Students are advised to prepare long-range plans according to curricular guidelines for the degree program selected. Attention to such details as semester credit loads and course sequences are recommended for optimum experiences.
NDSU operates on a semester system consisting of two 16-week fall and spring semesters, including final examination week. A 12-week summer session is arranged into condensed periods of standard 4-week and 8-week courses, as well as special short-term offerings. However, the total contact (class) hours are the same as the regular semesters.
A credit is a unit used to compute the amount of work required for graduation. One semester credit is equivalent to one lecture period (50 minutes) in class per week for one semester. In the case of laboratories, a minimum of two 50-minute periods per week for one semester is equivalent to one credit. Most workshops require one and one-half hours per week for one semester for one credit.
On average, students should expect to spend two hours of study or preparation for each hour spent in class. Preparation time varies for laboratories and workshops.
The academic advising program at NDSU is designed to facilitate the student’s intellectual and personal growth, to assist students in using university resources, and to guide students in making informed choices regarding academic and career plans. The Office of Registration and Records operates as the centralized support center for academic advising on campus. Each of the colleges on campus has a designated staff member in Registration and Records who serves as a liaison to support and facilitate faculty advising activities.
Following admission to NDSU, each student is assigned an advisor who is usually a faculty member in the department in which the student is majoring. If a major has not been declared, an assignment is made with a faculty member who serves as an advisor for the College of University Studies. An advisor assists a student in selecting courses to ensure a well-balanced education and helps interpret university and college policies and requirements. However, students are fully responsible for their academic decisions including selecting courses, meeting course requisites, corequisites/prerequisites, and adhering to policies, procedures, and deadlines.
Because of the diverse student population at NDSU, other advisory services are provided to meet special needs. Refer to the sections on Student Programs and Services and Special Instructional Support Programs for descriptions of additional services.
The information provided on this page originated from the NDSU course catalog bulletin
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