EMERGENCY INFOFrequently Asked Questions
Q. Am I required to see an advisor?
The Office of Student Services wants to assist you with reaching your academic goals and to avoid detours in achieving those goals.
Freshmen and Sophomores have mandatory advising each semester. You must speak with an advisor before pre-registration so your advising hold can be removed. An advising hold placed on your record will prevent you from registering for classes.
Juniors (58-89 credit hours) and Seniors (90+ hours) have an advising hold placed on their academic record the semester he/she reaches the respective status level. A junior and senior evaluation must be completed in order to register for classes. Evaluations are conducted yearly.
Q. When should I see an advisor?
The best time to see an advisor is before the pre-registration rush.
Q. How do I receive academic advising?
Academic advising appointments are not necessary. You may drop in during the Office of Student Services business hours. During pre-registration rush expect to wait to see an advisor. We recommend avoiding lunch and afternoon hours as these are the busiest. Also, you should see an advisor several days before you can pre-register for classes. Phone calls received during pre-registration rush will be returned as soon as possible.
Q. Where is the Office of Student Services?
The Office of Student Services is located in the Science Building Room 213/214. The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Q. How do I prepare for an advising session?
Please bring the following:
- Have a tentative class schedule prepared.
- Make a list of questions you may want to ask.
- If you already have a schedule or partial schedule, bring a detail copy of it with you. Available on myMU.
Q. Can I schedule my own classes?
First-time freshmen, new students, and/or students who are not in good academic standing, cannot register themselves. You need to see an advisor in the Office of Student Services. Transfer students are encouraged to speak with an advisor be registering for classes.
Q. If I don't have a ACT Math and Composite score of 21 (SAT Math 500/ Composite 1000), can I be admitted to the College of Science?
Yes. You will be admitted as a "Pre-Science" major. Once you've completed English 101 or 201H with a grade of C or better, and Math 127 or 130 or 132 or 122 or 140 or 229 with a grade of C or better, you can be admitted to a degree program.
Q. Can I challenge my ACT scores?
You can take placement exams to challenge your ACT mathematics and English score. Exams are $10/each.
The mathematics exam is computer-based. You are allowed to have a calculator, paper and pencil. Results for your placement level are known immediate.
The English exam is a written essay. Result can take up to three days to be recorded.
Placement exams are NOT to be taken to "get out of mathematics or English" but are exams used to let an advisors know what beginning level mathematics or English you are to be placed.
For more information or to schedule placement exams, call 304/696-6282 (800/642-3437).
Q. What if I'm not sure of a major?
If you are unsure about which degree you want to complete, you can be admitted as an "Undecided" major. You should begin taking core science courses and talking with academic advisor and faculty about careers in science. Once you decide on a major you can stop by the College of Science's Deans Office to officially declare your major.
Q. Can I double major?
Yes. You can earn a degree with more than one discipline by completing the requirements for both majors. If the two majors are in different colleges, you must secure permission from both college deans in order to pursue both majors. For administrative purposes, you will be placed in only one college and it is this college that maintains your records. You only need to complete college requirements for the college of listed on your student records.
Q. If I graduate with one degree and I get another?
An additional degree can be earned by completing 30 additional credit hours after the completion of the first degree. If it hasn't been a full academic year since you graduated and if you do not have holds on your student records, you can register without seeing an academic advisor however it is recommended that you speak with an academic advisor concerning your second major.
Q. How do I get financial aid?
All students must complete the FAFSA in order to receive financial aid. This form must be completed every academic year and is available every January 1st for the next school year. The processing time for the FAFSA is 4-6 weeks, so early processing is highly recommended.
For more information on financial aid, call the Office of Student Financial Assistant (304/696-3162).
Q. Are scholarships available to students?
Incoming Marshall University freshmen and transfer students are automatically considered for scholarship assistance based upon their admissions records. In addition, the College of Science has scholarships available to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.
Q. Do I really have to study in order to do well?
In high school you probably had one test each week over one chapter. In college you will have one test after 4 - 5 weeks that will cover 6 - 8 chapters. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for the exams scheduled in your class to fall coincidentally on one day. You might have three or possibly four exams on one day at the end of your first month at Marshall. You cannot cram. You have to study every subject every day if you want to succeed. Do not settle for C. Do not settle for B. You should have A as your goal. Watch your GPA and do not let it fall below 3.5. If you can achieve that then there is no professional goal that is beyond your grasp. We suggest you review the 15 Habits of Top College Students and the Habits of Unsuccessful Students for more information.
Q. How should I study?
There is no single answer to this question because students learn by different means. Some students are verbal learners and must hear the content. Others are visual and learn by seeing images or graphs. Others are tactile learners who like to use highlighters to underline specific items. Effective study methods vary from individual to individual. You have to define how you learn and make a concerted effort to use your method regularly. Prepare for exams well in advance. In tough classes you might form study groups. Be certain to read all assignments and do all homework before going to the class where that content is covered. This is college-there will be no monitor to make certain you study. It is up to you and your future depends on it.
