Course Planning Specifics

Pre-Health

Over the summer, your advisor will work with you to select course preferences for A and B terms and register you for classes before the semester begins. It is expected that you will take three classes in both terms in most cases. You will register for C and D term classes later in the fall semester.   

WPI offers pre-health advising programs for students interested in pursuing a career in the health professions, including pre-med, pre-vet, pre-dental, or pre-optometry. Students need to take specific courses to prepare for entry into professional schools and exams such as MCAT, DAT, GRE and OAT. In some cases, these courses will overlap with major requirements. In other cases, these courses may be additional.

Students should be aware of the course requirements for their desired major and follow recommendations for that major. If consistent with your major, the suggested courses below will put you in a good position to begin fulfilling the prerequisites for most health-related professional programs. Students with specific questions regarding these programs should watch the First Year Pre-Health Advising webinar and contact Elizabeth Jacoby, erjacoby@wpi.edu, within the Office of Academic Advising for more Information.

If you are considering Biomedical Engineering as your major and want to be on the pre-health track, please contact Prof. Sakthikumar Ambady directly regarding course selections, sambady@wpi.edu.

In addition to the course recommendations below that are specific to your major, each student must complete 4 Wellness and Physical Education courses in their four years at WPI. You are welcome to add a WPE course to any term. WPE courses are worth 1/12 unit, unlike major subjects discussed in course recommendations which are worth 1/3 unit, and can be taken in addition to the 3 courses recommended below. 

Helpful Links

Course Registration
Program Tracking Sheets
Course Listings

A & B Term

A Term Recommendations

CH 1010

Students considering a Pre-Health track should take CH 1010 in A term if it is consistent with your major advice. If you have AP or transfer credit for CH 1010, please consult with the Pre-Health advisor (contact info above) for alternative options.  CH 1010 is the first course in the sequence and is a recommended background for future Chemistry courses.

MA

If it is consistent with your major advice, it is recommended that you take Math in A and B terms of your first year. In choosing which Math course you will begin with, please consider the following.  

  1. Complete the Math Placement Exam. The Math Placement Exam will tell you which Calculus course you should start in based on your current knowledge. If you are recommended to start in MA 1020, this will be your math course for both terms.
  2. Consider if you have AP Credit:
    Students who obtain a score of “4” or “5” on the AB-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022 and should begin with MA 1023/1033 in A term followed by MA 1024/1034 in B term.
    Students who obtain a grade of “4” or “5” on the BC-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021, MA 1022 and MA 1023 and could begin with MA 1024 in A-term then MA 2051 in B-term, OR MA 1033 in A-term followed by MA 1034 in B-term. 
  3. Students who received a 6 or 7 on the IB will receive 2/3 credit of MA 1000, and should use the math placement exam results to decide which math class to take.
  4. Consider the possibility of retroactive credit. If the Math Placement Exam recommends that you start in MA 1022, MA 1023/1033, or MA 1024 but you do not have AP credit, this could be a great option for you. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1022 and MA 1023/1033 on your first attempt, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1023/1033 and MA 1024/1034 on your first attempt you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022.  If, in your first year, you complete MA 1024 and MA 2051, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022. Please note that there is no retroactive credit for MA 1023. In determining if this is the right path for you, we strongly recommend completing the Math Placement exam and following the suggestion given to you. 

The sequence MA 1033 Theoretical Calculus III and MA 1034 Theoretical Calculus IV is an alternative to the MA 1023, MA 1024 sequence in A and B terms. The sequence is designed to give a deeper and more mathematically rigorous presentation of the relevant calculus topics. If you really enjoy math and have credit for Calculus I and II already, you should consider this sequence instead of the MA 1023-MA 1024 sequence.

Please Note: Many health professions programs require or recommend Statistics, such as MA 2610 or MA 2611.. 

GPS/HUA/SS/Major Course

Your third course should be a GPS, Humanities and Arts, Social Science, or a Major Specific course. More information is available about these courses below. 

GPS stands for Great Problems Seminar is a course that is exclusively for first year students and allow students to learn about a problem in the world and work with a group on how to fix it. These courses are helpful with the transition to college as well as useful for students when preparing for projects such as IQP and MQP in junior and senior year. GPS courses run for both A and B term, so you will only need to choose one. For more information click here.

