1st Year FAQs
What is the Core Curriculum (aka Core) and why do I need to fulfill the Core requirements?
 The University's Core Curriculum is the foundational education that students must fulfill as part of any
undergraduate degree program at the University of Nevada, Reno.
What is a pre-requisite? What is a co-requisite?
 pre-requisite - a course or courses that must be completed in order to be eligible for a course
 co-requisite - a course or courses a student must be enrolled in to be eligible for a course
Do I have to complete a pre-requisite for a course to be eligible to enroll in it or can it be waived for me?
 You have to complete the pre-requisite(s) for a course, unless you have taken an equivalent course at a different
institution
 Pre-requisites can only be waived by the department offering the course, so you have to contact the department
directly to make the request if you have taken an equivalent course(s) at a different institution
What are the differences between a developmental course, a lower division course and an upper division course?
 Developmental course – courses numbered less than 100; the credits do not count towards your degree
 Lower division course – courses numbered 100 and 200; intended for freshmen and sophomores
 Upper division course – courses numbered 300 and 400; intended for juniors and seniors
What is required to be considered a full time student?
 Enrollment in a minimum of 12 credits/units during a regular semester (Fall or Spring)
How many semesters of mandatory advising are there for incoming College of Science freshmen?
 There are 3 semesters of mandatory advising for all College of Science students
o NOTE: Geological Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, and Mining Engineering students have
mandatory advising every semester until the student graduates
How can I declare or change my major? How do I declare a 2nd major or a minor?
 Download and complete the appropriate form available on the Academic Central website’s “Forms” page
(http://www.unr.edu/academic-central) and submit it for signature to the appropriate college dean’s office or
advising center. All forms for student use are located on the “Forms” webpage.
What do I use my NetID & password for?
 Log in to use MyNevada
 Log in to use WebCampus (UNR’s course management system)
 Log in to use any computer on campus
What is an NSHE ID number and why should I memorize it?
 Your 10 digit student ID number
 You need to know your NSHE ID number if you are going to use the Student Health Center and some faculty
instructors will ask you to use your NSHE ID number as an identifier on an exam instead of writing your name
Where can I find information on tuition and fees?
 Go to the following website: http://www.unr.edu/tuition-and-fees
Where can I find information about important dates and deadlines for an academic year?
 The Academic Calendar is the first link located on-line General Catalog – it contains important dates and
deadlines every student needs to know in order to plan for each academic term and year
How can I see whether a transcript from another university or college or test score reports (i.e. Accuplacer or
ACT/SAT) have been received and processed by the Admissions & Records office?
 Under the Academics header at the top of your Student Center Dashboard, there is a pull down menu.
 To view all transcripts received and processed, select “Transfer Credit: Report” and click on the little circle with
the >> symbols in it
 To view all test score reports received and processed, select “Test Scores” and click on the little circle with the
>> symbols in it
Where can I find information on requirements for majors, Recommended Schedules (4 year plans) for all majors, and
requirements for minors offered at UNR?
 The on-line UNR General Catalog - http://www.cis.unr.edu/ecatalog/. Scroll down to find the “College of
Science” and click on the “+” to expand to show our 7 academic departments. Expand on the department who
offers the major or minor you are looking for.
o NOTE: The Neuroscience major is listed under “Interdisciplinary and Special Programs”, not the “College
of Science”
How can I find contact information (phone, e mail, & fax), office locations, or mail stop codes for all faculty and staff
at the University?
 Use the on-line University Directory – there is a link located on the top right hand side of the UNR homepage
called “Directory”
A class that I would like to enroll in or need is currently full and there is no wait list option available – what are my
options?
 Prior to the semester starting – keep checking MyNevada regularly to see if a seat becomes available;
persistence does pay off!
 First week of school - If you have not been able to enroll using MyNevada prior the start of the semester, go to
the 1st day of when the class meets and ask the instructor if he/she would allow you to add the course. He/she
will provide a memo you will need to take to Admissions & Records (A&R) to get enrolled into the course.
 If the course is required for graduation and there are NO seats available in any sections, complete the on-line
form on Course Concierge Service webpage - https://www.unr.edu/academic-central/academicresources/request-help
Where can I find textbook information for the courses I’m enrolled in?
 When you view the “Class Details” page in MyNevada for each course you are enrolled in, there is a small green
link towards the top of the page on the left side called “view textbooks”. Click on it to view the textbook(s)
required for the course.
What is the best way to get in touch my faculty instructor?
 Office Hours – typically identified in the course syllabus, office hours are a great resource to ask questions about
concepts from class,
 E mail or Phone – refer to communication and phone etiquette information in the COS Advising Handbook
Why is a course syllabus important?
 Every instructor is required to provide a syllabus for a course – it is essentially a contract between the instructor
and student
 A syllabus provides information about an instructor’s office hours, an instructor’s contact information, course
exams, assignments, and grading policies.
Where can I find information on career related information along with job postings for on and off campus jobs?
 Career Connections – www.unr.edu/cn