Typical First-Year Course Schedule-Mellon College of Science - Carnegie Mellon University

Typical First-Year Course Schedule

Fall Semester

Course Title
21-120 Differential & Integral Calculus
xx-xxx Science Core Course
xx-xxx Science Core Course
76-101 Interpretation and Argument (designated writing)2
99-10x Computing@Carnegie Mellon
xx-xxx Optional 3- or 6-unit Course

Spring Semester

Course Title
21-122 Integration, Diff. Equations, & Approximation
xx-xxx Science Core Course
xx-xxx Departmental Requirement from Intended Major
xx-xxx Humanities or Social Sciences Course
xx-xxx Elective Course

If you have taken Advanced Placement exams, your freshman year might be different. In general, we accept only scores of 4 and 5 from the AP exams. See the Mellon College of Science AP exam policy for detail.

Science Core Courses


Course Title
21-120 Differential Calculus & Integral Calculus *
21-121 Integration and Differential Equations *
21-122 Integration, Differential Equations, and Approximation *
21-123 Calculus of Approximation *
33-111 Physics for Science Students I
33-112 Physics for Science Students II
03-121 Modern Biology
09-105 Introduction to Modern Chemistry
15-1xx Programming requirement

*    Two full semesters of calculus, or the equivalent of 21-120 and 21-122, are required for all MCS students. You will be placed into one of the four calculus courses listed here and received AP or credit by exam for any preceding courses. 21-123 is a “mini course”— a course that lasts only half a semester.