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Academic Advising

Academic advisors know the policies, procedures and details of their programs. Consult an academic advisor for information on:

  • Academic programs,
  • Degree requirements,
  • Career options,
  • Course selection,
  • Secondary fields of study, and
  • Extra-curricular activities.

Academic Forms

 

Outstanding Academic Advisor Award

Help MSU acknowledges advisors who demonstrate excellence in providing useful educational and career advice. Students are encouraged to nominate their advisors  for the Outstanding Academic Advisor Award.

 

 

Directory of Academic Advisors for CNS Majors

Undergraduate students should consult with the advisor associated with their degree major. Each department handles advising differently, so contact the advisor listed for specific details.

Preprofessional advisors are available through the CNS Academic Student Affairs Office to consult with preprofessional students (pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-optometry, and other human health care programs, except nursing).

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Mary Villarreal, Undergraduate Secretary (she assigns students a faculty advisor)
105 Biochemistry, phone (517) 353-8949

Biological Science – Interdepartmental

Schedule with Karen Reynolds using the Advising Appointment System (listed under “Natural Science”)
108 Natural Science, phone (517) 353-9833

Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics

Schedule appointment with the Advising Appointment System.

Dr. Susan McQuiston
(advising for Medical Technology and Clinical Lab Sciences)

Ms. Lindsy Hengesbach
(advising for Medical Technology & Diagnostic Molecular Science)

Dr. Kathy Hoag

Dr. David Thorne
(advises juniors and seniors seeking internships and graduate studies)

Chemistry

Dr. Steve Poulios
119 Chemistry Building, phone (517) 355-9715 ext. 332

Dr. Mike Rathke
589 Chemistry Building, phone (517) 355-9715 ext. 150

Drew Program

Dr. Jerry Caldwell, Director
G48 Hubbard Hall, phone (517) 355-5174

Earth Science

Dr. Kaz Fujita
14 Natural Science, phone (517) 355-0142

Environmental Studies Specialization and RISE (Residential Initiative on the Study of the Environment)

Dr. Laurie Thorp
G47 Hubbard, phone (517) 432-4944

Geological Sciences

Email geosci@msu.edu for an advising appointment or call (517) 355-4626
206 Natural Science

Human Biology (Including Human Biology preprofessional students and Human Biology Honors College students)

Schedule an appointment using the Advising Appointment System (listed under “Natural Science)

Ms. Heidi Purdy – Human Bio Honors College and preprofessional advising for Human Biology majors

Natalie Clark – Non Honors College, first and second year Human Biology majors
108 Natural Science, phone (517) 432-2381

Mathematics

Check the Math website for a list of math majors and advisors.

Dr. Pavel Sikorskii
A212 Wells Hall, phone (517) 355-9683

Microbiology and Molecular Genetics

Dr. Scott Mulrooney
2215 Biomedical Physical Sciences, phone (517) 884-5293

Natural Science – No Preference

Schedule an appointment with Mr. Mo Gerhardt using the Advising Appointment System (listed under “Natural Science”)
108 Natural Science, phone (517) 353-7153

Physical Science – Interdepartmental

Schedule an appointment with Ms. Karen Reynolds using the Advising Appointment System (listed under “Natural Science”)
108 Natural Science, phone (517) 353-9833

Physics and Astronomy

Dr. Dan Stump
1312 Biomedical Physical Sciences, phone (517) 884-5561

Physiology

Dr. Richard Miksicek
2240B Biomedical Physical Sciences, phone (517) 884-5120

Plant Biology

Dr. Diane Ebert-May
270 Plant Biology, phone (517) 432-7171

Preprofessional Advisors (for Premedical, Preoptometry, Predental, Prepharmacy, etc.)

Ms. Janae Currington
108 Natural Science, phone (517) 353-8951
Schedule appointment with Advising Appointment System (listed under “Natural Science”)

Mr. Mo Gerhardt
108 Natural Science, phone (517) 353-7153
Schedule appointment with Advising Appointment System (listed under “Natural Science”).

Ms. Heidi Purdy - Preprofessional Human Biology Majors Only
108 Natural Science, phone (517) 432-2381
Schedule appointment with Advising Appointment System (listed under “Natural Science”).

Preprofessional Peer Advisors - Scheduling assistance for freshman preprofessional students (not in the Honors College) and freshman Human Biology majors.  PPAs can answer preprofessional questions for students at any level.
108 Natural Science, phone (517) 884-6841
Schedule an appointment with the Advising Appointment System (listed under “Natural Science”).

Ms. Debra Dotterer – Preprofessional advising Honors ONLY for surnames A-L.
Call for an appointment
106 Natural Science, phone (517) 355-4470

Ms. Karen Reynolds – Preprofessional advising Honors ONLY for surnames M-Z
108 Natural Science, phone (517) 353-9833
Schedule an appointment with the Advising Appointment System (listed under “Natural Science”).

Statistics and Probability

Dr. Vincent Melfi
421A Wells Hall, phone (517) 355-9589

 Zoology

Schedule appointment with the Advising Appointment System.

Mr. Jim Harding
(Zoology (BS) juniors and seniors in these programs:  Ecology, Evolution & Organismal Biology concentration; and Environmental Biology/Zoology)

Dr. Sue Hill
(Zoology (BS) juniors and seniors with concentrations in General Zoology; Animal Behavior & Neurobiology; Ecology, Evolution & Organismal Biology; Marine Biology; and Cell & Developmental Biology)

Mr.Will Kopachik
(Zoology (BS) juniors and seniors with concentrations in Cell and Developmental Biology;  General Zoology; and Genetics)

Dr. Richard Snider
(Zoology (BS) juniors and seniors in these programs: Environmental Biology/Zoology; and concentrations in Zoo & Aquarium Science; and Genetics. Dr. Snider also approves substitutions, internships, independent study credits, certifies degree completion for Zoology majors, manages the Zoology BS/MS program and is the initial department contact for professorial assistants.)

Ms. Priscilla Walker
(Freshmen and sophomores in any Zoology degree, as well as prospective Zoology majors)