Undergraduate Education > Learning Experiences > Spartan Early Start >
Courses
Spartan Early Start 2024 Course Selection
Eligible students can select one or two of the classes below to enter in their SES application. All classes run during MSU’s second summer session, which starts July 1, 2024, and ends August 15, 2024. Availability in the course depends on if there are open seats, which change regularly.
When making decisions, please review the information on the FAQpage and consider the AP, Dual Enrollment, transfer, or other credits you are transferring in to MSU. You may also want to review MSU’s Class Search page in your student portal for additional details about the course.
If you have questions about course selection, please consult your college advisor, email the SES team, and/or view MSU’s advanced credits or transfer information websites. You can also reference the SES 2024 college guidesfor recommended courses.
When reviewing the courses below, please note the organization of the course information below as you make your decisions:
- First, the classes are organized alphabetically by MSU College, then alphabetically by course subject codes within the college. For example, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and ABM, which is the course subject code for the Agribusiness Management program.
- For each specific course listing under the MSU College heading, you will see the course code, course number, and section number; then the title; and then credits. You need most of this information when you apply. For example, ABM 130, section 731.
- Then, you will see a course description. Note that some courses have specific themes for each section, specifically IAH, ISS, and UGS courses.
- Fourth, we state the course modality. All classes are online, and most are asynchronous (you do not need to meet at a specific time each week). A few are synchronous (you need to meet online at a specific day and time) or have optional synchronous components. Some of the courses associated with College bridge programs require some time on campus.
- Finally, we provide notes for the class related to who can take the course, suggested academic backgrounds, any prerequisites, and restrictions.
Jump to a College:
- College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
- College of Education
- Lyman Briggs College
- College of Natural Science
- College of Social Science
- Undergraduate Studies
Course Guides
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
^top
AFRE 100 Decision-making in the Agri-Food System (3 Credits
- Course description:Organization and operation of the agri-food system. Economic analysis of agri-food firms and consumers. Management functions and decision-making of agri-food firms.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
AFRE 203 Data Analysis for the Agri-Food System (3 Credits)
- Course description:Introduction to data analysis tools used in the management of food systems.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- Ag Tech students only
AT 202, Section 730: Agricultural Regulation, Compliance and Safety (3 credits)
- Course description: Regulation, laws, compliance and safety as it relates to Michigan’s agricultural sector. Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety standards, food safety, water protection, pesticide and fertilizer application and voluntary programs for agricultural producers. Preparation for the pesticide core exam.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- Ag Tech students only
CSUS 200, Section 730: Introduction to Sustainability (3 credits)
- Course description: Introduction to sustainability and personal role in sustainability initiatives. Implications of individual actions for key sustainability challenges. Application of sustainability principles and leadership skills in community.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
FSC 211 Principles of Food Science (3 credits)
- Course description: Scientific principles, historical perspective, and current status of technology related to food composition, safety, toxicology, processing, preservation, and distribution.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
FOR 202 Introduction to Forestry (3 credits)
- Course description:Historical development of forestry. Forest growth, protection, management, and products. Relationship of national and world economy and policy to forestry. Emphasis on multiple uses of forests.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
ENT 205, Section 731: Pests, Society and Environment (3 credits)
- Course description: Nature of pests and their impact on society. Principles of integrated pest management in relation to environmental quality and sustainable development.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
HNF 102 Dietary Supplements: Evidence vs Hype (3 credits)
- Course description: Effects of dietary supplements such as vitamins, herbs, performance enhancers and functional foods on health and performance. Evaluation of supplement safety and effectiveness. Laws and policies relative to health claims.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
- Course description: Application of nutritional science to personal health and every-day life. Tools, strategies, and resources related to personal diet, nutrition, and wellness.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
HNF 150, Section 731: Introduction to Human Nutrition (3 credits)
- Course description: Nutrient function and metabolism. Food and nutrients in health and disease. Socioeconomic and environmental influences on food and health. Incorporation of healthy food choices into daily living.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
COLLEGE OF ARTS & LETTERS
^top
GD 160 Digital Graphic Design: Tools and Methods (3 credits)
- Course description:Introduction of digital tools and methods specific to contemporary graphic design.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
GD 260, Section 731 Concepts of Graphic Design (3 credits)
- Course description: Overview of form and communication analysis and manipulation. Investigation of theory, concept and visual tools central to developing visual communication systems.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- Not open to BFA in GD majors
GD 200, Section 731: History of Graphic Design (3 credits)
- Course description: Survey of visual communication. Social, global and technological developments in graphic design as it relates to art historical movements and other design disciplines. Typography of printed and digital work from 1880 to present.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
HA 251, Section 730 History of Photography (3 credits)
- Course description:Survey of the history of photography from its origins to the present focusing on the development of photography as an art form and the impact this medium had on both art and culture.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
HA 101, Section 730: Western Art from the Paleolithic to Medieval Era (3 credits)
- Course description: Introductory survey of Western Art from the Paleolithic to the Medieval era. Key works, monuments, and stylistic trends.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
IAH 206, Section 735 Self, Society, and Technology (D) (4 credits)
- Course description: Exploration in how technology affects and is affected by our conceptions of ourselves, relations with others, and our ideals. Approaches and materials from philosophy, literature, art, music, and history as well as the natural sciences.
