Whether you’re exploring your major choice, thinking about adding a
minor or certificate, or just interested in an area of study - taking an
introductory course is a good idea. Exploratory students often ask "What other courses
should I take while I am exploring my options and making my major decision?" In addition to taking
introductory courses in potential majors, students should consider taking courses in the
other academic areas described below. These are courses that are required by all majors or
will meet a requirement in most majors at IU. Thus, registering for these courses in your
first year will help you keep your options open while you explore and choose your major.
Finally, there are elective courses that are specifically designed for exploratory students.You
can find descriptions for many of these courses at the
Online Course Descriptions
posted by the Office of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculties.
- Introductory Courses
Introductory courses that are required for completion of a degree program are excellent for exploring
an area of study and should you decide to pursue completion of that major, minor, or certificate, you
already have taken a required course. If you do not choose that major or minor, the
introductory course you've taken may count as a general education or elective course in many
other degree programs. With that in mind, you could also take an introductory course just
because it sounds interesting!
- English Composition
All schools require completion of (or exemption from) English composition. Most accept
any of the available options but some have restrictions or preferences. The options are
a one semester course in composition, or two semesters of designated courses in reading and
writing. Check the University Division Planner or see your advisor for information about these options and the
school and major requirements.
- Mathematics
Majors in the College of Arts and Sciences, Schools of Allied Health Sciences, Business,
Continuing Studies, Journalism, Public and Environmental Affairs, and some majors in the Schools
of Education and HPER require math and/or statistics. Other schools allow use of mathematics courses as a part of general education requirements. Check
the University Division Planner or see your advisor for more information about mathematics and individual school and
major requirements.
- General Education
All majors require that you take a certain number of general education courses. These courses
are usually divided into several broad categories, although different schools use slightly
different terminology to specify the areas of: arts and humanities, social and historical studies,
natural and mathematical sciences. Courses in these areas of study may count as a general education or elective
courses in many degree programs. Check the University Division Planner or see your advisior for more information
about individual school and major requirements and look at the Planner's companion Course Decriptions booklet
to see which courses count in these general education categories. The Planner and the Course Descriptions
are provided by the IU Orientation Office.
- Foreign Language, Computer Technology and Speech Communications
Some schools require courses in foreign language, computer technology, or speech communication
in their majors. Whether courses are required in these areas does vary by major. These courses
often count, however, as a general education or elective credit in the majors that do not
have a requirement. If you may be choosing a major that has a foreign language requirement, it
can be a good idea to continue your foreign language study. Regarding computer technology, taking
an appropriate level computer course is almost always a good option in today's world.
- Elective Courses for Exploratory Students
COLL Q294 Basic Career Development is an introductory career-planning course intended for freshman
and sophomores. In the course, students focus on two important considerations in a career decision:
(1) self-understanding, and (2) career exploration. Students learn the importance of values, interests,
and abilities in relation to choice of academic major and occupation. BUSINESS X220 Career Perspectives
is intended primarily for business students and may help student choose a business concentration
area (i.e. accounting, financing, marketing, management) or confirm business as their choice. It may
also be useful for students who want to specifically explore business careers. EDUCATION F200 Examining Self as a Teacher
is a course that offers students an opportunity to converse about the exciting field of education, and
more specifically, teaching - its challenges and frustrations, its happiness and
disappointments, its fun and tears, its art and its science.
Majors do vary in the general education requirements and the number of elective credit hours
allowed. Thus, it is important to always check with your academic advisor prior to taking any course.
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