How to Get an Override

An override is permission to enroll in a class under special circumstances. An override could be given, for example, for access to a locked section of a class. If you have not completed the prerequisite cours(s), you are NOT likely to receive an override. More on prerequisites and locked sections.

NOTE: An override only reserves a space for you. It does NOT enroll you in the course. Once you have been told that your override has been processed, YOU MUST THEN GO INTO THE COMPUTER ENROLLMENT SYSTEM AND ADD THE COURSE TO YOUR SCHEDULE.

ZOL 341, Fundamental Genetics

ZOL 341 any semester:

Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis using the University enrollment system (Schedule of Courses).
ENROLL ASAP at your assigned enrollment time / date to be sure you get a seat. Find your time / date in STUINFO.

Once the course is full, FOLLOW THESE STEPS (If you contact the Zoology department, the Zoology staff will direct you to these same steps) :

STEP 1: DO NOT CONTACT the professor or the department main office for an override.

STEP 2: Keep looking for a seat on the computer enrollment system.

Enrollment in this class changes a LOT, especially the week before classes start and the first week of classes.
If you are on the system when someone else drops the class, you can get that seat.

STEP 3: Add your name to the electronic override request list, if it is available for that semester.
To see when and if this is available Go to http://www.zoology.msu.edu/override

If you choose not to put your name on the electronic list, you may also go to the first meeting of the class in the semester and ask to be added to the waiting list that the professor already has.

Override procedure for other ZOL classes:

About overrides for ZOL 341

STEP 1: keep trying to get a seat on the computer enrollment system.

Enrollments in classes change a LOT, especially the week before classes start and the first week of classes.
If you are on the system when someone else drops the class, you can get that seat.

STEP 2:
ONLY the Zoology instructor / professor can give you permission for an override.

Contact the instructor / professor directly to discuss an override. DO NOT CALL. Use E MAIL ONLY.

Find that instructor in the MSU Schedule of Courses.
For some ZOL courses, the instructor is not listed yet. You will have to wait until an instructor is listed in the Schedule of Courses. Then contact the instructor directly. (Note: the Zoology department office will not have this information any sooner than the Schedule of Courses. As soon as a professor / instructor is identified for that course or section, it will be posted in the Schedule of Courses.)
Contact the professor via E-MAIL to ask whether you can be given an override. Do NOT call the professor.
Find the professor's e-mail address from the MSU People Search.

Lab classes - if they are full - may not be able to add you. There are very limited spaces and a finite amount of equipment. You can ask the professor if there is a waiting list and if you could be added to it.

Override procedure for non-ZOL courses:

STEP 1: keep trying on the computer enrollment system.

Enrollments in classes change a lot, especially the week before classes start and the first week of classes.
If you are on the system when someone else drops the class, you can get that seat.

STEP 2:
Overrides must be requested directly from the department offering the course. For example, for a BS class go to the BS dept., for a CEM class go to the CEM dept., for a HST class go to the HST dept., etc.

First, check the department's web page to see if the override policy is listed there.
If the policy is not listed, you may need to go to that office in person. The department may have a slip of paper you need to have signed by the professor, or it may have you talk to the professor directly. That department [BS, CEM, HST, etc.] will then process the override for you.
Lab classes - if they are full - may not be able to add you. There are very limited spaces and a finite amount of equipment. You can ask the professor if there is a waiting list and if you could be added to it.

Commonly requested overrides:

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES PROGRAM (BioSci or BS 161,162, 171,172, etc.)
Office: N218 North Kedzie
(students must go to THIS office in person.)

Department of CHEMISTRY Undergraduate Program
Apparently requests can be made on line. Use the Course Override Form link.

Department of MATHEMATICS

In order to take a Math course at MSU, you will have to take a Math Placement test. The score indicates the course in mathematics which you must enroll in. You cannot enroll in a higher course.
The online Math Placement test through the MSU Math Placement Services is for new freshmen and new transfer students who have been accepted to Michigan State University.
More information is under the Mathematics Placement Service (MPS)
Students who, for any reason, EITHER ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED OR HAVE BEEN ENROLLED at MSU may write only the proctored MPS Exam. Permission to do so is obtained by petitioning the Office of the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Mathematics. See more detailed information under The Mathematics Placement Service (MPS)
If you have any more questions, your best option is to meet with one of the Mathematics Advisors

Department of PHYSICS and Astronomy
See the Undergraduate Program Information

Department of PSYCHOLOGY
Look under Undergraduate Program then scroll down the Course Information page

Department of Zoology