- Section theme: Hip Hop in Eastern Europe and Russia.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes: None
IAH 207, Section 733-739: Literatures, Cultures, Identities (I) (4 credits)
- Course description:Explorations in how literature reflects, creates, and challenges cultural and individual identities. Approaches and materials from literature, philosophy, the arts, religion, and history. Selected themes and issues, variable by term.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- Should have writing requirement done
WRA 195H Writing as Inquiry Honors (4 credits)
- Course description: The study and practice of varieties of invention, arrangement, revision, style and delivery to help students make successful transitions to writing, reading, and researching in higher education.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- Not open to students with credits inAL 110 or LB 133 or MC 111 or MC 112 or RCAH 111 or WRA 101
- Course descriptions: The study and practice of invention, arrangement, revision, style, and delivery to help students make successful transitions to writing, reading, and researching in higher education.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- High demand course
- SES students only
- Fulfills University first-year writing requirement
- Not suggested for Honors and Residential College students
COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION ARTS & SCIENCES
^top
ADV 330, Section 731: Advertising Management Strategy (3 credits)
- Course description: Advertising problems from the perspective of managers responsible for solving problems. Identify problems, develop alternative solutions, implement effective strategies, and evaluate proposed solutions.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- Transfer Students ONLY
CAS 110, Section 73o: Creative Thinking (3 credits)
- Course description: Theory and practice for utilizing creative and critical thinking skills to generate unique ideas to solve complex problems and generate unique media content.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
CAS 205, Section 730: Photography in Media Settings (1 credit)
- Couse description: Essential techniques for capturing, processing and outputting digital images in media settings.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
CAS 290, Section 740: Special Topics – Ignite Program (3 credits)
- Course description: Varied topics pertaining to the study of communication applications and processes. This section is designed for incoming students in Communication Arts and Sciences as part of the Ignite Program.
- Section theme: Open to incoming Communication Arts and Sciences program in the MSU Ignite program, intended to support students’ transition from high school to college and allow them to learn more about our academic programs in Communication Arts and Sciences.
