If you are a current public, private or homeschool student who is enrolled in grades 10, 11, and 12, you are eligible to take early-entry courses through NDSU. We recommend you have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students from any state are invited to apply for this college in high school program.

If you are already taking advanced placement, dual-credit, or gifted and talented classes you are likely an excellent candidate for early entry. Though these are not the only indicators of success as an early-entry student since not all public and private schools have the same resources available to students. Students who attend homeschool and meet the GPA requirement are also welcome to take these courses. 

Academic readiness is one of the most important factors in deciding if this program is for you. If you are unsure about your academic readiness, your high-school counselor or teachers can help you determine whether you are a good candidate to participate in a college in high school class. You may also contact the Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions about your readiness for taking these courses. We want to see you succeed in your college education, so we will only recommend taking early-entry courses if we feel you are adequately prepared to be successful. 

Below is a list of all online courses that are eligible for early-entry status. Courses listed are available every year during the semesters in which they are listed unless otherwise noted. For example, a course listed under the fall semester category would be available every fall semester.

If you are looking for an on-campus early-entry course, you may view a list of all available early-entry courses.

The list below is not exhaustive. If you have a question about additional classes, contact ndsu.otl@ndsu.edu.

This section provides an alphabetized list of all online early-entry courses offered at NDSU, a description of each course, general education categories each class meets, and number of credits. Note that not all of the courses in this section are offered each semester. Refer to our courses by semester section to determine which courses are offered in the semester of your choice. Classes may be added or removed from this list as course sections change. NDSU departments can submit their online 100 & 200- level courses for publication on this website. Submit your course >>

Students are also invited to take any face-to-face or traditional classroom classes and may find a list of on-campus courses here.

PSYC 270  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B

Survey of the classification, symptoms, and etiology of psychological disorders. Attention given to diagnosis, etiology, and treatment according to prominent theoretical perspectives. Focus on empirical basis for understanding these problems. Prereq: PSYC 111.

NURS 150  |  1 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

The course will provide an introduction to the nursing profession and immerse students in activities to facilitate academic success, teamwork, and professionalism.

ARMD 181  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Analysis of aesthetics and design principles and their application to apparel and textiles products, environment and oneself.

AGEC 244  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Study of the agricultural marketing system to include cash marketing, commodity futures trading, branded products merchandising and the interrelationship of the government and international trade.

HNES 260   |  1 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Medical terminology related to athletic training and other allied health professions.

MATH 129  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Systems of linear equations, matrices, determinants, vector spaces, lines and planes in space, linear transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Credit awarded only for MATH 128 or MATH 129, not both. Prereq: MATH 105 or MATH 107.

PHIL 216  |  3 credits
General Education Category: A & G

Many of the central moral issues of business, such as consumer rights, advertising, employee rights, and business competition, are examined in light of the major ethical theories, such as Utilitarianism, Kantianism, and Relativism.

TL 116  |  3 credits
General Education Category: S

Instruction on the use of popular spreadsheet and database software applications including how and when to apply the features of these types of applications to address a variety of business problems. Content emphasizes leveraging widely used business tools via hands-on activities. Credit will be awarded only for TL 116, MIS 116, CSCI 114, or CSCI 116 but not more than one.

MATH 165  |  4 credits
General Education Category: R

Limits, continuity, differentiation, Mean Value Theorem, integration, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and applications. Prereq: MATH 105, MATH 107 or placement.

MATH 166  |  4 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Applications and techniques of integration; polar equations; parametric equation; sequences and series, power series. Prereq: MATH 165.

MATH 265  |  4 Credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Multivariate and vector calculus including partial derivatives, multiple integration, applications, line and surface integrals, Green's Theorem, Stoke's Theorem, and Divergence Theorem. Prereq: MATH 166. Credit awarded only for MATH 259 or MATH 265, not both.

CHEM 117  |  3 credits
General Education Category: S

Introduction to general and organic chemistry, with applications drawn from the health, environmental, and materials sciences. Prereq or Coreq: MATH 103, MATH 104 or MATH 107 or Math placement.

HDFS 330  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Study of children, three years through middle childhood. Emphasis on social, cognitive, physical, and emotional development. Prereq: HDFS 230.

EE 206  |  4 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Linear electric circuits. Component models, circuit laws, transient analysis, design issues, computer tools. 3 lectures, 1 two-hour recitation/laboratory. Prereq: MATH 166 with a grade of C or better. Co-req: MATH 129.

