COLUMBIA - As college students head back to school, they prepare by buying books and setting up dorm rooms.

But now, for many students, that preparation includes learning how to deal with alcohol use on campus.

There are about 1,400 alcohol-related deaths each year among college students, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

As a result, some universities are requiring students to take alcohol-education courses before they arrive on campus.

The College of Charleston requires all incoming freshmen to take AlcoholEdu, a three-hour online workshop offered by Outside the Classroom Inc.

This marks the second year that the college has had all its incoming freshmen take the course.

Previously, the course had been required for students who were disciplined for alcohol abuse.

"The program has been very well-received by college administrators, parents, students and health educators," said Jeri Cabot, the College of Charleston's dean of students.

Last year, there was a 5 percent decrease in binge drinking at the college, said Elizabeth Walker, a substance-abuse official.

The goal for this school year is a 10 percent drop in the number of students who are hurt or injured as a result of drinking and drug use, said Guy Ilagan, the college's substance-abuse coordinator.

Freshmen are required to complete the course no later than one week after they arrive this fall, but officials prefer they take it before.

"That's the whole point, to take it before they arrive on campus," Cabot said. "They'll have a greater knowledge on the subject and information about their own bodies and their own habits and have a clearer sense about campus culture."

More than 450 colleges and universities administer the AlcoholEdu course.

Many national fraternities and sororities also use the course.

Last year, a University of Colorado student died after binge drinking with fellow pledges and fraternity members.

At least four other college-student deaths in the nation were believed related to binge drinking.

Other S.C. schools have similar programs.

The University of South Carolina offers a class, University 101, that helps students transition to college. One of the topics is alcohol awareness.

"About 75 [percent] to 80 percent of incoming freshmen take it," said Carrie Linder, assistant director of the course.

Clemson University informs its incoming freshmen about the dangers of alcohol at summer orientations.