Questions Specific to UW

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many colleges and programs does UW offer?

A: UW has six undergraduate colleges: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arts & Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering and Applied Science, and Health Science. In addition, it is home to the College of Law, Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, UW at a Distance, the School of Energy Resources, and over 90 graduate degree programs. Check out our academic programs to explore all that UW has to offer!

Q: Do students have to study a fixed set of subjects or can they individually form their major?

A: It depends. Some degree programs are highly structured; others are more flexible and sometimes allow you to choose from a list of possible courses that could fulfill particular program requirements to create your own program. In order to see which majors are more flexible or more structured, see UW's Four-Year Degree Plans for the various majors offered on campus. A degree plan allows students to see the recommended sequence of courses for a particular major. Each person has one's own journey through their major, so it is essential to discuss one's course pathway with an academic advisor. If you have a declared major, the plan can help you choose courses and see the path ahead of you. If you are undeclared, checking out the degree plans for a couple majors you are exploring can help you get a “feel” for these degree programs and determine what to ask your advisor.

Q: When do you declare a major?

A: Although incoming students can declare a major before beginning their studies at UW, it is not essential. Many students do not declare a major until the end of the second year of school. Beginning your academic career with an undeclared major will allow you to explore the many different tracks that will allow you to discover the major that best fits. Within the UW Exploratory Studies program, you can choose one of six tracks that expose you to multiple disciplines within these areas. 

Q: What is a minor?

A: A minor is concentrated study in a specific subject area that compliments a student’s major. The university has a wide range of undergraduate minors. For example, the College of Arts & Sciences offers 69 minors. Adding a minor can enhance your degree and expand your career opportunities. If you have questions about adding a minor, talk to you advisor.

Q: What is the University Studies Program?

A: The University of Wyoming provides a liberal arts education, so students are broadly educated in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics. To ensure each student meets these requirements, certain courses are approved as a part of the core coursework required of a UW student. The University Studies Program (USP) is the general education program that all University of Wyoming undergraduate students are required to complete. 

Q: Can a course count for multiple requirements (for example, USP and major requirement)?

A: Yes, but not in all cases. Often a course that meets the USP requirement may also meet the major requirement for the degree offered. For more information on specific courses, it is best to consult with your advisor.

Q: What is the credit system at the University of Wyoming?

A: A credit is a value assigned to each course that reflects the number of hours the class will meet with the professor each week. A one-credit course meets for one hour each week with a ten-minute break. A three-credit course meets for 150 minutes per week (three hours with three ten-minute breaks).

Q: What is the grading system at the University of Wyoming?

A: A Grade Point Average (GPA) is a numeric indicator for a student's academic performance, calculated on a scale of 4.0. Most courses at the University of Wyoming use the plus-minus system. Your First Year Seminar, however, is set up to be letter grade only without a plus or minus.

Letter Grade	Percentage	Grade Points
A	93-100%	4.00
A-	90-92%	3.67
B+	87-89%	3.33
B	83-85%	3.00
B-	80-82%	2.67
C+	77-79%	2.33
C	73-75%	2.00
C-	70-72%	1.67
D+	67-69%	1.33
D	60-66%	1.00
F	<60%	0.00

 

Q: How do I find my grades?

A: Your midterm and final grades will be available on WyoWeb as soon as they are submitted by your instructors each semester. They may be found on the “Student Resources” tab, in the “Student Grades” channel. Do not rely on the grades posted within the Canvas course shell (WyoCourses) for each of your courses since some instructors do not update those grades as regularly as others.

Q: What kind of career planning services are offered to students?

A: The Advising, Career, and Exploratory Studies (ACES) Center in Knight Hall offers both career counseling and career services. Career counseling allows students to meet with a trained counselor to identify what they want in life in order to enable them to select a major, to set career goals, and to obtain them. Career services equip students with training as they prepare for their careers, including job fairs, interview workshops, building a resume, personal coaching appointments, and resources regarding parternships and jobs. In addition, several colleges at UW offer tailored career coaching for their particular field.   

Q: What are the medical insurance options for students?

Student Health Insurance is designed to help students maintain good health throughout their academic study and decrease the financial burden that can be caused by unexpected health expenses. The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees elected to offer a program which had the least impact on the students, yet still maintain a comprehensive program at a reasonable cost. University of Wyoming Student Health Insurance is provided through UnitedHealthcare StudentResources. The deadline to make any changes to your insurance choice is the add/drop deadline. For all international students, you are automatically enrolled in the student medical insurance each semester so you must waive the insurance by the add/drop deadline. The insurance includes a $400 deductible and $7,150 out-of-pocket maximum. For more information, see Student Health Insurance.