4. Prepare your Course Schedule

This is probably the most important part of the process.  Before you register, you will need to figure out what courses you want to take.  Following the instructions below, you will create a schedule of your first-choice courses and identify several alternative courses in the event that one or more of your first-choice courses are full.  You should register for at least 12 credits. 

Your first-semester course schedule should include some of the following courses:

• An Inquiry Seminar (4 credits)
• A course or two recommended for your intended  major/minor (if major is known)
• A course or two that will satisfy Linfield Curriculum requirements
• A language course (particularly if you plan to pursue a BA degree and/or want to study abroad)
• Elective and paracurricular courses
• You have been pre-registered for a 1 credit Colloquium section. You cannot change Colloquium sections.

Remember, you should register for at least 12 credits, and no more than 16 credits.   If your admission included provisions, refer to your letter of admission for specific requirements. You may, for example, be pre-enrolled in IDST 010 (Learning Skills) or restricted to registering for no more than 14 credits for your first semester. If you have a learning disability and/or would like to request accommodations, please contact the Office of Learning Support Services at 503.883.2562 or lsup@linfield.edu.

Course Schedule FAQs

What is an Inquiry Seminar?

The Inquiry Seminar is a course required of all Linfield students and must be taken in the first year.  Most students take an Inquiry Seminar in their first semester.  Inquiry Seminars (all Inquiry Seminars are labeled INQS 125) are a part of the Linfield Curriculum (general education requirements) and focus on oral and written communication skills.  Inquiry Seminars are topic-based, meaning they are taught by faculty from many different fields and offer a wide range of topics that vary from semester to semester.  Include an Inquiry Seminar in your course schedule unless all Inquiry Seminars are full and/or the one(s) you want conflict with another course that you really want to take. You can view a full list of the Inquiry Seminars offered this fall, with titles and descriptions, here. This information can also be found on the list of fall course offerings.

How do I find out the recommended courses for my intended major?

Refer to the Academic Programs Grid either online or in your Orientation and Academic Advising Guide for information about the courses you should take in your first semester to prepare for your intended major.  Want more information?  Check out the information in the College Catalog.

What is the Linfield Curriculum? What courses satisfy Linfield Curriculum requirements?

The Linfield Curriculum is the name of the set of general education requirements. Every student must complete these requirements to graduate.  Courses that satisfy Linfield Curriculum (or LC) courses are designated on the list of course offerings  and in the course description with an acronym.  Courses that satisfy LC requirements may also count toward your intended major.

Below are the acronyms to look for when seeking out LC courses:

CS (Creative Studies)

IS (Individuals, Systems, and Societies)

NW (Natural World)

QR (Quantitative Reasoning)

UQ (Ultimate Questions)

VP (Vital Past)

GP (Global Pluralisms)

US (U.S. Pluralisms)

Refer to the section below on Reading the List of Course Offerings for instructions about how to get information about a course.

Should I take a Language Course?

 Consider selecting a language course if you are planning to major or minor in a language, to pursue a major only offered as a BA degree, to study abroad, or are just interested in different languages.

• Refer to the Modern Languages Advising and Placement information for assistance in selecting an appropriate course.
• Refer to the page on International Programs and Language Study for more information about the advantages of taking a language course in your first semester.

What are Electives and Parracurricular Courses?

Over one third of the credits you will complete at Linfield may be elective credits – credits that do not fulfill major, minor, or Linfield Curriculum requirements. These are classes that help you to discover new academic interests and pursue areas of inquiry. Electives may also include paracurricular courses (identified as an activity course numbered below 100). If you are an intercollegiate athlete in the fall, you may be required to enroll in an activity course in your sport. Check with your coach and refer to the FAQs for more information for Fall athletes.

Are there placement exams for any courses?

Courses in biology, chemistry, math and foreign language require special consideration for appropriate placement. Refer to the Course Placement information for help with selecting the appropriate course for your level.

How do I find the list of courses offered this fall?

Visit the Registrar’s website and review the list of course offerings. This is the list of courses that you’ll pick from to develop your course schedule.

The top of the course offering list looks like this:

Reading across the page from left to right, the corresponding columns indicate the following:

• Syn: Four digit number used for registration
• Subj: Four letter acronym representing academic departments (e.g.: AAVC = Art and Visual Culture)
• Cat: Course number – most courses appropriate for first-year students are 100 or 200 level courses
• Sec: Section number representing how many sections of one class will be offered
• Title: Title of the course (circled in red).  Click on the course title to read the course description and see if the course has prerequisites.
• Comments: Information about course fees, restrictions, etc. (if applicable)
• LC: The acronym signifying the Linfield Curriculum requirement satisfied by this course  (circled in red)
• CR: The number of credits each course is worth; most Linfield courses are worth 1-5 credits each
• Day: The days of the week a class meets
• Time: The times a class meets each week
• Bldg/RM: The building and room in which the class meets
• Avail: Indicates if a class is closed or open; if a number is listed, it indicates approximately how many spaces are available

Write down your course schedule

Reviewing the current list of course offerings, make a list of classes that interest you. Refer to the Example Course Schedules to give you an idea of what your schedule may look like. Next, create your first choice and several alternative schedules using the blank Course Schedule Worksheet. Use the Weekly Course Schedule to make sure none of your classes conflict. All of the example schedules and the Weekly Schedule include a 1 credit course called Colloquium. You have been pre-registered in a Colloquium section, which will be taught by the faculty and peer advisors from whom you received letters with your Orientation packet. You cannot drop or change Colloquium sections.

Refer to your faculty or peer advisor, or the Office of Academic Advising, at any step along the way to receive help. Once you have written down your first-choice and alternative schedules, you are ready to register!

Ready for Step 5...learn how to Register for classes online