Frequently Asked Questions
Questions related to …
Advisor/Advisee Assistance
What Are CASA Business hours?
CASA is typically open from 8:00am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday on days that campus is open. Some basic questions can be answered at the front desk, but most advising questions will need to be answered during our drop-in hours or in a scheduled appointment. During the 2024-2025 academic year, we will have weekly drop-ins held on Wednesdays from 2:30-4:15pm during weeks that class is in session in fall and spring semesters. We typically also hold increased drop-in hours during the start of each semester and around the period that registration opens for the next semester. Any additional drop-in availability will typically be emailed to students, posted at our front desk, and included in the Daily Blast.
How do I find who my CASA Advisor and Faculty Mentor are?
CASA advisors are assigned to undergraduate students based on last name and major. You can find a listing and contact information for CASA advisors under the Advising tab of our website. Your faculty mentor is assigned after you complete your first year at Mines. The most accurate way to find your faculty mentor is to log into Trailhead and follow these steps: Student Card > Student Self-Service > Student Profile. Still not sure who to contact? Email casa@mines.edu for assistance.
How do I make an advising appointment?
- For a list of advisors and the majors they serve along with scheduling links: visit the CASA Connect with Your Advisor page
- If you are unsure of who to schedule with: email casa@mines.edu or visit CASA during business hours and ask our front desk for assistance
When will I be assigned a faculty mentor?
You will be assigned a faculty mentor after the end of your first year at Mines. You will work with your faculty mentor in partnership with your CASA advisor through graduation. Faculty mentors serve as a good resource for any questions that require in-depth subject matter expertise.
How can i provide feedback on the service i received from casa staff?
Students who want to provide feedback, compliments, or complaints on any CASA services (e.g., tutoring, coaching, advising, drop-ins, front desk assistance) can visit our virtual comment box. We will also periodically survey students who have had advising appointments, and we encourage students to respond to the survey if they receive it.
If you have a concern or complaint that needs urgent attention, please email casa@mines.edu so it may be directed to a member of the leadership team.
Can CASA staff talk with my parents or others about my academic recorD?
CASA is required to follow the Family Educational & Privacy Act (FERPA) guidelines for discussing educational records. At the postsecondary level, parents have no inherent rights to inspect a student’s education records. The right to inspect is limited solely to the student. Records may be released to the parents only under the following circumstances:
- Through the written consent of the student.
- In compliance with a subpoena
- By submission of evidence that the parents declare the student as a dependent on their most recent Federal Income Tax form (IRS Code of 1954, Section 152). This information should be provided directly to the Registrar’s Office by the parent.
Additional information about FERPA and educational records is available at https://www.mines.edu/compliance/ferpa/
AP/IB, Placement Tests, and Transfer Credits
Do you recommend taking the AP or IB credit I’ve Been Awarded?
Ultimately the decision is yours to make. We encourage you to make an informed decision before denying transfer credit because this decision can only be made once and is final. Generally speaking, students are encouraged to take their earned AP or IB credit, as Mines only awards this credit to those who have demonstrated significant proficiency with a particular subject.
If your score is eligible for course credit, Mines faculty believe you have a strong understanding of the material and are eligible to move on to the next course in the sequence. Earning a score high enough to receive credit for a course is an achievement; accept it as long as you feel comfortable with the material and are ready for a new challenge.
What courses offer a challenge exam for placement in courses?
Challenge Exams are available to new Mines students to demonstrate proficiency and potentially earn credit for select foundational core courses at Mines. Read more about the available exams and qualifications on the Registrar’s website. Challenge exams do not exist for every subject. Currently, there are no challenge exams for MATH courses.
How do i transfer credit? Can I take a summer course at another college or university?
It is possible to transfer credits with the review and approval of Mines. The Registrar’s Office maintains the records of previously approved transfer courses and partners with academic departments to review new courses for potential transfer credit. For full information, we encourage students to carefully review the information posted to the Registrar’s transfer credit page. A list of pre-approved Colorado Community College System (CCCS) courses is available on this site, as well as the information and form needed to request approval for other transfer courses.
Unless the course is a pre-approved CCCS course, transfer credit is not guaranteed until you have an approved Transfer Course Approval (TCA) form on file with the Registrar’s Office. A syllabus and/or other supporting documentation might also be requested. It is possible to submit the TCA form after a course is taken, but nothing is guaranteed until your form has been approved. We recommend students submit the form well before the start of the class they intend to take.
Core Curriculum, Course Credits, Major/Minors
What is the maximum number of credits I can take in a semester?
