Engineering Fundamentals News

Inclusive Access Helps Students Save on Course Materials

Published October 11, 2017

News

The Fall 2017 semester at Michigan Tech brought something new to first year engineering students taking courses ENG 1001 and ENG 1101: Inclusive Access. The result—a tremendous cost savings.

In an effort to offset the rising costs of course materials, Michigan Tech’s Campus Store—together with a text book publisher, an e-book vendor, and Department of Engineering Fundamentals faculty—provided students course material access (in the form of an e-book) through Canvas for the first day of classes. Students were emailed prior to the semester to explain the process. They could choose to opt-out of the Inclusive Access program within the first 10 days of the semester and seek alternatives on their own. If they didn’t opt-out or drop the course, their tuition accounts were charged.

The cost savings for 896 Engineering Fundamental students exceeded $72,000. Course materials that formerly cost students $230 as physical books only cost them $149 digitally through the Inclusive Access program. The same course material is used throughout the First Year Engineering Program sequence, and students can access the material for two years.

Research indicates students who have access to course materials have a higher success rate in the classroom than those that choose not to use them. The Campus Store is looking to expand the Inclusive Access program to help increase the chances of student success.

Terrific Teaching at Tech

Published September 18, 2017

By

The Engineering Fundamentals department is teaching in a new space and using some new methods this fall. It’s interesting stuff, pushing technological boundaries and using near-peer learning assistants.

They’ll have great information to share with a bit more experience. But they are also generating ideas that could be implemented anywhere, by any instructor.

This week, one of the instructors involved stopped into the CTL for other reasons and described some of the ill-posed, real-world problems they’re pushing students to try to solve. The problems force students to research, estimate and model, unavoidably “embracing the ambiguity” of the situation.

That phrase “embracing ambiguity” really resonated for me, in terms of pushing our students and ourselves toward better learning. In my own classes, I routinely see students who “freeze” when faced with a problem for which they can’t see the solution from start to finish.

We have to work on getting comfortable with not knowing exactly what to do, but doing something that’s likely to be productive anyway. “Wandering into the woods” this way is often the only way to eventually see the other side, and it often involves several false starts before a path is found.

But that’s the easy part of this. As our classrooms move toward more learning-centered teaching, instructors, too, are challenged to “embrace ambiguity.” It’s relatively easy to plan out a lecture where we control the content and pace and perform virtually all of the activity.

There is substantial uncertainty in allowing students to direct class by choosing examples, asking questions or injecting their own ideas. There is lots of ambiguity in getting students active, because we don’t really know exactly where things are going to go.

I’m convinced that there is increasing value in finding ways to making at least parts of class time responsive to student needs.

In my own class, I’ve discovered that using a tool called Strawpoll to let students pick which homework problems to review is very effective. Using response systems, pre-class assignments, exit tickets, student whiteboards or group quizzes are other ways to give students a voice in the classroom. The biggest challenge is still to set aside my own agenda to do what they need when they use it.

If you’d like to talk more about ways to embrace ambiguity in your classroom, stop into the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning.

By Mike Meyer, William G. Jackson CTL

First-Year Engineering Curriculum Development Grant from VentureWell

Published September 12, 2017

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Mary Raber, Pavlis Honor College, has received a $5,000 grant from VentureWell for the research project Incorporating Design Thinking and Lean Start-up into the First-Year Engineering Curriculum.

The project constitutes an initiative to evaluate best practices in I&E education for first-year engineering programs, and to develop new curricula that will fit within the existing required freshman engineering course sequence. The goal is to broaden impact across campus and foster a culture that encourages and supports innovation and entrepreneurship.

Mary Fraley and Amber Kemppainen are also involved in this nine-month project.

Do you need to Late Drop a class?

Published April 5, 2017

By efadvise

After the last day to drop a class (Friday, Week 10), students who have extenuating circumstances must appeal to the Student Affairs office for a Late Drop.
Late drops are NOT given because:
1. You forgot to drop the course, or you were not aware of the policy;
2. You spent too much time on University extracurricular activities;
3. You wish to avoid a poor grade;
4. You are changing your major or transferring to another school; or
5. You do not need the course to graduate.
The instructions for requesting a Late Drop can be found at: www.admin.mtu.edu/dos/latedrop.htm.

Taking Summer Classes

Published April 2, 2017

By efadvise

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 2016 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).

If you do not want to stay at Michigan Tech for the summer, but would like to take courses, there are two other options. You can take Michigan Tech courses on-line, or you can take classes at another college and transfer them back to Michigan Tech (see transfer information below). Before taking a class at another college or university, you should check with the Michigan Tech Transfer Office to be sure that it will transfer as the course you need.

Transfer Information:

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
- Student Service Center, 130 Admin Bldg
- (906) 487-3323
- transfer@mtu.edu
- http://www.mtu.edu/registrar/students/transfer/

Required Information for Transfer Evaluation

University or college name
Course ID and title
Course Catalog Description

Additional information may be required

Syllabus including
- Textbook(s) used
- Detailed Description
- Course Outline

3) Transferring:

a) Register for the course (for other Michigan colleges, use the Guest Application),
b) Earn a grade of “C” or better (the grade will not transfer, but the credit will), and
c) Have your official transcripts sent to Michigan Tech.
- Office of Student Records & Registration
- Admin Bldg 130
- 1400 Townsend Avenue
- Houghton, MI 49931-1295

4) Prereqs: If any course you plan to take off campus is a prerequisite for your next semester on campus, you will need to notify Transfer Services (transfer@mtu.edu). They will then enter an IS – in session code which to prevent prerequisite scheduling issues.

5) On-line courses may sound easier since you can approach the class in your own time. Though this is true for some classes, on-line classes also require self-motivation and a time commitment on your part. Before taking the class, check into the course requirements, including internet access, exam proctors, etc.

Michigan Tech – On-line FAQs

6) Other Resources: Michigan Transfer Network – Always double check that the course transfers as your required course by contacting the Transfer Office.

Selecting a Major

Published March 26, 2017

By efadvise

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 (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 Mr. Ryan Towles (205A MEEM, ratowles@mtu.edu) & Mr. Pete Chosa (204B MEEM, pgchosa@mtu.edu)

2. Take an engineering seminar course Fall 2017 to see if a particular major is right for you. The courses that are offered are listed below.

– Biomedical BE2100
– Chemical CM1000
– Civil CE1000
– Computer EE1111 (Track B, go to 131 for registration waiver)
– Electrical EE1111 (Track B, go to 131 for registration waiver)
– Environmental ENVE1501
– Geological GE1100
– Exploring Majors at Michigan Tech – Sciences and Arts Undecided SA1000
– Career Development Foundations UN2525

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.

Mary Fraley, Gretchen Hein, and Amy Monte Selected as Positive Female Role Models

Published March 1, 2017

By efadvise

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion conducted an anonymous survey of female students, staff, and faculty at Michigan Tech during the fall 2016 semester. Over 250 responses identified 98 individuals across campus as positive female role models. Three Engineering Fundamentals women were named in this group: Gretchen Hein, Amy Monte, and Mary Fraley (photo left to right).

Congratulations to the three of them for being recognized for this honor!

Mid-Term Grades for First-Year Students

Published February 26, 2017

By efadvise

All first-year students will receive mid-term grades for their classes; mid-term grades are viewable on Banweb at 5pm, February 27, 2017.

The purpose of mid-term grades is to help first-year students see how they are performing in their classes. If a student has questions regarding a mid-term grade for a class, they should meet with the instructor. Mid-term grades are defined as satisfactory (SA), unsatisfactory (UN), not applicable (NA), and missing (M). NA is used for courses where credit is not earned. M is used when an instructor does not submit a grade. Mid-term grades are temporary grades and will be replaced when the student has earned the final grade for the class. Therefore, no permanent record of the mid-term grade is kept.

MEEM2110 (Statics) Registration Requirements

Published February 20, 2017

By efadvise

If you are planning to take MEEM2110 (Statics) Fall 2017, there are several registration requirements that you will need to know.

You must earn a C or better in MA2160 (Calculus II) to remain in MEEM2110.
Registration is only open to required majors during initial registration:
- Civil, Material Science, & Mechanical.
- A change of Major form must be signed by your new advisor; your new advisor must contact MEEM for a waiver so you can register during initial registration.
  - It is best if you get the waiver before your registration time.
- MEEM2110 typically over fills, follow instructions to get on the wait list.
Other majors may register after initial registration:
- Chemical (elective); Electrical (elective); Environmental & Geological (used with MEEM2150 to replace ENG2120); not accepted for Biomed & Computer.

Registration Waivers and Signatures

Published February 19, 2017

By efadvise

It is best to check course pre-reqs, co-reqs, and restrictions before registration opens (March 12, 2017). 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. MA2160 has a required Recitation and Lab). 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.

Types of waivers (who to go to for approval):

Grading Option/Credit Change Form
- To take a class as Pass-Fail or Audit – not used for courses required to graduate (academic advisor and instructor)
- To take a variable credit course, i.e. independent study (academic advisor and instructor)
Credit Overload Permission Form
- Students in good standing going over 18 credits (academic advisor)
- Students on probation going over 16 credits (Student Affairs)
Special Approval/Restriction Waiver Form
- Major (department offering the course)
- Level – Undergraduate or Graduate (department offering the course)
- Special Approval
  - Instructor Approval – i.e. enterprise (instructor)
- Prerequisite (instructor)
- Corequisite (instructor)
- Class Restriction to be Waived – Freshman, Sophomore, etc. (instructor)
Time Conflict/Exam Conflict Permission Form (all instructors of conflicting courses)
Full Section – (department offering the course)
Check to see if another section would work if you rearranged your schedule. If not, go to department that offers the class for permission to enroll in a filled-section.

To obtain approval for a waiver:

Print “waiver form” from the Registrar’s Office website.
Complete the form and obtain signature approval from the course instructor or advisor for the department offering the course.
Bring completed, signed waivers to Student Services Center in the Admin Building.
To check your waivers go to Banweb: Student -> Registration -> Check Registration Status to see Permits and Overrides (aka waivers).

Class Restriction on a UN course:
UN1015 and UN1025 are restricted to Freshman during initial registration. If you are a 1st-year student and have AP or transfer credits that give you Sophomore status, you should already have a waiver. To check and see if you have waivers go to Banweb: Student -> Registration -> Check Registration Status to see Permits and Overrides (aka waivers). If you do not have a waiver, you can get a waiver to get into your correct UN classes. Go to the Student Service Center for a Class Restriction waiver. For students that did not take the appropriate UN course during the restricted year, class restrictions for the UN courses will be removed after the freshmen have scheduled (near the end of the 2nd week of the initial registration period).