UNSC - First Year Advising Guide

You can use the information below to help you envision what your fall might look like. For your advising appointment, you do not need to come in with specific classes but should have an idea of what academic subject areas you may be interested in, as this will inform the courses you select. 

• University Scholars take 15–18 credit hours (5–6 classes) each semester.
  • A course number tells you not only what subject and level the class is, but also the number of credit hours. The three letters indicate the subject (e.g., REL 1310=Religion). The first digit indicates the level (e.g. FYS 1399=introductory course; UNSC 3301=upper level course). The second digit indicates the number of credit hours (e.g. GTX 2301=3 hours; CHA 1088=no hours).
• University Scholars are expected to choose one or more academic areas of concentrated study. Whether you are ready to declare a concentration or not, you should begin exploring your interests by taking introductory or required classes in your possible concentrations in your first semester (typically a 1000 or 2000 level course).
• All University Scholars take Intellectual Tradition of the Ancient World (GTX 2301 – Fall) and Medieval Intellectual Tradition (GTX 2302 – Spring) their first year in UNSC sections with their cohort. This fall, GTX 2301 will be offered on TR from 12:30-1:45.
• University Scholars usually take two or more honors classes per semester.
  • GTX 2301 and 2302 count toward this requirement.  
• First Year Seminars (FYS 1399) are specialized introductory honors seminars available to incoming students. Most students take one of these courses in the fall.  Included as one of your attachments in an email you’ll be sent mid-May is a full list of FYS and Honors courses.
• UNSC strongly recommends starting or continuing your language learning.
  • If you already have familiarity with a language, you can take the Language Placement Exam (the link is also available in your GoBaylor account). All students interested in taking Spanish need to take a language exam, even if you want to start in the introductory level course.  
• All students wanting to take Chemistry or a Math class must either take the ALEKS placement exam or have submitted RSAT or ACT scores to Baylor that meet the criteria.  For more information on scores needed and the ALEKS exam please follow this link.
• All Baylor students must take two religion classes: Christian Scriptures (REL 1310) and Christian Heritage (REL 1350). Many students choose to take REL 1310 in the fall of their first year.
• All Baylor first year students must take two semesters of Chapel. If you are living in the Honors Residential, Earl, Teal or Brooks College, you can choose a chapel experience in your residence hall.  
• A listing of AP scores needed to earn Baylor course credit can be found by following this link. Students should list Baylor as the score recipient (Code 6032). If you did not list Baylor as the score recipient, please contact AP to have your scores sent to Baylor -- phone 888-225-5427. 

An example schedule (16 hours, 2 honors classes):