GEOL 201  |  3 credits
General Education Category: G & S

Exploration and analysis of Earth system processes, geologic and instrumental records of global-scale climate change, and the interrelationship of climate change and energy consumption from fossil fuels.

MATH 103  | 3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Relations and functions, equations and inequalities, complex numbers; polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions; systems of equations, and matrices. Prereq: MATH 98 with a grade of C or higher or placement.

ENGL 110  | 3 credits
General Education Category: C

Guided practice in the reading and writing of various genres for different situations and audiences. Includes research on the web and in the library. Prereq: English placement.

ENGL 120  |  3 credits
General Education Category: C

Advanced practice in reading and writing of various genres for different situations and audiences. Includes field research, collaboration, and visual communication. Prereq: ENGL 110 or placement.

CSCI 114  |  3 credits
General Education Category: S

General introduction to computer concepts, operating systems, the internet, word processing, spreadsheets, database management, and presentation software. Credit awarded only for CSCI 114 or CSCI/MIS/TL 116, not both.

CSCI 160  |  4 credits
General Education Category: S

Introduction to computer science including problem solving, algorithm development, and structured programming in a high-level language. Emphasis on design, coding, testing, and documentation of programs using accepted standards of style. Prereq: MATH 105 or higher, or CSCI 159.

CSCI 161  |  4 Credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Continuation of CSCI 160 that emphasizes more advanced programming language features and basic data structures. Students will learn to incorporate advanced programming features such as Interfaces and Generics into the programs they develop. Prereq: CSCI 160.

CSCI 159  |  3 credits
General Education Category: R

Computer-based problem solving techniques are introduced in the context of the Internet, including web-site development. Programming concepts, data structures and algorithms, as well as modeling techniques are discussed.

CSCI 227  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Introduction to programming concepts, with focus on flow control, basic data structures, and functions. The course is the first in a three-course sequence using the Python programming language. Prereq: MATH 103 or MATH 107.

CSCI 228  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Introduction to programming concepts, with focus on the object-oriented programming paradigm, linear data structures, positional lists, iterators, and basic algorithm analysis. The course is the second in a three-course sequence using the Python programming language.

BIOL 111  |  3 credits
General Education Category: S

Introduction to a wide range of biological topics, from the organism, ecology, and evolution to the cell, molecular biology, and genetics. For credit as a lecture/lab pair, students should take BIOL 100L as a co-requisite.

HNES 100  |  2 credits
General Education Category: W

Facts about exercise and physical fitness.

PHIL 215  |  3 credits
General Education Category: A & D

Many contemporary moral issues, such as the developed world's duties to the developing world, war, ethical technology, and gender issues are examined in light of the major ethical theories, such as Utilitarianism, Kantianism, and Relativism.

HDFS 242  |  3 credits
General Education Category: W

Study of the formation of relationships in varied contexts: examines the diversity of couples, marriages, and families that exists in our contemporary society. Emphasis will be on relationship health as well as barriers to relationship wellness.

CJ 230  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Study of criminal behavior and the measurement of crime and victimization. Major theories of crime causation and specific types of crime will be examined.

SOC 235  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B & D

Analysis of lifestyles and characteristics of racial, cultural, and ethnic groups in society. Review of processes of discrimination, prejudice, and related dehumanizing biases toward culturally diverse groups including women.

PSYC 216  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Examines the different ways in which cultural variables affect human cognition, emotion, and behavior. This course uses the lens of culture to consider topics such as cognition and emotion, personality, psychopathology, the self, prejudice and intergroup relations, and cultural conflict (e.g., terrorism, genocide). Prereq: PSYC 111.

PSYC 250  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B

Survey of the psychology of human life span development. Coverage also includes heredity and prenatal development. Prereq: PSYC 111.

ECE 275  |  4 Credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Introduction to computer arithmetic, designing combinatorial circuits, and designing basic sequential circuits. Prereq: MATH 105.

CSCI 222  |  3 Credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Sets, functions, relations, logic, methods of proof, mathematical induction, combinatorics, recurrence relations, generating functions. Prereq: CSCI 160 or CSCI 228.

HDFS 275  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B & D

This course includes the study of developmental and family issues as viewed from a perspective of diversity and multiculturalism. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the role of factors such as race, ethnicity, social class, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability in developmental and family processes.

