You could succeed at many things. The world is wide open and full of opportunities. Choosing a major can be a challenge. Fortunately, you're not alone. We'll help you navigate through your many options.
In the Exploratory area of Exploratory Studies, you'll go through the program with other students who are open to any major. Along the way, advisors will help you figure out which path you feel drawn to.
First-Year Course Guidelines
Below, you'll find the typical first-year courses taken by students in the Exploratory area of Exploratory Studies. Your courses may be slightly different, based on placement testing and courses you've already taken through dual enrollment or Advanced Placement (AP).
First Semester (Fall)
- DVST 160 Learning Strategies† (1cr)
- DVST 170 Career Exploration† (1cr)
- HIST 196 OR HIST 197 OR HIST 198 (3cr)
- Social Science OR ENGL 100 (based on placement) (3cr)
- Fine Arts Course (3cr)
- Major Course OR MATH (based on placement and potential major) (3cr)
Second Semester (Spring)
- Major Course (3cr)
- Natural Science Elective - Lab Course (4cr)
- ENGL 101 (3cr)
- Dimensions of Wellness Course (3cr)
- Social Science Course (3cr)
†Courses are part of the required First-Year Experience
Liberal Studies Courses to Consider Your First Year
Social Science Electives
Students must complete three alternatives in fulfilling social science requirements. Some may be required or strongly recommended by the major. Note that you may use a prefix only once. Courses marked (GMA) may also fulfill the Global and Multicultural Awareness requirement.
- ANTH 110 Contemporary Anthropology (GMA)
- ANTH 211 Cultural Anthropology (GMA)
- ANTH 213 World Archaeology
- CRIM 101 Crime and Justice Systems
- ECON 101 Basic Economics
- ECON 121 Principles of Economics I
- GEOG 101 Geography of Human Environment Interaction
- GEOG 102 Geography of US and Canada
- RGPL/GEOG 103 Global Cities: Issues in Planning and Development (GMA)
- GEOG 104 World Geography/Global Context (GMA)
- JRNL 105 Journalism and the Mass Media
- PSYC 101 General Psychology
- PLSC 101 World Politics (GMA)
- PLSC 111 Power and Democracy in America
- SOC 151 Principles of Sociology
- SOC 231 Contemporary Social Problems
Natural Science Electives
The required Natural Science Electives can be completed one of two ways. Either option usually begins with a laboratory course, but Option 2 may start with a non-laboratory course.
- Option 1 (8cr): two laboratory courses, may be non-sequential -OR-
- Option 2 (7cr): one laboratory course (4cr) and one non-laboratory course (3cr)
Listed below are some of the options for lab sciences you may consider. All of these courses are designed from a liberal studies perspective and are open to non-majors.
- BIOL 103 Life on Earth
- BIOL 104 Human Biology: How the Human Body Works
- BIOL 106 Human Genetics and Health
- CHEM 101 College Chemistry I*
- CHEM 111 General Chemistry I*
- CHEM 113 Advanced General Chemistry*
- GEOS 101/102 The Dynamic Earth + lab
- GEOS 103/104 Oceans and Atmospheres + lab
- GEOS 105/106 Exploring the Universe + lab
- GEOS 201 Foundations of Geology*
- PHYS 111/121 Physics I + lab (needs calculus)
- PHYS 131/141 Physics I + lab (needs calculus)
- SCI 105 Physical Science I (physics)
- SCI 107/117 Chemistry for Everyone *
*Typically restricted to certain majors or minors; on limited occasions others may receive special permission. CHEM113 requires that students be able to enroll in a calculus course—students not meeting this requirement should be advised to schedule CHEM111.