Fun/Interesting Classes at Purdue
Take a break from your required classes!
I have space in my schedule; what should I do?
First and foremost- take classes that interest you! Purdue offers a broad spectrum of classes that exist outside of the requirements for your degree. In order to look for all available classes, go to mypurdue.purdue.edu and click on the Registration tab. In the Register for Classes category, click on Look up Classes. In this search tool, choose the term you are looking for and start looking through classes that might interest you.
Need suggestions? Below is a compiled list of fun/interesting classes categorized by topic. Note that course numbers might have changed since this article was written.
Art/Design
AD 242: Ceramics I
Introductory ceramics class. Note there is an extra fee for this class.
HORT 270: Floral Design & Inter Plt Mgmt
Class on flower arrangement and designs with flowers. Note there is an extra fee for this class.
MUS 250: Music Appreciation
No musical background needed- learn more about the fundamentals of music and listen to important musical compositions.
AD 255: Art Appreciation
No artistic background needed- learn more about the fundamentals of art and view art in galleries and in your community.
Sports/Activity
PES 115: Bowling (Indv Dual Mvmt Frm I)
Bowling class where you can bowl in the Purdue Memorial Union! Note there is an extra fee for this class.
Behavioral Science
SOC 100: Intro Sociology
Course covering introductory topics in sociology.
Earth and Planetary Sciences
EAPS 106: Geosciences in the Cinema
This class explores geology and natural disasters in respect to science fiction movies. This class is known to have some of the most interesting/entertaining lectures!
EAPS 104: Oceanography
Introductory course on ocean life, ocean ecosystems, and natural processes in the ocean.
EAPS 100: Planet Earth
Introductory course on Earth’s natural processes.
Outreach
CS 39000SL: MAGIC (Service Learning Outreach)
One credit course where students start programs and initiatives at local high schools in order to introduce girls to computer science. Learn more here!
EPICS
EPICS is a service-learning design program in which teams of students partner with local and global community organizations to address human, community, and environmental needs. To view the different options for EPICS courses, look for courses that start with EPCS. Learn more here!
History
HIST 371: Society & Rock & Roll
Examines post-WWII America and its relation to music, specifically rock and roll.
Honors Courses
There is a misconception that you need to be in the Honors College to take HONR courses. All you need is to have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in order to enroll in HONR courses, check with your primary advisor about how to sign up for HONR courses. There are some (i.e. HONR 19901 and HONR 19902 that are restricted to first-year honors students).
HONR 29900: Visiting Scholars Seminar
One credit course where students attend events (currently virtual due to COVID-19) with visiting scholars and engage with their work. Every semester, the Honors College hosts a range of visitors from across disciplines.
HONR 29900: Honors College Study Away Programs
Study Away programs are a great way to learn about different communities, cultures, and socio-economic and technical issues in a variety of settings. They are offered during October break, spring break, Maymesters, and over the summer. Study Away programs are a great way to gain some experience abroad in a busy schedule. Some Study Away programs may also be a great way to fulfill your Great Issues requirement, check with your primary advisor about which ones. Learn more here!
Grade Options
Want to take a course you’re interested in but don’t want it to count towards your GPA? Students also have the opportunity to change the grade mode for some classes to Pass/No Pass. In this grade mode, your final grade will be either P (Pass) or NP (No Pass). This grade will not impact your GPA. Note that if you change a grade mode for a certain class, this class will not count toward your degree requirements even if you get a P. The amount of credits of a P/NP class, however, counts towards your overall credit rank- for example, if you’re taking five classes that are each three credits and one class has the P/NP grade mode, you are still a 15 credit student. To fully understand if you can change a course to P/NP and how it will impact your progression in your degree, discuss this option more with your advisor.
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