<p>I'm starting PetE at LSU's Honors College this fall as a freshman, so I took the required ALEKS placement exam. I need a 75% or better to take Cal I my first semester, but I only scored 33%. When I was in high school, I had a 29 composite ACT score, but math subscore was only a 25. Would I actually be able to succeed in maintaining a 3.0+ GPA in this curriculum, or should I be thinking about changing majors? If I'm unable to take Calculus I this semester, what math should I take? Would I be able to go to summer school one year and take Calculus then? I have a job this summer--taking it locally at a CC/online isn't an option.</p>
<p>Not taking calculus your first semester isn’t too big of a deal. Most PetE majors at LSU stay for a fifth year. You can take trig (MATH 1021?) in the fall alongside Chem 1201, Geol 1001, and whatever else fits the bill. You can do it. It’s not a cake walk, butust because you didn’t place into Calculus doesn’t mean you should give up and change majors. </p>
<p>It boils down to how much work you are willing to put into your coursework. A’s are possible if you can manage your time and study actively. Don’t go through math and physics courses looking at the solution manual, Chegg, etc when you get stuck. Everyone says it but it’s for good reason.</p>
<p>If you are planning on taking the 5-year route, I would try something like this:</p>
<p>Fall (14-15 hours): </p>
<p>Chem 1201
Geol 1001
Phys 1100
Math 1021
English if you haven’t placed out, PetE 1010 if you have</p>
<p>Spring (14 hours): </p>
<p>Chem 1202
Chem 1212 (lab)
Math 1550 (Calc 1)
Geol 1003
Geol 1601 (lab)</p>
<p>This would be manageable, and you would knock out a considerable portion of the flowchart. Afterwards you’ll know if you want be a petroleum engineer. The good thing is that most of these classes (Chem, math, english) translate to all science and engineering majors.</p>