ACCT 200  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

An introduction to accounting to enable the student to achieve a working knowledge of accounting and its uses. ACCT 200 emphasizes the basic concepts and approaches of accounting applied to businesses, the accounting cycle, and the preparation of the income statement and balance sheet. Co-req: TL 116.

ACCT 201  |  3 credits
General Education Category: None

Building on ACCT 200, ACCT 201 emphasizes the use of accounting information as a basis for decision-making. Topics include the statement of cash flows, financial statement analysis, and managerial accounting (budgeting, job-order costing, cost-volume-profit analysis, short-term decision making, and capital budgeting). Prereq: ACCT 200.

BIOC 260  |  4 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Protein structure, function conformation, and dynamics; enzymes, DNA-RNA: structure and flow of genetic information; biological membranes; metabolism. Prereq: CHEM 117 or CHEM 122 and CHEM 140 or CHEM 240.

ECON 105  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B & G

Study of demand and supply, competitive and noncompetitive markets, concepts of national income, unemployment, inflation, money, and fiscal and monetary policies. This course cannot be substituted for ECON 201 and ECON 202.

EMGT 101  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B

An overview of emergencies, disasters, and catastrophes from a social, political, historical, policy, environmental, international and cross-cultural perspective. Focuses on differences in these events in terms of scale as well as cause from the disaster phase approach.

ME 221  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Scaler and vector approaches to trusses, frames and machines, internal forces, friction forces, center of gravity, centroid, and moment inertia. Prereq: MATH 165.

ME 222  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, work energy, impulse-momentum, principles of conservation of energy and momentum. Prereq: ME 221, MATH 166.

BIOL 124  |  3 credits
General Education Category: G & S

Ecological principles related to human cultures, resource use, and environmental alterations. For credit as a lecture/lab pair, students should take BIOL 100L as a co-requisite.

MGMT 241  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

This course explores the multidisciplinary nature of events management and provides the student with professional knowledge they need in order to succeed in the events industry. 

MICR 100  |  3 credits
General Education Category: G & S

In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for global prosperity, discover how microbes impact health, agriculture, and the environment, and learn about careers in microbiology, biotechnology, and genetic engineering that are changing the world.

AGRI 120  |  3 Credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

A comprehensive introduction to the field of agriculture, offering a foundational understanding of the principles, practices, and challenges inherent in modern agricultural systems. Exploration of the multifaceted aspects of agriculture, ranging from traditional farming techniques to cutting-edge technologies that drive sustainable and efficient food, fuel, and fiber production.

MATH 104  |  3 credits
General Education Category: R

Systems of linear equations and inequalities, matrices, linear programming, mathematics of finance, elementary probability and descriptive statistics. Prereq: MATH 098 with a grade of C or higher or placement.

SPAN 101  |  4 credits
General Education Category: A & D

Basic structures and vocabulary of Spanish. Practice in the fundamentals of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. No previous knowledge of Spanish required.

SPAN 102  |  4 credits
General Education Category: A & G

Basic structures and vocabulary of Spanish. Practice in the fundamentals of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

ADHM 211  |  3 credits
General Education Category: A & D

This course is an exploration of a variety of foods and cultures that demonstrate the influences of demography, geography, history, social traditions, religious beliefs, and other environmental considerations on food, its preparation, service, and symbolism/meaning.

HNES 261  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Scientific principles underlying food selection, preparation, and preservation; integration of nutrition principles, food standards, cost comparisons, and new food developments. 

ACCT 102  | 3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Introduces financial statements and other accounting information to make personal and business decisions. Not available to majors and accounting minors in the College of Business Administration. Student may not have previously passed or be concurrently enrolled in ACCT 201.

ASM 115  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Overview of agricultural systems management; engines, machinery, structures, electricity, processing, and conservation. Co-req: MATH 103, MATH 104, MATH 107, or placement.

GEOG 105  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Basics of integration and analyses of spatial data to visualize relationships, seek explanations, and develop solutions to problems. Emphases are placed on the nature of geographic information and the ways digital methods support geographic analyses and modeling.

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COMM 110  |  3 credits
General Education Category: C

Theory and practice of public speaking with emphasis on content, organization, language, delivery, and critical evaluation of messages.

ME 212  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Visual communications for design and manufacturing, computer-aided drawing and design, three-dimensional modeling and orthographic projections, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, ASME Y14.5 1994 standard, sketching, parametric modeling, drawings and assemblies.

SOC 240  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B & D

This course introduces students to concepts in the sociology of gender and popular culture. The course offers an overview of the gendered experience of cultural production, representation, and lived lives. Students will learn how aspects of popular culture produce and reinforce our understanding of gender.