- Modality: Hybrid, synchronous class dates: Sunday, July 9th – Friday, July 14, 2023, with additional class dates over Zoom through out the remainder of the 2nd summer session
- Restrictions/Notes:
- SES students only
- To apply visit comartsci.msu.edu/msu-ignite
COM 100, Section 737: Human Communication (3 credits)
- Course description: Process and functions of communication. Principles underlying communication behavior. Practice in analyzing communication situations and in speaking and writing.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- High demand course
- SES students only
COM 225, Section 731: An Introduction to Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
- Course description: Principles and practices of interpersonal communication. Emphasis on effective and responsible interpersonal communication.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- Transfer Students ONLY
JRN 218, Section 730: Sports in Contemporary Media (3 credits)
- Course description: Introduction to today’s media coverage of sports, including college and professional major and Olympic sports. Survey of development of traditional and new media reporting. Legal, and ethical issues, including contracts and copyrights of sports media.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- Must have writing requirement done
- Transfer Students ONLY
JRN 312, Section 730: Stop Motion Animation Storytelling (3 credits)
- Course description: Creation of digital stop motion animation sequences to tell a narrative story or recreate a historical or current world event. History of stop motion animation, character rigging and kinetics, storyboarding, plot and sequence development.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- Must have writing requirement done
- Transfer Students ONLY
JNR 325, Section 730: Journalism History (3 credits)
- Course description: Development of journalism in the United States from colonial to the present; examination of evolving written, aural, visual and multimedia forms and relevant media technology. Journalism’s history has impacted and influenced U.S. history in interesting ways.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- Transfer Students ONLY
MI 201, Section 730: Introduction to Information Science (3 credits)
- Course description: Overview and critique of concepts of information, the history of computing and information, uses and effects of information technology, information management, and human-centered approaches to designing information systems.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- Transfer Students ONLY
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
^top
CEP 260, Sections 001 and 002: Dynamics of Personal Adjustment (3 credits)
- Course description: Theories and issues in psychological adjustment. Dynamics operating within individuals and in their interactions with others. Implications for learning, development, and well-being.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- High demand course
TE 101, Section 001: Social Foundations of Justice and Equity in Education (3 credits)
- Course description: Understanding self, schools, and society; emphasizing racial justice, equity, and social identity markers.
- Modality: In person, bridge program
- Restrictions/Notes:
- SES students only
- This course is part of the COE’s Early Success Scholars Program. To apply, visit their website.
LYMAN BRIGGS COLLEGE
^top
LB 270, Section 731: Medical Terminology (2 credits)
- Course description: Medical terminology, focusing on human systems, anatomy and physiology, fundamental word building principles, and phonetic pronunciations.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- Recommended background in physiology
- Juniors and seniors only
MTH 103, Section 202, College Algebra (3 credits)
- Course description: Number systems; functions and relations; exponents and logarithms; elementary theory of equations; inequalities; and systems of equations.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous with synchronous options
- Restrictions/Notes:
- High demand course
- SES students only
- Eligibility is based on math placement score
- Open to Lyman Briggs students who are part of the bridge program, to apply, please use the online application here.
LB 117 Functions and Trigonometry (3 credits)
- Course description:Rational and real numbers; functions and inverses. Equations and systems of equations. Inequalities; graphing; trigonometry; and coordinate geometry. Exponential and logarithmic functions
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- High demand course
- Not appropriate for STEM majors nor majors that require higher-level math.
- Not open to students with credits inMTH 116 or MTH 114
COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCE
^top
- Course description: Historical and recent development of ideas about behavior, ecological, and evolutionary processes. Critical evaluation of the use and misuse of human understanding of nature, emphasizing recent findings.
- Section theme: An interdisciplinary study of sciences that explores a body of knowledge and how that knowledge informs and shapes our society.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- High demand course
- SES students only
- Fulfills University biological science requirement for some majors
- Not appropriate for STEM majors
ISP 203A, Section 830: Understanding Earth: Global Change (3 credits)
- Course description: Science as a way of knowing about natural and anthropogenic global change. Implications for societies.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous; There is a face-to-face component that will take place over Zoom on a scheduled weekly basis. This live Zoom webinar will discuss the course material and concepts and allow for an interactive discussion among the students and instructor. The live webinar will be recorded for later review if necessary.
- Restrictions/Notes:
- Fulfills physical science University requirement for some majors
- Not appropriate for STEM majors
- Requires a MTH or STT class as prereq
MTH 103 College Algebra (3 credits)
- Course description: Number systems; functions and relations; exponents and logarithms; elementary theory of equations; inequalities; and systems of equations.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- High demand course
- Not appropriate for STEM majors nor majors that require higher-level math.
LB 117 Functions and Trigonometry (3 credits)
- Course description:Rational and real numbers; functions and inverses. Equations and systems of equations. Inequalities; graphing; trigonometry; and coordinate geometry. Exponential and logarithmic functions
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- High demand course
- Not appropriate for STEM majors nor majors that require higher-level math.
- Not open to students with credits inMTH 116 or MTH 114
MTH 101, Sections 201 and 731: Qualitative Literacy I (3 credits)
- Course description: Quantitative literacy including applications to health and risk, science, and the environment.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- High demand course
- Not appropriate for STEM majors nor majors that require higher-level math.
