Frequently Asked Questions―Undergraduate Students
 Choose
a section or search this page for a keyword. If you have any
suggestions for a question/answer to add to this page, please email
EngineeringDeansOffice@colorado.edu
Orientation
The college’s
orientation web site is
http://engineering.colorado.edu/orientation/
When is orientation?
New Student Orientation for all new incoming engineering students
is the Wednesday and Thursday before classes start. For new students in
fall 2008, orientation is on Aug. 20 and Aug. 21, 2008. It is MANDATORY
for all new students in the college, so plan to hold 8:30 a.m. – 5:00
p.m. both days. Parents are welcome to join us on all Wednesday
programming.
Do I have to register or sign up for orientation?
No. We will be expecting you!
Registration and Course
Selection
The college’s
registration web site is
http://engineering.colorado.edu/students/registration.htm.
Engineering students are expected to enroll in a full-time curriculum
(at least 12 credit hours per semester).
When do I register for courses?
All new engineering students
will register for courses on July 23, 2008. Students do not come to
campus for this, but rather register online from any computer with an
Internet connection and web browser.
I’m
out of town/out of the country on July 23 and won’t be able to register.
What do I do?
Plan to have a friend or relative register for you online on that date.
They can call 303-492-5071 that day if they are having any problems.
What if I don’t register for courses on July 23?
Then you will have to wait
until your next registration date/time assignment, which will be in
early August. By that time, many of the courses will have filled and
your options will be extremely limited.
My friends in Arts & Sciences have already received info about
registration. When will I get my info?
The Engineering Dean’s Office sends out registration information to your
permanent address in mid-June. This packet includes all relevant
information about registering for fall courses. If you don’t receive
the packet by July 1, contact the Engineering Dean’s Office at
303-492-5071. A PDF file of the registration instructions is posted
online by July 1 at
http://engineering.colorado.edu/students/registration.htm (one set
of instructions for new first-year freshmen, and one set of instructions
for new transfer students).
How do I register for courses?
The aforementioned registration packet we send you has all the
details—please read through it carefully. This web site may help with
the actual online registration process:
http://registrar.colorado.edu/students/registration/new_student.html.
If you are having problems, you can call the Registrar’s Office at
303-492-6970 and press 1 to speak with a registration assistant, or
contact your academic advisor.
Who is my academic advisor?
The following website lists advisors and transfer credit evaluators by
major:
http://engineering.colorado.edu/students/advisors.htm
I
have a bunch of questions about what courses to enroll in because I took
AP or IB exams. What should I do?
First, refer to one of the websites below to see what type of credit you
should expect (credit received is based on the specific exam you take
and score you receive):
If you expect
credit for a math course, our Math Assessment Test (information provided
with your registration information packet) will provide guidance. If
you expect credit for another course(s), contact your academic advisor
for guidance.
I’m a transfer student. When can I get my transfer credit evaluated?
First, make sure that your school has sent final transcripts to
CU-Boulder (this can take 6-8 weeks). Transfer credit evaluation can
start in early July when all of your transfer coursework has been
uploaded into our computer system. You should then review your transfer
credit with your academic advisor. Provide copies of syllabi, a copy of
your transcript, and a course catalog to make the process easier and
faster.
I’ve received AP credit for Calc 1 and Calc 2. How do I know if I’m
ready for Calc 3?
Our Math Assessment Test (information provided with your registration
information packet) will provide guidance.
I
want to continue with a foreign language. Is there a placement test
that I can take?
Please take the placement test at the following web site: http://www.colorado.edu/aac/placement.html.
If you are looking for a language other than French, German, Russian or
Spanish, contact the specific language department for more information.
I
need to prove my fluency in a non-English language for my MAPS (Minimum
Academic Preparation Standards) requirement. How should I proceed?
See
http://careerservices.colorado.edu/testing.cs?uflt
Is 10 minutes long enough to get across campus between classes? How do
I figure out where my classes meet?