Please note: Any student wishing to pursue a Biomedical Engineering major pursing a Pre-Health course of study should contact the BME Pre-Health Advisor BEFORE registering for this course sequence.

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. The subjects available for HUA listed below. Please note that many health professions programs require or recommend taking Writing courses.  

  • Art (AR)
  • Music (MU)
  • Drama/Theatre (EN/TH)
  • Foreign Language- Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN)
     
    • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu)
    • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
       
    • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
    • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
    • For English Language (International Students) Information, Please Email: Professor Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) and Professor Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu)
  • Literature (EN)
  • Writing/Rhetoric (WR, RH)
  • International Student English (ISE)
  • History (HI)
  • International Studies (INTL)
  • Philosophy (PY)
  • Religion (RE)

You should pick courses in subjects you are interested in. When you come to campus you will learn more about the HUA requirement and how you will complete it.  Please note that many health professions programs require or recommend taking Writing courses.

You are required to take two Social Science Courses in your time at WPI. The subjects that are considered Social Science are:

  • Development (DEV)
  • Economics (ECON)
  • Environmental Studies (ENV)
  • Government, Political Science, and Law (GOV)
  • Psychology (PSY)
  • System Dynamics (SD)
  • Sociology (SOC)
  • Social Science (SS)
  • Society/Technology Studies (STS)

Note: ID 2050 is a course that is required before you go away for IQP and counts as one of your Social Science Courses. If you are planning on going away for IQP in your junior year, you may only want to take one social science course in your first year. 

Please note that many health professions programs require or recommend behavior sciences courses such as Psychology.  

Please see your intended Major's course advice and if there is a specific course they recommend you can also pursue that in this slot. 

B Term Recommendations

CH 1020

Students considering a Pre-Health track should take CH 1020 in B term if it is consistent with your major advice. CH 1020 is the second course in the sequence and is a recommended background for future Chemistry courses.If you have AP or transfer credit for CH 1020, please consult with the Pre-Health advisor (contact info above) for alternative options. 

MA

If it is consistent with your major advice, it is recommended that you take Math in A and B terms of your first year.  In B Term you should take the next course in the Calculus series beyond your A term course. The following is the typical MA sequence for WPI Students.

MA 1021

MA 1022

MA 1023/1033

MA 1024/1034

MA 2051

In choosing which Math course you will begin with, please consider the following.  

  1. Complete the Math Placement Exam. The Math Placement Exam will tell you which Calculus course you should start in based on your current knowledge. If you are recommended to start in MA 1020, this will be your math course for both terms.
  2. Consider if you have AP Credit:
    Students who obtain a score of “4” or “5” on the AB-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022 and should begin with MA 1023/1033 in A term followed by MA 1024/1034 in B term.
    Students who obtain a grade of “4” or “5” on the BC-level Exam will receive credit for MA 1021, MA 1022 and MA 1023 and could begin with MA 1024 in A-term then MA 2051 in B-term, OR MA 1033 in A-term followed by MA 1034 in B-term. 
  3. Students who received a 6 or 7 on the IB will receive 2/3 credit of MA 1000, and should use the math placement exam results to decide which math class to take.
  4. Consider the possibility of retroactive credit. If the Math Placement Exam recommends that you start in MA 1022, MA 1023/1033, or MA 1024 but you do not have AP credit, this could be a great option for you. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1022 and MA 1023/1033 on your first attempt, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021. If, in your first year, you complete MA 1023/1033 and MA 1024/1034 on your first attempt you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022.  If, in your first year, you complete MA 1024 and MA 2051, you will receive retroactive credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022. Please note that there is no retroactive credit for MA 1023. In determining if this is the right path for you, we strongly recommend completing the Math Placement exam and following the suggestion given to you. 

The sequence MA 1033 Theoretical Calculus III and MA 1034 Theoretical Calculus IV is an alternative to the MA 1023, MA 1024 sequence in A and B terms. The sequence is designed to give a deeper and more mathematically rigorous presentation of the relevant calculus topics. If you really enjoy math and have credit for Calculus I and II already, you should consider this sequence instead of the MA 1023-MA 1024 sequence.

Please Note: Many health professions programs require or recommend Statistics, such as MA 2610 or MA 2611.

GPS/HUA/SS/Major Course

Your third course should be a GPS, Humanities and Arts, Social Science, or a Major Specific course. More information is available about these courses below. 

GPS stands for Great Problems Seminar is a course that is exclusively for first year students and allow students to learn about a problem in the world and work with a group on how to fix it. These courses are helpful with the transition to college as well as useful for students when preparing for projects such as IQP and MQP in junior and senior year. GPS courses run for both A and B term, so you will only need to choose one. For more information click here.

Please note: Any student wishing to pursue a Biomedical Engineering major pursing a Pre-Health course of study should contact the BME Pre-Health Advisor BEFORE registering for this course sequence.

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. The subjects available for HUA listed below. Please note that many health professions programs require or recommend taking Writing courses.  

  • Art (AR)
  • Music (MU)
  • Drama/Theatre (EN/TH)
  • Foreign Language- Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN)
     
    • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu)
    • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
       
    • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
    • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
    • For English Language (International Students) Information, Please Email: Professor Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) and Professor Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu)
  • Literature (EN)
  • Writing/Rhetoric (WR, RH)
  • International Student English (ISE)
  • History (HI)
  • International Studies (INTL)
  • Philosophy (PY)
  • Religion (RE)

You should pick courses in subjects you are interested in. When you come to campus you will learn more about the HUA requirement and how you will complete it. Please note that many health professions programs require or recommend taking Writing courses. 

You are required to take two Social Science Courses in your time at WPI. The subjects that are considered Social Science are:

  • Development (DEV)
  • Economics (ECON)
  • Environmental Studies (ENV)
  • Government, Political Science, and Law (GOV)
  • Psychology (PSY)
  • System Dynamics (SD)
  • Sociology (SOC)
  • Social Science (SS)
  • Society/Technology Studies (STS)

Note: ID 2050 is a course that is required before you go away for IQP and counts as one of your Social Science Courses. If you are planning on going away for IQP in your junior year, you may only want to take one social science course in your first year. 

Please note that many health professions programs require or recommend behavior sciences courses such as Psychology.  

Please see your intended Major's course advice and if there is a specific course they recommend you can also pursue that in this slot. 

After reviewing the above recommendations, please be sure to review Registration Information below regarding searching for courses. 

Searching for Courses

As you begin to plan your course preferences, consider using one of the following methods:  

  • Visit the Course Listings page. On this page, you can search for courses you are interested in and filter your search by subject, term, keyword, etc.  
  • The  WPI Planner is a helpful tool to assist you in viewing schedule and course times as you develop your plan. Click on this link to view the planner and instructions on how to use it.

Please note: As you begin to search for courses, it is helpful to review the recommended or suggested background included in the course descriptions. Recommended background is coursework or information that has been identified as important for you to have or understand before taking that course. Suggested background is helpful information to have but may not be absolutely necessary in order to excel in the course.  

Your Academic Support Advisor is available to assist you with questions.

C & D Term

C Term Recommendations

CH 1010 or CH 1030

If you have taken CH 1010/CH 1020, continue with the Chemistry sequence. Otherwise, take CH 1010 and 1020. As a pre-health student, you should take the general chemistry sequence through CH 1030. If required by your major, you should also take CH 1040. Consult the major-specific recommendations to see if you should take CH 1040.  

MA or Major Course

If it is consistent with your major advice, it is recommended that you take Math in C and D terms, otherwise, you should take a major specific course. Note that many health professions programs require or recommend Statistics, such as MA 2610 or MA 2611.  

HUA/SS

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. The subjects available for HUA listed below. Please note that many health professions programs require or recommend taking Writing courses.  

