Sample Schedule

Though all of the classes in PLS are required and are typically taken in a prescribed sequence, there are nearly as many paths through PLS as there are students. This is because many students have interests beyond PLS that require careful and creative planning. But with a little forethought and flexibility, PLS can be paired with just about any major in any college at Notre Dame. Many PLS students also study abroad, and all find time to take advantage of the range of extracurricular opportunities available at Notre Dame.

While all of the Tutorials are required, on rare occasions students can receive exemptions or make substitutions. These may be allowed if the student is completing a full second major in one of the disciplines treated by a Tutorial sequence or if a student takes an equivalent course abroad. The decision to permit exemptions or substitutions is made on a case-by-case basis by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Below are two of the most common basic schedules that students pursue in PLS. The first begins in the first year for those who come to Notre Dame with an interest in PLS. The second begins in the sophomore year, which has been traditionally when students begin the Program, and tends to be followed by those who discover PLS after they get to Notre Dame. The first schedule shows a student studying abroad, but it is also still possible to study abroad if you begin the Program in the sophomore year.

If you have questions or concerns about your PLS schedule, the best thing to do is to contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Eric Bugyis (ebugyis@nd.edu), who will meet with you to design a personalized course plan.

Sample Schedule 1: First Year PLS Intent

PLS fulfills all of the University and College Core requirements except for Quantitative Reasoning, Science and Technology, Writing and Rhetoric, and Foreign Language. So, the first year should be focused on completing these requirements as well as exploring other areas of interest. (Note: PLS offers a University Seminar that is typically a version of our Seminar I. To fulfill the USEM requirement within PLS, students will need to take PLS 13186. PLS also fulfills one Science & Technology requirement.)

 

Sample Schedule 2: Sophomore PLS Major

PLS fulfills all of the University and College Core requirements except for Quantitative Reasoning, Science and Technology, Writing and Rhetoric, and Foreign Language. So, the first year should be focused on completing these requirements as well as exploring other areas of interest. (Note: PLS fulfills one of the Schience & Technology requirements.)