FAQ

• Does MSE have an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master's program? 

  • Yes. The Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's (ABM) program gives NC State's top-performing undergraduate Materials Science and Engineering students the opportunity to earn an additional master's degree in one year. The major benefit is that up to four graduate courses (12 credit hours) taken while the student is still an undergraduate may be counted towards both their bachelor's degree and master's degree.

  • Students are eligible to apply after completing 75 hours (recommended fall of junior year). Learn more here.

• Are both the thesis and non-thesis master's program a part of the ABM program?

  • Yes. Students should review the graduate degree choices when they apply for the ABM Program: 

    • Master of Science MSE degree (thesis)  

    • Master of Materials Science and Engineering (MMSE) degree (non-thesis, course-only master’s degree)

• How can I find out whether I am suspended or on academic warning?

  • Log into MyPack Portal > Student Homepage > Planning and Enrollment tile > Advising Dashboard.

  • Students can view their academic status by clicking ‘View’ next to their academic standing (Good Standing, Academic Warning, or Academic Suspension) under the Academic Indicators section of the Advising Dashboard.

• I have been notified I am on academic warning and need to meet with my advisor. What should I do?

  • Bring a copy of an academic advisement form to your academic advisor. Be sure to fill out the top box before you come.

  • Failure to follow these steps will result in a hold on your account that prevents registration for the next semester.

• When does pre-registration advising begin?

  • MSE pre-registration advising typically begins the day after the schedule for the next term is published and the shopping cart opens. Watch for emails from your academic advisor with specific dates. 

  • You can check the date the shopping cart opens on the academic calendar. It is typically after Fall Break (for spring registration) and after Spring break (for fall registration).

  • Check the university registration calendar for official enrollment dates and verify your enrollment date in MyPack Portal.

•  How do I get advised?

  • Follow the instructions in the email from your advisor to schedule a pre-registration advising appointment through Navigate. Appointments are 15 minutes and can be done virtually or in person. 

  • For your advising appointment, you MUST come prepared with your Pack Planner up to date through a minimum of the following semester and the courses you are interested in taking in your shopping cart. If you have not looked at the schedule of classes before your appointment, you will be asked to reschedule. 

  • Note: Your “term advising hold” will NOT be removed until after you complete registration advising. 

• I have a hold on my account that is preventing me from registering. How can I get the hold removed?

  • Determine what kind of hold you have, they fall into 4 main categories and the error message should give you an idea of which type of hold you have:

    1. Advising/registration hold: Follow the MSE advising instructions.

    2. Academic warning hold: Complete an academic advisement report and bring it to your adviser.

    3. Non-payment/cashier’s office hold: Late payments for tuition or student health services. Payment must be made to the University Cashier’s office before the hold can be released.

    4. Student conduct hold: Academic integrity or student conduct violation. Contact the Office of Student Conduct for more information.

Learn more on the Pre-Registration Advising webpage

• Whether you want to discuss the courses you are currently enrolled in, planning out your degree, or just want to talk about how to get involved, you are always welcome to make an appointment with the academic advisor. 

• It is recommended that you speak with the advisor before making course changes that could affect your degree audit, such as: 

  • Enrolling in courses not discussed in your pre-registration advising meeting

  • Dropping a class

  • Using a grade exclusion

• To make an appointment, use the GPS app or website. Be sure to include the reason for the meeting in the comments. 

• When in doubt, send an email! Advising can also be conducted via email if it is just a quick question.

• I need to reserve a classroom for a student organization-related event. Who should I contact?

  • Please contact Ms. Edna Deas with all room reservation requests.

• Prerequisites are enforced for all MSE courses. See the course catalog to review prerequisites. 

• Prerequisite means the class must be taken before.

  • Example: MSE 445.

  • Fred must pass MSE 370 before being able to take MSE 445. MSE 445 cannot be taken at the same time or before MSE 370.

