Planning your Four Years
For many students, the development of a four-year plan will occur gradually: as a student takes classes and experiences Augustana's offerings, he or she will change and adapt their ambitions accordingly. Even given this, it's important for students to begin to consider what they might want to during their four years (This is especially true for some particular majros: For a list of major programs that require considerable planning in the first year, click here).
During your first year, then, be sure to talk with your First Year Advisor about your long-term plans: what you'd like to major or minor in, for instance, and what kind of career you'd like to prepare for. You might discuss more specific plans, too: what kind of internship or service opportunities you'd like to take advantage of, for instance, or what kind of foreign language study you'd like to engage in.
One important step is to think about international programs: studying abroad will likely change your course scheduling plan, for instance, since most programs will require you to be off-campus for a term and/or will offer courses that will fulfill AGES credit. For an introduction to the offerings of the Office of International Programs (including a note specifically for biology and pre-health majors on p. 7), click here.
As noted above, there are plans of study at Augustana that require more careful planning even in the first year. If you aim to complete a double major, for instance, you will need to be careful to make sure that you are using your credits wisely.
In addition, there are also some majors that require considerable attention to coursework in the first year in order to complete those majors in the most efficient way. Below I've listed these fields, along with faculty members in those fields with whom students can talk. If you hope to complete one of the following majors, I'd urge you to make an initial contact with one of these advisors in your first or second term at Augustana:
Communication Science and Disorders (CSD):
Kathy Jakielski (794-7386), or Alli Haskill (794-7388)
Elementary Education:
Deb Bracke (794-8107), Randy Hengst (794-7407), or Chuck Hyser (794-7281)
Environmental Studies:
Bo Dziadyk (Biology, 794-3436), or Norm Moline (Geography, 794-7303)
Music Education:
Michael Zemek (Vocal, 794-7656), or Rick Jaeschke (Instrumental, 794-7343)
Pre-Dentistry:
Darrin Good (794-3438)
Pre-Engineering (3-2 program):
James Van Howe (794-3403)
Pre-Pharmacy:
Mary Ellen Biggin (794-3467)
Pre-Veterinary (3-4 program):
Darrin Good (794-3438)
Secondary Education:
Michael Schroeder (794-7283)