  • Art (AR)
  • Music (MU)
  • Drama/Theatre (EN/TH)
  • Foreign Language- Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN)
     
    • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu)
    • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
       
    • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
    • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
    • For English Language (International Students) Information, Please Email: Professor Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) and Professor Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu)
  • Literature (EN)
  • Writing/Rhetoric (WR, RH)
  • International Student English (ISE)
  • History (HI)
  • International Studies (INTL)
  • Philosophy (PY)
  • Religion (RE)

You are required to take two Social Science Courses in your time at WPI. The subjects that are considered Social Science are listed below. Please note that many health professions programs require or recommend behavior sciences courses such as Psychology.  

  • Development (DEV) 
  • Economics (ECON) 
  • Environmental Studies (ENV) 
  • Government, Political Science, and Law (GOV) 
  • Psychology (PSY) 
  • System Dynamics (SD) 
  • Sociology (SOC) 
  • Social Science (SS) 
  • Society/Technology Studies (STS) 

Note: ID 2050 is a course that is required before you go away for IQP and counts as one of your Social Science Courses. If you are planning on going away for IQP in your junior year, you may only want to take one social science course in your first year. 

D Term Recommendations

CH 1020 or CH 1040

If you have taken CH 1010/CH 1020, continue with the Chemistry sequence. Otherwise, take CH 1010 and 1020. As a pre-health student, you should take the general chemistry sequence through CH 1030. If required by your major, you should also take CH 1040. Consult the major-specific recommendations to see if you should take CH 1040.  

MA or Major Course

If it is consistent with your major advice, it is recommended that you take Math in C and D terms, otherwise, you should take a major specific course. Note that many health professions programs require or recommend Statistics, such as MA 2610 or MA 2611. 

HUA/SS

Your third course should be a Humanities and Arts, Social Science, or a Major Specific course. More information is available about these courses below.  

Every student at WPI must complete the Humanities and Arts (HUA) Requirement. This consists of 6 courses in HUA subjects. he subjects available for HUA listed below. Please note that many health professions programs require or recommend taking Writing courses. 

  • Art (AR)
  • Music (MU)
  • Drama/Theatre (EN/TH)
  • Foreign Language- Spanish (SP), German (GN), Arabic (AB), Chinese (CN)
     
    • For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu)
    • For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
       
    • For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
    • For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
    • For English Language (International Students) Information, Please Email: Professor Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) and Professor Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu)
  • Literature (EN)
  • Writing/Rhetoric (WR, RH)
  • International Student English (ISE)
  • History (HI)
  • International Studies (INTL)
  • Philosophy (PY)
  • Religion (RE)

You are required to take two Social Science Courses in your time at WPI. The subjects that are considered Social Science are listed below. Please note that many health professions programs require or recommend behavior sciences courses such as Psychology. 

  • Development (DEV)
  • Economics (ECON)
  • Environmental Studies (ENV)
  • Government, Political Science, and Law (GOV)
  • Psychology (PSY)
  • System Dynamics (SD)
  • Sociology (SOC)
  • Social Science (SS)
  • Society/Technology Studies (STS)

Note: ID 2050 is a course that is required before you go away for IQP and counts as one of your Social Science Courses. If you are planning on going away for IQP in your junior year, you may only want to take one social science course in your first year.  

Once you go through the above recommendations, please be sure to review Registration Information so you know how to register on November 15th.

Once you go through the above recommendations, please be sure to review Registration Information so you know how to register on November 13th. 

Registering in Workday

Note: This task is only for registering for C & D Term.

PRE-REGISTRATION PREP​ 

  • Watch the 10 min. overview  video  
  • Login to Workday​ 
  • Use Find Course Sections to build at least one Saved Schedule for C-Term, D-Term, and if you're taking any 10 or 14 week classes, Spring Semester (instructions)​​​ 

November 13, 7AM ET: REGISTER​ 

  • Login to Workday​ 
  • Open a browser tab or window for C-Term, D-Term, and Spring Semester (if you have any 10 or 14 week classes) and View My Saved Schedules for each​ 
  • [Optional] Open tabs for alternate course sections from other Saved Schedules or search results​ 
  • When registration opens, click Start Registration, then click Register (instructions) 
  • Open View My Courses, scroll right to Drop or Swap (instructions)​ 
  • Waitlisted? If a spot opens, a notification will be sent to your WPI email asking you to login to Workday and take action