Course & Registration >> Choosing Courses >> First Semester

Choosing Courses for the First Semester

Exploration

The first few semesters are an excellent opportunity to be adventurous and request courses that arouse intellectual curiosity. The Course Search and Mock Schedules screens on Penn InTouch can help you search for courses using a variety of criterea. It is also wise to keep potential major interests in mind, but not be limited to a single potential field of study. Be adventurous—start to investigate the remarkable range of courses presented by the College's departments and programs.

Freshman Seminar

While not required, freshman seminars are an excellent introduction to College academic life, and are highly recommended for first- or second-semester students.

Language Course

It is recommended that students begin to satisfy the Foreign Language Requirement in their first semester and continue to take courses without break until the requirement is fulfilled. Students planning to continue with a language that they have studied previously should read about language placement. Students who decide to start a new language at Penn should anticipate that it will require four full semesters of course work to achieve competency in the language and to fulfill the Foreign Language Requirement.

Writing Seminar

Students should satisfy the Writing Requirement by taking a writing seminar sometime in their first year. For more information on writing seminars, visit the Critical Writing Program website.

Mathematics

It is recommended that students interested in a field that requires mathematics plan to take calculus in their freshman year. It is important that students begin their mathematics study at Penn at the appropriate level (see details). Students should discuss advanced placement credit for calculus or any other questions concerning course selection with their pre-major advisor or advisors in the College Office or the Department of Mathematics.