Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to your most frequently asked questions, ranging from admissions to our co-op program.
General questions
What makes the College of Science unique?
Northeastern is a top research institution with inspired professors, an unmatched co-op program, and an extensive global network. Students who attend Northeastern’s College of Science can use these opportunities to create a unique college experience that prepares them for any path they choose to forge.
Where is the College of Science Dean's Office located?
The College of Science offices are located on the Boston campus in Richards Hall, on the west side of the Krentzman Quad.
Which regional campuses in the university global system are COS programs available?
The College of Science offers rigorous academic and research programs at eight of Northeastern’s 13 network campuses. Learn more about COS in the network.
What steps has COS taken toward diversity and equity?
Learn more about COS diversity and equity efforts here.
Who is the COS Executive Leadership team?
The College of Science is led by Dean Hazel Sive and the executive leadership team, comprised of department chairs and associated deans. Learn more about them here.
Who are COS Faculty and Staff?
At COS, you’ll find passionate and supportive faculty and staff across all our regional campuses who are here to help you reach your academic and career goals. View our Faculty and Staff directory here.
If I have more questions, who can I contact?
For undergraduate admissions questions, call 617.373.2200 or email [email protected].
For graduate admissions questions, call 617.373.4275 or email [email protected].
For PhD admissions questions, please contact [email protected].
To contact a specific person, please use our directory.
Questions about applying
What is required to apply?
To apply for undergraduate admission, fill out the Common Application or the Coalition Application by the application deadline.
To apply to our graduate programs, the application requirements and required materials can be found here.
What is the application deadline?
For undergraduates, please see the deadlines for each type of application here.
For our graduate programs, application deadlines vary. See here for a list of application deadlines by the program.
Do you accept new students in the spring semester?
Undergraduate students may only apply for the spring semester as transfer students. Most of our graduate programs accept transfer students. Learn more.
How can I check the status of my application?
For undergraduate applications, once you have applied to Northeastern, you will receive an email with your Northeastern University ID number (NU ID) and instructions on how to set up your Application Status Check account. Through the Application Status Check, you will be able to verify your personal information, view the required materials, and check on deadlines.
Graduate program applicants can check the status of their program once it is submitted through the application portal.
Does COS accept transfer credits from other programs?
Students who complete AP or IB exams through high school or college-level courses at an accredited institution prior to matriculation may transfer their credits. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions facilitates the transfer credit evaluation in partnership with the Northeastern academic departments. An up-to-date list of undergraduate transfer credit policies and equivalencies can be found here.
Graduate students may petition to transfer credit after they have been admitted to a COS program. More information on the graduate transfer credit policy can be found here.
How much are tuition and fees?
Learn more about tuition and other costs here.
What financial aid options are available?
Northeastern offers a full complement of financial assistance from federal, state, and institutional sources, including grants, loans, scholarships, and work awards to eligible students at all levels. For more information, visit the Student Financial Services site.
Questions about education and research
Can I study at regional Northeastern campuses?
Northeastern is a global university with flexible opportunities for undergraduates to experience various program locations and partnerships worldwide. Our graduate students study in Boston, Burlington, Oakland, Nahant, Portland, and Toronto and our undergraduate degrees are offered full-time in Boston and Oakland, with semester learning opportunities in London, New York, and Oakland. Learn more about undergraduate enrollment opportunities.
Are there study abroad programs available?
There are many opportunities to go abroad at Northeastern, including participating in the award-winning Dialogue of Civilizations program, a traditional Study Abroad semester, or Global Co-op .
What is the average class size?
The average class size at Northeastern is 20.
Are online courses available?
Online, live cast, and hybrid options are available for certain courses (lab courses are not offered online). Availability varies by semester. Please see the schedule of classes for class availability.
Can I take courses outside COS for credit?
Once they matriculate, students are expected to complete all course work for their degree at Northeastern, at an approved Northeastern partner, or at an approved study-abroad program. If Northeastern does not offer a course that is deemed important for a student’s education, or the student cannot take the course at Northeastern but it is required for graduation, the student may petition the College of Science for permission to take a course at another accredited institution.
What opportunities are there for undergraduate research?
There are many opportunities for undergraduate research. These include research co-ops, part-time volunteer and work-study positions in our many on-campus labs, and a variety of lab courses. Students may even pursue their own research as undergraduates at Northeastern.
What kind of student clubs are available to join?
