Science
These courses have been used by PSEO students to fulfill high school graduation requirements. However, each high school individually determines which PSEO courses meet which requirements. Check with your high school counselor to confirm that your selected courses meet your graduation requirements.
4 college credits is generally equivalent to one year of high school instruction in a subject area
Course Search Tips
Common subjects that count for high school science requirements are BIOL, CHEM, and PHYS.
You can also use Schedule Builder and search for the Physical Science or Biological Science liberal education requirements.
Biology
There are different biology course offerings that are appropriate for high school requirements depending on your academic background and future academic interests. Many of the biology classes have a prerequisite of college level chemistry.
Introductory Biology: Evolutionary and Ecological Perspectives (BIOL 1001): The recommended course for students needing a general biological science, as it does not have a chemistry prerequisite. [offered online]
General Biology (BIOL 1009): Counts toward pre-med requirements and has the requirement of a completed high school chemistry course. This is an extremely rigorous and time-consuming course and is not recommended for students who have no prior PSEO credit. [offered online]
If you have completed AP Biology with a 3+, you will receive credit equivalent to this course.
Other Biology Options: see table below
Biology Options After Biol 1009: work with your PSEO advisor to determine the next biology course options after completely Biol 1009 either at the U of M or through AP. It will depend on your academic and career plans.
Courses for College of Biological Sciences (CBS) Majors
Neither Biol 1001 nor 1009 counts toward the U of M biology major or any major within the College of Biological Sciences. Students who are interested in pursuing biology or other CBS majors at the University should take Biol 1951 + 1961 Foundations 1 with lab and 2003/3004 Foundations 2 with lab, the general biology courses for the major. It's recommended that students complete Math 1271 Calculus I and/or Chem 1061/1065 Gen Chem I (or Chem 1081) before taking this course. Students are typically not allowed to take Chem 1061/106 (or Chem 1081) concurrently with Biol 1951/1961 due to the difficult nature of this course. Exceptions can be granted; reach out to your PSEO advisor if you're considering this option. More information on this sequence can be found on the College of Biological Sciences website. See a PSEO advisor for details if you're interested in taking this course.
Chemistry
If you need a high school chemistry course and do not plan to take more college chemistry, we recommend taking it at high school or a different PSEO institution due to the difficulty of getting into the introductory U of M chemistry course and its academic rigor.
Chemistry courses at the U of M may require a math placement test or prior college credit (AP, IB, etc). Review the chemistry placement information chart for more guidance.
Introductory Chemistry (CHEM 1015): Lecture only. This introductory course is for students who want to learn more about chemistry and meet their high school chemistry requirement but do not plan to continue studying chemistry in college.
Chemistry Lab (CHEM 1017): This lab would be paired with Chem 1015 for students who need a high school chemistry requirement. The lab can often be challenging to get into for our high school seniors. Students who plan to continue in chemistry (anyone interested in sciences or health sciences) should NOT take this course.
Chemical Principles 1 (CHEM 1061/1065): The first course for some majors that require chemistry and professional programs.
Review the chemistry placement chart for the requirements to take this course.
Students taking this class MUST also take the related laboratory section, Chem 1065.
Fall enrollment is very limited (incoming PSEO students will not get access to this course).
CSE Chemical Principles I (CHEM 1071/1065): Intended for students pursuing the College of Science and Engineering who have already taken chemistry and have a strong background in math.
Review the chemistry placement chart for the requirements to take this course.
Students taking this class MUST also take the related laboratory section, Chem 1065.
Fall enrollment is very limited (incoming PSEO students will not get access to this course).
Chemistry for Life Sciences 1 (CHEM 1081): A life sciences option intended only for College of Biological Sciences and College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences students.
Review the chemistry placement chart for the requirements to take this course.
We recommend PSEO students take the equivalent Chem 1061/1065 sequence; see above. Email your PSEO advisor if you plan to take this course.
NOTE: If PSEO students continue with this sequence and take Chem 1082, they cannot decide to take Chem 2301 Organic Chemistry I due to the overlapping content with Chem 1082.
Physics
This guide is intended to help you choose your first PSEO physics class. For further course details and exceptions, see the information below.
With the exception of the levels requiring two classes in sequence, taking a lower level does not necessarily prepare students for the next level (e.g., Phys 1001W does not need to be taken prior to Phys 1301W).
Choosing the proper physics course is very important. It is not recommended that students switch sequences mid-year (e.g. start in Phys 1101W, then switch to Phys 1221), which means a student who is interested in a science major must start with PHYS 1221 or 1301W in order to avoid taking more classes than necessary.
For PHYS 1221 or 1301W, it's recommended to complete at least one semester at the U of M prior to taking this course due to the course rigor and need for exceptional study skills to do well in the course.
Energy and the Environment (PHYS 1001W): A one-semester introductory physics class for students who are interested in physical science but who will not be continuing in a science discipline. This course is also recommended for students with little to no high school physics before continuing with the calc-based physics option below.
Introductory College Physics I & II (PHYS 1101W and 1102W): Best suited for students who need more background in physics than 1001 offers, but who may not be pursuing a biological science or engineering-related degree (some health science programs [e.g. pharmacy] accept 1101/1102; check with the individual programs before registering).
Introductory Physics for Life Science Majors I & II (PHYS 1221 and 1222 ): The PSEO office requires a completed college calculus course with a B grade or higher or a 4 or 5 on the Calculus AP [AB or BC] exam (preferably a 5). Designed for students interested in biological and health sciences, but these students may take Phys 1301W and 1302W in place of the 12xx sequence. PSEO advisors typically recommend taking Phys 1001W prior to this sequence if you haven't taken high school physics.
Starting spring 2019, Phys 1201W/1202W will be replaced by Phys 1221 and 1222 and will not be writing-intensive; this sequence is NOT intended for engineering-bound (CSE) students.
Students deciding between either a biology or engineering major should opt for the Phys 1301W/1302W sequence.
Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering I & II (PHYS 1301W and 1302W): Requires a completed college calculus course with a B grade or higher or a 4 or 5 on the Calculus AP [AB or BC] exam (preferably a 5). This sequence is the most flexible as these courses may be used in place of Phys 11xx or 12xx, and are the most widely accepted classes for transfer credits. Take Phys 1001W prior to this sequence if you haven't taken high school physics.
Other Science Courses (4 credits)
Exploring the Universe (AST 1001)
Environmental Issues and Solutions (CEGE 1501)
Climate Crisis: Implementing Solutions (EE 1701 Lecture/EE 1703 Optional Lab) [online section of 1701 offered]
Earth and Its Environments (ESCI 1001) [offered online]
Introduction to Weather and Climate (ESPM 1425) [offered online]
Physics & Biology of the Voice (SLHS 1301W)
Introduction to Weather and Climate (GEOG 1425)
Other Science Courses (3 credits)
Biorenewable Resources (BBE 1002) [offered online]
The Sustainable Lawn [HORT 1061] [offered online]
Introduction to Geology (ESCI 1101) [offered option]
Issues in the Environment (ESPM 1011) [offered online]