Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For example, a 4-credit class such as M-171 Calculus I meets four times per week for a total of roughly four hours of formal class time (four 50-minute lectures each week). However, to succeed in the course the instructor will expect you to spend an additional eight hours per week reading, doing practice problems, visiting the math help center, meeting with a study group, and so forth. In other words, for every hour spent in the classroom you need to budget two hours of additional study time. 

Our current recommendation for new freshman is to take at least 14 credits, and academically motivated students should plan on 17 credits. Note that this indicates between 42 and 51 hours per week just keeping up with your studies. If you anticipate needing to hold down a job or have other responsibilities, just be very sure you allocate your time so that you can meet and exceed the academic expectations. 

An extremely important hint is to schedule your study time just like you schedule your classes. Identify blocks of time during the day that you will devote to studying, rather than expecting to do all of your studying back at your home or dorm room in the evening. Find a suitable place to study during the open blocks of time between your classes and get in the habit of finishing as much work as possible during those time slots. 

We don't have any exclusive requirements or recommendations regarding calculators, but aiming for something with good scientific support (sin, cos, tan, exp, etc.) and basic graphing should be sufficient. Models like the TI-83, TI-84, and similar calculators from HP and Casio fit this category and would certainly get you through any of the required courses.

At the upper level it is common to do more computation using Matlab, Mathmatica, MathCAD, Maple, or another PC-based symbolic software package rather than a hand calculator. 

Looking way ahead to your senior year, the required national Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam currently has restrictions on what calculators are allowed in the exam room.  The current list allows only a few very basic calculators (like the TI-30X) with few features to ensure that no one can cheat on the test. We simply recommend waiting until the time comes before worrying about the FE exam calculator, since the allowable models are relatively cheap--and the list of acceptable calculators may change between now and the time you take the FE exam anyway.

If you took AP or IB courses during high school, and passed the AP exam with a score of 4 or higher or the IB exam with a score of 5 or higher, that's excellent!  These courses can appear on your MSU transcript, and may fulfill some CORE and/or major requirements. A limited number of Social Science, Arts, and Writing/Literature AP or IB exam scores have a lower acceptance score.  See AP course equivalencies and IB course equivalencies to determine what AP and IB courses MSU will accept for degree credit. 

Some common AP and IB equivalencies are: 

If your English Composition Advanced Placement (AP) score is a 3 or higher, MSU will accept your AP credits for College Writing I (WRIT 101W/ENGL 121W), and those credits will appear on your MSU transcript. 

If you don't have AP English Composition credits, but you scored 28 or higher on the ACT English test, received 650 or higher for your SAT Critical Reading score, have a MUSWA Writing Assessment score of 5.5, or ACT/SAT essay/ writing sub-score of 11, you do not have to take the introductory WRIT 101 class. See the Core section of the MSU Catalog for more information. Instead, COE students must cover the 3 required credits in English by taking either College Writing II (WRIT 201), Technical Writing (WRIT 221), or some other English composition class agreed upon by your advisor and the COE Department.

Yes, but be sure to note that COE curricula are built upon a four semester prerequisite sequence of calculus and differential equations. If you are placed into College Algebra (M-121Q) or Precalculus (M-151Q), you will need to pass the sequence of math courses necessary to reach Calculus I (M-171Q) as soon as you can. 

The math classes you take prior to M-171Q will appear on your official transcript, but cannot be counted toward your COE degree requirements. Many students will use MSU's EdReady Montana program to learn the math skill/knowledge necessary for engineering and computer science majors. This program is free to MSU students.

If you cannot take M-171Q the first semester, you should select courses that will fulfill the university "Core 2.0" requirements, or choose classes and electives that do not have a calculus prerequisite. Students who place below M-151Q (Pre-Calculus) are identified as COEX students and supported with an advisor who can help them map their degree program. More information can be found on the COEX website.   

The COEX designation is simply a sub-category of any of the engineering majors for students working on getting to the M-151Q (pre-calculus) level of mathematics. COEX students meet with Karen Steele, an advisor who is experienced in assisting students align their math courses with Core requirements with Engineering majors. Once students reach M-151Q, they are reassigned a faculty advisor in their home department.  

karensteele@montana.edu , https://www.montana.edu/scheduler/login/student/?fac=170 .

*NOTE: NACOEdegrees are structured to include Core and Elective requirements. Speak with your advisor about how these requirements are built into your specific curriculum. 

Here are a few notes regarding course credit transfers: 

First, keep checking the Schedule of Classes online. Seat availability in courses changes daily. Also, contact the proper professor and ask to be put on a waiting list. If you haven’t been able to add the course before the first day of class, ATTEND the first day with an Add/Drop form (available at the Registrar's Office). Complete the necessary portion and meet with the instructor asking for permission to be added to the course. After the instructor signs the form, meet with your advisor for his/her signature. Finally, take the form to the Registrar's Office for processing. You will not be added until the form is processed at the Registrar's Office. 

I'm trying to register for a course and get a'major restriction' error. What does this mean? What do I do? 

Some courses are restricted to ensure engineering or computer science majors have priority for registration. Students outside of that major wishing to take a course should contact the main department who controls the course registration, or the instructor of record for instructions on how to add the course.  

What does "consent of the instructor" mean and how do I enroll in these restricted classes? 

"Consent of the instructor" designation means the course(s) requires departmental permission for enrollment. Contact the specific department for instructions on how to receive permission to enroll.  

NOTE:  Make sure you have no "holds" on your account. Only students without holds will receive seat reservation information and/or be eligible for enrollment.  

When is the last day to add a class? 

Consult the Office of the Registrar's "Registration Handbooks" (http://www.montana.edu/registrar/Handbooks.php) for all deadlines within a given semester. Fall and Spring semesters allow students to add with approval of the instructor and advisor up to the end of the 10th day of University instruction of the semester. After the 10th class day, Add/Drop forms must have the approval (signature) of Jennifer Clark, Student Success Coordinator for the COE (214 Roberts Hall). 

 I won't be on campus until a later date. Can my friend do the "Add" for me? 

No. Only the students themselves can officially process an Add/Drop form. 

 How do I drop a class? 

You can drop classes from your schedule online up to the 10th day of class, or you can complete an "Add/Drop" form. After the 10th class day, you must pick up an "Add/Drop" form. Complete the necessary portions, meet with the instructor of the class you are dropping for a signature, and have your advisor sign it. Finally, take the form to the Registrar's Office for processing. You will not be dropped from the course(s) until the form is processed at the Registrar's Office. 

You may drop a class during the last two weeks of the semester only for extraordinary reasons (e.g. death, illness). Pick up the relevant form either online or at the Registrar’s Office. 

I want to drop all my classes, what do I do? 

In order to drop all your courses you must process a university withdrawal. This is done at the Dean of Students' Office located in 174 of the Student Union Building (SUB). 

If I drop, how will it affect my GPA? 

You will receive a "W" as a grade.  A “W” grade does not affect a student’s grade point average; however, it does affect financial aid requirements for satisfactory progress. Be sure to contact the Financial Aid Office if you have questions (SUB 183).  
   
 What do I do to return to school? 

Students returning to school after not being enrolled for one or more semesters must submit an “Intent to Register” form to the Registrar's Office. Once the form is processed, you will receive your registration code (Alternate PIN#). Forms may be downloaded from the following site: http://www.montana.edu/registrar/Forms.php, or the "Intent to Register" may be completed online within the Secure Area of MyInfo.

If you are not a Montana resident, state government rules require the University to charge you the non-resident tuition and fees rate--unless you are enrolled in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Scholarship program. 

If you are a domestic (U.S.) student you can apply to become a Montana legal resident if you follow the mandatory residency guidelines. Note that the residency qualification process takes twelve months and you cannot enroll for more than 6 credits in any term during the twelve month period. You also cannot leave the state for more than a total of 30 days during the qualification year. 

International students are always considered non-residents: there is no process to obtain Montana residency without being a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

If you already have a two-year Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) degree that included a complete General Education Core requirement (~30 semester credits), you do not need to take any additional lower-division Core classes as part of your MSU degree program. The COE program requirements of basic math and science courses still must be fulfilled, but the Core category A, H, S, D, US, and W are considered covered by the prior General Education Core taken as part of the A.S. or A.A. degree. 

If you have an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree, General Education Core classes were likely not included in your degree requirements, so you will need to earn the MSU Core 2.0 credit requirements. 

Please refer to the complete Montana University System general education transfer policy for more information.

If you already have a prior bacalaureate (BS/BA) degree from an accredited institution, you do not need to take any additional lower-division Core classes as part of your MSU degree program. The EE and CpE program requirements of basic math and science courses still must be fulfilled, but the Core category A, H, S, D, US, and W are considered covered by the prior General Education Core taken as part of the prior degree. 

Please refer to the complete Montana University System general education transfer policy for more information.

First, make sure the Office of Admissions has completed your application process and performed the official Transfer Equivalency review. 

Next, spend some time reviewing the MSU policies, degree requirements, and procedures applicable to your particular transfer situation. Then attend the regularly scheduled formal group orientation offered before each term, or make an appointment with the Department housing your major for an individual advising appointment. 

To make the advising process quick and efficient, please be sure to bring a copy of your grade transcript, ACT/SAT scores (for math placement, if necessary), and complete course syllabi and content details from previous schools to show your previous engineering/math/science course experience. 

Once your advising/orientation session is complete, you will be given the online personal identification number (PIN) needed to register for your classes. 

The math classes you take prior to M-171Q will appear on your official transcript, but cannot be counted toward your NACOE degree requirements. Many students will use MSU's EdReady Montana program to learn the math skill/knowledge necessary for engineering and computer science majors. This program is free to MSU students.

If you cannot take M-171Q the first semester, you should select courses that will fulfill the university "Core 2.0" requirements, or choose classes and electives that do not have a calculus prerequisite. Students who place below M-151Q (Pre-Calculus) are identified as COEX students and supported with an advisor who can help them map their degree program. More information can be found on the COEX website.   

The COEX designation is simply a sub-category of any of the engineering majors for students working on getting to the M-151Q (pre-calculus) level of mathematics. COEX students meet with Karen Steele, an advisor who is experienced in assisting students align their math courses with Core requirements with Engineering majors. Once students reach M-151Q, they are reassigned a faculty advisor in their home department.

University academic performance standards are located on the Web, catalog.montana.edu/curriculum-enrollment-graduation/#Scholastic_Probation_and_Suspension. 

More information about suspension and returning from suspension is available on the Navigating Suspension in the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering website.

What does suspension mean? 

When a student does not meet the academic performance standards set by the faculty at MSU, he or she may be suspended from the University. Students who are suspended for the first time may not enroll at MSU for one academic term (fall/spring). Students suspended for the second time may not enroll at MSU for one academic year. Students suspended more than twice may only re-enroll at MSU if they submit a written appeal to the University Scholastic Appeals Board and it is approved. 

When and how was I notified? 

It is your responsibility to review your online transcript at the end of each term to determine your academic standing. Students will not receive written notification of probation or suspend warning. You will receive written notification of suspension; the letter is sent to the permanent address you have provided in MyInfo. It is your responsibility to keep your address and contact information updated in MyInfo. 

Can I appeal the suspension decision? 

You may appeal the suspension decision if you believe there were extraordinary circumstances beyond your control of which the University Scholastic Appeals Board (USAB) was unaware. You must complete the Scholastic Appeal Form and submit all the required documentation listed on the back of the appeal form. The written appeal is reviewed by the USAB. Once the Board has made a decision, the finding will be sent to you and a copy will be put in your academic file. The decision of the USAB is final. If you have questions, contact the Office of Student Services in Jabs Hall Room 124. 

When do I get reinstated? 

Students suspended for the first time are automatically reinstated after one semester (excluding summer term) has elapsed. After a second suspension, one academic year must elapse before the student will be reinstated. Students returning to school after one or more semesters must submit an "Intent to Register" form to the Registrar's Office and meet with either the Director or Assistant Director of the Office of Student Services if a "Must See" form is issued by the Registrar's Office.