• Corequisite means you need to have completed the class for a grade before or take the class at the same time.

  • Example: MSE 260

  • Fred takes MSE 260 and MA 242 at the same time OR Fred takes MA 242 in the Fall and then takes MSE 260 in the Spring.

• What is the difference between a co-op and an internship, and when is the best time to apply for one?

  • A co-op is a structured, university-approved work program designed to allow students to alternate semesters of school and paid work in their field of study. During semesters of work, students enroll in a zero-credit co-op class (COP ***) that allows them to maintain continuous enrollment. Co-op generally requires one extra year in school to complete the program, and the time spent working can be applied toward a professional engineering license. For more information about co-op, visit the co-op website. Students should apply for the co-op program after they have applied for CODA and officially joined the MSE program.

  • An internship is a short-term job in the student’s field of study. Students normally apply for internships on their own, just like a regular job. Most students who choose to intern do so during the summer. Since there is no internship program offered through the university, a student who interns during a regular semester is considered withdrawn from school and must reapply to return the next semester. This can be avoided by taking at least one course from NC State while interning, on-campus or via distance education (non-MSE courses only). Internships CANNOT be applied toward a professional engineering license. Students may intern any time.

• Is there a course that will help me prepare for the fundamental of engineering (FE) exam, and is the class required to take the exam?

  • The FE preparation course is E 490.

  • E 490 is not required to take the FE exam.

  • More information about the FE exam can be found here.

• Where can I find help planning out my remaining courses to make sure I graduate on time?

  • Each student is strongly encouraged to plan their path to graduation by using the Pack Planner tool in MyPack Portal. You can load a suggested plan, view the terms offered, requisites, and descriptions of courses. Your advisor can view your plan as well. 

  • Use your degree audit as your guide for planning courses.

    • If you want to deviate from the suggested sequence of courses in the degree audit, be sure you will meet prerequisites for future courses.

    • Most MSE classes (except MSE 201) are only offered one time each year.

  • MSE Advising Handbook

• Which courses in the MSE curriculum can be taken for credit only?

  • E 115 and HES courses can be taken for credit only.

  • All other courses, including general education requirements, must be graded.

• I have courses listed under non-degree that are substitutes for degree requirements. How can I move these courses in my degree audit? 

  • Course substitutions can be done by the academic advisor during an advising appointment. 

  • Substitutions can only be done for courses that have a grade or are in progress. Planned courses do not meet degree requirements until they are in progress.

  • If concerned about substitution validity please speak with your academic advisor

• I have less than 12 credit hours that are required for me to take this semester. Can I take a non-degree course to get to 12 hours for financial aid? 

  • For financial aid purposes, all courses must be counted towards your degree. Learn more on the financial aid website. 

  • Talk to your financial aid advisor. Financial aid is calculated based on your enrollment on census date. Estimates for financial aid before that time may not catch if you are enrolled in a non-degree course. 

• What electives do I have to take as an MSE major? How do they differ with the concentrations? 

  • All MSE students have to take 1 processing elective

  • MSE (BS) (no concentration) students take 1 engineering elective and 3 technical electives. 

  • MSE (BS): Biomaterials Concentration students take 2 biomaterials electives, MSE 485, and BIO 183

  • MSE (BS): Nanomaterials Concentration students take MSE 465, 1 nanomaterials concentration elective, 1 engineering elective, and 1 technical elective

• What are the differences between distance education and regular classes?

  • Distanced Education course sections are always numbered 60* and are reserved for online students. Registration requests for MSE DE courses must be submitted to Engineering Online (EOL). 

  • Students are not required to come to campus for distance education courses, except for some exams. Exam accommodations can be made for students out of state.

  • Distance education tuition varies depending on the session in which the course is taken. Check the NC State Student Services website for pricing.

  • Distance education courses meet curriculum requirements the same as regular courses.

  • Some on-campus courses are listed as “internet” courses and are coded 64*. These ARE NOT distance education courses; they are regular courses that will be administered online. They will be billed as regular courses.

