Michigan state university college of natural science
The College of Natural Science (NatSci) at Michigan State University is home to 28 academic units serving 5,000 undergraduate majors and nearly 1,000 graduate students in the biological, physical and mathematical sciences.
Contents
- Michigan state university college of natural science
- Departments and Programs
- Graduate Studies
- Professional Science Masters PSM Programs
- Science and Mathematics Teachers
- Undergraduate Majors
- RISE and Drew Scholars
- Student Blog and Advisors
- Study Abroad Study Away
- Research Centers Institutes and Facilities
- Administration
- References
NatSci offers many opportunities for undergraduate students to enhance their education through research projects in labs on campus and field locations throughout the world. Advanced degree programs in the college provide graduate students a forum for interacting with more than 400 faculty and collaborate across traditional boundaries in a wide array of research initiatives ranging from nanotechnology to the origins of the universe and from gene expression to the bioeconomy.
Departments and Programs
Departments
Additional Units
Graduate Studies
Advanced study is available through the following degree programs and specializations:
More information on degrees and advanced studies can be found on the college website.
Professional Science Masters (PSM) Programs
The College of Natural Science offers several PSM Degrees to prepare and train students in technical areas for positions in industry. The PSM is a professional M.S. degree in science or mathematics for students interested in a wider variety of career options than provided by current graduate programs in the sciences and mathematics.
The three areas of program development include:
Industrial advisors offered consultation and guidance in the design of these two-year degrees. This design partnership assures graduates are qualified for positions in business and industry. Students who desire advanced training in a disciplinary area and are interested in a more applied approach will find these degrees attractive.
PSM Programs:
Science and Mathematics Teachers
NatSci offers master's degrees and certificates for science and mathematics teachers. These programs are coordinated with MSU's College of Education. For Mathematics Education, the program is administered by Program for Mathematics Education, or PRIME. For Science Education, the program is administered by the Center for Integrative Studies in General Science, or CISGS, under the "Integrated Science Education" area.
Undergraduate Majors
The College offers both Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees.
Majors in the college include:
RISE and Drew Scholars
Two special undergraduate programs are in place for students: RISE or Residential Initiative on the Study of the Environment is for MSU students interested in stewardship of the environment. RISE provides students a community and curriculum focused on the environment as students get their feet wet and hands dirty applying their knowledge to real problems and projects.
Charles Drew Science Scholars is a program providing academic and social support for high achieving students pursuing science and math degrees, including individuals interested in professional health and science careers, such as, medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, research, pharmacology, optometry, physical therapy, and public health.
Student Blog and Advisors
The NatSci Student Blog provides updates for students from students. The blog post helps keep students informed of upcoming events and other information.
Advising in the college is done for students based upon their degree major. Student are assigned advisors who are faculty in each department: List of Advisors. However, all pre-med and pre-professional health students have their advising done by the NatSci Office of Student Affairs' Pre-Professional Advisors.
Study Abroad, Study Away
NatSci also offers a Study Abroad and Study Away off-campus programs in:
Research Centers, Institutes and Facilities
As a major research institution, the College has a variety of resources available to researchers.
Administration
James Kirkpatrick is dean for the College of Natural Science. He has more than 20 years experience in college administration and served as Executive Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne before joining MSU in 2007. He received his PhD in Geology from UIUC in 1972 and has authored of more than 200 research publications. His research focuses is on the application of high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and computational molecular modeling in geochemistry, mineralogy and materials chemistry.
View the entire NatSci Staff Directory for the Dean's Office.