First Year IBE Students: Registration Information for Winter 2027

Winter Schedule

Degree Requirements and Planning

Winter Schedule

Q. When do I register for Winter 2027 courses?

A. The University assigns registration appointment times for undergraduate students between November 19 and December 4. The times are determined by the credits completed and then are randomly assigned. You can view your assigned time on Wolverine Access starting November 9.

Q. How do I register for Winter 2027 courses?

A. You will be automatically enrolled into ACC 300 (section 009) and BCOM 250 (section 009 or 018) for the Winter term. These courses will be added to your schedule on Wolverine Access before general registration begins on November 19.

Q. When can I start backpacking Winter 2027 courses?

A. Beginning November 9, you can add classes to your “Backpack” in Wolverine Access, just as you may remember doing at orientation this past summer.  Backpacking courses allows you to quickly add those classes all at once when your registration appointment time opens.  However, be aware that backpacking does not reserve a seat for you in the class – it is simply a way to put the course in your “shopping cart” so that you can “check-out” quickly.  If a class in your backpack is full when your registration time opens, you may waitlist yourself, and/or select an alternate open class at that time.

Degree Requirements and Planning

Q. What are the academic requirements I’m expected to complete in my first year?

A. In your first year, we recommend that you plan to take at least 17-18 credits per term, which must include the following requirements:

  • Complete the following three courses at UM-Ann Arbor by the end of Winter Term 2027:
    • IBE-specific ENGR 100 (section 220 with corresponding lab/discussion) in Winter 2027 that will meet both the Engineering and Ross First Year Writing requirements [C or better]
    • Economics 101 (including IB or A-Level test credit for this course; AP credit does not meet this requirement) [C- or better]
    • Calculus I, II, or III (including AP, IB, or A-level credit for this course) [C or better]
  • Successfully complete the following three core courses at the Ross School of Business by the end of Winter 2027: BA 100 (Fall), BCOM 250 (Winter), and ACC 300 (Winter).
  • Engineering also strongly recommends that you complete:
    • MATH 115/116 (or 214, 215, 216 – depending on prior credits and placement results)
    • ENGR 101 in the Fall semester (unless you have EECS 180 AP credit)
    • Other coursework needed toward Engineering, such as CHEM 130/125/126 (5.0 credits), PHYSICS 140/141 (5.0 credits), or PHYSICS 240/241 (if 140/141 already completed)
    • A course in your Engineering major (if you meet prerequisites)
  • Enroll in a minimum of 12 credits or more at UM-Ann Arbor during Fall Term 2026 and Winter Term 2027.
  • Maintain “Good Academic Standing” with a term and cumulative grade point average of 2.500 or higher at UM-Ann Arbor.

Your exact first-year schedule will depend on the incoming credits you may have.

  • An example Fall semester schedule may look like: ENGR 101, BA 100, a Math or a Science course, ECON 101, and 2-3 credits of humanities
  • An example Winter semester schedule may look like: ENGR 100 (IBE-specific section), BCOM 250, ACC 300, a Math course, and a Science course.

Q. How can I find out more about the BBA Curriculum?

A. During your first year, you will take a broad range of courses in addition to those required for the BBA program. Below is some general information and answers to common questions regarding Ross program requirements. For more detailed information, please visit the BBA curriculum page. Ross academic advisors are another great resource for answering curriculum and course planning questions.

Q. How can I find out more about the Engineering Curriculum?

A. In your first few semesters, you’ll complete the math, science, and engineering coursework that acts as the foundation for the degree’s program requirements. You can learn more about the requirements of each CoE degree on the Engineering Advising Center’s Sample Schedules website.

Q. What are the Ross distribution and Engineering Intellectual Breadth requirements that I will complete as an IBE student?
A. IBE students must complete coursework to fulfill both the Ross distribution requirements and the Engineering Intellectual Breadth requirements. Individual courses may count toward both requirements. 

The Ross distribution requirements must be completed by one of the two following options:

Option 1
Foreign Language – 4th term proficiency
Natural Science and/or Mathematical and Symbolic Analysis – 9 credit hours
ECON 101 and 102
Humanities – 3 credit hours (should be at the 300–level to count toward Engineering’s Intellectual Breadth requirement)

Option 2
Natural Science and/or Mathematical and Symbolic Analysis – 9 credit hours
ECON 101 and 102
Humanities – 6 credit hours (3 credit hours should be at the 300–level to count toward Engineering’s Intellectual Breadth requirement)
Social Sciences – 6 credit hours

The College of Engineering’s Intellectual Breadth Requirements are as follows:

  • 16 Intellectual Breadth Credits: Comprised of Liberal Arts Courses (LACs — defined in the following section of the Bulletin titled, “Definition of Liberal Arts Courses”), including:
    • Humanities: At least 3 credits of Humanities classes marked HU in the LSA course guide, credit by test cannot be used to meet this requirement
    • 300-level LAC: At least 3 credits of LAC must be at the 300 level or higher. Students may satisfy the Humanities and 300-level requirements with a single course

(Optional) PCDC – no more than 4 credits of PCDC (defined in the following section of the Bulletin titled, “Professional or Creative Development Courses”)

Please refer to the CoE Bulletin for more information regarding intellectual breadth. Individual courses may be used to fulfill both the Ross distribution requirement and CoE Intellectual Breadth requirement. You are encouraged to discuss your plan for completing these requirements with academic advisors.

Q. What do I do if I still have questions?
A. Academic advisors are great resources for answering curriculum questions and helping you develop a course plan that supports your academic goals as well. You may reach out to your advisors via the email addresses below: