Office: 608 Allen Hall
662-325-3742
P.O. Box BQ; Mississippi State, MS 39762
Office of Academic Affairs
University Academic Advising Center
Undeclared (UND)
Director: Wesley Ammon
Associate Director Janet Odom
Professional Academic Advisors: Ryan Colvin, Tim Fancher and Sandra Powe
25 Magruder Street; Mail Stop 9729
Web site at http://www.uaac.msstate.edu/
Telephone (662) 325-4052; Fax (662) 325-4026
P.O. Box 6117, Mississippi State, MS 39762
UAAC Mission to Undeclared students
The University Academic Advising Center was established to meet the needs of those students who have competing interest in more than one major area, as well as those who are uncertain of their career and educational goals. The professional staff and volunteers at the center offer one on one advising services to traditional and nontraditional undergraduate students and provide accurate information concerning specific curriculum requirements, university policies and procedures, campus resources and various programs of study. The center is committed to assisting students with the development of educational plans consistent with their life goals, objectives and abilities. Students normally remain UND “majors” for no more than two semesters during which time advisors recommend courses that meet basic core requirements in relation to “majors of interest” for each individual student. Students who have reached Junior status can remain undeclared for one (1) semester after accumulating 60 hours of academic credit.
UAAC advisors traditionally recommend that UND students enroll in 12-18 hours each fall and spring semester with careful considerations given to courses required in each student’s majors of interest. It is the goal of the center to assist each UND student in enrolling in courses that satisfy the minimum core requirements for any major the student may later choose with respect to each department’s right to specify more stringent requirements than the University as a whole. However, ultimate responsibility for taking the UAAC staff’s advice rests with the student.
Visits to UAAC and responses to request for information through our Web site are subject to staff availability and the center’s priority responsibilities during MSU’s designated preregistration and orientation periods. Otherwise, UAAC urges students to make appointments with advisors at the center to establish a plan of action. The University Academic Advising Center staff encourages all UND “majors” to utilize services offered by the Career Center, the Counseling Center, the Learning Center, Student Support Services and other support programs offered by various units at MSU.
Environment and Sustainability Certificate Program
The Environment and Sustainability Certification (ENSC) is a 17 credit hour, multi-disciplinary program open to all undergraduate majors in good standing. From accountants to zoologists, and all majors in between, this certificate is designed to enhance your understanding of the complex environmental challenges humanity faces in the 21st century. It will also give students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in an environmental area of interest. Students will study the technical aspects of issues such as climate change and energy, and learn how values, beliefs and policies affect how these issues are addressed. Students will also learn about sustainable practices and lifestyle choices that can reduce your own ecological footprint.
Two courses are required of all students: Introduction to Environmental Science (ENS 2103) and Environmental Science Practicum (ENS 4102). Of the remaining 12 hours, at least three must be taken from each of the three categories: Humanities, Social Sciences, and Science & Engineering. The remaining three credit hours must be taken from a category not directly related to the student’s major course of study.
Course Work
| ENS 2103 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| ENS 4102 | Practicum | 2 |
| Approved Humanities course | 3 | |
| Approved Social Sciences course | 3 | |
| Approved Science & Engineering course | 3 | |
| Consult with Program Coordinator | 3 | |
Enrollment in ENS 4102 must be arranged with the Program Coordinator. The student may arrange to work with a faculty member conducting research in the environment and sustainability field, or the student may propose a project of relevance to the certificate. This must be arranged in consultation with the Program Coordinator prior to enrolling in ENS 4102.
For further information and enrollment forms, please contact the ENS program coordinator:
Dr. Joseph Massey
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences
117 Dorman Hall
662-325-4725; jmassey@pss.msstate.edu
Geospatial and Remote Sensing Technologies Certificate Program
Technology revolutions have driven the expectations of remote sensing and geospatial technologies to an all-time high for a new generation of users across a vast number of disciplines. Advances in computational technologies, visualization products, and sensor technologies have led to the development of unprecedented capabilities in remote sensing, global position systems, and geographic information systems. With the recent launches of commercial and governmental remote sensing satellites, as well as the development of aerial remote sensing instruments that provide advanced spectral and radar technologies, the industry is poised to develop operational remote sensing applications that fundamentally impact management of resources. Mississippi State University has developed broad, multi-disciplinary efforts in spatial technologies of many types, and is a leader among universities in education and outreach activities to prepare the next generation for utilizing these technologies. One of the primary limitations to the development of this industry is the need for a better-educated workforce that can understand and utilize the tools of these spatial technologies. Education in geospatial and remote sensing technologies is by nature multi-disciplinary; therefore, a certificate program that crosses departmental and college boundaries has been developed to address these needs. This certificate can thus serve the needs of undergraduate and graduate students with diverse backgrounds from a variety of disciplines. Students may strategically assess which courses within their disciplinary academic program can be used for the certificate program, thus satisfying the needs of both and maximizing their educational experience. Non-traditional students may also receive the certificate in seeking professional credentials for career enhancement.
The certificate should represent a student’s mastery of basic GIS and Remote Sensing coursework. A minimum of 3 hours of coursework is required in each of these areas:
- Geographic Information Systems
- Remote Sensing
- Spatial Positioning Technologies
Students are required to complete 6 hours of additional coursework chosen from a list of restricted electives that are offered by several MSU departments.
Due to the multi-disciplinary nature of this program, the Office of Academic Affairs is the resident office for admission and administration. Thus, the program is not focused on a single college or department. A program coordinator, appointed by the Provost, advises students seeking the GRS certificate, and assists departmental advisors. The coordinator is also responsible for conducting the necessary transcript audits and authorizing the awarding of certificates.
A multi-disciplinary certificate program has also been developed in Geospatial and Remote Sensing Engineering. This is administered through the College of Engineering. See this listing under that college for more information.
For further information and enrollment information, contact the GRS program coordinator:
Dr. Bill Cooke, Director
Geosystems Research Institute; A127 HPC
662-325-9575, whc5@geosci.msstate.edu
Dr. John Rodgers, Associate Director
Department of Geosciences
662-325-3915, jcr100@msstate.edu
A total of 15 semester hours are required: nine selected from the list of required courses, and six selected from the list of elective courses.
| Required Courses | ||
| Remote Sensing | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Remote Sensing Technologies | ||
| Introduction to Remote Sensing Technologies | ||
| Remote Sensing of the Physical Environment | ||
| Remote Sensing Applications | ||
AND | ||
| Remote Sensing Applications Laboratory | ||
| GIS | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Principles of GIS | ||
| Application of Spatial Technologies to Wildlife and Fisheries Management | ||
| GIS for Natural Resource Management | ||
AND | ||
| GIS for Natural Resource Management | ||
| Positioning Technologies | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Geospatial Agronomic Management | ||
| Survey of Geospatial Technologies | ||
| Spatial Technologies in Natural Resources Management | ||
| Electives | ||
| See program coordinator for list of approved electives. | 6 | |
Leadership Studies Minor
The interdisciplinary minor in Leadership Studies provides academic and experiential knowledge and skills to prepare students for future leadership positions in communities, professions, and organizations. The Leadership Studies minor is open to Mississippi State University students in all Colleges, Schools, and majors. It requires 19 hours of approved coursework, including at least one experiential internship component. No more than two courses from the same academic Department may be applied to this minor. Students in the Leadership Studies minor must maintain grade point averages of 2.00 or higher overall and grade point averages of 2.50 or higher in courses applied to the minor. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all minor courses.
Admission and Graduation Standards: Entering freshmen may declare a Leadership Studies minor in the first semester by securing approval of a minor program of studies as outlined herein. Qualified students, including incoming transfer students, may declare the minor during any subsequent semester. After the first semester of college, students must have minimum overall GPAs of 2.00 or higher (including all course work taken, not just in the minor) to enter or remain in the minor. To graduate with a Minor in Leadership Studies, students must meet all course requirements on their approved programs of minor study, must have overall GPAs of 2.00 or higher on all coursework attempted, and must have 2.50 or higher GPAs over all minor courses. Students must earn grades of C or higher in all courses applied to the Leadership Studies minor.
Curriculum Outline: Each student will select one core course in each of three core areas: Ethics, which are essential for any leader; Social Science, which studies leadership directly and provides knowledge of direct relevance to leadership; and Communication, which involves skills that are critically important for leaders. (For students in majors with little room for electives, judicious selection of the core courses in the Leadership Studies minor may simultaneously fulfill certain General Education requirements, College or School Core Curriculum, or Departmental Major requirements.) Each student will further select from an approved list, in consultation with his or her Leadership Studies minor advisor, at least three more courses that facilitate the student’s goals. Finally, each student will register for a 1-hour (48 contact hours during the semester) experiential internship.
| Area I: Ethics and Leadership | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| Socially Responsible Leadership | ||
| Area II: Leadership and Social Science | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Organizational Behavior | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Political Leadership | ||
| Introduction to Engineering and Public Policy | ||
| Area III: Leadership and Communication Skills | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | ||
| Small Group Communication | ||
| Principles of Public Relations | ||
| Area IV: Experiential internship component | ||
| EXL 1191 | Leadership Studies Internship I | 1 |
| Area V: Electives | ||
| Choose three: | 9 | |
See advisor for a complete list of approved leadership electives. Additional courses listed in the Minor Core above can be taken as electives, if they are not used to fulfill Minor Core requirements. | ||
For additional information, contact Robert Green, Chair, Leadership Studies Minor committee at green@bagley.msstate.edu
Minor in International Studies
The Minor in International Studies is designed to enhance students’ understanding of the global environment in which they are living. Students completing this program will develop some proficiency in a foreign language, have experience living in another country, and have some general background of different cultures and societies. The Introduction to Global Studies course serves as an introduction to global concerns and responsibilities that can begin on the MSU campus. The Cross-Cultural Leadership course serves as a capstone to bring the ideas of students in the program together, addressing ways to use their experiences and knowledge to become leaders in the world. A total of 18 approved hours must be completed for this minor.
International Studies Scholars
Certain students will be chosen each spring, based on an application process, to become International Studies Scholars. Each scholar will receive one $1000 scholarship to go towards a study abroad experience and will be expected to participate in a service project that supports new international students at MSU.
Requirements
A minimum of 18 semester hours with a grade of a “C” or above are required in the following component areas with at least three credit hours from a study abroad experience and six credit hours of foreign languages. The three-credit-hour Introduction to Global Studies (ISE 1103) and the three-credit-hour Cross-Cultural Leadership (ISE 4103) are required of all students.
Course Options:
| Required | ||
| ISE 1103 | Introduction to Global Studies | 3 |
| ISE 4103 | Cross-Cultural Leadership | 3 |
| Foreign Language Courses | 6 | |
| Approved Study Abroad | 3 | |
| Other MSU Courses | 3 | |
For additional information, contact the International Education office or visit the web site at www.inted.msstate.edu/mis .