Advice for Success Archives | ECE Undergraduate Advising Blog

Grades, probation and suspension

Published June 1, 2022

Advice for Success

Grades, probation, and suspension:

If you are earning low grades, see your academic advisor early on. See your instructor(s) early on to get a good understanding of the tasks at hand. Once you get on probation, it can be a very long and difficult process to get yourself back to Good Academic Standing. If your grades do not improve after two semesters, consider whether or not you are in the right major. Continuing on probation two consecutive semesters, leads to a notice of academic suspension, which can be appealed.

The Career Services advisors can be helpful in exploring majors if you are thinking you want to change. If you are thinking of changing majors, but do not know what, meet with one of our advisors for undecided students.

If you are overwhelmed, unable to focus on homework and studying for exams, experience test anxiety, are depressed, or have high anxiety, call our Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being at 906-487-2538. Learn new study skills and how to focus on what’s important to you, in order to reach your personal goals. If you are on probation and interested in one of our very helpful workshops or programs or events, see options here.

When you are in a tough class, and you just “give up”, do you really want to take the class again? Seek help as soon as you know you need it. See the instructor and the academic advisor. Go to the learning center.

These 3 situations result in Probation status: 1) Cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 2) your semester GPA falls below 2.0 3) Departmental GPA falls below 2.0 (after reaching 16 department credits).

Repeating courses: You may repeat a course with a grade of CD or lower. For a 3rd attempt, obtain permission from the Dean of Students and your Academic Advisor and Financial Aid. Your most recent grade is used in your GPA calculation(s), even if it is lower. The prior grade drops out of your GPA calculation(s). If a course is required for your major and you do not pass the 3rd attempt, you will not be able to complete degree requirements for your major, and have to change your major.

What to shoot for early on, to be successful in EE and/or CpE:

In Computer programming (CS1121, CS1122 or CS1131), Math (MA1160, EE1110, MA2160, MA2321, MA3521) and Physics(Ph2100, PH2200) achieve an A or B grade (but at least a C), to be successful in subsequent major classes and in your career.

Linear Algebra and Differential Equations

Published June 1, 2022

By Judy Burl

Linear Algebra and Differential Equations: what EE and CpE majors need to know

MA2321 and MA3521 are Accelerated and taken in same semester.
Lin Alg (MA2321 or MA2320) is the pre-req for Diff Eq(MA3521 or MA3520)
Students must pass MA2321 to continue on in MA3521
MA2320 is same course as MA2321, but uses full semester to complete
MA3520 is same course as MA3521, but uses full semester to complete after MA2320.
MA2321/MA3521 is the accelerated-pace option (take at least 14 credits)
MA2320 and MA3520 is the two-semester option
Diff Eq (MA3521 or MA3520) is a pre-req to Circuits II (EE2112)
Linear Algebra and Diff Eq are prereqs to Signals & Systems (EE3160).

Engineering GPA – ENGPA

Published June 1, 2022

By Judy Burl

Advice for Success

The ENGPA, engineering GPA, is calculated with a set of first-year engineering classes. The ENGPA is used as a milestone for determining success in the foundations of engineering. These classes make up the ENGPA:

CH1150 and CH1151
MA1160 or MA1161
MA2160
ENG1101 or (ENG1001 + ENG1100)
ENG1102
PH2100 and PH1100
UN1015 or UN1001

The Electrical & Computer Engineering Department requires a 2.75 ENGPA as one of the requirements to transfer into the EE, RE or CpE major.

ENGPA calculator instructions and more details.

ECE graduate degree – grad school

Published February 11, 2022

By Judy Burl

Consider pursuing a graduate degree after completion of your bachelor’s. Students have taken advantage of one or both of these opportunities:

1) The ECE Department offers an Accelerated Master’s program. (cumulative GPA of 3.25+ required) With this program, students can double-count up to six credits of coursework towards an accelerated master’s degree in EE or CpE. A master’s degree requires 30 credits, so students in the Accelerated Master’s Program take 24 credits after completion of their bachelor’s degree. What a deal!