• Can I take more than 18 credit hours in a regular semester or 9 credit hours in a 5-week summer session? 

  • Approval of course load waivers is done on a case-by-case basis. To request a waiver, email your MSE academic advisor. 

• What is the recommended course load?

  • Students who are employed on a regular basis or who have time-consuming extracurricular activities are advised to reduce their course loads to a manageable level.  Note that 12 credit hours is the minimum course load for full-time status. Check for tax, insurance, dormitory, financial aid, and other benefits and privileges which may depend upon full-time status.   

Adjustments for part-time job or other regular obligation or commitment:

Job (or other)  -  Recommended to

GPA - Recommended Credit Hours       Hrs/Week         Reduce Credit Hours By:

1.8 - 12 credits 5 hrs/week   -   2 credits

2.0 - 14 credits 10 hrs/week  -   3 credits

2.2 - 15 credits 15 hrs/week  -   4-5 credits

2.5 - 16 credits 20 hrs/week  -   6 credits

3.0 - 17 credits 25 hrs/week  -   6-8 credits

3.5 - 18 credits 30 hrs/week  -   7-9 credits

For 19, 20, or 21 credits, 35 hrs/week  -   8-10 credits

advisor approval is required.

• How do I get into a full class?

  • First, get on the waitlist if you can. Note that waitlists are closed on the first day of class and deleted on the last day to add a class.

  • Attend the first day and see if there is room and the instructor is willing to take extra students into the class.

  • For non-MSE courses, ask the instructor for an appropriate contact person in his/her department for manual addition.

• Can my MSE advisor help me get into non-MSE courses?

  • No. Only administrators in the department offering a course can add or remove students from classes in that department.

• How can I get into a class outside of the MSE department that is restricted?

  • When there are open seats in a course that are reserved for specific majors, you may attend class the first day and ask the instructor for permission to have one of the restricted seats.

  • If instructor approval is required, use a schedule revision form to add the course to your schedule. This form requires the instructor’s signature.

  • If the course restriction says departmental approval required, you may contact the instructor to find out who in the department can grant permission (permission must come from the department teaching the class).

• Can I take a graduate level course to fulfill an undergraduate requirement? Can I use this course in graduate school too? 

  • Students with GPA > 3.5 may enroll in a graduate course with permission from the course instructor assuming all pre- and co-requisites have been met.

  • Students should be careful with this, however, as a graduate course cannot be used to satisfy both undergraduate and graduate requirements unless you are in the ABM program.

  • If you enroll in the Accelerated Bachelors to Masters (ABM) program, you can count up to 12 hrs of undergraduate work towards a Masters degree. If interested, please contact ABM advisors for the specialty area of interest. 

• Can I be enrolled in fewer than 12 credit hours during the last semester of my undergraduate degree?

  • Students who are enrolled in the final courses required to complete their undergraduate degree during a regular semester are permitted to take fewer than 12 credit hours and still be considered full time

  • Students who receive financial aid must check with the NC State Financial Aid Office or their provider to make sure requirements are met for continuation of aid

  • See the official university policy on course load here: http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-20-05

• I want to take ENG 331 next semester when I am a junior, but I cannot sign up for the class because of the junior standing restriction. What should I do?

  • The English department does not make exceptions to this restriction

  • Take ENG 331 later on. It doesn’t matter when, since it is not a prerequisite for any other course.

• What are the GEP requirements for the MSE curriculum?

  • All engineering students are required to take seven GEP courses (21 credit hours total) from several different categories.

  • For MSE students, 3 of the 21 credit hours must be an ethics course. The Ethics course is a verify requirement so it can be double-counted with a Humanities or Interdisciplinary Perspectives requirement. See the Ethics elective options here. Note: PHI 227: Data Ethics is a new course so it is not on the list yet but will still fulfill the Ethics requirement. 

