If you’re interested in Health & Medicine, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Dual Degree Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics, the recommendations below can help you plan your first year.
The courses below are recommended starting points for students interested in each program. They are not a required first-year schedule or a complete list of everything you will take. Your actual course choices will depend on your placement results, interests, and other courses you want to take. If you aren’t able to complete all of the recommended courses during your first year, don’t worry! Talk with your academic advisor and/or the department about a timeline that works for you. The courses below are recommended starting points for students interested in each program. Remember: You will take courses beyond your intended major, including humanities, social sciences, arts, and other areas of interest. These recommendations are intended to help you get started while leaving room to explore.
Helpful Resources
- Placement Exams – Complete these before choosing your courses
- Academic Catalog – Find detailed course and major requirements
- Course Catalog in Hornet HQ – Check when courses will be offered this year
- Degree Requirements – Learn about college-wide requirements
Want to see the full major requirements or recommended course sequences beyond the first year? Visit the department website linked in each section below.
Still Exploring Your Options?
You don’t need to have your major or career path figured out before you arrive at K! If you’re considering several STEM fields, your placement results, course interests, and conversations with your academic advisor can help you decide where to start. When possible, choose courses that keep multiple options open.
Health & Medicine (Pre-Health)
Pre-Health is not a major at Kalamazoo College. You can major in any discipline while completing the courses required for your intended health profession. Because requirements vary by profession and graduate/professional school, if you’re considering a health profession, review the appropriate track on the Careers in Health website.
Recommended First-Year Courses
- BIOL-101
- BIOL-201 or BIOL-202
- You can only take one during your first year (and the other during your sophomore year)
- Note: BIOL-202 is not specifically required for Pre-Health, but is required to take some upper-level Biology courses
- CHEM-110 + CHEM-110L (lecture + lab)
- If you placed directly into CHEM-110L, it is recommended to take this Lab and BIOL-101 during fall term, if possible.
- CHEM-210
- CHEM-220
- MATH-110/111 or MATH-112 course
- Some health professions require MATH-110/111 or MATH-112 as a prerequisite to Physics, while others only require Statistics. Visit the Careers in Health website for details.
Many health-profession tracks require several chemistry courses. Taking CHEM-110 with Lab and CHEM-210 during your first year provides the most flexibility for completing those requirements later.
Biochemistry
Recommended First-Year Courses
- BIOL-101
- Note: BIOL-201 should be taken fall of sophomore year
- CHEM-110 + CHEM-110L (lecture and lab)
- If you placed directly into CHEM-110L, it is recommended to take this Lab and BIOL-101 during fall term, if possible.
- CHEM-210
- CHEM-220
- MATH-110/111 or MATH-112
- MATH-113
- PHYS-150
- Prerequisite: MATH-112, or MATH-110 completed with MATH-111 taken concurrently
- Some students opt to take this winter term sophomore year
Biology
Recommended First-Year Courses
- BIOL-101
- BIOL-201 or BIOL-202
- Both BIOL-201 and -202 are required for the major, but you can only take one of them during your first year (and the other during your sophomore year)
Chemistry
Recommended First-Year Courses
- CHEM-110 + CHEM-110L (lecture and lab)
- CHEM-210
- CHEM-220
- MATH-110/111 or MATH-112
- MATH-113
- PHYS-150
- Prerequisite: MATH-112, or MATH-110 completed with MATH-111 taken concurrently
- Some students opt to take this winter term sophomore year
- PHYS-152
Computer Science
Recommended First-Year Courses
- COMP-101 + one of COMP-102, COMP-103, or COMP-104
- Each course is 0.5-unit, so COMP-101 and one other of the other courses together equal 1.0 unit
- COMP-150
- COMP-210
- MATH-110/111 or MATH-112
Dual Degree Engineering
Recommended First-Year Courses
- CHEM-110 + CHEM-110L (lecture and lab)
- COMP-101 + COMP-102/103/104
- These are each 0.5-unit courses, so -101 and one other of -102, -103, or -104 should be taken together to equal one full-unit course
- MATH-110/111 or MATH-112
- MATH-113
- MATH-214 or MATH-240
- Take after MATH-113. These courses are offered every fall and spring and can be taken in either order.
- PHYS-150
- Prerequisite: MATH-112, or MATH-110 completed with MATH-111 taken concurrently
- PHYS-152
Mathematics
Recommended First-Year Courses
- MATH-110/111 or MATH-112
- MATH-113
- MATH-214 or MATH-240
- Take after MATH-113. These courses are offered every fall and spring and can be taken in either order.
Physics
Recommended First-Year Courses
- MATH-110/111 or MATH-112
- MATH-113
- MATH-214 or MATH-240
- Take after MATH-113. These courses are offered every fall and spring and can be taken in either order.
- PHYS-150
- Prerequisite: MATH-112, or MATH-110 completed with MATH-111 taken concurrently
- PHYS-152