First year first-semester students may not take more than 19 credit hours. If you are interested in taking more than 19 credits after your first semester, you will need submit a request form for approval from your CASA advisor. Be aware you will be charged additional tuition for each credit hours over 19.
Do Mines students ever change their major?
Yes, it is normal for students to change majors, especially in the first and second year at Mines. Depending on how far you are with your credits, changing majors may impact time to graduation or require additional credits. If you are considering changing majors, we recommend you meet with a CASA advisor for the major you are looking to switch into to discuss how your schedule will change and determine what your graduation timeline will be. If you know early on that you are split deciding between multiple majors, make sure to discuss with your CASA advisor so we can help you consider your options and refer you to helpful resources.
How do I change my major?
You can change your major by completing the major change form located on CASA forms page.
How do I add a minor?
You declare your minor by submitting the minor declaration form available on the Registrar’s forms page. This process typically happens no earlier than the sophomore year, as the form will ask you to list the specific courses you intend to take to fulfill the minor. You are allowed to double count courses between the major and minor, if applicable, but must have at least 9 credits unique to the minor (i.e. not double-counting, other than free elective). Instructions and additional information about the rules for obtaining a minor can be found on the Minor/ASI page of the catalog. Your CASA advisor is happy to discuss minors with you in more detail and help you plan how to fit in your minor coursework. Students are not required to complete a minor.
I’m interested in becoming a combined student to complete a graduate degree – what steps Do I take?
Start by reviewing the information provided by Mines graduate admissions, ideally attending a combined student information session. We also recommend you connect with a faculty or staff contact point for your graduate program of interest to learn more about the program and any program-specific admissions information. Work with your CASA undergraduate advisor to start developing a plan for when to incorporate graduate level (500) courses and be sure you are aware of the rules and policies for combined students. These can be complex, so don’t hesitate to talk with your CASA advisor or the Registrar for more guidance!
What is the Core Curriculum?
The core is the set of classes required of all Mines students regardless of their major. Students complete courses in the core curriculum to develop and strengthen scientific and engineering knowledge, and to explore the contextualization of that knowledge in a sociotechnical, professional, and global community. In addition to foundational knowledge in math and science, the core curriculum also facilitates student success in crucial areas, including personal and professional development, understanding of global and societal contexts, ability to communicate effectively in a variety of settings, and capacity for critical and creative problem solving.
The Core Curriculum has several parts:
- Math, Basic Sciences, & Computing
- Design and Innovation
- Culture and Society (CAS)
- Success and Wellness (S&W)
- Student–Led Inquiry
Refer to the Degree Requirements section for each major program in the Colorado School of Mines Undergraduate Catalog for a listing specific core and major courses students should take each semester.
Registration, Student Schedules, Withdrawals and Academic Calendar
What important dates or deadlines should I know about?
The Registrar’s Office maintains the Academic Calendar. The academic calendar includes all the critical dates and deadlines for adding and dropping courses, withdrawing from courses, course registration timelines, final exam and review periods, planned Mines holidays and breaks, and more. Students are encouraged to regularly review the academic calendar for their current and upcoming semesters.
How Can I find my registration time?
From Trailhead, find the Student card. Click on Student Self-Service link and then select the link for Student Profile. Click on Registration Notices from the top right-hand corner and a drop-down menu will appear. Your registration time ticket will be listed at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
How do I add/drop classes?
You have the ability to add and drop classes from your schedule from the beginning of your registration period until the last add and last drop date posted in the academic calendar. You will use the Self-Service Banner 9 (SSB9) registration tool to add and drop classes. For more information on how to add and drop classes in SSB9, including screenshots, visit the Registrar’s website here. For new first-year and transfer students in their first semester, we strongly encourage you to connect with a CASA advisor prior to adding and dropping any credits to ensure there are no unintended consequences.
how can i add a class that is full?
If there are no seats available in the course section of interest, first check the full course schedule to see if there is another section with available seats that could work for your schedule. If not, check to see if there is a waitlist available on your preferred section(s). Add yourself to the waitlist if possible.
If there is no waitlist available, you can submit a Registration Action Form (Trailhead > Registrar Card > Student Forms). Select the CLOSED override and enter comments as to why you need to get into the full section. This will go to the Department/Instructor for consideration, and you will receive a notice if you are approved or denied to add the course. There are many reasons, such as classroom seating capacities, where it may not be possible for additional students to be added to a course. If you believe you must take the course this semester to progress on-time for your intended graduation date, consult with your CASA advisor for more information on how to proceed.
