Academic Programs Catalog

1. Complete one of the following:
   a. Mathematics 101 and 102.
   b. Mathematics 103 or (Mathematics 103A and 103B) and Mathematics 101.
   c. Mathematics 103 or (Mathematics 103A and 103B) and Mathematics 102.
   Students who waive Mathematics 103 via the Mathematics Placement Exam need only complete one course from 1.a. to fulfill the University Mathematics requirement.
2. Complete both of the following:
   a. Mathematics 103 or (Mathematics 103A and 103B) or Mathematics 101 or 102; and
   b. Statistics and Probability 200 or 201
   Students who place directly into Statistics and Probability 200 or 201 need only to complete one course from 2.b. to fulfill the university Mathematics requirement.
3. Complete both of the following:
   a. Mathematics 103 or (Mathematics 103A and 103B); and
   b. One of the following courses: Mathematics 114, 124, 132, 152H, or 201.
   Students who place into any course in 3.b. via the Mathematics Placement Exam need only complete the course in 3.b. to fulfill the university Mathematics requirement.
4. Complete one of the following:
   a. Mathematics 116 or Lyman Briggs 117.
5. Waiver through a proctored Mathematics Placement Exam yielding a score resulting in placement in Mathematics 132 (calculus). For additional information, refer to the statement on Academic Placement Tests – Mathematics (Algebra) in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog.

Each student must complete the university's writing program requirements as follows:

1. The Tier I writing requirement that consists of either a. or b. below.
   1. one of the following 4-credit Tier I writing courses during the first year: Writing, Rhetoric and American Cultures 101 or 195H; or
   2. the developmental writing courses: Writing, Rhetoric and American Cultures 0102 and 1004 and one 4-credit Tier I writing course during the first year. 
2. Based on the English placement mechanism, a student may be  required to complete the developmental writing courses prior to enrolling in a Tier I writing course.  The developmental writing courses are administered by the Department of Writing, Rhetoric and American Cultures.  For additional information, refer to the statement on Academic Placement Tests.
3. First-year students who have taken the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in English should consult the statement on Academic Placement Tests. Transfer students should consult the statement on Transfer Student Admission.
4. For students who are enrolled in James Madison College, the completion of James Madison College 111 or 112 satisfies the university Tier I writing requirement.
   
   For students who are enrolled in Lyman Briggs College, the completion of Lyman Briggs 133 satisfies the university Tier I writing requirement.
   
   For students who are enrolled in the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities, the completion of Residential College in the Arts and Humanities 111 satisfies the university Tier I writing requirement.
5. The Tier II writing requirement for the student's academic major and degree program.  This requirement involves writing in the student's discipline and is met by completing either:
   1. one or more 300–400 level Tier II writing courses as specified for the student's academic major and degree program, or
   2. a cluster of 300–400 level courses that involve writing experiences and that are approved as the Tier II writing requirement for the student's academic major and degree program.

Integrative Studies is an important component of Michigan State University’s approach to liberal general education, offering a core curriculum that complements specialized work by students in their majors.  Integrative Studies courses integrate multiple ways of knowing and modes of inquiry and introduce students to important ways of thinking in the three core knowledge areas: the Arts and Humanities, the Biological  and Physical Sciences, and the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences. They assist students during their study to develop as more critical thinkers.  They also encourage appreciation of our humanity and creativity,  human cultural diversity, the power of knowledge, and our responsibilities for ourselves and for our world.

Courses in Michigan State University’s Integrative Studies Program are aimed at developing intellectual abilities, including critical thinking and interpretive skills.  They help increase knowledge about other times, places, and cultures, key ideas and issues in human experience, and the scientific method and its usefulness in understanding the natural and social worlds.  They are expected to enhance appreciation of the role of knowledge, and of values and ethics, in understanding human behavior and solving social problems.  Finally, they help students recognize responsibilities and opportunities associated with democratic citizenship and with living in an increasingly interconnected, interdependent world.

The Center for Integrative Studies in the Arts and Humanities in the College of Arts and Letters has primary responsibility for the Arts and Humanities area of Integrative Studies at Michigan State University.

The Center for Integrative Studies in General Sciences in the College of Natural Sciences has primary responsibility for Integrative Studies courses in the Biological and Physical Sciences at Michigan State University.

The Center for Integrative Studies in the Social Sciences in the College of Social Science has primary responsibility for Integrative Studies courses in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences at Michigan State University.

The completion of a minimum of 24 credits in Integrative Studies is required for each student. 

Each student must earn at least the specified number of Integrative Studies credits in each of the following three areas:  Arts and Humanities (8 credits); Biological and Physical Sciences (8 credits); and Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (8 credits).

1. In the Arts and Humanities area, students must complete one IAH course numbered below 211 and one other IAH course numbered 211 or higher. Completion of the Tier I writing requirement is the prerequisite for any IAH course below 211. Any IAH course below 211 serves as the prerequisite for any IAH course numbered 211 or higher.
2. In the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences area, students must complete a sequence of two courses:  one 200–level course and one 300–level course. The 200–level course is the prerequisite for the 300–level course.
3. In the Biological and Physical Sciences area, each student must complete 8 credits.  The 8 credits consist of 3 credits in Biological Sciences, 3 credits in Physical Sciences, and a 2–credit laboratory experience, taken concurrently with one of the courses. Completion of a defined level of mathematics is a prerequisite for courses in both the biological and physical sciences.
   
   3.1. The Biological and Physical Sciences requirement may be met by alternative courses approved for specific academic major and degree programs for students enrolled in those programs.
   
   3.2. A student who changes from a major having approved alternative courses in Biological and Physical Sciences to a major which requires the regular Integrative Studies sequence will be given credit for the alternative courses already completed.

Many of the courses in the Arts and Humanities area and in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences area, emphasize national diversity (designated "N" at the end of the course title), or international and multicultural diversity (designated "I" at the end of the course title).  Some courses emphasize both national diversity, and international and multicultural diversity (designated "D" at the end of the course title).  Students must include at least one "N" course and one "I"  course in their Integrative Studies programs.  A "D" course may meet either an "N" or an "I" requirement, but not both.