Zoology Advising
Current Zoology students should meet with their advisor at least once a year to discuss curriculum-related issues, such as verifying requirements, program planning and course selection. Students considering a Zoology major are urged to discuss degree requirements, electives and their career choices with one of the Zoology advisors.
There are many other ways that advisors can help students (discussing preparation for various careers, for example). A partial list of the ways in which your advisor can help you is on the page Prepare for your Advisor Meeting.
Information on this page:
Advisor availability
Appointment times
Scheduling an appointment
Advisors in the appointment system
Dr. Richard Snider
Advisor availability
Academic Year (16 August - 14 May)
All of the department's academic advisors are available by appointment to meet with current or prospective students during the academic year. Each advisor will have appointment slots open every week for times which fit with that advisor's other work commitments.
Summer (15 May - 15 August)
Zoology advisors are generally employed for the academic year. As a result, appointment times and e-mail responses will not be readily available in the summers. In fact, there may be times when, due to other commitments, even an advisor who is working in the summer will not be available.
In particular, August may be a very difficult time to find an advisor appointment. Many faculty [and advisors] are on vacation. Any advisors who are here may not have appointments open because they are preparing for the next academic year.
To request an appointment, please contact the Zoology main office ((517) 355 - 4640) well in advance. Be sure to allow sufficient time for arrangements to be made. When sending an e mail, please be aware that, due to other commitments, the advisors and the office staff are not on e mail all the time every day. Again, allow sufficient time for an e mail response.
Appointment times
The Department of Zoology academic advisors see students by appointment only (no walk in hours).
- Advisors have other work related activities in addition to advising appointments.
- Zoology advisors open advising appointments for each week on Monday or Tuesday of that week.
- Appointments are opened at times which fit with their other work-related activities.
- Can’t find an appointment time that works for you?
- Appointment slots are 30 minutes.
- Preparing for your advisor meeting will help you to get the most out of the time.
Use the on-line scheduling system to make an appointment.
Scheduling an appointment
The Department of Zoology academic advisors see students by appointment only.
- Appointment slots are 30 minutes.
- Can’t find an appointment time that works for you?
- Change your major into or out of Zoology.
- Change or declare BS Zoology concentration.
CURRENT MSU students,
at their convenience, may access on-line the MSU ADVISOR APPOINTMENT system.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- LOG ON on to the system with your MSU Net ID and password.
- Select “Department of Zoology” to make an appointment with your advisor. This is under "D" not "Z" in the list !
- Can’t find an appointment time that works for you?
- Please check under “Preparation Notes” in the appointment system. You may need to bring additional paperwork to your meeting.
- Note your advisor's office location.
- Need to cancel your appointment (due to illness or other conflicts)? The system will allow you to do so. Please cancel with at least 24 hours notice so other students may take advantage of the time slot.
PROSPECTIVE MSU students:
please see our webpage on visiting campus.
Advisors in the appointment system:
How to change your major into or out of Zoology.
Any Zoology major can meet with ANY of the advisors below to:
- discuss your proposed schedule or other advising issues ;
- approve substitutions;
- explain how to obtain independent study credits.
Prospective Zoology majors can also meet with any one of these advisors to talk about any of the Zoology degrees.
Mr. Jim Harding
205 Museum
NOTE: if you have scheduled an appointment with Mr. Harding, sending an introductory email (hardingj@msu.edu) prior to the appointment with him is helpful.
Dr. Susan Hill
163 Giltner Hall
Honors College students should meet with Dr. Hill.
Faculty advisor FOR ACADEMIC YEAR ONLY.
NO appointments in the summer.
NOT available by e mail over the summer.
Dr. Will Kopachik
39 Natural Science Building
Ms. Priscilla Walker, MPH, MA
350 Natural Science Building
ZOL 496, Internship in Zoology: detailed information and / or application.
certifies graduating students for degree completion.
Can’t find an appointment time that works for you?
Dr. Richard Snider (may not have open appointments *)
Undergraduate Director
235 Natural Science Building
Junior and Senior BS Zoology majors in the Zoo & Aquarium Science concentration should meet with Dr. Snider.
Provides detailed information and / or application for:
- ZOL 498, Internship in Zoo and Aquarium Science
- ZOL 497, International Internship in Zoo and Aquarium Science.
* Dr. Snider may not have advising slots open on this web-based scheduling system. Stop by his office (235 Natural Science). If the door is unlocked or open, enter and schedule your appointment with him directly. He is in his office by 8 am most mornings.