How do I get on a waitlist?
The waitlist allows a student to reserve a seat in the class should one become available when another student drops or when the capacity for the class is increased by the department or the instructor of the course.
To waitlist a course: Go to Trailhead > Student Services Card > Student Registration > Register for Classes > Select the term for enrollment > Look up the course by course number or CRN, click to add the preferred section > In the drop-down menu next to the course name select “Waitlist on Web” > Click submit
When a seat becomes available for the class, you will receive an email giving you the opportunity to register for the class. This process must be completed within 24 hours of receiving the email. Additional information available on the Registrar’s website. Students on the waitlist are not guaranteed a slot and should have back-up course options planned in case they are not able to get off of the waitlist. If you believe you must take the course to progress on-time for your intended graduation date, consult with your CASA advisor if you have not gotten off the waitlist by the approach of the new semester.
How do I request a prerequisite override?
You can submit a prerequisite override request via the Registration Action Form. This form is located on the Registrar’s Card in Trailhead. Include your reasons for the request in the comment box on your submission. The instructor and/or academic department that offers the course will review and make a decision, and you will receive the decision by email.
How do i enroll in a 500-level graduate course?
Undergraduate students need instructor consent to enroll in any graduate level course, even if already admitted to a combined graduate program at Mines. You can request this consent via the 500-level form on the Registrar’s website. Generally speaking, senior standing (90 credits) and a 3.0 or higher GPA is recommended to take graduate classes. If you intend to take the 500-level course towards a graduate degree at Mines, additional forms and rules will apply. Speak with your advisor or the Registrar’s Office for more information.
What is a course withdrawal?
A course withdrawal occurs when a student makes the decision to no longer be enrolled in a course after the semester’s add/drop deadline. The student will receive a “W” on their transcript instead of a grade. A “W” does not factor into the student’s GPA. Students may only withdraw from a class until the final withdrawal deadline. For specific withdrawal deadlines, refer to the academic calendar. Students who receive financial aid or scholarships, participate in athletics, live in Mines-owned student housing, and/or are at Mines on an international student visa should consult with the relevant office(s) BEFORE withdrawing credits, especially if doing so would bring them below full-time standing (12 credits).
How do I know the courses required for my degree? How do I determine the courses I should enroll in each semester?
There are several tools available to students. First, Mines Academic Catalog is the official record of degree requirements. Students should make sure to view the catalog for their specific catalog year. This will typically be the year you started at Mines, unless you have worked with an advisor to change your catalog year. Secondly, the Degree Works degree evaluation tool helps evaluate a student’s individual progress towards degree requirements. Access this tool from the Degree Works card in Trailhead or My.Mines.edu. Students are encouraged to check in with Degree Works evaluation each semester, as the Registrar will use this tool for graduation check-out. Your Degree Works should match your catalog requirements. Undergraduate students should contact their CASA advisor for guidance if they notice discrepancies or concerns in Degree Works. Finally, your CASA advisor should also be able to provide you with a flowsheet or four-year advising sheet for your major. If you are unsure if you have chosen the correct classes or have any questions about what classes to take or your degree requirements, please email or schedule a meeting with your CASA advisor.
My schedule looks like I have a lot of free time. Should I add a class?
First consider how much work each class will require. In addition to in-class time, students will typically require anywhere from 2-4 hours of study time outside of class per credit hour to be successful. For students in full time credits, that is a lot of time outside of class needed for study. Consider the time you may need for labs and recitations, if applicable. What are your commitments outside of class? Make sure you’ve considered how much time you will need for clubs and activities, sports or working out, jobs, and the basic essentials (e.g., eating, sleeping, spending time with friends and family).
Academic Concerns and Support
Offerings
Do I qualify for the GPA Recovery Policy?
Under Mines GPA recovery policy, if you are re-taking an eligible course for the second or third time, only the most recent grade will be used to calculate the grade point average. GPA recovery will only be possible if the most recent course grade was a “D” or an “F” (including plus and/or minus).
This policy was adopted with an effective start date of Fall 2020. Courses taken prior to Fall 2020 are not eligible for GPA recovery. For more information on the policy click here.
How do we receive assistance from our faculty outside of class?
We highly recommend students visit their faculty during office hours. If office hours conflict with class time or other commitments, you should speak with your faculty member to request if it is possible to find a time to meet outside of typical office hours.
What happens if I get a low test grade?
CASA encourages students who receive a low test grade to consider doing any/all of the following:
- Review the test to determine what you got right and what you got wrong.
