Academic Rhode Map for Exploring Science/Mathematics at Rhode Island College
For possible majors in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics Office of Academic Support (OASIS) 401-456-8083
This map is a semester-by-semester guide toward choosing a major. It is designed primarily for freshmen coming to college for the first time who are still
exploring their academic options. As soon as you decide on a major, you need no longer follow this Map. Contact the chair/director of your chosen
department/program to declare the major and schedule an advising appointment. You will then be assigned a faculty advisor within that
department/program.
This map is not your only route; it is a suggestion. The column to the left suggests the ideal courses for each semester, which are designed to help you
to graduate in four years. Such a timeline depends on how many courses you can take, how you perform in those courses, and what workload you feel you
can handle. Sometimes those courses may be full or unavailable during the semester you plan to take them, in which case consider switching with another
course from a different semester. Courses with an asterisk * have prerequisites. Courses with a “W” in the prefix are Writing in the Discipline (WID) courses
and will be writing intensive.
SEMESTER 1 CR SEMESTER 1 CHECKPOINTS
First Year Writing (FYW 100 or FYW 100P) [minimum 4-6 FYW 100P is a 6-credit option. There is a Directed Self-Placement
grade C, or B for education programs] or First Year questionnaire you can take to aid in this decision; check the RIC First
Seminar (FYS 100). There are also Honors options. Year Writing website.
RIC 100 Introduction to Rhode Island College 1 Exempt if taking COLL 101, COLL 150, or HONR 150
Gen Ed--Second Lang 101 (based on placement, a course higher than 101 4 Optional Language placement test with Dept. of Modern Languages
may be taken). If language requirement already satisfied: take a Gen Ed Second Language options are: American Sign, Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese,
Distribution. Korean (MLAN 150/151), Latin, Portuguese, or Spanish. For other ways to satisfy the
second language requirement see Gen Ed website.
Gen Ed Natural Science (NS)* 4 These all have completed college mathematics competency or
appropriate score on the mathematics placement exam as prereq.
Gen Ed Math (M): MATH 120*, MATH 209*, or MATH 240* for 4 Take Mathematics placement exam to determine placement. For
Biology; MATH 120*, MATH 209*, or MATH 212* for others. information about Math Placement exam visit the RIC Orientation
website. MATH 212 has prereq. of MATH 209 (which has a prereq. of
MATH 120)
Aim for 16 earned credits (While 12 is fulltime, 16 credits are preferred to stay on
track to graduate in 4 years); Math competency completed; Minimum 2.0
GPA; and E-mail Career Development Center careerdevelopment@ric.edu to
Requirements and GPA get your password to take Type Focus, an online career assessment and
exploration tool.
# CREDITS EARNED 17-19 In Sept. make advising appointment with OASIS
SEMESTER 2 CR SEMESTER 2 CHECKPOINTS
FYW 100 or FYW 100P, or FYS 100 4-6 Completed both FYS and FYW, for FYW, grade C or better
Gen Ed from a different area of Natural Science (N) 4
Or CSCI 157: Introduction to Algorithmic Reasoning
Gen Ed--Second Lang 101 or 102, or other Gen Ed Distribution 4 Complete Second Lang 101 (if needed)
course
MATH 209* or MATH 240* if leaning toward Biology 4 Prerequisite for MATH 209 and 240 is MATH 120; MATH 209 is the
MATH 209* or MATH 212* for others, or other needed Gen Ed. prerequisite for MATH 212
Aim for minimum of 30 earned credits; minimum 2.0 GPA
Requirements and GPA
# CREDITS EARNED 16-18 In Feb. make advising appointment with OASIS
SEMESTER 3 CR SEMESTER 3 CHECKPOINTS
Introductory course in possible major 3-4 Check the program’s Rhode Map for best choice.