BIOL 150  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Introduction to cellular and molecular biology, genetics, and evolution.

BIOL 151  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

An introduction to the biology of living organisms and their interactions with each other and their environments. Examples primarily involve plants and animals, but include other groups of organisms as well.

CHEM 121  |  3 credits
General Education Category: S

Matter, measurement, atoms, ions, molecules, reactions, chemical calculations, thermochemistry, bonding, molecular geometry, periodicity, and gases. Prereq or Coreq: MATH 103, MATH 107, or Math placement.

CHEM 121L  |  1 credit
General Education Category: S

Matter, measurement, atoms, ions, molecules, reactions, chemical calculations, thermochemistry, bonding, molecular geometry, periodicity, and gases. Prereq or Coreq: MATH 103, MATH 107 or Math placement.

CHEM 122  |  3 credits
General Education Category: S

Intermolecular forces, liquids, solids, kinetics, equilibria, acids and bases, solution chemistry, precipitation, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry. Prereq: CHEM 121.

SOC 116  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B & G

Sociological analysis of global social problems.

ADHM 241  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Basic financial hospitality accounting concepts and practices. Interpretation of accounting and financial control systems in management decision making; uniform system of accounts, departmentalized costing procedures; ration analysis; budgeting, financial statement analysis and interpretation. Prereq: ACCT 102, ADHM 140, ADHM 141.

BIOL 220  |  3 credits
General Education Category: S

An in-depth introduction to structure and function of human organ systems' cells, tissues, the integumentary system, the skeletal system, joints, muscle and muscular system, nervous tissue and nervous system, and the special senses.

BIOL 221  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

A continuation of BIOL 220, 220L; the endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems and development. Prereq: BIOL 220.

BIOL 126  |  3 credits
General Education Category: S

Consideration of selected problems in human biology.

COMM 114  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B

Overview of communication theory with emphasis on information transmission and social influence functions of communication behavior in personal and mediated contexts.

PSYC 210  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B

Survey of biological, developmental, and psychological aspects of human sexuality. Prereq: PSYC 111.

PHIL 221  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

An introduction to the philosophical tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. The course focuses on the major orthodox (astika) schools of Vedic philosophy, Samkhya, Nyaya, Vaisesika, Mimamsa, Vedanta, and Yoga, while also discussing the heterodox (nastika) Buddhist, Jain, and Materialist (Carvaka) schools. The course will present the major figures, teachings, and arguments of these schools with a special focus on their metaphysical and ethical views.

COMM 216  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B & D

Exploration of the definition, models, and verbal processes of communication between different cultural groups.

ID 160  |  1 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Survey of the interior design profession and the relationship to allied professionals and organizations.

CSCI 172  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Elements of Visual Basic for those with previous programming background. Topics include fundamental constructs, Active X controls, file processing, database management, and SQL. Prereq: one semester/experience in any programming language.

POLS 220  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B & G

Concepts, theories, and issues in international relations.

COMM 212  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B

Theory and practice of communication in interpersonal relationships. Includes aspects of self-expression and relationship communication.

COMM 133  |  3 Credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

This course provides an introduction to agricultural communication as a professional field. The course will also provide an overview of career options and professional skills and competencies required of agricultural communications.

AGEC 242  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Economic and managerial concepts related to farm or agribusiness production process, development of cost data, enterprise analysis, organization and management of production inputs. 

ANSC 114  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

General principles of the livestock industry and relationships to mankind.

ANTH 111  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B & D

Introductory overview to anthropology, the holistic study of humans and the diversity of the human experience over space and time. Covers the major fields of anthropology: cultural and biological anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, applied anthropology.

PSYC 211  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B

Basic principles and procedures governing acquisition, maintenance, and change of behavior, emphasizing human applications. Laboratory involves designing, implementing, and reporting an individual project. Prereq: PSYC 111.

ECE 173  |  4 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Programming in a high level language with applications to engineering computation, analysis, and design. 3 lectures, 1 2-hour laboratory. Prereq: MATH 103 or higher.

CJ 270  |  3 Credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

This course provides an overview of the correctional system, including prisons and community sanctions, in the United States.

CJ 201  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Examination of the criminal justice system and process. Includes crime, lawmaking, criminality, prosecution, police, courts, and corrections.

