Course planning advice here is limited to majors. For a full description of degree requirements, please see this
overview of the Academic Program and refer to the
Catalog for details and official rules. Any discrepancy between the Course Planning Pages and the Catalog will be resolved in favor of the Catalog.
Where should I start if I am just sampling this subject as a non-major?
- Any biology course at
the 100-level up to and including Fundamentals of Cellular Life (BIOL 150)
depending on interests. See Course Schedule for this year’s options.
- Fundamentals of Cellular
Life (BIOL 150) is the first Health Science major course, appropriate for
students deeply interested in health sciences or expecting to use biology as
part of their professional training.
Where should I start if I might use this as part of a major or as a potential major?
In the first year, students planning to major in Health
Sciences should complete:
- Fundamentals of Cellular
Life (BIOL 150)
- Introduction to
Psychology (PSYC 110)
If your placement recommendation stated that you
- should wait to take
General Chemistry I & II (CHEM 110 & CHEM 120) until your sophomore
year, you should follow that recommendation and take Precalculus (MATH 120)
this year to help prepare you for Chemistry
- could take General
Chemistry I & II (CHEM 110 & CHEM 120) during your first year, you may
do so, though these courses can be taken during your second year
Note: Students who have any interest
in pursuing medical school should immediately reach out to the pre-medical
advising committee to discuss their academic timeline as it pertains to their
placement records at: https://hendrix.sharepoint.com/sites/HdxPreMed/SitePages/Pre-Med-Advising.aspx.
Delay of General Chemistry I & II until the second year
or later will impact the timeline on which students are able to attend medical
school based on the timing of the MCAT exam.
Where should I start if I have some experience in this discipline before college?
Students with previous experience in biology are encouraged
to start in Fundamentals of Cellular Life (BIOL 150) since course pacing and
laboratory experience vary greatly.
- For concurrent high
school/college credits – please consult with the HESC Program Chair
- For advanced placement
credits – please refer to “Advanced Placement Credits” or “International
Baccalaureate Credits? In the College Catalog.
- Regardless of previous
experience, Genetics (BIOL 250) is not typically available to first-year
students. First-year students with an unusually strong background in biology
wishing to consider genetics must consult with the HESC Program Chair
- Regardless of previous
experience with Anatomy and Physiology, Health Science majors need to take
Anatomy and Physiology (w/Lab) I & II (BIOL 205/215), preferably in their
sophomore year
When should I declare a major?
- All students must
declare a major by March 1st of their sophomore year.