Category: 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.

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.

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.

Online learning could be more difficult, as it is very different from in-class learning, especially if you’ve never taken an online class.
Here are some tips and resources to help you adapt. You can also check out the comprehensive list of resources suggested by Residence Education and Housing Services here.

1. Schedule your classwork at your normal class schedule. Many classes will be delivered online at the same scheduled time, in real-time, so be sure to join in. Do not skip class.
2. Some classes will be recorded and available to view anytime. KEEP up with the lecture recordings and homework as you would on campus. Use the regularly scheduled time for a class, to do homework, listen to the video.
3. Plan extra time for studying. Begin homework and studying for exams early, so you have time to get help. Online help from the instructor may not be available at the last hour.
4. Be self-disciplined and stick to your schedule.
5. Contact your academic advisor if you are unsure of your success or are experiencing anxiety over taking classes remotely. It’s best to talk about your options, and/or what strategies you could try.
6. Be aware of your course homework deadlines and exam dates. Some exams may require a proctor which will need to be set up ahead of time. Seek help with the material from the instructor or virtual learning center.
7. The Covid-19 situation is not an excuse for late homework, missed exams, lectures or lab assignments. (unless you have extenuating circumstances – contact dean of students office)
8. What if you don’t have internet access or a computer? Some of our students may have access barriers. If you do not have adequate technology to complete classes online, please contact it-help@mtu.edu.
9. Use this opportunity to embrace the situation, adapt good online learning habits, and be successful in your academic work despite the new environment. This is a challenge to be met.
10. Do not cheat.
11. Do not fill your time with additional activities that interfere with completion of assignments and study time, such as a job or vacation. You are a full-time student.
12. Read all emails and communications from instructors, TA’s, and advisors and be on top of what you need to do for each course.
13. Ask for help, if you need it.

Liz can be reached at liz@mtu.edu and 906-487-1161
Judy can be reached at jmburl@mtu.edu or jmdonahu@mtu.edu or 906-487-2232

Success in a class is largely due to the effort put in. Interest and motivation are close seconds. Even if you are not liking a class, pretend you are very interested and wish to learn as much as you can by listening attentively in class and being curious.
Here is one students’ answer to the question of how to study in the best possible way. Why not give them a try.

Re-presented here, as found in above link, answered by Rob McQueen:”

• Teach it first: To understand new systems / concepts, stand up in front of a chalkboard and act as if you’re teaching it to a class. When you get to a point you don’t know how to explain, talk it out. Literally, stand up and talk to yourself; it works.
• Diagram / Symbol: Once you understand something, create a visual diagram / symbol. Draw it on a piece of paper. Close your eyes and think about it in your head. Once you have the diagram / symbol, it will be very easy to remember how it works later on.”

It always helps to ‘write it down’ multiple times. Practice doing problems, until you think you’ve got it, then test yourself. Re-work the problem until you can do it successfully on your own. (as if in exam)