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MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Natural Science

Frequently Asked Questions

 

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Curriculum and Major Information

  • What are University Requirements?

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  • Am I required to take ISB and ISP classes? 

    • It is recommended that students in the College of Natural Science not enroll in ISB and ISP courses. ISB and ISP requirements for Natural Science students are met through the completion of chemistry and biological science courses, which are already integrated into their major and college requirements. For example, by completing CEM 141/161 (General Chemistry I with lab) and BS 161/171 (Cells and Molecules with lab), the Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences university requirement will have been met.  
  • What is an elective? What electives can/should I take?
    • An elective (or general elective) is any course outside of university, college, and major requirements. Electives are often necessary to reach 120 credit hours to complete a bachelor’s degree at Michigan State University. Electives are in subjects across the University provided prerequisites, enrollment restrictions and any other requirements have been met.  
    • Though general electives are not limited to these, a list of health-related electives can be accessed through the pre-health website. An additional list of suggested elective options for incoming students can be found on the NatSci Orientation webpage under the Sample Electives link.
    • Additionally, if interested in adding a minor, these courses can also be used in place of general electives. A list of undergraduate minors can be viewed on the Registrar’s Academic Program Catalog website. 

Enrollment Help

  • What’s an Academic Progress Plan (APP) and how do I access mine?

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  • How do I schedule for classes?
  • How many credits should I take each semester?
    • It is recommended that students take an average of 15 credits per semester, or 30 credits per year, to stay on track with earning 120 credits (the minimum number of credits required for graduation) over the course of 4 years. With that said, note that taking 30 credits per year is more important for graduating in 4 years than taking exactly 15 credits per semester. Many students in science majors take fewer than 15 credits in fall and spring semesters due to the difficulty level of courses and often take a course or two during the summer, which allows them to still finish 30 credits per year. AP credits also help toward the 120 credits required for graduation, possibly allowing you to take fewer than 15 credits per semester. Remember that grades matter for graduate and professional school, as does having time for co-curriculars, so it is important to spread out your coursework in a way that allows you to be as successful as possible.
  • How many credits do I need to be considered full-time?
    • The minimum number of credits required to be considered a full-time student each fall and spring semester is 12. Being below full-time (i.e. enrolling in less than 12 credits) can potentially have a negative affect on student financial aid, housing, etc. You should consult with your academic advisor if you need to be below full-time in any given semester.
  • Do I have to take the class and lab together in the same semester?
    • Some lecture courses have a corresponding lab course. For example, there is a General Chemistry I lecture course (CEM 141) and a General Chemistry Lab I (CEM 161). The lecture and corresponding lab do not need to be taken during the same semester. The class lecture is normally a corequisite or prerequisite for the lab, meaning the lab can either be taken in the same semester as the lecture or in a semester after the lecture has been completed.
  • What does my math placement score mean?

 

  • Can I change my schedule after orientation?
    • You can make changes to your class schedule after orientation, but it strongly encouraged that students contact their academic advisor before making any changes to their schedule. 
  • How do I request an override?
    • Students requesting an override must consult the department that manages that particular course. For example, if requesting an override for SOC 100, you must contact the Sociology (SOC) department.  
    • Department contact information can also be found in MSU's Student Information System under the Classes tile. After selecting Class Search & Enroll on the right, search for and select the course you are trying to enroll into. The contact information will appear on the right-side of the page. Additionally, consult departmental websites for information on their override request process. If the department has an online override request form, it can often be found on their website.  
    • A list of Natural Science override request forms can be found on the Physiology Department page 
    • It’s important to note that enrollment limit overrides for full classes are typically not granted. No enrollment limit overrides are provided for full labs. If a course is full, please join the waitlist for that course. 

Transfer Credits 

Minors and Additional Majors

  • What is a minor and do I have to complete a minor to graduate? 
    • A minor allows you to focus on a secondary discipline and explore other interests outside of your major requirements. Minors are typically composed of 15-21 credits and are available in a wide range of subjects. Minors are not required for majors in the College of Natural Science but can be a good option for completing general electives. A list of undergraduate minors can be viewed on the Registrar’s Academic Program Catalog website. 
  • I want to double major, how do I do that? 
    • There are two options available for students to double major - Additional Major and Second Degree
    • When you complete an Additional Major, you will receive one diploma upon graduating from MSU. This diploma will only list your primary major, but your transcript will list the two majors you have completed. Completing an Additional Major will require 120 earned credits and completion of course requirements for both majors.
    • When you complete a Second Degree, you will receive two diplomas upon graduating from MSU. In order to complete a second degree, you must complete the course requirements for both majors and earn a total of 150 credit hours. 

Pre-Health Questions

  • I'm Pre-Health, where can I find more information? 
  • Will online classes (and labs) be accepted by professional schools
    • During the Covid-19 pandemic, professional schools understand that students’ only option is to complete courses online. For spring and summer semesters in 2020, prerequisite courses that were completed online will be accepted by professional schools. If fall classes move online due to Covid-19 and there is not an option for taking in-person courses, professional schools will again accept online classes.
    • Prior to the pandemic, professional schools only accepted online coursework if the exams were held in person (or proctored). We expect they will revert to this policy when the pandemic is over.