  • GEP courses must be taken for a grade with the exception of HES courses, which can be taken as S/U. 

  • Your degree audit will be the most accurate resource of approved GEP courses.

• I took two history (HI) classes for the humanities requirements. Why is one showing up in the non-degree category? 

  • According to the university guidelines for GEP courses, students must take two humanities from different colleges (i.e. not both HI).

• How does the grade exclusion policy work?

  • Undergraduate students may select up to two NC State courses with posted letter grades of C- or below to be excluded from calculation of their cumulative grade point average.  Unsuccessful audits or credit-only attempts are not eligible for exclusion. Read the full policy here: https://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-20-16/. 

  • Grades excluded under previous university regulations (such as First Year Course Repeat or Course Repeat Without Penalty) count toward the maximum two courses allowed for exclusion.

  • Once a grade exclusion is applied to a course, the grade points and the credit hours attempted and earned on the course will be removed from the calculation of the cumulative grade point average and from the calculation of the total hours attempted.

  • The course title and grade for the course will be shown on the official record with a notation to indicate the grade was excluded from the computation of the cumulative grade point average. Note: Graduate and professional schools will often recalculate your GPA

  • Excluded courses cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements.

  • Grade exclusions must be posted prior to a student applying for graduation.  Grade exclusions cannot be invoked after a baccalaureate degree has been conferred upon the student by NC State.

  • Once a grade exclusion is posted, the student cannot remove the exclusion or change it to another course at a later date.

  • Grade exclusions cannot be applied to courses in which the student was found to have committed academic misconduct.

• How many times can I repeat the same course?

  • The university allows only two repeats of the same course if a grade of C- or lower is earned.

  • Students must receive permission from Dr. Dave Parish, Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, to take a course for the third time.

  • Courses in which a grade of C or better is earned cannot be repeated.

• I am repeating a course that has a corresponding lab. Do I need to retake the lab, as well?

  • If the lab is separate from the class and has any credit hours associated with it, you do not have to retake the lab

  • If the lab is zero credits and part of the class, you must retake the lab with the class

Standard NC State Numerical Grading Scale: 

A+  97 < 100

A    93 < 96.999

A-   90 < 92.999

B+  87 < 89.999

B    83 < 86.999

B-   80 < 82.999

C+  77 < 79.999

C    73 < 76.999

C-   70 < 75.999

D+  67< 69.999

D    63 < 66.999

D-   60 < 62.999

F     0 < 59.999

https://oucc.dasa.ncsu.edu/courses/syllabi-for-faculty/ 

Grades and Grade Point Average Policy - https://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-50-03/ 

• Can I take a graduate level course to fulfill an undergraduate requirement? Can I use this course in graduate school too? 

• Students with GPA > 3.5 may enroll in a graduate course with permission from the course instructor assuming all pre- and co-requisites have been met.

• Students should be careful with this, however, as a graduate course cannot be used to satisfy both undergraduate and graduate requirements unless you are in the ABM program.

• If you enroll in the Accelerated Bachelors to Masters (ABM) program, you can count up to 12 hrs of undergraduate work towards a Masters degree. If interested, please contact ABM advisors for the specialty area of interest. 

• How and when do I apply for graduation?

  • Apply for graduation no later than the beginning of the semester or summer session in which you are completing the last courses you need to finish your curriculum requirements

  • There is one simple step for graduation check-out: Submit a graduation request in MyPack Portal

  • Once you have applied for graduation, you will receive email communications from the university and department about graduation-related details

• Where and when are the departmental and university graduation ceremonies?

  • Information about the university graduation ceremony can be found here.

  • Information about the MSE graduation ceremony can be found here.

• I am interested in applying for graduate school in the MSE department. How can I find out more information?

  • See the MSE Graduate Education website page for information.

• I’m not sure what my GPA will be when I graduate, so which honors stole should I purchase?

