CFAES Give Today
Academic Programs

College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

CFAES

Scheduling Considerations

Progress to degree & hours

The number of classes you take each semester will affect your progress toward earning your degree. On average, you must take 14-16 credit hours per semester to graduate in four years.

Students who aim to meet the following are typically successful in meeting the four-year mark:

  • Earn 30 credit hours by the end of the first year
  • Earn 60 hours at the end of the second year
  • Earn 90 hours by the end of the third year

This target will allow you some flexibility for your senior year.

Why are you taking A particular course?
  • Is the course required for your major? Is it a prerequisite to a required major course? Review the information on our website, visit the website of your major department, or contact the department to find out.
  • Does the course meet a general education requirement? 
  • Is the course an elective?
  • Is the course part of a sequence, and will you be able to proceed through the sequence in a timely way?
Are you eligible to take the course?
  • Check prerequisites and restrictions in the Course Catalog (under Academics). Buckeye Link does not always check for prerequisites or restrictions. You are responsible for making sure you are eligible to take a course.
  • Do you need instructor permission? If so, obtain permission before your enrollment appointment begins, or you will not be able to take the course. Obtaining permission requires having a Course Enrollment Permission Form signed by the instructor. After getting the appropriate signature, you must return the form to CFAES Academic Programs in 100 Agricultural Administration.
Course-Specific Issues
  • Content: What is the focus of the course? Is this an easy or difficult subject matter for you? How is course content presented—large lecture? Small discussion groups?
  • Evaluation of Work: Will there be midterms and a final only? Papers? Projects? Group work? You can get this information by obtaining a copy of the syllabus from the department offering the course or by checking the department’s website to see if the syllabus is posted there.
  • Commitments: What are your time commitments for the upcoming semester? How much time will you be able to devote to class preparation and attendance?
  • Other Obligations: What are your other obligations—employment, extracurricular activities, family responsibilities, internships, sports and recreation, social activities?
How will you balance your schedule?
  • If your degree plan permits, schedule a combination of general education courses, major courses, and electives.
  • Balance the types of courses—does the course require a great deal of reading and/or writing, memorization of material, frequent homework, laboratory work?
  • Try to take a variety of courses each semester.
  • Balance courses that you know will be difficult with courses that will be easier for you.
  • Balance courses in which you have great interest with those in which you have less interest.
Other Considerations
  • Do you need to concentrate on raising your GPA? If so, plan to take courses in which you expect to do well.
  • Is it important to establish a relationship with a faculty member in order to get a recommendation in the future, or to do an independent study? If so, plan on taking a course or courses from a faculty member in your interest area.
  • Check to see whether there are any holds or negative service indicators on your account. Resolve them before your enrollment appointment begins. If you do not have holds removed, you cannot schedule classes.
Course & scheduling Benchmarks
  • By the end of your first year, complete your Math and English requirements
  • By the end of your second year:
    • Complete three sciences
    • Declare your Minor
  • By the end of the Summer after your third year, complete your internship