Q. Are deadlines real?
Yes. The deadlines set by the College of Science and Marshall University are solid and must be met. Deadlines are listed in the back of the Schedule of Courses booklet and on your class syllabi. For example, if you miss the last day to drop with a "W" (withdraw) instead of a grade then you are "stuck." If you have a solid D or F you might want to consider the "W" period deadline carefully because if you miss it there will be no exceptions.
Q. Is there tutoring or student support services available?
Yes. Tutoring services is available for a variety of subject, i.e., Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and English.
- Biology Tutoring, Science Building Room 202. Hours vary.
- Mathematics Tutoring, Smith Hall Room 526. Hours and tutors vary.
- Tutoring Services is located in Laidley Hall Room 101. Hours and courses vary.
- Writing Center, Corbly Hall Room 353.
- Disabled Student Services, Prichard Hall Room 120
- Math Workshop offered by the University College every Fall and Spring semester. Additional cost applies.
- Medical H.E.L.P. Program. Helping medical students and physicians with learning disabilities and/or ADHD succeed.
Q. When are final exams?
The exact dates and times for Final Exams are listed in the Schedule of Courses for each term and should be on your class syllabus. Please refer to this schedule or your class syllabus.
Q. What are the Honor categories?
Cum Laude 3.3 - 3.59 GPA Magna Cum Laude 3.60 - 3.84 GPA Sum Cum Laude 3.85 - 4.0 GPA
Q. What will happen if my grades are poor?
You must keep a certain 2.0 grade point average to avoid being placed on Academic Probation. If you have a deficit of 1 to 19 quality points, you will be placed on probation. This also applies if you transfer to the college with a deficit. If you are on probation, you will not be able to schedule your classes or register without the approval of the College of Science's Associate Dean or the Associate Dean's designee.
The following are guidelines for students on academic probation:
You cannot register for class without written permission
You cannot take more than or must drop to 14 credit hours.
- Meet with the College of Science's Associate Dean or the Associate Dean's designee to complete an Academic Improvement Plan.
Q. If I am on probation, what do I have to do?
Students who are on probation must meet with the College of Science's Associate Dean or the Associate Dean's designee to ensure their understanding of Marshall University's Probation and Suspension Policy and to complete an Academic Improvement Plan. The goal is to avoid suspension and to be placed back in good academic standing.
Q. How do I get a medical excuse?
Students seeking a medical excuse for missing classes need to see the Department of Student Affairs located in the Memorial Student Center Room 2W28.
For other excuse absences, student should speak with the College of Science's Associate Dean.
Q. How do I withdraw from a course?
Individual Full-Term Course Withdrawal
The last date for withdrawal from individual full-term courses is the tenth Friday in a regular semester. Students wishing to withdraw from a class must complete a Schedule Adjustment form, obtain the course instructor's signature, and take the Schedule Adjustment form to the Registration Office in Old Main. Schedule Adjustment forms are available in the Office of Student Services or the Registration Office in Old Main.
Students on probation must obtain the signature of College of Science's Associate Dean or the Associate Dean's designee before taking the Schedule Adjustment form to the Registration Office.
Students withdrawing from individual full-term courses receive a grade of "W" for the course. The "W" grade has no impact on your GPA however it will remain on your academic transcript. If you do not withdrawal from classes properly, you will receive a grade of "F" at the end of the semester or term.
See theSchedule of Courses or myMU for exact withdrawal dates.
Complete Withdrawal
The last date for complete withdrawal from the semester/term is the last regular day of class. Complete Withdrawal from the semester/term is defined as dropping all classes for which a student is registered. You must submit a withdrawal form to the Registration Office in Old Main. The effective date of withdrawal is the date that the withdrawal form is submitted to the Registrar.
Students withdrawing receive a grade of "W" for all courses. The "W" grade has no impact on your GPA. If you do not withdrawal from classes properly, you will receive grades of "F" at the end of the semester/term.
Q. What are the requirements for graduation?
Students must apply for graduation within the first two weeks of the beginning of the semester or term in which they intend to finish. In general, candidates for graduation must have
- A Grade Point Average of 2.0 or higher on all work attempted at
Marshall University and must have an average of 2.0 or higher intheir major.- A minimum of 128 semester hours of credit
- Forty-eight hours must be earned in courses numbered 300-499.
- Earned at least 12 hours in a minor subject.
Q. How do I apply for graduate?
- Must pay the graduation fee at the Bursar's Office and bring one copy of your receipt to the College of Science's Deans Office.
- Fill out a Graduation Application and Exiting questionnaire in the College of Science's Deans Office.
- The College of Science's Deans Office needs one copy of your graduation
fee receipt.