Students who do not meet the 3.25 minimum GPA requirements for the Accelerated Master’s program, may apply for graduate school, and will take 30 credits after completion of the bachelor of science degree to earn a master of science in EE or CpE.

2) Students may take graduate courses while they are still an undergraduate student, under the Senior Rule, if they have room in the last semester(s). This is DIFFERENT than the accelerated master’s program six credits. With the senior rule, specific courses are designated for a graduate transcript only, and may not be used toward your bachelor’s degree. See this link to get the Senior Rule Form. The credits are available for possible use toward a graduate degree and may be transferred elsewhere. It is up to the program you pursue to approve the courses for a graduate degree. Pay undergraduate tuition.

4000 and 5000 level courses may be used with either option. A maximum of 9 credits of 4000 level coursework may be used toward a master’s. All EE courses must have a grade of BC or better to be used toward a master’s degree in the ECE Department. All credits must be approved by your graduate program advisor.

Why grad school? see:

Spring 2015 ECE grad school information session with Dr. Lukowski and Dr. Mork. 49 minutes.

If you are uncertain about your options, please meet with your advisor and see what might work for you! It’s worth considering!

MORE INFORMATION and How To Apply:

Computer Engineering, MS, PhD

Electrical Enginering, MS, PhD

ECE Accelerated Master’s program

Online Master’s in Power Systems

Senior Rule

Published January 21, 2022

By Judy Burl

While you are a senior, and if you have room in your schedule, you may take credits and reserve them for a “graduate transcript” making the credits available for possible use toward a future graduate degree. Credits taken under “Senior Rule” may not apply to your undergraduate degree. It is up to your future graduate program whether the credits will be accepted or not.

See here for Registrar’s details and the Senior Rule Form.

ECE Learning and Help Center: EERC 123

Published January 18, 2022

By Judy Burl

The ITC Learning and Help Center is hosting limited Virtual Hours for Fall 2020 via this Zoom Link during the following times:

Afternoons:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 1 pm – 4 pm
Tuesday: 1 pm – 3 pm

Evenings:
6 pm – 8 pm Sunday through Thursday

Can in-person coaching sessions be scheduled? If you need face-to-face help, feel free to contact one of the coaches and see if they can meet you in EERC room 123 at a mutually convenient time.

Requirements to change major to ECE major (CpE, EE, or RE)

Published January 14, 2022

By Judy Burl

Advice for Success

If you are already an EE, RE or CpE student, changing/adding a major within the ECE Department is easy. Simply submit your request through the curriculum change portal in MyMichiganTech.

If you are interested in changing your major to Electrical Engineering (EE), Robotics Engineering (RE) or Computer Engineering (CpE) from another major, you should be aware of the requirements.

To transfer into the EE or RE major:

Must have MA2160 (Calculus II) complete
ENGPA 2.75 or higher (see below for class list)
- Or a GPA in CS/EE/MA course of 2.75+ (based on 25 credits of those subjects)
Cumulative GPA 2.5 or higher
Cannot be on probation status currently
Two most recent full semesters must be good academic standing (off probation)

To transfer into the CpE major:

Must have MA2160 (Calculus II) complete
ENGPA 2.75 or higher (see below for class list)
- Or a GPA in CS/EE/MA course of 2.75+ (based on 25 credits of those subjects)
Cumulative GPA 2.5 or higher
Cannot be on probation status currently
Two most recent full semesters must be Good Academic Standing (off probation)

What to shoot for early on: Achieve an A or B in programming (CS1121, CS1122 or CS1131), Math (MA1160, MA2160, MA2321, MA3521) and Physics (PH2100 and PH2200) courses to be successful in subsequent ECE classes and career.

Update: Oct 2021 – First-year students enrolled in a College of Engineer major, who are not on academic probation in the first semester and first year, will be approved to change to an ECE major. All other situations: Meet above requirements.