CSCI 105  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

This course provides the foundation for understanding key issues faced and measures associated with protecting computer systems, networks, and information assets from cyber threats. Students also gain knowledge of the social, legal, ethical, and privacy implications of cybersecurity.

MATH 266  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Solution of elementary differential equations by elementary techniques. Laplace transforms, systems of equations, matrix methods, numerical techniques, and applications.

ECE 111  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Introduction to electrical and computer engineering problem solving, design and professional issues. Prereq: MATH 103.

ENTR 201  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B

An introduction to the entrepreneurial process, evaluating the market feasibility of new product/business ideas, and launching an entrepreneurial venture. Students will develop an understanding of the business concept and business model. Develop a general understanding of the basic functional areas of business and have an opportunity to evaluate what entrepreneurship involves.

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ANSC 260  |  2 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Introduction to basic aspects of equine studies and general principles surrounding the horse industry. 

ENGL 225  |  3 credits
General Education Category: A

General introduction to film studies, including analysis of narrative and stylistic elements of films for their artistic merits and their reflection of an influence on society.

CFS 210  |  3 credits
General Education Category: S

Overview of food components, food quality, nutrition, processing, packaging, safety, sanitation laws, sensory evaluation, distribution, and utilization.

ADHM 140  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Overview of the hospitality industry; its history, components, career opportunities, development, and future trends with application to food service, lodging, and travel. 

CSCI 177  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Introduction to basic concepts of information technology, including hardware, software and software. The course provides an overview of computing, storage, networking, and security topics.

INTL 110  |  3 Credits
General Education Category: B & G

An interdisciplinary course which introduces students to a variety of global topics, concepts, and perspectives.

MATH 128  |  1 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Systems of linear equations, row operations, echelon form, matrix operations, inverses, and determinants. Prereq: MATH 105 or MATH 107. Credit awarded only for MATH 128 or MATH 129, not both.

ME 111  |  2 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

This course introduces students to the field of mechanical engineering, the Mechanical Engineering degree program at NDSU, and potential career opportunities in the discipline through the use of hands-on, project-based learning experiences in multi-member teams addressing traditional and newly emerging topics in the field of mechanical engineering, including computer aided design, solid mechanics, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, materials selection, instrumentation and data analysis in the context of problem-solving and design. Prereq: Acceptance into the Pre-Mechanical Engineering major.

COMM 200  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Introduction to writing in the styles and forms required in journalism and strategic communication. Prereq: ENGL 120.

SOIL 217  |  3 credits
General Education Category: S

Basic meteorology-climatology concepts and their application; includes energy balance, greenhouse effect, temperature, pressure systems, lows, highs, fronts, winds, clouds, storms, humidity, precipitation, and measurements. Lectures, discussions, demonstrations.

PHIL 101  |  3 credits
General Education Category: A

Basic problems, concepts, and methods of philosophy.

PAG 115 |  2 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

This course is designed to introduce the student to principles of precision agriculture, crop and livestock production in precision agriculture, GIS, GPS, sensors, drones, data acquisition and management, Remote sensing. The course is offered in 2 one-hour lectures per week. Pre-req: MATH 103

PSYC 111  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B

Survey of the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

PH 101  |  3 credits
General Education Category: D & W

This course introduces undergraduate students to the interdisciplinary and exciting field of public health. Discussing and studying the processes and practices of public health enhances the population health perspective of healthcare and other professionals.

HDFS 250  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Undergraduate orientation to research methods in human development and marital/family relationships; students will explore the scientific method as applied to HDFS, methods/issues related to data collection, and methods of data analysis.

SOC 110  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B

Introductory analysis of the nature of society, the interrelationship of its component groups, and the process whereby society persists and changes.

SOIL 210  |  3 Credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

An introductory-level course that covers the basic principles of soil science. Topics include the concepts of soil as a natural body, composition of soil, functions of soil, soil formation and classification, physical/chemical/biological properties of soils, and soil management and conservation.

THEA 110  |  3 credits
General Education Category: A

Basic orientation and historical perspective to the art of theatre. Includes the spectrum of dramatic literature, theatrical production, and performance.

CSCI 277  |  3 Credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

This course introduces students to the UNIX operating system environment. Topics include basic UNIX commands, operating system installation and administration, application installation, use of alternative shells, web servers, and system security. Cross-listed with MIS 277.

ART 110  |  3 credits
General Education Category: A & D

Study and analysis of artistic methods and meaning in the visual arts; designed for non-majors.

