Engineering Fundamentals News

Category: Advising

Writing Professional E-Mails

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Professional e-mails (those going to a professor or to a prospective employer) are different from personal e-mails or text messages in several ways.

  • Include a descriptive and detailed subject line for the e-mail. See the following examples:
    • Poor: I have a question
    • Better: ENG1101 Homework
    • Best: ENG1101 Homework due 9/12/2013, Problem 3.5
  • Address the person you are e-mailing (e.g., Hello Dr. Smith,).
  • Use full sentences.
  • Use capitals and punctuation.
  • Do not shorten words (i.e., use “you” instead of “u”).
  • Spell check the e-mail.
  • Sign the e-mail.
    • Thank you,
    • Your Name
    • Your Contact Information
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First-Year Engineering Courses (what do I take next)

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The courses in which you enroll during your first 2-3 semesters at Michigan Tech will depend largely upon your initial math placement, and somewhat upon your intended major. For course descriptions, go to the Michigan Tech undergraduate course descriptions.

If you start out in Calculus I (MA1160) or higher,$ your approximate schedule for your first two semesters will be (see your academic advisor for any changes):

Fall 1 (15-17 credits) Spring 1 (15-17 credits)
MA1160 or higher$ – Calculus I (4-5) *
ENG1101 – Engineering Analysis & Problem Solving (3)*
PH1100 – Physics Lab (1)*
CH1150 – Chemistry I (3)**
CH1151 – Chemistry I Lab (1)
UN1015 – Composition (3) (English)		 MA2160 or higher$ – Calculus II (4)
ENG1102 – Engineering Modeling & Design (3)
PH2100 – Physics I (3)
Major Specific Elective (1-4)
UN1025 – Global Issues (3) (Social Studies)

* Learning community scheduled: Groups of 20-24 students are scheduled in the indicated classes.
** Chemistry readiness guidelines
$ Typical Math sequence: MA1160 or MA1161, MA2160, MA3160, (MA2321 and MA3521) or (MA2320, MA3520). NOTE: Electrical Engineering students typically take MA2320/1 and MA3520/1 before MA3160. Computer Engineering degree does not require MA3160.

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First-Year Engineering Learning Center

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Engineering Fundamentals has a First-Year Engineering Learning Center for students taking first-year ENG courses. If you have questions regarding your ENG course you can see your instructor or go to the First-Year Engineering Learning Center.

  • Room: 208 Dillman
  • Sunday – Thursday
  • 7-9pm
  • Staffed with Coaches

Dillman 208 is also open for students to do homework when there is not a class in the room.

If you need help with other classes, there are other learning centers available across campus.

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Important University Dates

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Each semester, Michigan Tech has important dates regarding course schedule changes. These are based on the week of the semester (i.e., Orientation week is Week 0, the first week of classes is Week 1,  etc.). After orientation all first-year students will need their advisor’s signature to drop or add a course. Below is a list of these important dates (Add and Drop refer to adding and dropping a course):

  • Last day to Add (without instructor’s signature): Friday, Week 1
  • Last day to Late Add (with instructor’s signature): Wednesday, Week 2
  • Last day to Drop with a refund: Wednesday, Week 2
  • Last day to Drop with no record: Friday, Week 3
  • Last day to Drop (Withdraw) with a W grade: Friday, Week 10

For a full list of university academic dates go to the following link.

http://www.mtu.edu/registrar/students/calendars/academic/

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Selecting a Major

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If you are still deciding on a major, there are several items you may want to consider.

1. Meet with an academic advisor before you leave for campus for the summer.

– Biomedical Mr. Mike Labeau (344 M&M, malabeau@mtu.edu))
– BSE & Engineering Undecided Ms. Amy Monte & Dr. AJ Hamlin (112C Dillman, efadvise@mtu.edu)
– Civil & Environmental Ms. Julie Ross (103 Dillman, jzross@mtu.edu)
– Chemical Ms. Katie Torrey (202M Chem Sci, cmadvise@mtu.edu)
– Computer Mr. Trever Hassell (131 EERC, tjhassel@mtu.edu)
– Electrical Ms. Judy Donahue (131 EERC, eceadvise@mtu.edu)
– Geological Ms. Kelly McLean (627 DOW, kelly@mtu.edu)
– Materials Dr. Daniel Seguin (U-101 M&M, mseadvise@mtu.edu)
– Mechanical Ms. Danise Jarvey & Mr. Ryan Towles (204AMEEM, dnjarvey@mtu.edu & 205A MEEM, ratowles@mtu.edu)

2. Take an engineering seminar course Fall 2014 to see if a particular major is right for you. The courses that are offered are listed below.