Northeastern has over 500 clubs, including a wide selection of science clubs. Some are department-specific, like the Biology Club, while others are interdisciplinary, like NU Sci, Northeastern’s student-run science magazine. For a complete list of student clubs affiliated with the College of Science, see here. If we don’t yet have what you’re looking for, you can always start your own club!
Are there tutoring programs available?
Northeastern offers free peer tutoring. Talk to your academic advisor or visit the website to sign up.
Does every student get assigned an academic advisor?
Every student is assigned an academic advisor based on their major. You will be notified of your academic advisor at the beginning of the semester. You can also view your advisor and make appointments through myNortheastern.
How do I switch my undergraduate major?
Complete and submit a petition by the appropriate deadline, listed here. If you would like to discuss your potential major, meet with an advisor in the major.
What type of career services are available?
The Office of Employer Engagement and Career Design offers extensive resources, such as advising and events to help students with job search and career development, and Nucareers, Northeastern’s database of career and cooperative education job opportunities. For a full list of career services, see here.
What kind of learning disability resources do you have?
The Disability Research Center offers a variety of resources, such as the Learning Disabilities Program. Specific accommodations depend on the individual student. Learn more here.
How do I know if I am on the Dean's List?
Learn more about scholarship and achievement here.
What programs are available for PhDs and postdocs?
Learn more about our INVEST Program and Postdoctoral Training Program.
Questions about experiential learning
What is the co-op program?
Cooperative education is a structured method of combining classroom-based education with practical work experience. A cooperative education experience, commonly known as a “co-op,” provides academic credit for structured job experience. Cooperative education is taking on new importance in helping young people to make the school-to-work transition, service learning, and experiential learning initiatives. Learn more here.
Does every student have to participate in the co-op program?
Students are not required to take part in co-op (except for select professional master’s programs). However, most of our students do participate in this great opportunity.
What kind of opportunities are available in the co-op program?
Opportunities in the co-op program range from biotech companies to food waste elimination start-ups, from aquariums to wildlife reservations, from beer brewing to volcanoes, and everything in between. If none of the already established co-ops are exactly what you’re looking for, you can even make your own co-op. To learn more about co-op and see past examples, see our co-op page.
How do I sign up for the co-op program?
Students at Northeastern make an academic plan with their advisor that determines when they will go on co-op. The semester before their co-op, students apply to positions. The application process is like applying for a full-time job: students submit their resumes and any other necessary documents to the company they are applying to and go through the interview process. Before their first co-op, students take a class to help them with this process.
Are there service learning opportunities at COS?
Yes. Find out more about service-learning here.
How can I get involved in entrepreneurship?
Our Science Connects to Innovation Program empowers undergraduate science students through education, resources, and networks to create entrepreneurial solutions—spanning cleaner energy, eco-friendly pesticides, potential anticancer compounds, sustainable foods, and high-tech assistive devices.
Questions about housing and transportation
Can I take public transportation?
Boston Campus: From Northeastern, you can get almost anywhere in the city via public transportation. The Green Line and the Orange Line both stop at Northeastern. There are multiple bus connections on and around campus. If you want to get out of Boston, the Commuter Rail can take you to neighboring cities and towns like Salem and Worcester.
Oakland Campus: Find information about navigating the Bay Area on the 511 website.
Portland Campus: Greater Portland METRO buses offer routes within Portland and to neighboring towns South Portland, Falmouth, and Westbrook. The METRO BREEZ travels a little further than the traditional METRO bus routes, bringing you north of Portland to the towns of Yarmouth, Freeport, or Brunswick. Amtrak’s Downeaster is a train line that runs from Brunswick, ME to Boston, MA, with stops in-between including Portland and Durham, New Hampshire. With five daily round-trips between Maine and Boston, it’s easy to hop on and head to the Boston area for travel, school, or pleasure.
Toronto Campus: The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is the public transport agency that operates bus, subway, streetcar, and paratransit services in Toronto, Ontario. Find routes and schedules, service advisories, and information on fares and passes on the TTC website. GO Transit is the regional public transit service for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Find routes and schedules, service advisories, and information on fares and passes on the GO Transit website.
What are the options for undergraduate student living?
First and second year students are generally required to live in dorms. In their third year, students may opt to continue living on-campus or move into an off-campus apartment. For more information, please see the housing website.
Are there options for graduate student housing?
On campus housing is not available for graduate students, however the Off-Campus Student Services Office has numerous resources available to assist with your search. More information on their services can be found here.
Have additional questions?
Find contact information for COS offices, departments, and programs.