COMM 260  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

This course aims to orient students to Web concepts, design, presentation, and evaluation. Prereq: CSCI 114, TL 116 or CSCI 160.

COMM 261  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Introduces the tools used by Web Development professionals, including HTML, Web editors, imaging software, Javascript, and Acrobat pdf format.

WGS 110  |  3 credits
General Education Category: A & D

Exploration of a range of social/domestic and global issues related to women; development of a feminist framework for thinking and writing about woman and gender.

MICR 202  |  2 credits
General Education Category: S

Study of the characteristics and importance of microorganisms with emphasis on their identification, control, and relationships to health and disease. Not for microbiology majors.

STATS 330  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Frequency tables, histograms, probability, well-known probability distributions, one and two sample tests of hypotheses, confidence intervals, and contingency tables. Prereq: Algebra 2, MATH 103, MATH 104 or MATH 107 or Math placement into MATH 105, MATH 146 or MATH 165.

POLS 230  | 3 credits
Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Role of lawyers, judges, and courts in the political system. Special emphasis on judicial decision-making and the ideas behind law.

HDFS 230  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B

Study of human growth and development throughout the life span.

MATH 144  |  4 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Mathematics of finance, linear programming and its applications in business, limits, continuity, derivatives, implicit and logarithmic differentiation, higher order derivatives, optimization and extrema, partial differentiation, extreme values of functions of two variables. Prereq: MATH 103, MATH 107, or placement exam. Credit awarded only for MATH 144 or MATH 146, not both.

ME 223  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Introduction to stress, strain, and their relationships; torsion of circular shafts, bending stresses, deflection of beams, stress transformations. Prereq: ME 221.

COMM 112  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B

Exploration of the purpose, function, and impact of media on society.

VETS 115  |  1 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Medical terminology explored through a systematic study of word parts and the combinations used to build medical terms.

CSCI 213  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

This course provides students with exposure to, and practice with a modern software development environment. Students do individual projects covering all the major phases of prescriptive software development including: requirements engineering, design, construction, testing and debugging. Prereq: CSCI 161.

MATH 259  |  3 Credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Functions of several variables, vectors in two and three variables, partial derivatives, surfaces and gradients, tangent planes, differentials, chain rule, optimization, space curves, and multiple integrals. Prereq: MATH 166. Credit awarded only for MATH 259 or MATH 265, not both.

MUSC 100  |  3 credits
General Education Category: A

Understanding and appreciating musical styles and composers with some emphasis on the relationship of music to concurrent social and artistic trends. Designed for non-music majors.

BIOL 100L  |  1 credits
General Education Category: S

Laboratory experience to introduce the application of the scientific method across a wide scale of biological topics, including molecular biology, the organism, evolution, and ecology. This lab may be taken as a co-requisite with BIOL 111, BIOL 124, or BIOL 126. Co-req: BIOL 111 or BIOL 124 or BIOL 126.

HNES 250  |  3 credits
General Education Category: S & W

Scientific principles of nutrition based on chemical structure and function of the nutrients.

HNES 217  |  3 credits
General Education Category: W

Study of vital personal and community health issues. Particular attention to current health facts, habits, and attitudes as they relate to home, school, and community.

CHP 211  |  3 credits
General Education Category: W

This course will explore multiple perspectives in developing healthy habits for living well that involve the body and the mind. 

COMM 220  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Exploration of the role and function of persuasion in personal, professional, and civic life. Provides an overview of critical, rhetorical, and social scientific theories of persuasion.

H&CE 232  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Principles, philosophies, development, and implementation of agricultural education, family and consumer sciences education, business education, and extension programs. Analysis of evolving concepts with emphasis on history, legislation, and principles underlying organization and practice.

GEOL 105  |  3 credits
General Education Category: G & S

Study of the Earth as a physical body; its structure, composition, and the geologic processes acting on and within the Earth.

ECON 202  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B

Aggregate income and employment analysis; business cycles, unemployment, inflation and economic growth; fiscal policy; money and monetary policy; the U.S. economy and the world economy.

ECON 201  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B

Nature, method, and scope of economic analysis; economic scarcity, resources, specialization of labor; supply-demand analysis; production and cost analysis; product and resource market structures; distribution of income; international trade.

PHIL 111  |  3 credits
General Education Category: A

The ethical responsibilities of professionals are examined in light of the major ethical theories, such as Utilitarianism, Kantianism, and Relativism.

