As an Earth System Science student, you have many class choices depending on how much chemistry and math you have completed, and what your plans are post-graduation from UC Irvine.
If you are not sure about which courses you have credit for from the AP and/or IB Exams you took, then you need to figure that out, first. This info can be found in the UCI Catalogue.
You also need to have a window open showing your Degree Requirements.
OK, now you are ready to start choosing classes....
The first class you should enroll in is Chemistry. The first Chemistry class for you is Chem 1A (or H2A if you are a CHP student or want to take Honors). ESS students do no take lab with Chem 1A, just the lecture only. If you have AP credit for Chem 1A then you can skip 1A; Chem 1B is not offered until winter, so you will have to wait to take 1B. Instead of taking Chem this quarter, consider taking an ESS course to satisfy the "ESS 1, 3, or 5" requirement if you don't have AP credit for it.
• Chem 1A has prerequisites. Those can be found here: http://www.testingcenter.uci.edu/chemistry.html
• Students cannot place out of H2A via the AP Exam, so if you are CHP or want to take honors level General Chemistry, then you will take Chem H2A and H2LA, even if you have AP credit for Chem 1A.
You should also enroll in a Math class, depending on your AP/IB credit.
• If you have credit for Math 2A, then enroll in Math 2B, if you have credit for Math 2B, then enroll in Math 2D or 3A.
• If you do not have AP or IB credit for Math, but you have at least a 650 or better on the Math SAT, or a 3 on the AP Calc Exam, then you can enroll directly into Math 2A.
• If you do not have any of the above then you can't start in Math 2A and you must take a placement exam thru ALEKS, so read this page very carefully: http://www.testingcenter.uci.edu/calculus%20online%20exam.html.
Your third class should be Writing (usually 39A or 39B or 39C), or Academic English (usually 20A, 20B, 20C or 20D), depending on where you start.
• If you have Entry Level Writing satisfied, then you start with Writing 39B.
• If you haven't taken the Analytical Writing Placement Exam, you can find more information here: http://www.testingcenter.uci.edu/analyticalWrting.html.
• If you have a 4 or 5 on the AP English Language or AP English Literature exam, then you have credit for Writing 39B and will start with Writing 39C.
If you would like to take a fourth class, consider taking a General Education (GE) course. Categories III and IV are usually a good place to start.
* All ESS freshmen students are ready to take ESS 45, a New Student seminar. This is a 1-unit class that you will very much enjoy. Sign up right away! Have you enrolled yet? How about now? Description: Weekly meetings led by faculty, current students, and staff, to provide information on the Department of Earth System Science, campus resources, and special programs and opportunities. Designed for students who recently joined the Earth System Science and Environmental Science majors.
***Students interested in attending Professional School (such as Pharmacy School, Medical School, Dental School, Nursing School, etc.) should also enroll in Bio Sci 93 in the fall. Bio Sci 93 may be major restricted; please refer to the Schedule of Classes to see when the major restriction will lift.
Info about professional schools, and more, can be found here: https://www.bio.uci.edu/careers/
Here is what your fall schedule should look like:
