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Undergraduate Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Prospective Students/Admissions
Advising Office Services/Faculty Mentoring
Registration
Grade & Testing Information
Applying to Major Sequence
Academic Probation and Dismissal Information
Prospective Students/Admissions
I am interested in more information about ECE and would like to visit campus. What are my options?
- Campus Visit - sign up for a campus tour
- Cockrell School of Engineering Prospective Session - The Cockrell School of Engineering provides prospective sessions to students and their parents each Friday (sometimes Mondays) from 2-3pm. Sign up for a session.
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Prospective Session - The ECE department provides group prospective sessions once a month, immediately following the CSE prospective sessions. For a list of prospective sessions and to sign up for a prospective session, click here. You will register for an ECE prospective session at the same time as you register for the CSE session.
- Individual Session - If you are not available to come to campus on the days we are having prospective sessions, you can always meet with an ECE advisor individually. To set up an appointment or talk to an advisor, please call the Undergraduate Advising Office at 512-471-1851 or email advising@ece.utexas.edu.
I have been admitted into ECE. Now what?
If you have been admitted into ECE, you will need to attend an orientation session. For information on orientation sessions, click here.
I have transfer credit for an EE or CS course. How can I claim credit for it?
If you are transferring an EE or CS credit and would like that course work to be evaluated for equivalent UT credit, you will meet with a faculty member who specializes in that area to have the coursework evaluated. You will need to provide a copy of the syllabus and a copy of the textbook, if possible. If the coursework is transferable, they will sign a Transfer Course Evaluation Form, which will need to be turned in to the ECE Undergraduate Advising Office.
I am a transfer student. Do I have to attend orientation?
Yes, transfer students must attend orientation and meet with an academic advisor to discuss transfer coursework and course selection.
What scores do I need to gain admission to UT: Austin, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department?
There is no ���perfect��� or ���minimum��� score to gain admission to the University and to the Department. The entirety of a student���s application is reviewed before the admissions department makes an admissions decision. For more information please see the Be A Longhorn website. Note: All admissions decisions are made by the Admissions Department, not by the ECE department or faculty.
What courses should I take in high school?
We encourage all students to take as much calculus based Physics and advanced math courses as possible. It is also encouraged for students to familiarize themselves with the basic concepts of programming and circuits.
What courses should I take at a community college/other university as a transfer student?
We encourage all students to take as much calculus based Physics and advanced math courses as possible. Please use the Automated Transfer Equivalency website to determine if courses will transfer to UT Austin, and be careful you are choosing courses that apply to our curriculum., i.e. PHY 303K NOT PHY 302K. Note: This is not including any requirements that admissions have stated for transfer students. For general admissions requirements as a transfer student please see the Be A Longhorn website.
What will my AP/IB test scores count as at UT Austin?
Please see the Testing Services website. During orientation we will further discuss AP/IB credit and what courses to claim towards your degree.
Can I get a tour of the building/lab space?
All department visits can be scheduled by e-mailing: advising@ece.utexas.edu. Please make sure to mention that you���d be interested in a tour lead by one of our Student Peer Advisors, these must be scheduled ahead of time.
Advising Office Services/Faculty Mentoring
Do I need an appointment to meet with an ECE Advisor?
No, The Undergraduate Advising Office is open on a walk-in basis Monday - Friday from 8:00am - 5:00pm. If you do want to meet with a specific advisor you are more than welcome to go to their appointment scheduler and set a time with them.
Where can I obtain the ECE handouts (example: ECE Flow charts, Technical Area / Technical Core Selection Worksheet)?
Students can obtain these forms in ENS 135. They are also available online.
When do I need to fill out my Technical Area / Technical Core Selection Worksheet?
We recommend that you submit these forms once you're approved for Conditional/Major Sequence, or when you decide in which technical area/core you want to specialize. You will be assigned a faculty mentor in each technical area/core for guidance with technical area course selection and career goals.
I would like to make a substitution for a technical area course. What do I need to do?
You must submit or have already submitted a Technical Area/Core Selection Worksheet to ENS 135. Please keep your degree profile current by submitting a Technical Area/Core Change Form when necessary. Upon receipt of your completed form, the Undergraduate Office assigns you to a faculty mentor according to your technical areas. Your faculty mentor is the only person who can approve a technical area course substitution. You must have them approve and sign a Course Substitution Form and submit it to ENS 135.
How do I obtain credit for an internship?
You can take EE 125S which provides students the opportunity to earn degree credit for work done in industry. Students must obtain an offer letter on company letterhead for a summer internship. For any work that extends beyond summer, the student needs to see the Engineering Career Assistance Center. See Leslie Hernandez in ENS 135 for the necessary paperwork.
Registration
Will I get dropped from a course if I do not meet the prerequisite?
Yes. Students who do not meet the prerequisite for a course will be notified that they are lacking the prerequisite before being dropped.
If a class is full, can I get an instructor's note to be added to the class?
No. The ECE department does not accept instructor notes. Students are advised to place themselves on the waitlist for the class.
How does a waitlist work and does every department have them?
During registration, if a registered student drops the class, a student on the waitlist will be added to the class. Nightly, the system fills as many leftover seats as possible. Not every department has a waitlist. It is up to the department to decide if they wish to provide this service to their students.
Can an advisor add me to a waitlist?
No. Advisors do not have authorization to add students to the waitlist. Students must add themselves via the online registration system.
What does it mean when a class says "closed"; and other sections of the course say waitlisted?
If certain sections of a class say "closed,"; that means that those particular sections have a full waitlist and no one else can be added to the waitlist. If the other sections of the class say "waitlisted,"; then the waitlist is not full and students can add themselves to the waitlist.
Can I take classes at Austin Community College and UT at the same time?
You should not be concurrently registered at both UT and another college or university. On occasion, it may be the only realistic way you can complete a given course and exceptions may be made. You must first receive prior approval through the Office of Student Affairs in order for the courses to be countable toward your ECE degree program, by applying online.
Concurrent enrollment is not permitted during the semester in which you expect to graduate, and it is highly recommended that you first meet with an advisor or visit the ATE (Automated Transfer Equivalency) website to ensure course transferability to UT.
Grade & Testing Information
How does the Q-Drop process work?
Fall and Spring Semesters - During the 1st - 12th class days, you can drop on ROSE or TEX; students receive a full refund. Keep in mind that co-requisite requirements must be maintained and progress toward the degree considered.
The Q Drop period occurs during the 13th - 20th class days. Approval from both the Dean, professor, and ECE Undergraduate Advisor is required. If the student is allowed to drop the course, a Q appears on his or her academic record to indicate a drop without affecting the student's GPA. No refund is given.
Please note that SB 1231 limits students who enroll in Texas public institutions for the first time in Fall 2007 or later to a total of six drops during their entire undergraduate academic career. This rule applies to all circumstances; however, good cause will exempt a drop from counting toward this limit.
After the 21st class day through mid-semester deadline, students will need approval from the Dean, instructor of the course, and an ECE advisor in order to Q-drop.
I did not get a passing grade in a required course for a BSEE degree. What do I need to do to repeat the course?
The Cockrell School of Engineering limits the number of times that you can repeat a course. ECE students are automatically granted a second attempt in any course. Do expect to receive an email from the Student Affairs Office reminding you of the school's course repeat policy after you have registered for the course. A C- or better is required in all basic sequence courses as well as any course that is a prerequisite to another course you are taking or will take in the future. If you wish to attempt a course for a third time, you must submit an online appeal. Please review the school's course repeat policy and access the appeal request.
How do I claim credit for AP or other placement exams?
To claim credit for placement exams (AP, SAT II, CLEP, UT Austin tests, etc.), visit the Instructional Assessment & Evaluation web site. Click on Current Students, then click My Test Results. You will need to log in with your UT EID and password. You may view placement test scores that the university has on file for you and any credit you are eligible to claim. Please read all directions carefully before claiming credit as there are fees involved and your choices affect your official academic record. If you have questions, contact IAE at (512) 232-2662.
Applying to Major Sequence
What is Major Sequence and how do I apply?
The Cockrell School of Engineering requires that engineering students, who reasonably progress through the curriculum, must formally apply to begin upper division engineering major courses. A full description of the policy for Major Sequence and Appeal applications is available online.
What is Conditional Major Sequence?
Conditional Major Sequence is a term used to describe a student who meets all requirements to be admitted into Major Sequence, which includes having less than 7 hours remaining in Basic Sequence courses. A Conditional Major Sequence application will be approved as long as the student enrolls in and successfully completes all remaining Basic Sequence courses during the semester that they are simultaneously enrolled in Major Sequence classes. Once the Conditional Major Sequence application is approved, the student is not permitted to drop or Q Drop Basic Sequence course(s), without also dropping any Major Sequence courses. For further assistance, a student is encouraged to visit the ECE Undergraduate Advising Office.
My Major Sequence application was marked "Ineligible"; because I earned below a 2.5 Basic Sequence GPA. What do I do next?
