At Washington State University students must declare a major to continue into upper-division courses, most MME 300 and 400 level courses require a declared engineering major.
Academic Regulations
53. CERTIFICATION OF A MAJOR
Upon completion of 24 semester hours, and meeting department, program, or school certification requirements, a student may certify in an academic major with the approval of the appropriate academic department, program, or school, and upon notification to the Student Advising and Learning Center. Departments, programs, or schools may require additional criteria beyond the minimum 24 hours for certification and a grade point average higher than the minimum of 2.00. Typically, students with 60 or more semester hours should be certified into a major. Consult the catalog for specific certification requirements.
MSE Requirments
- The School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering will establish the total number of students (to be certified into the materials science engineering program for the year).
- Students should notify their MSE advisor when they complete the following six courses: Math 171, Math 172, Chem 105, Chem 106, Phys 201, and Engl 101.
- The applicants will be selected for certification using the following criteria: (a) average g.p.a in the seven courses stated in item 2; (b) overall g.p.a; (c) current semester's g.p.a.; (d) transfer g.p.a, if available. Only final grades will be used in this ranking, but repeated grades will be noted.
- The following additional information will be considered in the selection of the last 20% of available spaces: (a) grades in additional engineering, science or mathematics courses; (b) pattern of repeat grades; (c) work experience; (d) statement of interest in materials science and engineering.
- Transfer students will be considered using the same criteria and additional considerations as Washington State University students.
- Students with a less than 2.00 overall g.p.a. or average g.p.a. of the courses listed in item 2 will not be certified except in rare cases as shown in 9
- Students who are deficient under the University's Educational policies & Procedures, Rules 37, 38, and 39 are subject to
decertification. The undergraduate studies committee will determine the eligibility and probation conditions for
decertified students to request reconsideration for recertification. In general, students who are deficient for two
consecutive semesters will not be recertified.
Rules 37 through 40 - WSU Educational Policies and Procedures.
- An undergraduate student who has a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher but whose grade point average in each of the last two consecutive semesters is below 2.00 will be deficient and must apply to the Office of Academic Standing for reinstatement. Certified majors must have the permission of their major departments to retain certification. Students decertified under this rule will be permitted to enroll in courses normally reserved for certified majors during the next semester of their enrollment. In cases of repeat enrollments, Rule 34 applies. (Faculty Senate 5/17/84)
- An undergraduate who at the end of any semester has failed to maintain a 2.00 cumulative grade point average will be dropped and must have the permission of the Academic Standing to re-enroll. A certified major who at the end of any semester has failed to maintain a 2.00 cumulative grade point average in major courses may be dropped (decertified) from the major. (See Rule 56) (Faculty Senate 2/23/78)
- An undergraduate student who at the end of two consecutive semesters has failed to maintain a 2.00 cumulative grade point average will normally not be reinstated.
- Appeals will be considered only when there are unusual extenuating circumstances and must be submitted in writing to Academic Standing.
- Decertified students who are eligible for recertification may request to be recertified after they fulfill their probation conditions.
- Additional Criteria that may be considered for students who do not meet the minimum g.p.a. and would like to appeal to
be certified or re-certified are:
- Extended work experience, training or skills (equivalent to more than two years of full-time employment) which indicate a career commitment. Summer and part-time work will normally not be considered.
- Academic problems due to inadequate preparation, obligations, or personal misfortune, which are no longer likely to affect the student's performance.
- Academic hardships due to delay in certification, if no alternative exists.
Petitions for consideration of additional criteria should be addressed to the School Director. They should be accompanied by documentation from doctors, employers, instructors, or other professionals when necessary to establish personal/academic experiences or problems. The Undergraduate Studies Committee will meet at least once each semester to make the final decision on these petitions.
An example of Old energy, MME is working to develop new energy sources.