<p>I want to take General Ecology. Is it required that I take the General Ecology Lab as well? I would, but all the lab sections are closed already. Can I take it anyways, or should I just look for another class? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but my advisor wasn't very helpful. I asked her but she told me that it didn't matter either way since I'm a freshman so I shouldn't take any 300 level classes. Is there any truth to this? Can I take the class I want without the lab portion?</p>
<p>Don’t know about whether you really need the lab with the course in this case, but a section being closed doesn’t always mean you cannot get in. I had a discussion with Dr. Luongo, head of the Honors Program, about that, and he told me people change all the time and spaces open up, plus you can go to the prof and get permission to come in if they feel they can handle it. They might say no, so be prepared for that also, but sign up for the course anyway so you are on the “waitlist”. If someone drops it before the semester starts or during the first week, you can get in potentially.</p>
<p>At the same time, while I don’t agree with your advisor that freshmen shouldn’t take any 300 level classes, she is right to the extent that you shouldn’t sweat it. There are tons of classes you will want to take, and others you have to take, so if you can’t get this, just get a requirement out of the way and take it next time. It is normal to be impatient about these things, even a good sign of enthusiasm, but in the end you will see that it won’t hurt you at all if you have to wait for sophomore year to take it.</p>