– Biomed BE2100 – Tue 4-5
– Chemical CM1000 – Tue 11-noon
– Civil CE1000 – Mon 2-3
– Environmental ENVE1501 – Tue 2-5
– Geological GE1100 – Wed 4-5 & Sat 9-11
– Sciences and Arts Undecided SA1000 – Tue & Th 10-11
– Career Development Foundations UN2525 – Tue 4-5

3. Meet with Career Services for career guidance, discuss your MyPlan results, or gain career development strategies.

4. Check out the information about different engineering fields at the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Spring Waiver Forms and Required Signatures

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It is best to check course pre-reqs, co-reqs, and restrictions before registration opens. This will allow you time to get appropriate signatures or make other plans for your schedule. You can check the course pre-reqs, co-reqs, and restrictions in the course descriptions listing by clicking the CRN (Course Registration Number) in the Schedule of Classes or by looking at the undergraduate course descriptions.

When registering, if you get an error, read the error. Many times the error is due to a time conflict or lack of a co-requisite course (i.e. MA2321 has a co-requisite of MA3521). You can easily correct these errors by selecting a class at another time or adding the co-requisite course. If you still are unable to register, check the course pre-reqs, co-reqs, and restrictions to see if you may need a waiver.

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Last Day to drop with a “W” (Withdrawal), March 28, 2014, 5pm

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The last day to drop a class with a withdrawal (W) grade is Friday of Week 10 (March 28, 2014, 5pm). All first-year students must meet with their academic advisor and instructor to drop a class. This allows the student to discuss the ramifications before dropping a class. All students must go to the Student Service Center to drop classes through the Friday of 10th Week.

After the last day to drop, students who have extenuating circumstances must appeal to the Student Affairs office for a Late Drop. The instructions for requesting a Late Drop can be found at: www.admin.mtu.edu/dos/latedrop.htm.

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Spring Registration

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Fall and Summer 2014 registration will open March 20th, 10:00 pm through April 11th, midnight. If you have questions regarding what classes to take, you should make an appointment to meet with your academic advisor.

Registration typically opens each night at 10:00 pm. Due to the large number of students, some days will have two start times, 10:00 pm and 11:00 pm. To find out what day and time you register go to: www.mtu.edu/registrar/pdfs/registration-priority-schedule.pdf.

  • Priority is based on the number of credits earned at the time of registration. This does not include the number of credits the student is currently taking.
  • Students may register anytime on or after their scheduled day.
  • The web will be unavailable for registration from 2:00–2:30 am each day.
  • Registration closes at midnight Sunday, April 11 and reopens again later in April.
  • Students with questions or problems should contact the Student Service Center at 487-2319 or e-mail schedule@mtu.edu.
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Transfering Classes to Michigan Tech

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If you are going to take classes elsewhere, make sure that the course(s) will transfer to Michigan Tech as the course(s) you need BEFORE you take the class.

1) Check for the course on the Transfer Equivalency System.

2) If the course you want is NOT on the Transfer Credit Equivalency list, you may request to have it evaluated by sending information to the Michigan Tech Transfer Services Office.

Transfer Services Coordinator

Required Information for Transfer Evaluation

  • University or college name
  • Course ID and title
  • Course Catalog Description
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Taking Summer Classes

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Some students take summer classes at Michigan Tech to replace a grade, to lighten the credits of a future semester(s), or for a great excuse to enjoy the Copper Country summers. Summer 2013 course offerings at Michigan Tech are now available at: www.mtu.edu/registrar/students/registration/prepare.
When you are scheduling, please note that some courses run the full summer semester and some run the first or second half of the semester. The dates the course will run are listed on-line when you register. Keep in mind a half-semester course requires the full amount of work in half the time (i.e., the course is taught at an accelerated pace).

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