Exploratory: Science & Engineering

Overview

This is a pathway for individuals with aptitude for observation, evaluation, investigation, problem solving, and exploration. Many students in this area may consider themselves to be logical, scientific, methodical, and persistent.

Exploratory: Science & Engineering is one track in the Physical Sciences, Engineering, & Math Focus Area. For more information on Focus Areas go to: usu.edu/advising/exploratory/majors-courses

Degree Recommended Courses

CREDITS	COURSE		COURSE OPTIONS
3	ENGL 1010 (CL1) - Writing as Inquiry You may have already satisfied this requirement by completing any of the following: ACT English test score of 29 or higher RSAT Reading test score of 34 or higher AP English Language test score of 3 or higher CLEP College Composition test score of 50 or higher IBO English A Language Higher-Level test score of 5 or higher	or	*ENGL 2010 (CL2) - Research and Argument Across Perspectives or ENGL 2020* (CL2)** - Professional Communication
4	Math Class If you don’t have a current prerequisite needed to get into a course, or if you aren’t sure where to start in math, take a proctored ALEKS placement exam. Math prerequisites expire after one year, so your prerequisite will only be valid to get you into another math class if it was earned after: December 1, 2024		Math requirements for majors in this focus area will vary. Meet with your academic advisor about which math course you need. It is recommended for your first semester that you take Math 1050 (QL) – College Algebra or MATH 1210 (QL) - Calculus I Prerequisites for these courses may be seen by clicking on the course link. If you qualify, register for the course(s) above. If not, register for the highest course for which you are able from the list below: MATH 950 - Pre-algebra (4 credits) MATH 995* - College Mathematics Preparation (4 credits) *MATH 1050 (QL)** - College Algebra (4 credits) MATH 1060* - Trigonometry (2 credits)
Varies	Choose one of the following sets of classes: BIOL 1610 - Biology I and BIOL 1615 - Biology I Laboratory CHEM 1210- Principles of Chemistry I and CHEM 1215 - Chemical Principles Laboratory I GEO 1110 (BPS) - Physical Geology and GEO 1115 - Physical Geology Laboratory *PHYS 2210 (BPS)** - Physics for Scientists and Engineers and PHYS 2215* Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab I

General Education & Other Recommended Courses

We recommend taking 15-16 credits your first semester, including USU 1010: Connections. Most students take one or more breadth courses their first semester to work toward general education. The breadth areas listed below are recommended for this major, but if you have satisfied a requirement with previous credits or test scores, don't take a course in that area.

CREDITS	COURSE	NOTES
2	USU 1010 - University Connections	Most incoming students take USU 1010 - University Connections. It is a two-credit academic course designed to ease your transition to Utah State by helping you understand the purpose of higher education and how you can intentionally take advantage of the many opportunities and challenges available to you as a college student.
3	Breadth Creative Arts (BCA)	LAEP 1030 (BCA) - Introduction to Landscape Architecture or any other BCA course. View the list of Breadth Creative Arts courses offered for the Spring 2025 semester.
3	Breadth American Institutions (BAI)	View the list of Breadth American Institutions courses offered for the Spring 2025 semester.
3	Breadth Humanities (BHU)	View the list of Breadth Humanities courses offered for the Spring 2025 semester.
3	Breadth Social Sciences (BSS)	View the list of Breadth Social Sciences courses offered for the Spring 2025 semester.

Prerequisites and Course Descriptions

The classes marked with an asterisk (*) have prerequisites. For course descriptions and prerequisite information, click on the course in this guide or see the University Catalog and click on "Courses."

If you have met a class prerequisite via AP or IBO scores or college credits, but have not yet transferred them to USU, you can request a temporary prerequisite override. Not getting your test scores/credits to USU before December 1, 2024 will result in that class being dropped. Temporary override requests take up to 3-4 business days to process. Once processed, the Registrar’s office will reach out to you via email.

When You Can Register

Registration opened for all students on November 14, 2024 and is an ongoing process. Incoming students can begin registering for classes as soon as they complete the second orientation module. For specific dates on when registration will close, check the USU Catalog.

Waitlist Information

If the class you want to register is full, and it uses the waitlisting feature, you will see an option to join the waitlist. If the course has an opening, an email is sent to the student first in the waitlist line. That student is given 24 hours to add the class online. Once the first week of classes starts, the time a waitlist student has to add a class is shortened to 12 hours. You can view your position in the waitlist through your student schedule in Banner.

Advising for First-Year Students in this Area

Degree Works is a useful software that helps students see the degree requirements. See a tutorial of DegreeWorks.

For general registration questions, please contact our office at orientation@usu.edu or (435)797-0283, or respond to the text message you recieved from (435)200-3628 regarding registration. Our normal business hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We will also have extended hours on November 13 and November 14 from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. where the Orientation Office will be answer questions via text message and email.

The Focus Area advisor can answer questions for incoming first-year students via appointment or email. Contact and appointment scheduling information is below.

Schedule an Appointment