When you apply for Major Sequence and are "Ineligible"; because your Basic Sequence GPA is below a 2.5, you must file a Major Sequence Appeal Application as soon as possible in order to be allowed the chance to continue in the ECE major. The appeal will be taken to the ECE Appeals Committee for a decision. Once a decision has been made, you will receive a notice from the ECE Undergraduate Advising Office notifying you of the decision. If your Major Sequence appeal is granted, you will need to meet with the undergraduate advisor by the deadline specified in the Secured Academic Note (SAN) to sign an appeals contract. During this 30-minute meeting, we will thoroughly review your contract and a packet of departmental, school, and university resources that are available to you so that you can succeed in reaching your semester goals. The contract outlines what conditions you will have to meet for the semester. Typical conditions include stipulations regarding the number of EE semester hours you must take and a minimum semester GPA, as well as a minimum grade of C in the required EE-related semester courses. Contact with your professors is also an integral part of your contract. If you meet the conditions that are outlined in your contract the semester you are on Major Sequence appeal, at the end of the semester you will be put into Full Major Sequence, regardless of your Basic Sequence GPA.
What happens if I do not meet the Major Sequence Appeals conditions stated in my ECE contract by the end of the semester?
The ECE Major Sequence Appeals Contract has a clear explanation that states you must meet all conditions stated in the contract in order to be eligible to continue in the ECE program. If you find at the end of the semester that you do not meet your appeals conditions, you will be subject to dismissal from the department and the Cockrell School of Engineering. You will receive a SAN from Janice Williams telling you which condition(s) you did not meet. If you wish, you may file a second major sequence appeal, and should send that appeal directly via email to Janice by the given deadline. She will present your appeal to the ECE Appeals Committee. Please note that very few second Major Sequence Appeals are granted, and usually only for extenuating circumstances. If you find that you are having difficulty the semester you are on Major Sequence appeal, you should contact Janice Williams in ENS 135 for assistance as soon as the difficulty arises.
Academic Probation and Dismissal Information
What is academic probation?
You are placed on academic probation (also called engineering probation) if you meet either of the following conditions: you have taken at least 6 hours of coursework in the major (EE), and the GPA in those courses is below 2.0; or you have taken at least 6 hours of coursework in the major (EE), and the GPA has fallen below a 2.0 in the other required technical courses (i.e. Calculus, Physics). If you are on academic probation, you will be given two long semesters to remove yourself from probation. If you do not go off probation at the end of the second semester of academic probation, you will be subject to dismissal by the school. More information on academic probation.
What is academic dismissal?
You are subject to academic dismissal when you have been on academic probation for two semesters and have not removed yourself from probation by the end of the second semester. For more information on dismissal, please click here.
What is scholastic probation?
You are placed on scholastic probation when your overall in residence GPA falls below a 2.0. This is sometimes also referred to as university probation. However, if your GPA falls below certain standards set by the university, you will be subject to immediate dismissal by the university. A student on scholastic probation has one semester to remove himself from probation, or he will be subject to dismissal by the university. For more information, see the General Information Catalog.
What is scholastic dismissal?
You are subject to scholastic dismissal if you been on scholastic probation for one semester and have not removed yourself from probation by the end of that semester. For the first dismissal, you must sit out one long session. For the second dismissal, you must sit out 3 years. After the specified amount of time, you may file for readmission to the university and will be readmitted on probation. For more information, see the General Information Catalog.
What should I do if I've been dismissed by the university or the school?
If you have been dismissed either by the university or the School of Engineering, you will receive a SAN from an advisor in the Engineering Student Affairs Office located in ECJ 2.200 explaining why you have been dismissed. There is a process in place to appeal your dismissal, and that information will be included in the SAN that is sent out to you. In order to be able to continue as an ECE student at UT, you will need to file the appeal by the deadline specified in the SAN you are sent. If you file a dismissal appeal, and the school grants it, you will receive notification from the school. You may also receive notification of any conditions of granting the appeal. More information.
What should I do if I am having difficulties with my courses this semester?
Please see an advisor in ENS 135 immediately! An advisor can discuss options with you, as well as point you toward additional resources (i.e., ECE tutoring (ENS 314), the Sanger Learning and Career Center). If you are having difficulties, don't put off seeing an ECE undergraduate advisor. Too often students wait until it's too late for us to help.
I had a difficult previous semester, and I want to excel in my studies. Does the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offer any assistance so that I can get back on track?
The Move Forward Program is designed to provide individualized academic advising support to ECE students who are motivated to improve their academic performance. At the end of the fall and spring semesters, the advising office will send a Secured Academic Note (SAN) invitation to those students that earned a previous semester GPA at or below a 2.5. Our goal is to assist students before they are at-risk of not earning the minimum 2.5 Basic Sequence GPA and/or the minimum UT, ECE, and/or Technical GPA of at least a 2.0. Invited students are not required to participate in The Move Forward Program; however, previous participants have recognized the benefits of collaborating with both an academic advisor and campus resources such as professors, TA's, departmental and university tutors, and MFP mentors to improve their academic performance at UT. For more information, please contact Janice V. Williams, The Move Forward Program Coordinator.