ENGPA is calculated with the most recent grades in these courses: ENG1101, ENG1102, MA1160 or MA1161, MA2160, PH1100, PH2100, CH1150, CH1151 and UN1015.

Co-op

Published March 19, 2018

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Courses: UN3002, UN3003, UN3004, UN3005

A co-op or internship experience is highly recommended. Students gain experience they cannot get in the classroom or labs, not only with technical experience, but just as importantly – with professionalism. Co-op can help you decide which focus area(s) in your field you’d like to pursue with your CpE or EE Electives, or not. Students work side by side with engineers and are usually a part of a team. Co-op experience is great for your resume – it helps you get interviews, and can lead to a permanent job offer or another co-op offer.

When is the best time to go? Work with your academic advisor to determine the best time for you to go. As a general recommendation, after EE2112, and for CpE’s – after CS1141/42, 2321, and perhaps CS3421, is probably ideal. If students co-op earlier in the program, they will become familiar with what certain jobs entail. By co-oping after taking a few junior level core classes, students may find more meaningful work. Start planning early and attend career fairs as early as your 1st year, but certainly in your 2nd year and beyond.

The best place to get details about finding and setting up a co-op is at the Co-op Office in the Career Center – Second Floor of the Admin Building. http://www.mtu.edu/career/students/jobs/co-ops/

Required forms are available in the Career Services Center or Co-op webpage.

Checklist
Student Information Form
Co-op Education Agreement Form
a copy of your offer letter from your company

Bring or submit above items to Career Services – 2nd Floor Admin bldg. You are considered a full-time MTU student while on co-op for credit.

Meet with your academic advisor to find out how your plans to complete your degree are affected by taking a semester off, and how co-op credits may apply to your degree requirements. If you are in Enterprise for completing engineering design requirements, do not co-op between ENT4950 and ENT4960. Co-op prior to taking ENT4950.

Credits Earned: (optional)
2 credits per semester of course UN3002,3,4 can be earned. Co-op office assignments are completed in Canvas. Follow instructions from the Co-op Office and assignment deadlines, diligently.
For EE majors, the up to 6 credits of UN3002-5 can be applied to the Approved Electives requirements (not SELECT) and/or Free electives.

CpE majors may use up to 2 credits UN3002-5 in CpE technical electives with limits. See degree audit report and/or your academic advisor.

Accelerated Master of Science MS

Published January 12, 2017

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The Michigan Tech Graduate School may offer a limited number of Graduate Academic Excellence Awards (GAEA). Check with the Graduate School Admissions Office (Admin Building 4th Floor) or with Dr. Paul Bergstrom, Director of ECE graduate programs (EERC 630).

ECE: Accelerated Master of Science degree program.

Undergraduate electrical engineers and computer engineers are allowed to count up to six credit hours toward both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the ECE Department, and could potentially finish their master’s degree in one academic year (two semesters). The credits must be at least 4000 level, lecture-based coursework. (Excludes UG research, individual project, enterprise and senior design credits)

ECE Accelerated Master’s preparation checklist How to get started.

Undergraduate students can apply, using the standard Graduate School application, as early as their junior year and may start taking graduate level courses during their senior year.
GPA: An undergraduate minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required to apply, however, a 3.25 or higher assures acceptance and holds a higher consideration for funding.

Graduate School accelerated masters information.

Take an extra course(s) for a future grad program while you’re an undergrad:

Senior Rule: Students may take graduate program courses under the Senior Rule if they have time for an extra course in senior year. This designates a course as “GR”, graduate level, making the course available for possible use in a future graduate degree program. Courses taken under Senior Rule may NOT apply to the undergraduate degree. Senior Rule credits could be transferred and considered by graduate programs outside MTU-ECE. Senior Rule credits are on your graduate transcript, and not on your undergraduate transcript.

Category: Advice for Success

The Michigan Tech Graduate School may offer a limited number of Graduate Academic Excellence Awards (GAEA). Check with the Graduate School Admissions Office (Admin Building 4th Floor) or with Dr. Paul Bergstrom, Director of ECE graduate programs (EERC 630).