Your exploratory class schedule should be designed to:

1. Explore majors of potential interest.
2. Keep all of your major options open.
3. Keep you on track to graduate on time.

In order to accomplish these goals:

Register for one or two introductory courses in majors that you want to explore.
Take three to four courses that are required by all majors, or that fulfill a requirement in all or most majors.
Add a one or two credit elective course to the academic courses in your class schedule.

Use the "Chart for Exploratory Students" in the University Division Guide for selecting introductory major courses. Read course descriptions online at the University Division Course Descriptions and on the Indiana University website at Online Course Descriptions . Then get help from your academic advisor for making your final decisions about your courses!

Introductory Courses

Introductory Courses that are required in the curriculum for a major's degree program are excellent for exploring an area of study. And should you decide to pursue completion of that major, you already have taken a required course. If you do not choose that major, the introductory course you've taken will often count for a general education requirement or as an elective course in many other major degree programs.

English Composition

All majors at IU require the completion of (or exemption from) English composition. Most accept any of the available options but some have restrictions or preferences. The options are a one semester course in composition, or two semesters of designated courses in reading and writing. Check the University Division Guide for information about these options and the school and major requirements.

Mathematics

Majors in Arts and Sciences, Medical and Health Professions, Business, Continuing Studies, Journalism, Public and Environmental Affairs, HPER, and some majors in Education require mathematics. Other majors credit mathematics courses as part of general education requirements. Check the University Division Guide for more information about mathematics and individual school and major requirements.

General Education

All IU majors require a certain number of general education courses, which are usually divided into these broad categories: Arts and Humanities, Social and Historical studies, Natural and Mathematical Sciences. Although some schools within IU use slightly different terminology. Check the University Division Guide for more information about school and major requirements and read the University Division Course Descriptions booklet to see which courses count in these general education categories.

Foreign Language, Computer Technology, and Speech Communication

Some schools require courses in foreign language, computer technology, or speech communications in their majors. These courses often count as general education or elective credit in other majors as well. While requirements for these courses do vary by major, courses in these categories can be excellent choices for exploratory students. Check the University Division Guide for more information about these courses and individual major requirements.

Elective Courses

While a few majors have limited elective credit hours, many majors have adequate allowance for at least one elective course during your first or second semester. Consider for an elective: ASCS-Q294 Basic Career Development, COLL-X112 Traditions and Cultures of Indiana University, EDUC-X150 Managing Resources for Learning, SLIS-L161 Library Skills and Resources, HPER-E electives (physical exercise courses), and Music electives (Choral and Instrumental Ensembles, or Vocal and Instrumental Instruction courses).