PSYC 212  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B

Examination of legal and illegal psychoactive drugs. Emphasis on psychological, physiological, and behavioral effects of these drugs and problems of drug abuse. Prereq: PSYC 111.

PSYC 221  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B

Applications of psychology to people at work. Topics include employee selection, job interviewing, performance appraisal, psychological testing, Equal Employment Opportunity, leadership, motivation, job satisfaction, organizational theory, employee safety and health. Prereq: PSYC 111.

MUSC 108  |  3 credits
General Education Category: A & D

Survey of American popular music and musicians from Civil War times through the present with an emphasis on historical and sociological influences. Designed for non-music majors.

HDFS 186  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B

A foundation for managing financial resources effectively for life-long financial wellbeing. Focus is on the skills and tools needed to organize and manage personal finances with an emphasis on consumer decision making.

PSYC 214 OR SOC 214 |  3 credits
General Education Category: B

Examination of issues relevant to the study of individual behavior (e.g., self-concept, attitudes, social perception) in a social context. Cross-listed with SOC 214.

ART 122  |  3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Studio Technology Foundations is an introductory-level course in the Department of Visual Art. Lectures, demonstrations, and class assignments offer students an introduction to core technologies in the visual arts and equip students with a working knowledge of their respective operations and applications.

AGRI 199   |  2 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

* Must be admitted to the Northern Crops Institute (NCI) Summer Ag Academy program. To learn more, contact Dr. Casey Peterson, NCI program development manager.

ARMD 203  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B & G

This course explores the interrelationship between environment, society, economy and culture as they pertain to the global fashion industry. Practical and conceptual issues will be discussed to develop sustainable practices in our daily and professional lives.

GEOL 106  |  3 credits
General Education Category: S

Introduction to the Earth through time; its origin, history, and evolution of animal and plant life.

ADHM 141  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B & G

Application of management principles and theories to tourism with emphasis on tourism components, recreational activities, international travel, and social, economic, and environmental impacts of the global tourism industry. 

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PHIL 257  |  3 credits
General Education Category: R

Study of the art and science of critical thinking; scientific method emphasized.

MGMT 141  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B & G

Application of management principles and theories to tourism with emphasis on tourism components, recreational activities, international travel, and social, economic, and environmental impacts of the global tourism industry. This course provides fundamental knowledge of tourism impacts, global events and trends, destination management, tourist behaviors, and tourism marketing. 

MATH 105  | 3 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Angle measure, trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions, trigonometric identities and equations, polar coordinates and applications. Prereq: MATH 103 or placement. Credit awarded only for MATH 105 or MATH 107, not both.

COMM 112  |  3 credits
General Education Category: B

Exploration of the purpose, function, and impact of media on society.

PHYS 251  |  4 Credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Newtonian mechanics of translational and rotational motion, work, energy, power, momentum, conservation of energy and momentum, periodic motion, waves, sound, heat, and thermodynamics. Prereq: MATH 165.

PHYS 251L  |  1 Credit
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Newtonian mechanics of translational and rotational motion, work, energy, power, momentum, conservation of energy and momentum, periodic motion, waves, sound, heat, and thermodynamics. Prereq: MATH 165.

PHYS 252  |  4 credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

Electric charge, field, potential, and current; magnetic field; capacitance; resistance; inductance; RC, RL, LC and RLC circuits; waves; optics.

HIST 103  |  3 credits
General Education Category: A

This course explores key events, trends, and concepts in American history from before European contact until the Civil War. Through readings, lectures, and discussion, students will engage with the social, economic, political, and cultural factors at play in the development of the United States to 1865. The course will examine the motivations and effects of European colonization in North America; the causes of the American Revolution and its political, social, and cultural ramifications; the growth of market capitalism and its effects on American society; the course and nature of westward expansion during the nineteenth century; and the emergence, expansion, and eventual end of slavery in the United States.

HIST 104  |  3 credits
General Education Category: A

Survey of United States history since 1877, emphasizing major political, economic, social, and cultural developments.

HNES 111  |  3 credits
General Education Category: W

Examination of personal lifestyle choices related to emotional, nutritional, and mental well-being.

HIST 101  |  3 credits
General Education Category: A

Introductory survey of Western Civilization from prehistory to 1648, emphasizing major political, social, cultural, and intellectual developments.

HIST 102  |  3 credits
General Education Category: A

Introductory survey of Western Civilization from 1648 to the present, emphasizing major political, social, cultural, and intellectual developments.