It takes about 10 minutes at a brisk walking pace to get from the
Engineering Center on the east side of campus to the other side of
campus. If you have a skateboard, bring it―they
are a great way to get across campus. Here’s a map of the campus:
http://www.colorado.edu/campusmap/
I
took calculus during my junior year and have since forgotten everything.
What should I do?
This happens a lot with
students who take calculus in their junior year. Our Math Assessment
Test (information provided with your registration information packet)
can help you find the right placement for your freshman year. If you
don’t feel like you have complete mastery of a course it may be wise to
repeat it even if you have credit for it. It’s better to take a
refresher and get a good grade, than to take a course you are not ready
for and get a bad grade (and perhaps even have to repeat the course).
How do I pick a humanities/social sciences elective?
Your degree requirements for humanities/social sciences (HSS)
coursework, and tips on choosing these classes, are outlined here:
http://engineering.colorado.edu/homer/Fall2007.htm. You may also
wish to look ahead to some of the upper-division courses. Check to see
what their pre-requisites are and then take them so that you’ll be able
to take the upper-division courses at a later semester.
What are pre-requisites and co-requisites?
A pre-requisite is a course that
you must successfully complete PRIOR to enrolling in another course.
The engineering curriculum requires a lot of pre-requisites, because one
course’s content builds upon knowledge gained in earlier courses. Good
preparation is key to your success!A co-requisite is a course that you
take concurrently―in
the same semester―as
another course. For example, CHEN 1211 (Chemistry for Engineers
lecture) is always taken with CHEM 1221 (Chemistry for Engineers lab).
Am I required to take an introductory engineering course?
Verify with your academic
advisor (http://engineering.colorado.edu/students/advisors.htm)
whether or not your major requires an introductory course. These
are typically a 1-credit hour course in the major (AREN 1316, ASEN 1000,
CHEN 1300, CSCI 1000, CVEN 1317, ECEN 1100, EVEN 1000, GEEN 1500, MCEN
1000). Although it is recommended that you take the respective
introductory course so you can become familiar with what your major
department has to offer, you may be able to get the course waived and
replaced with other engineering, math, or science-related coursework.
If you are interested in taking an introductory course outside of your
current major, you may need to contact the hosting department to enroll.
How soon do I get to do hands-on engineering?
GEEN 1400 (Engineering
Projects) is a 3 credit-hour course at the freshman level. A number of
majors either require this hands-on engineering course, or will apply it
toward elective credit. If you are pre-med or a double degree student,
there may be options of other courses to take, but GEEN 1400 is a great
course and will give you an introduction to hands-on engineering. Learn
more about GEEN 1400 at
http://itll.colorado.edu/GEEN1400/. If you are interested in
electrical engineering, or electrical and computer engineering, you may
opt for enrolling in ECEN 1400 instead.
What is a recitation?
Many of the 1000-level courses on campus are large lectures, e.g., PSYC
1001 (Introduction to Psychology) meets in a room that holds 450
people. So in order to enhance the learning experience, multiple
sub-sections (recitations) are created that are much smaller and allow
for discussion, group work, or to review homework.
What is a waitlist and should I avoid it?
Waitlists are activated when a course reaches the enrollment limit.
Here’s a link about waitlists:
http://registrar.colorado.edu/students/registration/registration_packet/wait_lists.html.
AVOID WAITLISTS, even if it means registering for an 8:00 a.m. section.
Better to register for an alternate section where you are guaranteed a
spot.
Waitlisted students
may be rolled into a course during the first two weeks of classes
whenever an enrolled student drops. You are not notified of this
action! Make sure to check CU Connect to see if you’ve rolled into the
course―remember,
registration is ALWAYS the
student’s responsibility, so stay on top of this situation. If,
however, you’re on a waitlist, go to class and talk to the professor
about the likelihood of getting into the course. Many instructors
require waitlisted students to attend class.
How does drop/add work?