- After you have reviewed your exam, consider what issues occurred: did you run out of time, not understand the concepts fully, make simple errors, etc.
- Review your preparation for the test and what you might do differently next time in light of the issues that occurred.
- Visit your professor during office hours to review the test and/or concepts you did not understand and ask for their recommendations for how to best study.
- Utilize CASA tutoring.
- Consider joining or creating a study group.
- Check out some of the suggestions on our Academic Support Resources page.
- Sign up for Academic Coaching.
Is it ok if I need to drop or withdraw a class?
Contact your CASA advisor to learn more about the process, implications and pros and cons. Student athletes should discuss with their coach and the athletics advisor first. International students should also discuss with their ISSS advisor. Students receiving any financial aid should contact their financial aid advisor.
I think I did not pass the prereq for a course I am registered for in the following term. what should i do?
First, look at the prerequisites on the course carefully. Do you just need to pass the course (a D- or better) or do you need to receive a specific grade (C- or better)? If a specific prerequisite grade is not listed in the catalog, then a D- or better should be sufficient. The Registrar will eventually drop students from courses if they do not meet the prequisites, however, this can take a while and they will not place students in a new course. We recommend students take action as soon as they know they will not be meeting the prerequisites to continue. You may need to drop the course for which you are not meeting prerequsites. However, we encourage you to discuss your circumstances with your CASA advisor so they can provide recommendations on next steps.
What is Academic Coaching?
Academic coaching is an opportunity for a student to partner with a CASA advisor to develop their academic skills based on the student’s individual area of need. Coaching work might include test-preparation techniques, test-taking skills, study guide development, key concept identification, memorization techniques, note-taking rules, and much more. Students who sign up for coaching should expect to be active participants (including setting goals and completing “homework” each week). To sign-up and learn more, visit the Academic Support tab of the CASA website. Because of the time-commitment coaching can require, we encourage students to sign up for coaching early in the semester whenever possible. We will sometimes reach capacity for taking on new students for coaching and need to start a waitlist.
What tutoring services are offered?
CASA is proud to employ approximately 30 tutors each academic year. These students have proven to be role-models both academically and interpersonally at Mines. Our tutoring services are offered in the lower level of CASA. CASA provides tutoring for all core curriculum courses and select upper-division coursework. Get more information about CASA tutoring.
Mines also offers tutoring outside of CASA (including additional Physics, Math, and Writing support). The Dean of Undergraduate Studies maintains a full list of resources on their website.
Mines Testing Center and Disability Support Services (DSS)>
How do I register to receive academic accommodations? How do I contact DSS?
You can find information regarding the registration process on the Disability Support Services website.
I had accommodations in high school or at another college, will I get them at Mines?
The Disability Support Services office will review primary documentation from a provider, as well as consider previous accommodations, when making a determination about accommodations at Mines. See the Disability Support Services website for more information on Documentation Guidelines and the registration process.
Misc. Questions
Do you recommend any particular laptop?
There is no preference for laptops at Mines.
Do teachers take attendance?
It depends on the class. It is important to refer to your course syllabus and discuss with your professor if you need clarification regarding attendance policies, as policies and how attendance is factored into your final grade can differ from class to class.
How do I Order books for classes?
Visit Mines Textbook Broker website for ordering books and course materials. A list of required books should also be provided on the course syllabus. The syllabus will be available either on the course Canvas page or given by the instructor on the first day of class. Contact your course instructor directly with any questions on textbook requirements.
Will I graduate in four years?
Graduation dates are dependent on different factors unique to each individual student. In order to stay on track to graduate it is important to follow your major catalog requirements; regularly check your Degree Works degree evaluation (in Trailhead on the Degree Works card); and meet with your CASA academic advisor and/or faculty mentor as needed. If you believe you may be off-track or behind in your degree requirements or just want to work on a semester-by-semester plan to ensure your graduation timeline, don’t hesitate to set an appointment with your CASA advisor. That’s what we are here for!
What differences should I expect to see between high school and college in my classes?
There are many differences between high school and college. In general, you should expect to do much more work, with a lot of the work being more challenging and more time-consuming. For many students, there is less built-in structure in college. It will be your responsibility to make sure you are setting aside enough time to study and using that time efficiently and effectively. Many students need to change or adapt from the study habits the used in high school. We encourage you to create positive study habits from the beginning. If you aren’t sure where to start, your CSM101 class will cover some suggestions and your professors and CASA advisor are also good resources.