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology 4
Foreign Language, Principal Courses, Reason & Argument, or PRE 101 2-5
14-17

If MATH ACT = 25, and no higher placement by credit or test, then:
ENGL 101 Composition 3
MATH 101 College Algebra 3
BIOL 150 Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology 4
Foreign Language, Principal Courses, and/or Reason & Argument 5-6
15-16

If MATH ACT = 26 or 27, and no higher placement by credit or test, then:
ENGL 101 Composition 3
MATH 115 Calculus I 3
CHEM 184 Foundations of Chemistry I 5
BIOL 150, Foreign Language, Principal Courses, or Reason & Argument 4-6
15-17

If MATH ACT > 27, same as above, but could take MATH 121 Calculus I (5)

Further Hints

Let us know if you’ll have transfer credit that doesn’t appear on your ARTS form.
Let us know what majors and degrees you’re considering.
Remember to include lab & discussion sessions.
Focus on the courses you need, not the schedule you want!
10 minutes is enough time between most classes!
When building a schedule, start with the courses that have the fewest sections.
You should enroll in 14-17 credit hours per semester. 124 hours/8 semesters = 15.5
It’s normal to be a little frustrated when you first enroll, but keep working to improve your schedule. Watch for openings, get on waiting lists for lab courses, and go to classes and ask for closed class permission numbers!
Study at least two hours outside of class for each credit hour enrolled!