MTH 235, Section 731: Differential Equations (3 credits)
- Course description: Separable and exact equations. Linear equations and variation of parameters. Higher order linear equations. Laplace transforms. Systems of first-order linear equations. Introduction to partial differential equations and Fourier series.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- Eligible based on placement score or transfer credit
MTH 309, Section 731: Linear Algebra 1 (3 credits)
- Course description: Matrices, systems of linear equations, vector spaces, linear transformations, inner products and orthogonal spaces, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and applications to geometry. A writing course with emphasis on proofs.
- Modality: Online, synchronous; Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10:20 to 12:10 p.m.
- Restrictions/Notes:
- Eligible based on placement score or transfer credit
MTH 320, Section 731: Analysis I (3 credits)
- Course description: Convergence of sequences and series. Upper and lower limits, completeness, limits and continuity. Derivatives. Uniform convergence.
- Modality: Online, synchronous; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:20 to 12:10 p.m.
- Restrictions/Notes:
- Eligible based on placement score or transfer credit
PLB 105, Section 002: Plant Biology (3 credits)
- Course description: Plant structure, function, development, genetics, diversity and ecology.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous with synchronous options
- Restrictions/Notes:
- SES students only
STT 200, Sections 201: Statistical Methods (3 credits)
- Course description:Data analysis, probability models, random variables, estimation, tests of hypotheses, confidence intervals, and simple linear regression.
- Modality: Online, synchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- Not open to students with credits inSTT 201 or STT 421
COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE
^top
ANP 201, Section 730: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3 credits)
- Course description: Origins and diversity of cultural systems. Theories of culture. Patterns of kinship. Religious, economic, and political institutions.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
ANP 203, Section 730: Introduction to Archaeology (3 credits)
- Course description: Theory, methodology, and techniques of archaeology. Applications to questions about past human behavior. History and concepts of archaeology as an anthropological subdiscipline.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- High demand course
ANP 204, Section 730: Introduction to Medical Anthropology (3 credits)
- Course description: Concepts, methods and theoretical approaches of the field of medical anthropology.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- High demand course
ANP 206, Section 730: Introduction to Physical Anthropology (3 credits)
- Course description: Problems, data, and methods of physical anthropology. Human genetics, hominid evolution, primate studies, human osteology, and human diversity.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- High demand course
ANP 270, Section 730: Women and Health: Anthropological and International Perspectives (3 credits)
- Course description: Cross cultural perspectives on the health implications of differing life circ*mstances for women. Women as health-care consumers and providers. Health and women’s life cycles.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
ANP 321, Section 730: Anthropology of Social Movements (3 credits)
- Course description: How social movements within different cultures around the world organize, create or impede change on the basis of class, religion, race, ethnicity, language, and territory.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
ANP 330, Section 730: Race, Ethnicity, and Nation: Anthropological Approaches to Collective Identity (3 credits)
- Course description: Understanding race and ethnicity. Models analyzing racial, ethnic, and national identities; boundaries; and collective identities and differentiations. Case studies from cultures worldwide.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- Recommended background in cultural anthropology (ANP 201 or equivalent)
CJ 110, Section 731: Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credits)
- Course description: Description and analysis of agencies and processes involved in administration of justice in the United States.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- SES students only
EC 201, Section 732: Introduction to Microeconomics (3 credits)
- Course description: Economic institutions, reasoning and analysis. Consumption, production, determination of price and quantity in different markets. Income distribution, market structure and normative analysis.
- Modality: Online, lectures delivered asynchronously with weekly online synchronous recitation on Thursdays from 10:20-11:10am
- Restrictions/Notes:
- High demand course
- SES students only
HDFS 211, Section 730: Child Growth and Development (3 credits)
- Course description: Physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and ecological aspects of human growth and development from conception through early childhood.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
HDFS 225, Section 731: Lifespan Human Development in the Family (3 credits)
- Course description: Human development in the family and across the lifespan with an ecological perspective. Relationships between human resource professionals and family systems.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
HDFS 238, Section 731: Personal Finance (3 credits)
- Course description: Strategies, techniques, and resources for the management of personal finance.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- High demand course
HST 150, Section 730: World History since 1500 (4 credits)
- Course description: The making of the modern world with focus on international relations. Major changes in culture and human understanding of the world.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
HST 329, Section 730: College Sports in the United States (3 credits)
- Course description: Origins of sports in higher education. Effects of industrialization and television. Civil rights movement in sports: incorporation of women and members of minorities. Title IX era. History of individual sports.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- None
- Course description: Interdisciplinary exploration of social hierarchies. Exploring diverse perspectives and cultural practices associated with diverse characteristics.
