Howard University -- Fall 2025 Schedule¶
[In-universe document: Logan's course schedule for his first semester at Howard University.]
Student: Logan Matthew Weston Email: logan.weston@bison.howard.edu Classification: Freshman (with sophomore-level coursework via AP/transfer credit) Major: Biology, B.S. (Pre-Med Concentration) Program: COAS Honors Program Semester: Fall 2025 Total Credits: 18
Course Schedule¶
| Course # | Course Name | Credits | Instructor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL 200 | Genetics Lec/Lab | 4 | Dr. Harrison | Major core req. Prereq for all upper-level bio. Dec 10 epigenetics presentation. |
| CHEM 141 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 | [TBD] | Major supporting req. The pre-med gauntlet. |
| ENGW [TBD] | Honors Freshman English II | 3 | [TBD] | Gen ed. Would not be here if AP Lit had been a 5. |
| PSYC 023 | Neuropsychology | 3 | [TBD] | Bio elective (interdisciplinary). No BIOL 200 prereq. Feeds neuroscience interest + study group. |
| AFST 101 | [African Studies] | 3 | [TBD] | Division C gen ed + African American Cluster (double counts). |
| [TBD] | COAS Honors Research Process | 1 | [TBD] | Honors req for freshmen/sophomores. Research process, guest lectures, ePortfolio dev. |
| FRSM 001 | Freshman Orientation | 1 | [TBD] | University req. |
| TOTAL | 18 |
Why This Schedule¶
The COAS Honors Program notes that most Biology majors can only fit the English Writing course into their fall schedules alongside major requirements. The suggested sophomore curriculum places Genetics and O-Chem I together -- Logan takes them as a freshman because AP credits cleared the entire freshman science/math slate (Gen Bio I & II, Gen Chem I & II + labs, Gen Physics I & II, Calculus I & II, Statistics).
18 credits is above the standard 15-16 freshman load, and the course difficulty is the real issue -- a 17-year-old freshman taking sophomore-level Genetics and Organic Chemistry simultaneously, plus a Neuropsychology elective, when the honors program says bio majors should only fit the English course in fall. The addition of PSYC 023 and AFST 101 beyond the core Genetics + O-Chem + English is what makes it heavier than recommended. Advisor pushback was noted. Advisor pushback was overridden.
Note: Biology-specific honors courses (BIOL 217 Honors Orientation and the Directed Readings sequence) begin sophomore year, after admission to the Biology Honors Program at the end of freshman year. The COAS Honors Research Process course (1 cr) is the general freshman honors course, separate from the Biology department sequence. Contact Biology Honors Advisor Courtney Robinson (courtney.robinson@howard.edu) after admission.
Extracurriculars (Fall 2025)¶
- Minority Pre-Med Society
- Medical Ethics Roundtable
- Informal neuroanatomy study group (with upperclassmen Andre Palmer and Prisha)
- ePortfolio development (honors req, begins freshman year)
Key Dates (Fall 2025)¶
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Pre-arrival | ALEKS math placement exam (proctored, required 3 hrs of pre-assessment practice first). Placed out of everything. Still had to sit through 3 hours of practice problems I could do in my sleep. |
| Pre-arrival | World languages placement exam -- not required (AP Spanish Lang + Lit cleared all 12 credits). One less hoop. |
| Pre-arrival | Accuplacer instructions sent to bison email |
| ~August 11-15 | Move-in + Bison Week Orientation |
| August 18 | Formal classes begin |
| September 1 | Labor Day (university closed) |
| September 5 | Last day to add/drop without "W" |
| September 19 | Opening Convocation, Cramton Auditorium, 11 AM |
| October 13 | Mental Health Day (university closed) |
| October 30-Nov 1 | NYC trip (meets Charlie in person for the first time) |
| November 11 | Veterans Day (university closed) |
| November 14 | Last day to withdraw from a course |
| November 26 | Classes end at noon (Thanksgiving) |
| December 1-3 | Reading Period |
| December 4-5 | Departmental Examinations |
| December 7 | 2 AM panic attack call to Charlie. Dexcom at 48 mg/dL. |
| December 8-12 | Final Examinations |
| December 10 | Epigenetics presentation in BIOL 200. Dr. Harrison offers co-authorship. |
| December 12 | The accident. |
| December 16 | Fall semester officially ends |
Outstanding Requirements (not taken fall 2025)¶
Deferred to spring 2026 or later:¶
- CHEM 142 - Organic Chemistry II (3 cr) + CHEM 145 O-Chem Lab (3 cr)
- Bio electives (need 19 more credits after PSYC 023)
- Division A courses (up to 3 courses, 9 cr -- check AP coverage)
- Division B course (1 course, 3 cr -- check AP coverage)
- Division C (1 more course, 3 cr -- AFST 101 covers 1 of 2)
- English Third Writing / Technical Writing (WAC -700 level section)
- HHPL Physical Education (2 courses, 2 cr -- must include swimming)
- Senior Seminar (BIOL 493/494, senior year)
- Honors Directed Readings (begins sophomore year)
- Honors Senior Thesis (senior year)
PE Note:¶
Both HHPL credits -- including the swimming requirement -- remain unfulfilled when the December 12 accident changes everything. When Logan returns to Howard in spring/summer 2027, he returns in a wheelchair.