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.
But 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
Scheduling an appointment
Advisors in the appointment system
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. 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.
Scheduling an appointment
The Department of Zoology academic advisors see students by appointment only. Each week, on the on-line scheduling system, the advisors will open appointments at times which fit with their other work-related activities.
Appointment slots are 30 minutes, so preparing for your advisor meeting will help you to get the most out of the time.
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.
- Once you are logged-in, select “Zoology” to make an appointment with your advisor.
- Can’t find an appointment time that works for you?
- At some times of the year, advisors' schedules fill up quickly: it will be difficult to get an appointment. The first few weeks of the semester are often very busy. Annual enrollment for the next year begins in April so it may be VERY difficult to make an appointment for late March or any of April!
- Please check under your advisor’s “Preparation Notes” in the appointment system. You may need to bring additional paperwork to your meeting. Some advisors ask you to pick up your folder from the Zoology Department main office (203 Natural Sciences) before going to your advising appointment.
- Note your advisor's office location.
- There may be a time when you must cancel your appointment due to illness or other conflicts. The system will allow you to do so, but please cancel with at least 24 hours notice so other students may take advantage of the time slot.
If you are NOT an MSU student, please call the Department of Zoology main office ((517) 355 - 4640) to request an appointment. Be sure to allow sufficient time for arrangements to be made.
Advisors in the appointment system are:
Mr. Jim Harding
205 Museum
Advises Zoology Juniors and Seniors
in the following programs:
- BS Zoology: Ecology, Evolution & Organismal Biology concentration;
- BS Environmental Biology / Zoology.
Dr. Susan Hill
163 Giltner Hall
Advises Zoology Juniors and Seniors
pursuing a BS Zoology and concentrating in:
- General Zoology;
- Animal Behavior & Neurobiology;
- Ecology, Evolution & Organismal Biology;
- Marine Biology;
- Cell & Developmental Biology.
Dr. Will Kopachik
39 Natural Science Building
Advises Zoology Juniors and Seniors
pursuing a BS Zoology and concentrating in:
- Cell & Developmental Biology;
- General Zoology;
- Genetics.
Dr. Richard Snider, Undergraduate Director
235 Natural Science Building
Advises Zoology Juniors and Seniors
in the following programs:
- BS Zoology: Zoo & Aquarium Science concentration;
- BS Zoology: Genetics concentration;
- BS Environmental Biology / Zoology.
Also approves substitutions, internships and independent study credits for all Zoology students.
Ms. Priscilla Walker
350 Natural Science Building
Advises Freshmen and Sophomores in:
- any Zoology degree, as well as prospective Zoology majors.