Kendra Spence Cheruvelil, DEAN
The Lyman Briggs College is a residential college that bridges the sciences and humanities through interdisciplinary teaching and research. It provides students with a fundamental core education in mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics. Additionally, the core program explores the historical, philosophical, and societal issues and impacts related to modern science, technology, the environment, and health sciences. Advanced undergraduate courses in the student’s major are taken in the respective departmental units of the College of Natural Science, College of Engineering, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the University at large. The majority of Lyman Briggs students pursue programs leading to advanced graduate study in the natural sciences, or professional programs related to medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, allied health, education or law. Many other students plan to enter careers in teaching at the secondary level, science writing, product representation, industry, or government service upon completion of their Bachelor of Science degree.As a residential college, Lyman Briggs College has classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, academic advisor offices, and administrative offices located in Holmes Hall, where all first year and many upper-level Lyman Briggs students live and learn. Because of this residential organization, students are able to develop a strong living-learning community identity by integrating academic and personal development, with faculty, staff and their peers in residence. Students are encouraged to balance their academic lives with social, cultural, athletic, service-learning, and leadership opportunities on campus and in the greater East Lansing community.Students admitted to Michigan State University are admissible to Lyman Briggs College based initially on application date. There are no additional academic or program requirements for first-year admissions. Enrollment in the college is limited; therefore, students are encouraged to apply to Michigan State University, select Lyman Briggs as their major, and submit their acceptance fee early. If a student has already submitted an application and they would like to be part of Lyman Briggs College, they should contact the Office of Admissions directly as early as possible.Students work closely with their academic advisors and faculty in developing an individualized academic plan. All students enter the program as ‘no major’ status and may declare a major as early as summer orientation or by the time they have earned 56 credit hours.Lyman Briggs College offers four minors: Bioethics; Science and Society; Entrepreneurship and Innovation; and Science, Technology, Environment, and Public Policy. Students may also elect to choose a minor outside of Lyman Briggs College, as long as they meet the admission criteria for that minor.
Students who are enrolled in the environmental biology/microbiology and microbiology coordinate majors in Lyman Briggs College may elect the Minor in Food Processing and Technology. For additional information, refer to the Minor in Food Processing and Technology statement in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition statement in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources section of this catalog.
Any student who meets the general requirements for admission to the university as shown in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog may enroll in Lyman Briggs College, pending available space.
All students in good academic standing in Lyman Briggs College may transfer at any time to other programs at Michigan State University for which they are eligible, in order to accommodate changing academic needs and interests.
Students who wish to transfer into Lyman Briggs College should contact the Student Success and Advising Office to discuss with a recruiter. Space in Lyman Briggs College is limited.
The Lyman Briggs College program leads to the Bachelor of Science Degree.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Lyman Briggs College
The Minor in Science and Society, which is administered by Lyman Briggs College, is designed to increase students understanding of the epistemological foundations and ethical elements of science while learning more of the history of some areas of science and appreciating the complex ways that science is connected to other social institutions and practices.
The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University. Students majoring in Science and Society in Lyman Briggs College are not eligible for the minor. With the approval of the college, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.
Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor should consult an undergraduate advisor in Lyman Briggs College.
Requirements for the Minor in Science and Society