Academic Excellence

Missouri S&T is a demanding intellectual community, and most students wouldn’t have it any other way. As such, our first year experience is designed to help new students transition to college life and give them the support they need; whether it’s advice on choosing classes or just a shoulder to lean on. Despite the university’s reputation as an academically challenging institution, Missouri S&T boasts one of the country’s highest freshman retention rates – and the highest in Missouri – among peer institutions.

Part of our commitment to students is knowing when and how to help them. Residential learning communities play a vital role in connecting students to the university. Students in the same Learning Community live together, take courses together, forge friendships and find study partners. Faculty members even live in our Residential College.

Each student is assigned an individual faculty advisor. Many academic departments offer walk-in advising and all faculty keep office hours. Some faculty keep office hours at the local coffee shop or regularly meet students for breakfast study sessions.

Looking to get a jump on freshman year? Hit the Ground Running is a three week summer program offering new students an opportunity to learn about coursework expectations and campus life. Participants take courses in chemistry, math and English, learn about research and leadership opportunities and get a head start on success at Missouri S&T.

As a comprehensive technological research university, a quick look at our roll of Curator's Teaching Professors demonstrates the breadth of Missouri S&T. The award is the highest faculty honor given by the University of Missouri system. Campus recently celebrated the selection of Dr. Ralph Flori as the 2005 recipient of the National Outstanding Teaching Award from the American Society for Engineering Education.

Curator's Teaching Professors:

• Abdeldjelil Belarbi, Civil Engineering
• Oran Allan Pringle, Physics
• Donald R. Askeland, Metallurgical Engineering
• James Bogan, Art and Film
• Lawrence O. Christensen, History
• Nord Gale, Biological Sciences
• Larry D. Gragg, History
• Frances M. Haemmerlie, Psychology
• Leonard F. Koederitz, Petroleum Engineering
• Roger A. LaBoube, Civil Engineering
• Jack B. Ridley, History
• Kent Peaslee, Metallurgical Engineering

The Honors Academy

If you’re looking for the ultimate academic challenge, consider the Honors Academy. The Academy’s New Student Honors Seminar affords you an opportunity to attend special guest lectures, social events with Missouri S&T’s most dynamic faculty, a leadership conference and monthly seminars. Completing twelve additional credit hours of “honors” coursework and submitting a senior thesis will earn the distinction of “Honors Academy Fellow” on your diploma.

The Master Student Fellowship Program allows students to pursue both an undergraduate and master’s degree concurrently. “Master Students” embark on intense undergraduate research and may dual-enroll in graduate-level courses their senior year. Not for the faint-of-heart, the program is intended for the most serious of students and is selective in admission.