Want to review sample plans for fall before your orientation advising appointment? Need a step-by-step guide for using UT's course schedule? We've got you covered!
Incoming freshmen Biochemistry, Biology, Medical Laboratory Science, and Neuroscience majors advised in the Natural Sciences Advising Center can prepare for orientation advising appointments by reviewing the following Bioscience-specific orientation information.
Academic advisors will present this material in a breakout session on Day 1 of freshman orientation following the CNS College Meeting. Feel free to review this information as needed to prepare for registration on Day 2.
Incoming Bioscience transfer students will have different first semester schedules, but can review the calculus requirements and how-to videos below for a successful orientation experience.
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Introduction and Building Your Schedule
In this portion of the presentation, learn more about the following:
- Degree basics and entry-level requirements
- Entry-level requirements for your major
- Reserved courses using your 99 number
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Calculus Requirements
In this portion of the presentation, learn more about the following:
- Calculus requirements for Biology and Medical Laboratory Science majors
- Calculus requirements for Neuroscience majors
- Calculus requirements for Biochemistry majors
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Balancing Your Schedule
In this portion of the presentation, learn more about the following:
- Core curriculum requirements at UT
- Good first-semester core options for Bioscience majors
- Recommendations for claiming AP and IB credit
Sample Schedules
You will discuss your fall schedule in more detail one-on-one with your advisor during your advising appointment on Day 2. Depending on different factors, you may prepare schedule options with varying amounts of credit hours.
Below are sample schedules to consider:
Options With Calculus
| Total Hours = 15 | Total Hours = 12 |
|---|---|
| NSC 109 - CNS Foundations | NSC 109 - CNS Foundations |
| BIO 311C - Introductory Biology I | BIO 311C - Introductory Biology I |
| CH 301 - Principles of Chemistry I | CH 301 - Principles of Chemistry I |
| CH 104M - Introduction to Chemical Practice I | CH 104M - Introduction to Chemical Practice I |
| M 408N/R/C - Calculus | M 408N/R/C - Calculus |
| Additional Core Course |
If you plan to take calculus in the fall, adding an additional course on top of your base schedule would total 15 hours. This is a reasonable amount of credit hours for one semester, but this is 6 total courses you are responsible for in your first semester. Some of these courses will require lecture periods and a separate discussion section each week, which may be a lot to manage on top of other non-academic activities.
A second option is to take 12 hours and focus on your STEM courses in the fall semester. This may give you more time to focus on your introductory courses in your first semester, and you can plan to take on additional credit hours in the spring if you choose.
Options Without Calculus
| Total Hours = 14 | Total Hours = 14 |
|---|---|
| NSC 109 - CNS Foundations | NSC 109 - CNS Foundations |
| BIO 311C - Introductory Biology I | BIO 311C - Introductory Biology I |
| CH 301 - Principles of Chemistry I | CH 301 - Principles of Chemistry I |
| CH 104M - Introduction to Chemical Practice I | CH 104M - Introduction to Chemical Practice I |
| M 305G - Precalculus | Additional Core Course |
| Additional Core Course | Additional Core Course |
You may not be planning to take calculus this fall at all. Some students may have AP, IB, or dual credit to use toward the calculus requirement in their degree. Some students might choose to start with M 305G - Precalculus instead. Some students may plan for an alternative calculus timeline.
- If you are not planning to take calculus, you will need to replace that in your schedule with additional credit hours to reach full-time.
- If you are planning to take calculus this fall, you should also plan for this type of schedule as a backup. Calculus courses may close during registration, and your backup options will likely come from additional core options. Your advisor will help you plan for backup options.
Options With FRI
| Total Hours = 16 | Total Hours = 12-13 |
|---|---|
| NSC 209 - FRI Seminar | NSC 209 - FRI Seminar |
| BIO 311C - Introductory Biology I | BIO 311C - Introductory Biology I |
| CH 301 - Principles of Chemistry I | CH 301 - Principles of Chemistry I |
| CH 104M - Introduction to Chemical Practice I | CH 104M - Introduction to Chemical Practice I |
| M 408N/R/C - Calculus |
M 408N/R/C - Calculus or M 305G - Precalculus or Additional Core Course |
| Additional Core Course |
If you are in FRI this fall, your schedule could be anywhere from 12 hours to 16 credit hours:
- If you'd like to focus only on STEM courses to establish a good foundation in introductory courses, this could total 12-13 hours depending on your calculus or precalculus registration. It's still a good idea to plan for backup core options in case math options close during registration.
- If you plan to claim calculus credit, adding a core course to your base schedule will total 12 hours. Adding two core courses would total 15 hours.
- If you plan to add calculus and an additional core course for the fall semester, this would be a total of 16 hours. Some of these courses will require lecture periods and a separate discussion section each week, which may be a lot to manage on top of other non-academic activities. The maximum number of credit hours a student may register for without additional permissions is 17 hours, so this is quite a bit of coursework. Speak with your advisor about additional considerations for your fall semester!
Some students in FRI may be in a CNS Foundations group in the fall semester with NSC 109 as part of their reserved courses rather than NSC 209.
There are many variations of what a fall schedule might look like for an incoming freshman Bioscience student—this is normal! Speak with your advisor during your appointment on Day 2 about the options you're considering and how many credit hours you feel is best for you.
Using the Course Schedule and How to Register
View this video tutorial for more info on the following:
- Understanding the format of the course schedule
- Searching for individual course numbers
- Finding core curriculum options
- Using UT Registration Plus
- Tips and tricks for planning your schedule
View this video tutorial for more info on the following:
- Accessing UT's registration system
- Finding registration times on your RIS
- Adding courses to your registration