AGRI 115  |  3 Credits
General Education Category: S

This class reveals the mystery of the wonders of every-day weather. Through hands-on experimentation, observations, and discussion of day-to-day weather, students curious about weather and its impacts will come to understand the natural forces structuring the Earth's atmosphere and its weather patterns that directly impact lives of all sharing the Mother Earth.

BUSN 211  |  3 Credits
General Education Category: Does not meet NDSU's general education requirements but may apply toward degree requirements.

This course is an exploration of a variety of cultures and foods that demonstrate the influences of demography, geography, history, social traditions, religious beliefs, and other environmental considerations on food, its preparation, service, and symbolism/meaning. This course is open to students pursuing any major.

THEA 115  |  3 credits
General Education Category: A & D

Study of the development and practice of the art of film and its relationship to the theater emphasizing performance and production angles.

PLSC 110  |  3 credits
General Education Category: S & G

Scientific principles of crop growth, worldwide production, management alternatives, and processing for domestic and international consumption. 

MUSC 109  |  3 credits
General Education Category: A & G

Survey of music from around the world's cultures with an emphasis on commonalities and differences found in the human experience of music.

RELS 100  |  3 credits
General Education Category: A

Explores the beliefs, practices and origins of the world's major religions and introduces analytical approaches to studying religion.

This list describes what each general education category denotation means. Learn more about general education requirements. 

A ………………………….....……………………Humanities and Fine Art

B ……………………….......…………....Social and Behavioral Sciences

C ……………………………………………………………Communication

D ……………………………….…………………………Cultural Diversity

G ………………………………...……………………Global Perspectives

R ……………………………......…..……………Quantitative Reasoning

S ………………………………..........…………Science and Technology

W…………………………....…………..............................……Wellness

Domestic Student Tuition Rate

Domestic students are any public, private, or homeschool student in the United States. 

Total cost per credit for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years is $153.96. Tuition rates are determined by the North Dakota University System. Tuition for early-entry classes is not eligible for federal financial aid. If the cost of tuition is a barrier to your enrollment, view details on NDSU's NEW Early-Entry Scholarship.

Breakdown:
$148.42 = Tuition/Fees (per credit)
$5.50 = ConnectND Fee (per credit)
$.04 = NDSA Fee (per credit)

This tuition rate applies to individuals from any state taking these classes as early entry or dual credit. The early entry tuition rate does not include most student fees. Therefore, early entry students have access to academic supports including the tutoring, the Center for Writers, computer labs, and library, but the early entry rate does not include access to Campus Attraction events, the wellness center, student health, or sporting events. Questions can be sent to ndsu.otl@ndsu.edu.

International Student Tuition Rate

International students are any public, private, or homeschool student from any country outside of the United States. 

Tuition is charged at NDSU's in-state or North Dakota tuition rate and may have a differential tuition rate for some programs. View the in-state/North Dakota tuition rates at NDSU.

We first suggest you speak with your high-school counselor and your parents or guardian to ensure they are aware of your intent to take an early-entry course. Then you should fill out the FREE NDSU Application for Admission. After you have set up your campus services, you will be able to register for your classes using the Campus Connection Software during the open registration timeframe.

Be sure to get your application in early and register for courses as soon as open registration is available for the best selection of classes.  

Application Process

Application forms are due approximately one month prior to the start of the semester in which you want to take classes. This allows time for processing of your application. Follow these steps for the early-entry application process at NDSU.

1. Go to the NDSU admission application page for early-entry students (dual-credit students use this same form).
2. Click “Sign Up” or sign in if you already have an account.
3. Complete the FREE application for admission. —Be sure to select "early entry/dual credit" as your admit type.
4. You will receive verification of your acceptance to NDSU as an early-entry student.

Notes:

• If you miss taking a class one semester (not including summer) you will need to contact OTL to have your application reactivated. 
• When you graduate high school and choose to become a degree seeking student, you must fill out the FREE admission application again. Doing so qualifies you for federal student aid as well as any scholarships available at NDSU.

Course Registration

You will use the Campus Connection registration software to register for your classes; however, you must set up your NDSU electronic services before you will have access to register. Please ensure you have your student ID ready when you set up your services. Go to our Getting Started section to find detailed instructions and tutorial videos. 

For questions regarding the application process, contact the Office of Admission at 1-800-488-NDSU or ndsu.admission@ndsu.edu.

For all other early-entry questions, contact the Office of Teaching and Learning at 701-231-7015, or at ndsu.otl@ndsu.edu.