- Section theme: Social Differentiation and Inequality: Critical Analysis of Racial[ized] Hierarchy in America.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- High demand course
- SES students only
- Fulfills first of two courses required from Social Science as part of students’ University requirements
- Not recommended for Honors students and JMC, TE, or LB majors
ISS 320, Section 790: World Urban Systems (4 credits)
- Course description:Patterns of urbanization in various areas of the world over time. Linkage within and between urban centers. Economic, political and social/behavioral accommodation and adaptation to urban growth and change.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- Not open to first-year students
- Open to sophom*ores or juniors or seniors.
PLS 100, Section 790: Introduction to Introduction to American Politics (3 credits)
- Course description: The policymaking process in national government, with emphasis on political participation, the presidency, Congress, Supreme Court, bureaucracy, and civil rights and civil liberties.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous with synchronous options
- Restrictions/Notes:
- High demand course
- SES students only
PLS 200, Section 790: Introduction to Political Science (4 credits)
- Course description: The science of politics. Theory construction, model building, empirical testing, and inductive inference. Examples from American, international and comparative politics.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous with synchronous options
- Restrictions/Notes:
- SES students only
PLS 202, Section 790: Introduction to Data Analytics and the Social Sciences (3 credits)
- Course description: Approaches to data analysis in the social sciences. Computational tools for data collection and visualization across various digital sources, including text or social media.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous with synchronous options
- Restrictions/Notes:
- SES students only
PSY 101, Section 790: Introduction to Psychology (4 credits)
- Course description: Mind and behavior from biological, individual, and social perspectives. Scientific and professional aspects of psychology.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous with synchronous options
- Restrictions/Notes:
- High demand course
- SES students only
SOC 100, Section 731: Introduction to Sociology (4 credits)
- Course description: Nature of sociological inquiry. Concepts and principles of sociology. Institutional features of modern society. Structure and dynamics of social organizations.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- High demand course
SOC 215 Race and Ethnicity (3 credits)
- Course description:Racial and ethnic problems in contemporary society. Prejudice, discrimination, conflict, and racial and ethnic identity and segregation in western and non-western societies.
- Modality: Online, asynchronous
- Restrictions/Notes:
- High demand course
UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
^top
UGS 201, Section 730H, Big Ideas Seminar: Understanding Black History through Black Music: 1920s – Present (3 credits)
- Course description: Introduction to inquiry, research, and scholarship of complex issues. Special topics designed to engage new students’ interests and advance their ability to consider complex topics, dialogue with diverse others, and use evidence to support opinions.
- Section theme: What is “Black” music? What can the creation of different genres of “Black” music in a specific time and place teach us about the history of African/Black Americans and the African diaspora more broadly? And how was Black music shaped by its specific geographical, social, political, and cultural environment? This course will analyze key historical eras and themes of African American history such as Reconstruction, Jim Crow, The Great Migration, Civil Rights Movement, Black Power, etc. through musical genres like gospel, blues, ragtime, jazz, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, funk, disco, hip-hop, techno, and more. We will address these topics through a variety of ways, including lectures, group discussion and activities, readings, videos, and digital humanities technology. We will listen to and analyze song lyrics, album covers, album reviews, images, narratives, film, etc. to gain a deeper understanding of how Black music became an integral part of American and global culture.
- Modality: Hybrid
- Online synchronous class sessions July 1-13 and July 22 - August 16, and in-person class sessions July 19-21. For specific dates and times, please see Honors College website.
- Restrictions/Notes:
- SES students only
- Course is open to Academic Scholars Program students participating in the Summer ACE Program.To apply, please see Honors College website.
- Course will fulfill 2 Academic Scholars Program requirements and can count toward either a Social Science (ISS 200-level) or Arts and Humanities (IAH 211+) Integrative Studies requirement
Spartan Early Start
Accepted Students
Frequently Asked Questions