  • Academic honors are designated at Commencement based on the GPA that you enter into your final term with, as final grades are not calculated until after Commencement. If your GPA is a 3.48 when entering your final term, you will be recognized as graduating Cum Laude until final grades are calculated.

• I'm finishing courses in Summer Term I or Summer Term II, when can I participate in the MSE Department Graduation? 

  • Summer Term I Graduates: Are eligible to participate in the Spring department graduation before finishing course(s) with department approval. 

  • Summer Term II Graduates: Are eligible to participate in the following spring department graduation after completing their final term. 

• I received an email notifying me that I am on progress toward degree warning. What does this mean?

  • Progress toward degree warning means you are not progressing in your degree as required by the university (e.g., taking too many non-curriculum courses, repeating courses too many times, poor grades, etc.).

  • Students who do not show improvement after one semester or fail to meet with their academic advisor will be expelled from the MSE department and switched to the internal transition (TRU) program.

  • Familiarize yourself with the university policy on progress toward degree.

• What is a good minor to complement my MSE major?

  • The most popular minors for MSE students include mathematics and physics because some required courses can double count as MSE technical electives.

  • A minor in business administration is helpful for students who plan to get an MBA.

  • For more information visit the NC State Minors website.

• How do I declare a minor?

  • The minor declaration process is now a part of the CODA application process in MyPack Portal. Instructions can be found on the NC State Student Services website. 

  • The minor audit will appear under “Degree Audit” in MyPack and will be designated on your official transcript at the same time your degree is conferred.

  • Keep in mind: 

    • Steps may differ based on the student’s current progress toward degree.

    • If you have not met the minimum requirements for program admission (see below), you will not be allowed to complete the application.

    • If you have applied to graduate with a major degree, you will be asked whether to add this minor to the application to graduate for the given major.

• I want to add/drop a course after the last day to add/drop. Can I do this?

  • Check university deadlines for adding/dropping courses each semester.

  • Late course additions must be approved by the instructor of the course and the College of Engineering. A schedule revision request  should be submitted to add a course.

  • Late course drops are permitted only under certain extenuating circumstances. A schedule revision request must be submitted. An explanation that justifies the request and provides supporting documentation is required (doctor’s notes, counseling center notes, etc.).

  • Students who have a legitimate reason for dropping a course after the deadline should first consult the University Counseling Center.

  • Familiarize yourself with the university policy on late drops (withdrawals).

• How do I apply for scholarships, and what are my odds of receiving one?

  • Students should complete the online scholarship eligibility form to apply for all COE and MSE scholarships.

  • MSE and COE scholarships are awarded only to students who have formally joined the MSE program through the CODA process.

  • About 15% of MSE students received some type of COE or MSE scholarship.

  • Odds of receiving a scholarship vary by year. GPA (cumulative and major), financial need, personal statement, and classification are strongly weighted in the awarding process.

  • Availability of funds determines the number and amount of new scholarships awarded each year.

  • Learn more about MSE scholarships

• Having trouble with a particular class? Feeling disconnected from your department or degree program? Having technical issues? Experiencing mental health concerns? Considering S/U or dropping? In need of emergency resources? Check here.

• Strategies for success

• You should have NON-NC State courses PRE APPROVED PRIOR to the Study Abroad experience to receive credit.

• The requisite form is available on the NC State Study Abroad webpage and should be submitted to the director of undergraduate programs for approval.

• Study Abroad Credits and Transfer Credits

• Study Abroad Approval Form

• Are MSE courses offered during the summer?

  • Currently, the only MSE undergraduate level courses offered over the summer are MSE 200 and MSE 201.

• Do I have to enroll in summer courses?

  • Summer school is optional. Students who wish to take summer classes may take classes at NC State or they may take them at another institution and transfer those credits back to NC State.