You will have a limited time
each semester to adjust your course schedule, i.e., to “add” a class to
your schedule of courses, or “drop” a class from your schedule. There
will be a period before classes start, and limited additional time after
classes have started. The following website will give you valuable
information about this process, answer questions about registration time
assignments, and list the various deadlines:
http://registrar.colorado.edu/students/registration/registration_packet/drop_add.html.
NOTE:
The College of Engineering rules and deadlines for add/drop are much
stricter than the rest of campus. So, stay on top of the deadlines and
make any adjustments BEFORE the 6th week of classes in any
given fall or spring semester. For engineering students, drops after
the 6th week of classes are generally not permitted. See
http://registrar.colorado.edu/students/registration/registration_packet/drop_add.html
for specific deadlines.
What is a Special Action Form and when do I use it to add/drop a course?
After the semester has
started, and you are no longer able to make course adjustments online, a
Special Action Form is required. Refer to the deadlines at
http://registrar.colorado.edu/students/registration/registration_packet/drop_add.html.
You need the Special Action Form whenever an instructor’s and/or dean’s
signature is required. See your academic advisor to obtain a Special
Action Form.
What is the difference between dropping a class and withdrawing from
classes?
When you “drop” a class, you
still remained enrolled in other coursework during the semester. An
overzealous freshman might initially enroll in 17 credits, but then
decide to “drop” a 3-credit course during the second week of classes. A
“withdrawal” is essentially dropping ALL classes, so the student no
longer remains enrolled at the university. This is a withdrawal from
the university, with more consequences than simply dropping one course.
See
http://registrar.colorado.edu/students/withdraw.html for withdrawal
information from the Registrar’s Office.
NOTE:
As with adds/drops, College of Engineering rules and deadlines for a
withdrawal are much stricter than the rest of campus. For engineering
students, a withdrawal after the 6th week of classes is not
permitted, unless there is a documented extenuating circumstance beyond
the student’s control (i.e., you woke up on Mars one morning and NASA
vouches in writing that it took you five weeks to return to Earth). See
http://registrar.colorado.edu/students/withdraw.html for guidelines
and specific deadlines.
How can I get help with a course?
If you need help with a
class, the Student Academic Services Center can help you find an
appropriate tutor. They also offer study sessions and workshops that can
help you develop strategies to succeed at CU-Boulder. Visit SASC (http://www.colorado.edu/sasc/tutors/)
for more information. The College of Engineering also offers a number
of academic support programs (http://engineering.colorado.edu/academics/support.htm),
including group review sessions, individual and drop-in tutoring,
improving study skills and strategies, and community support.
Changing My Major
I'm considering changing my major. Who
can I talk to about it?
If you want to explore career
paths to either confirm your choice of major or consider other possible
majors that might be right for you, contact Career Services (http://careerservices.colorado.edu).
Faculty and staff advisors can also help you consider and better
understand the options you have.
How can I change my major?
If you want to change your
major to another department within the College of Engineering and
Applied Science, add or delete a second major within the college, or add
or delete a minor offered by the college, you will need to complete a
Change of Major Form (http://engineering.colorado.edu/downloads/forms/Change_of_Major.doc).
You will need to obtain approval signatures from both of the academic
departments involved prior to submitting the form to the Dean's Office.
Due to facility and other
programmatic constraints, some majors within the College may be
enrollment limited. Admission into enrollment limited majors is based on
performance in selected mathematics, science, and engineering courses.
Students who complete the required minimum courses and achieve a 3.000
CU-Boulder "technical GPA" are assured admission into the major of their
choice.
>>more information
If you want to
change your major to one outside the College of Engineering and Applied
Science, visit the IUT Information page:
http://www.colorado.edu/aac/iut.htm
If you are
currently a student in another college on the CU-Boulder campus and
would like to transfer to the College of Engineering and Applied
Science, see
http://engineering.colorado.edu/Advising_Guides/IUT.pdf
Computers and Computing
What kind of computer should I get?