Gen Ed--Second Lang 102, or other Gen Ed course from Social 4 Complete Second Lang 102 (if needed)
and Behavioral Sciences (SB)
Gen Ed from Social and Behavioral Sciences (SB), or one from Arts 4
(A); History (H); or Literature (L);
Gen Ed from Advanced Quantitative/Scientific Reasoning (AQSR)* 4 See Catalog for list
Declare your major (Students are required to declare a major
before earning 45 credits). Language requirement completed; aim
Requirements and GPA for minimum of 45 earned credits; minimum of 2.0 GPA
# CREDITS EARNED 15-16 In Sept. make appointment with major advisor to discuss your schedule for next
semester
A complete listing of General Education courses can be found at the OASIS office, or online in the college catalog; look at catalog for year you enrolled. These lists are partial and contain
those courses recommended for the majors you are exploring. Revised 5/23/2022
Gen Ed. Literature (L)
Gen Ed Arts—Visual and Performing (A) ENGL 120 Studies in Literature and Identity
ENGL 121 Studies in Literature and Nation
ART 101 Drawing I: General Drawing ENGL 122 Studies in Literature and the Canon
ART 104 Design I: Two-Dimensional Design ENGL 123 Studies in Literature and Genre
ART 210 Nurturing Artistic and Musical Development FREN 115 Literature of the French Speaking World*
ART 231W Prehistoric to Renaissance Art (WID) ITAL 115 Literature of Italy*
ART 232W Renaissance to Contemporary Art (WID) PORT 115 Literature of the Portuguese Speaking World*
COMM 220 Digital Audio Production I SPAN 115 Literature of the Spanish Speaking World*
COMM 241 Introduction to Cinema and Video
COMM 244 Digital Media Lab
DANC 215W Contemporary Dance and Culture (WID) Gen Ed. Natural Science (NS)
ENGL 113 Approaches to Drama: Page to Stage
HIST 106 Multiple Voices: Muslim People in the World
FILM 116 Approaches to Film and Film Criticism BIOL 100 Fundamental Concepts of Biology *
MUS 167 Music Cultures of Non-Western Worlds BIOL 108 Basic Principles of Biology*
MUS 201 Survey of Music BIOL 111 Introductory Biology I*
MUS 203 Elementary Music Theory BIOL 112 Introductory Biology II*
MUS 220 Digital Audio Production I CHEM 103 General Chemistry I*
MUS 223 American Popular Music CHEM 105 General, Organic and Biological Chemistry I*
MUS 225 History of Jazz PSCI 103 Physical Science*
PHIL 230 Aesthetics PSCI 212 Introduction to Geology*
THTR 240 Appreciation and Enjoyment of the Theatre PSCI 217 Introduction to Oceanography (Sp)*
THTR 242 Acting for Nonmajors (Su) PHYS 101 Physics for Science and Mathematics I*
PHYS 110 Introductory Physics*
Gen Ed. Social and Behavioral Sciences (SB)
Gen Ed. Mathematics (M)
AFRI 200 Introduction to Africana Studies
ANTH 101 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
MATH 139 Contemporary Topics in Mathematics
ANTH 102 Introduction to Archaeology
MATH 177 Quantitative Business Analysis
ANTH 104 Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology (F)
*MATH 209 Precalculus Mathematics
CEP 215 Introduction to Educational Psychology
*MATH 212 Calculus I
COMM 240 Mass Media and Society
*MATH 240 Statistical Mathematics
ECON 200 Introduction to Economics
Note: Completion of the Mathematics category of General Education does
GEND 200W Gender and Society (WID)
not satisfy the College Mathematics Competency
GEOG 100W Introduction to Environmental Studies (WID)
GEOG 101 Introduction to Geography
Gen Ed. History (H)
GEOG 200 World Regional Geography
GEOG 206 Disaster Management
HIST 101 Multiple Voices: Africa and the World
POL 202 American Government
HIST 102 Multiple Voices: Asia and the World
POL 203 Global Politics
HIST 103 Multiple Voices: Europe in the World to 1600
POL 204 Introduction to Political Thought
HIST 104 Multiple Voices: Europe in the World Since 1600
PSYC 110 Introduction to Psychology
HIST 105 Multiple Voices: Latin America in the World
PSYC 215 Social Psychology
HIST 106 Multiple Voices: Muslim People in the World
SOC 200 Introduction to Sociology
HIST 107 Multiple Voices: The United States in the World
SOC 202 The Family
HIST 108 History of Science and Medicine
SOC 204 Urban Sociology
SOC 207 Crime and Criminal Justice
SOC 208 Minority Group Relations
SOC 217 Sociology of Aging There is also a Gen Ed. Advanced Quantitative/Scientific Reasoning (AQSR) distribution
category that has many options: see the catalog.
HIST 106 Multiple Voices: Muslim People in the World