  • NC State offers summer classes both on campus and through Distance Education classes during the:

    1. 3-week Maymester

    2. 5- week Summer I

    3. 5-week Summer II

    4. 10-week classes spanning Summer I and II

  • Maymester, Summer I, and 10-week classes can all be found in the “Summer I” shopping cart.

  • A student’s term advisement hold for summer is cleared at the same time they are advised for Spring, but students should always consult with their academic advisor before making final decisions about summer classes.

  • Students who take a summer class elsewhere should first review the FAQ on Transfer Classes. Every institution has different requirements, but students will likely have to:

  • Apply to that school as a visiting student

  • Earn a criterion grade in the class

  • After the class has been completed, and a grade is posted, send an official transcript to NC State’s Undergraduate Admissions office for processing

• I have taken or plan to take a course at another college that I intend to transfer to meet one of my MSE requirements. How can I make sure the course will transfer (This includes study abroad)?

  • First, check the database of pre-approved transfer courses. If the course does not appear on either list, it will have to be evaluated for equivalency.

  • You must provide a complete syllabus or comprehensive list of covered topics for evaluation. These materials should be submitted to the department responsible for the course that you intend to substitute.

  • Contact Dr. Kim Roberts (kim_roberts@ncsu.edu) (study abroad students contact Mr. Brian Koehler koehler@ncsu.edu) in 120 Page Hall for help locating departmental representatives who can evaluate your transfer course if it is outside of MSE. 

  • To transfer your course to NC State, have an official copy of your transcript sent to the NC State Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

• I am a transfer student. Do I need to take E 101 and/or E 102?

  • E 101 – Transfer students usually have extra transfer credits that can be used to cover E 101

  • E 102 – No, but you may need to take a substitute course from the GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives category

  • Contact engineering@ncsu.edu if you are unsure whether you have transfer credits to cover E 101 and E 102

• I am interested in doing undergraduate research. How do I get started?

  • If you are doing well in your classes and have time for outside activities, then undergraduate research may be for you. It is an excellent experience that prepares you for higher education.

  • The best way to get started is to look through the faculty profile pages and select a few faculty who work on research topics of interest to you. Contact the faculty members of interest (include a short statement about yourself and your resume in an email) and ask them about the availability of undergraduate research opportunities.

  • Opportunities may also be announced via email.

• Can I receive course credit for doing research? 

  • Yes. To receive academic credit for the research project work, students must enroll in MSE 495 (1-6 credits).  MSE 495 can count as an engineering elective toward your degree. 

  • For MSE 495, typically 10/hrs per week or 150 hours total over the course of the semester are required, along with a written technical report and an oral presentation to the research group, in order to earn 3 credit hours. 

  • Before enrolling in the course, you must complete the MSE 495 Registration Form with your faculty advisor and submit it to Ms. Stone. 

  • Note: You cannot get paid and receive credit in the same semester. 

  • Learn More on the MSE Undergraduate website. 

• I plan to or have withdrawn from NC State. Will the credits I’ve already earned expire, and how can I re-enroll if I decide to return?

  • The credits you earn at NCSU do not have an expiration date.

  • A student who withdraws in good standing (GPA 2.0 or higher) may return any time.

  • Students who withdraw before the start of a regular semester or summer term need only to drop all of their courses before census day to be considered withdrawn for that term

  • Students who wish to drop all their courses after census day can request a term withdrawal via the MyPack Portal. Supporting documentation (doctor’s notes, counseling center notes, etc.) will be required.

  • More information regarding late term withdrawals can be found here

  • The readmission guidelines and procedures can be found here

• How do I completely withdraw from courses for a semester (or longer)?

  • If you plan to complete the current semester but do not plan to enroll during the following semester, simply do not register for any courses. You will be considered withdrawn from the university effective census day of the semester in which you are not enrolled.

  • Students who wish to drop all their courses after census day can request a term withdrawal via the MyPack Portal. Supporting documentation (doctor’s notes, counseling center notes, etc.) will be required.

  • More information regarding late term withdrawals can be found here