Generally, PC and Mac are both fine, but you should consult with
your major department for specific recommendations. The Engineering
Center has numerous computer labs with all the software you need, so
purchasing a computer is not a necessity. However, many students like
the convenience and flexibility of a laptop/notebook computer. In that
case, you'll want MS Office (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). It
is recommended you purchase a flash drive, as they are handy. The
Engineering Center and most of the residence halls on campus have
wireless access (see
http://www.colorado.edu/its/wireless/index.html
and
http://housing.colorado.edu/housing/t_internet.cfm).
Here are links
about computer recommendations from the CU’s IT Service Center (http://www.colorado.edu/its/recommendations/),
Getting Started with Campus Technology (http://www.colorado.edu/ITS/gettingstarted/),
and FAQs about student computer ownership (http://www.colorado.edu/its/recommendations/faq.html).
For personal computer or computer lab questions, contact the ITS Help
Line at 303-735-4357 or see
http://www.colorado.edu/its/.
What about calculators―what
do you recommend?
A popular model is the TI-89, but you
might contact your major department to see what calculator is
recommended. Be aware that you’re not allowed to use calculators during
exams in Applied Math (APPM) courses. Other courses may have
restrictions also.
How do I set up my CU email address?
Go to CU Connect (https://cuconnect.colorado.edu/uPortal/index.jsp)
to set up your CU email account. The IdentiKey password used on the
Office of Admissions website is the same one used here. If you don’t
know what your IdentiKey is, please visit:
https://www.colorado.edu/portal/frames/js-out.html?url=https://www.colorado.edu/portal/help/login.html.
Special Programs and
Opportunities
I’m interested in research, study abroad, internships, etc. How can I
learn about these opportunities?
A lot of information will be available during the college’s New Student
Orientation program in August. You are encouraged to peruse the
following websites as well:
I’m interested in pre-med or pre-law. Do you have any advice?
Alert your academic advisor that you are interested in a pre-health
track so that this data is incorporated into your advising. You’ll also
need to meet with a pre-professional advisor (see
http://www.colorado.edu/aac/prepro.html). The pre-health link has
information about pre-requisites to take to get into medical school,
etc.:
http://www.colorado.edu/aac/prehealth.html
I’m interested in a minor. What options do I have?
Minors may require about 15
credit hours of coursework in a specified subject area. Notify your
academic advisor of your interest so that coursework may be
coordinated. The college offers five minors:
http://engineering.colorado.edu/Advising_Guides/Minor_Programs.pdf.
You must complete and submit a Minor Completion Form (http://engineering.colorado.edu/downloads/forms/Minor_Completion_Form.doc)
to your major department academic advisor prior to graduation. You
might also be interested in a minor from an Arts & Sciences department:
http://www.colorado.edu/aac/minor.htm
I
want to join a band, choir, or other ensemble. Do you know anything
about auditions? How do I register for the class?
Contact the College of Music, and they’ll provide the details:
http://www.colorado.edu/music/. For most of the ensembles, you have
to audition first. After you find out what ensemble you got into then
you add it to your schedule (usually the first week of classes).
Career, Jobs, Internships
I'm a senior; where can I get help with my job search?
One of the best resources
available to you as a CU-Boulder student is Career Services.
Experienced career counselors are available to help you in the early
stages of deciding on a career and again when you are about to
graduate. They can help you develop your job search and can advise you
on how to write your resume and cover letter, how to prepare for
interviews, and how to negotiate your salary and other benefits once a
job offer has been made. Visit Career Services at
http://careerservices.colorado.edu/ for more information. They are
located on campus at Willard 34.
Where can I get information about internships?
Career Services is available
to assist students in finding jobs and internships. The office's online
job and internship search system, called CSO or Career Services Online,
along with various career and internship fairs held throughout the year,
might be just the way for you to find the perfect internship. Visit
Career Services at
http://careerservices.colorado.edu/ for more information. They are
located on campus at Willard 34.
Campus Life
I
didn’t get into the residence hall I wanted. Is there any way I can
change now?
You’ll have to check with the Housing Department, or peruse their FAQs:
http://housing.colorado.edu/housing/h_faqs_rm_assgn.cfm.
