Starting Gently
Students with little science preparation may wish to take introductory, non-major's science courses before undertaking the more challenging pre-requisite courses (Minimal Science Requirements). Many of these courses also fulfill General Education requirements, which are only relevant if you intend to complete the 2nd-BS (see GE Requirements for more information). It is especially important to be mathematically competent before undertaking the pre-requisite course work; hence, those with weak math skills are encouraged to take Math 59, Math 60 and/or Math 70 to prepare for entry into Pre-Calculus (Math 109), a course highly recommended before embarking on Introductory Physics I (Physics 111). Statistics (Math 124) is highly recommended for those seeking to enhance overall mathematical competence and for those involved in research projects. The following non-major's courses should be considered (all courses below link to course descriptions):
| Dept/Number | Title | Units |
| BIOL 100/101 | Human Biology /Lab | 3/1 |
| BIOL 175 | Cells, Microbes, and Life | 3 |
| BIOL 210/211 | Genl Microbiology & Pub Hlth/Lab | 3/1 |
| BIOL 321 | Magic, Myths, and Medicine | 3 |
| BIOL 326 | Disease! | 3 |
| BIOL 327 | AIDS, The Modern Epidemica | 3 |
| BIOL 330 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| BIOL 333 | The Genetic Revolution | 3 |
| BIOL 349 | Bioethicsa | 3 |
| BIOL 440 | Ethical Issues in Science and Technologya | 3 |
| CHEM 100 | Preparation for Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 101/102 | Survey of Chemistry/Lab | 3/1 |
| CHEM 109/110 | Food Chemistry/Lab | 3/1 |
| CHEM 120 | Cancer | 3 |
| CHEM 130 | General Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| MATH 59 | Algebra with Pre-Algebra Supportb | 4 |
| MATH 60 | Algebra Ib | 3 |
| MATH 70 | Algebra IIb | 3 |
| MATH 109 ▲ | Pre-Calculus | 3-4 |
| MATH 124 | Statistics | 3 |
| PHYS 101/102 | Conceptual Physics/Lab | 3/1 |
| PHYS 140 | Preparation for Physics | 3 |
Notes
a: Highly recommended; relevant even for pre-health students taking major's level courses.
b: Considered remedial; take only if math skills are low.
▲: has an accompanying auxiliary science course.
Another approach to starting gently is to take no more than 6 units of Minimum Science Requirements during the first semester you take such classes.
