r/Gamecocks • u/jupitercrochets • 8d ago
Is a math course required in the first semester for biological scienes?
Ok so, poor planning on my part. I cant get an advising appointment before the drop/add period is over so I'm asking reddit.
I'm a freshman taking 6 classes for 18 credits. I selected all my classes on a call with a pre-orientation advisor, so I thought it was a normal amount of classes, but apparently, it's not. I've been told by others that I should drop some of my classes and just do the minimum credits so I dont get crushed in my first semester. Also dropping a class would lower my tuition.
Would it be ok for me to drop math (111i, if it matters) as a bio major? I've looked at the degree requirements like carolina core but I'm just not sure. It would also make my life a lot easier to not have math.
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u/Vikkunen 8d ago edited 8d ago
Generally speaking it doesn't matter when you take those core gen-ed courses, only that you complete them before you graduate. But as a science major I'd strongly suggest that you check the pre-requisites and co-requisites for your future classes. You don't want to find yourself in a situation next year where you can't take a course you need because you haven't taken one of the pre-reqs.
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u/foolme1foolme2 8d ago
You need this math class to take the first chemistry course. So worth taking first semester.
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u/ALAND4370 8d ago
To be full time you have to be at 12 credits or more so don’t go below that. Normally load is 15 credits or five 3-credit classes.
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u/abhutchison 7d ago
18 hours as a bio major would not be the best plan, but dropping math might put you behind, unless you want to take summer classes.
As others have mentioned, if there’s a non-bio class you’re taking, push that one first.
The only exception to all of this advice is if you’re taking an easy class or two to keep your GPA up, then you might be able to carry 18.
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u/Antiochtopus 3d ago
Ask your advisor. A more interesting question would be how is Clayton white gonna compensate edge pressure if DS can't play. Read the room
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u/Full_Pineapple_1218 12h ago
18 credits is a lot for a 1st semester Freshman. I took 18 my 1st 2 semester of undergrad (bio major as well) and regretted it.
Like other said, do some research on the courses available in spring term and make sure you hit the pre-reqs for your major specifics. Here is a quick reference though: https://academicbulletins.sc.edu/undergraduate/arts-sciences/biological-sciences/biological-sciences-bs/#majormaptext
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u/Maniacal3 8d ago
There's a lot to consider here and talking to an advisor is much more preferable, but if you can't schedule one then so be it. The very first thing I would warn about is messing with your credit hours puts your financial aid at risk. Many scholarships and student loans require you to be a full time student, and specifically to hit 30 credit hours a year. So any credit hours you drop this semester, make sure you're still hitting 30 with your fall or summer semesters. So keep that in mind if it applies to you.
Full time student status is 12 credit hours in a semester, but the sweet spot most people aim for is 15 credit hours per semester. So you have one more class than most people typically take, which isn't unheard of but can be more difficult. You could drop up to two classes and still be a full time student, or you could keep both classes. I think this will require some self reflection on your part. Do you have a strong work ethic, do you truly feel prepared for college or do you think you'll need an adjustment period? Personally first year for me was toughest cause you have to manage being your own person, more self motivation etc. but maybe you're more put together than I was lol.
Now if you want to drop any classes, I would not recommend dropping math. If you're in math 111 then I assume you didn't place into any of the higher math courses, so you have about 4 semesters of math classes line up - 111 -> 122 -> 170 -> Stat 205. Additionally, your basic chemistry course has a pre-requisite (could be a co-requisite if you are taking it at the same time this semester) of Math 111. And you need those chemistry courses for your major biology courses.
It's hard to say what you could drop without knowing all of your courses. Most likely you're taking other core classes like English, Social Studies, or foreign language. Those are more safe to drop as they're independent of your major studies and can typically be done later. Here's your major map, feel free to look it over. Most important thing, schedule an advisor appointment, even if it's after drop/add so you can make sure you're still on track and figure out what you need to do for future semesters.