When can I move into the residence hall?
New students in the College of Engineering may move into their residence
halls anytime after 8:00 a.m. on the Tuesday before orientation (for new
fall 2008 students, you may move in on Aug. 19, 2008). A “Moving to
CU-Boulder” guide may be found at
http://housing.colorado.edu/movinginguide/.
What exactly does it mean to be in the “Quad” community? Is there a
"class" time we need to schedule for?
The Quadrangle Residential Community, or
“Quad,” is composed of four small residence halls located adjacent to
the Engineering Center on the west side. A computer lab, tutoring,
calculus work groups, and wireless computing access are available in the
Quad. The Quad is a living and learning community, not a Residential
Academic Program (RAP). So there are no required courses to enroll in
if you live in the Quad. See
http://housing.colorado.edu/housing/rap_quad.cfm and
http://housing.colorado.edu/housing/c_eng_quad.cfm for more
information.
What is the difference between the Quad and the other residence halls?
The main difference is
location and convenience to the Engineering Center. Your roommate will
likely be an engineering, math, or applied science student, which makes
for a perfect study partner (though not all residents in the Quad are
from these majors, so there is still some variety). Calculus work
groups, engineering-focused tutoring, and a computer lab with
engineering software are also conveniently located onsite. Some of the
other residence halls are not set up for wireless computer access.
I’m signed up for a Residential Academic Program (RAP) in another
residence hall and will have to take a class through them. Can this
course be applied toward my degree requirements?
Maybe. Let your academic advisor know which course you have to take,
and the advisor will see if it is applicable toward your degree
requirements. Because some departmental requirements differ, and the
content of RAP courses vary, it’s not a guarantee the course will be
accepted toward your degree requirements. But it may still be a
worthwhile learning opportunity, and many engineering students take
coursework beyond degree requirements. See
http://www.colorado.edu/prospective/freshman/academics/residential.html
for more information about RAPs.
I’ll have a car when I get to CU. When and where can I get a parking
permit?
Contact the Parking & Transportation Services Office:
http://www.colorado.edu/parking/index.html
Where can I get help to resolve a problem with a professor or another
student?
If you are experiencing a
conflict with another student or a faculty member, the Ombuds Office on
campus can help facilitate a resolution to the conflict. Rest assured,
this office keeps all communications confidential, so it is a very safe
place to go if you are having trouble. To make an appointment or obtain
additional information, call 303-492-5077, or stop by Willard 302.
If you feel you've
been graded unfairly in an engineering course and would like to appeal
your grade, the College Policy on Grade Appeals is available at
http://engineering.colorado.edu/downloads/Grade-Appeal-Policy.pdf
What are some resources if I’m concerned about my health?
Your health (physical and
mental) is a serious matter that will dictate your academic performance
here at CU-Boulder. There are a number of free services at Wardenburg
Health Center (http://www.colorado.edu/healthcenter/services/freeprograms.html).
Up to seven confidential counseling sessions are available for free from
the Counseling & Psychological Services Office in Willard 134 (http://www.colorado.edu/sacs/counseling/services/index.html).
You need to exercise your body as well as brain, so check out the
Recreation Center: http://www.colorado.edu/rec-center/
What about health insurance?
Contact the Wardenburg Health
Center:
http://www.colorado.edu/healthcenter/insurance/
I
have a disability (learning disability, ADHD, physical disability,
etc.). What resources are on campus?
Contact the Disability Services Office:
http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices/index.html
What security precautions are available on campus?
The campus has its own police department and many services that address
safety issues on campus, such as:
I
have lots of different questions about student life at CU-Boulder. Is
there one source where I can get my questions answered?
Try Ralphie’s Guide:
http://www.colorado.edu/ralphie/ . You’ll also receive a printed
version at orientation. Another helpful web site is Resources for
Students:
http://www.colorado.edu/students/index.html
How do I obtain football game tickets?
CU student ticket information:
http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=69327
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