Academic Requirements & Course Descriptions
Staying on track with your program doesn't have to be a guessing game. You have multiple resources available to plan each semester and finish your program in a timely manner. Ultimately, you are responsible for meeting all the requirements for graduation. Make informed decisions by consulting these resources.
Please note: academic regulations and procedures described in the Undergraduate Catalog may change during the period of your enrollment, and it is your responsibility to be aware of and follow the academic regulations and procedures currently in effect.
Basic Requirements
All FSU students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree must meet basic requirements regardless of major. Be aware of and talk with your advisor about these requirements. These include, but are not limited to:
- Successful completion of at least 120 hours of academic coursework
- Completion of the General Education Program
- Completion of at least 39 credits at the upper division (300 -400) level
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
Find out about degree requirements and course descriptions in the UG Catalog
Advisor
You have been assigned an academic advisor to help plan your 4 years of study and to interpret degree requirements and academic regulations. Stay in contact with your advisor. Your advisor will provide the best, most current information possible, but ultimately, it is your responsibility to request and use this advice wisely to meet graduation requirements.
Toward the end of each semester, meet with your advisor to discuss and get approval to enroll for the upcoming semester. Come prepared with a list of classes you would like to enroll in based on your program requirements and classes being offered.
4-Year Plan (aka 8 semester plan)
This is a simple roadmap of suggested courses tailored to your program of study. This plan can help you make wise choices about what to take each semester and can give you a back-up plan for courses if something is unavailable.
Plans are based on the year you entered the program, usually as a first-year student. Be sure to use the plan that correlates with that year. If you are unsure, contact your advisor and simply ask which year you need to use.
- Mechanical Engineering Collaborative Program
- Engineering-Electrical Concentration
- Engineering-Materials Concentration
- Physics - Traditional Track
- Physics - Engineering Track
- Previous Years' Plans
Undergraduate Catalog
The Undergraduate Catalog is a wealth of information. In addition to outlining your required courses, you can find course descriptions that are especially helpful in understanding what you'll be learning in each class.
PAWS
The single best way to accurately track your academic progress is by regularly examining your "academic requirements" available in PAWS.
Your academic requirements will tell you
- what you have taken,
- what you are taking, and
- what you still need to take.
It will tell you how many hours you have earned and need to earn before graduating. The trick is learning how to read the report. As a basic rule, the areas on the academic requirements page that are not collapsed are the areas you still need to fulfill.
Criminal Background Information: Some states' laws require a criminal background check and may disqualify an individual from obtaining licensure if the individual has been convicted of certain crimes. If you have a criminal background, please check with the appropriate state licensing board where you wish to work for more information.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding your degree progress, please feel free to contact your advisor by phone or e-mail, or by setting up an appointment.