Dear Computer Engineering student:

You have already seen the signs posted in the departments: All students must see a faculty advisor in person, before they can register; and web registration for the Fall starts May 19th.

Advising is your opportunity to have a discussion with someone knowledgeable about your curriculum and your plans, in and outside of school. All upper-division undergrads—those who have completed 45 credits—must be advised by a professor. Students who have completed fewer credits are advised in the Office of Student Development, St 2M-7, x8040.

If you are an upper-division CpE major, you are assigned to an advisor alphabetically based on your last name. A–G are advised in Computer Science and H–Z in Electrical Engineering. The exact assignment of last names to professors is here: [link].

See your advisor during his/her office hours, or by appointment if that is impossible.

Bring a filled-out CpE advising form [link], and also a copy of the CpE curriculum sheet (8-semester grid) [link] defining the requirements of your major from the semester you have chosen to follow. It is your responsibility to understand your graduation requirements, prerequisites, and your current status (GPA, QPA, stops, probation, etc.). Your advisor will be able to explain course requirements, recommend courses based on your interests and abilities, and discuss extracurricular projects and work.

Upper-division students, or their advisors, should deliver the CpE advising form to my office or mailbox. If you have not been officially advised this semester, you will not be able to register (you will have an “EA” stop). For all other academic consultation, you may see me.

Sam Fenster
administrative director, computer engineering

In preparation for advising, you should:

• Take the time to think about your academic and career goals;
• Prepare questions before your advising session;
• Initiate contact with a faculty or staff advisor for the required once-per-semester advising session, and other sessions throughout the academic year;
• Make appointments for advising sessions during posted office hours. Notify the advisor or someone in the advisor’s office if it is impossible to keep appointments;
• Ask questions. If you do not understand, ask, ask, ask!!
• Familiarize yourself with College’s Academic Calendar to understand important deadlines (i.e., drop/add deadlines);
• Schedule courses that meet your degree requirements and educational and career interests;
• Accept responsibility for making final decisions related to your coursework;
• Do the proper follow-up after an advising session.

The academic advisor should:

• Provide accurate and current information about School of Engineering and College rules, regulations, policies, requirements, etc.
• Assist students with creating an appropriate course schedule;
• Provide students with current career information and career opportunities within major and specialization areas;
• Encourage students to utilize School of Engineering and College-wide support services and initiate contact with these offices, if necessary.
• Monitor students’ academic performance and recommend appropriate interventions, as necessary.