Science, Math, and Pre-Med Students

For students interested in Health and Medicine, Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Computer Science, 3/2 Engineering, Environmental Studies, Mathematics, or Physics – following are notes from our science faculty to consider when you register for your fall courses.

If you are thinking about preparing for a career in HEALTH and MEDICINE:

  • Take the chemistry and calculus placement exams now (if you haven’t already done so).
  • If there is a place available in BIOL-112 or BIOL-123 or the chemistry course you placed into, grab it!
    • If those courses are all full, don’t worry. They are offered more than once during the year.
  • Please know that Kalamazoo College does not offer a pre-med major. You can major in any field – science or non-science – and still pursue medical, veterinary, or other professional health programs. The preparation for a career in health and medicine involves a number of science and non-science courses.

If you are thinking about majoring in BIOLOGY:

  • If there is a place available in either BIOL-112 or BIOL-123, grab it!
    • Please note that you can’t take both BIOL-112 and BIOL-123 in the same term.
    • If those courses are both full, don’t worry. They are offered twice each year.
  • Please know that a Biology major will need exposure to at least one other science discipline as well as social science, humanities, and arts, so if something looks interesting to you, grab a spot!

If you are thinking about majoring in CHEMISTRY or BIOCHEMISTRY:

  • Take the chemistry and calculus placement exams now (if you haven’t already done so).
  • If there is a space available in the chemistry course you placed into, grab it now! If that course is full, grab the calculus course you placed into.
    • If those courses are both full now, it will be possible to take them in the Winter or Spring terms.

Are you interested in potentially majoring in Chemistry/Biochemistry or want to know more about the Chemistry department at K? Sign-up for a time to talk with Chemistry faculty or Departmental Student Advisors before registration! When you register, you’ll receive a link to a Microsoft Teams meeting.

If you are thinking about majoring in COMPUTER SCIENCE:

  • Take the calculus placement exam now (if you haven’t already done so).
  • If there is a space available in COMP-105 or COMP-108, grab it!
    • If those courses are full, don’t worry. Similar courses are offered throughout the year.

If you are thinking about pursuing the 3/2 ENGINEERING Program:

  • Take the chemistry and calculus placement exams now (if you haven’t already done so).
  • If there is a space available in the calculus course you placed into, grab it!
    • This is especially important if your math placement is MATH-110. That course begins a sequence that takes two consecutive terms. MATH-110 will be offered in the fall and winter terms this year.
  • Plan to take PHYS-150 in the winter term of your first year. That course requires that you have completed Calculus 1 (MATH-112) or equivalent (MATH-111, AP score, placement exam, or transfer credit). If you take MATH-110 in the fall, plan to take PHYS-150 in the winter of sophomore year.

If you are thinking about pursuing the ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES concentration:

  • Plan to take ENVS-115 Environmental Science whenever there’s a spot available (usually offered winter or spring term). Meanwhile, look for classes that carry the “ENVS” course type.

If you are thinking about majoring in MATHEMATICS:

  • Take the calculus placement exam now (if you haven’t already done so).
  • If there is a space available in the math course you placed into, grab it!
    • This is especially important if your math placement is MATH-110. That course begins a sequence that takes two consecutive terms. MATH-110 will be offered in the fall and winter terms this year.

If you are thinking about majoring in PHYSICS:

  • Take the calculus placement exam now (if you haven’t already done so).
  • If there is a space available in the calculus course you placed into, grab it!
    • This is especially important if your math placement is MATH-110. That course begins a sequence that takes two consecutive terms. MATH-110 will be offered in the fall and winter terms this year.
  • Plan to take PHYS-150 in the winter term of your first year. That course requires that you have completed Calculus 1 (MATH-112) or equivalent (MATH-111, AP score, placement exam, or transfer credit). If you take MATH-110 in the fall, plan to take PHYS-150 in the winter of sophomore year.