SECTION ONE: WELCOME TO ENGINEERING 100

HISTORY AND MISSION OF THE COURSE

Introduction

The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is a large, multi‑faceted institution serving 25,000 students each year. The College of Engineering, with approximately 1,950 undergraduate and 1000 graduate students, is the third largest college on this campus. Engineering 100, the engineering orientation course, was instituted in response to student feedback to help entering freshman and transfer engineering students make a successful transition to this campus, and to orient them to the College of Engineering (advising, procedures, departments) and the study of engineering as a discipline. Another worthwhile goal was to help students develop a support network of fellow students, faculty, and academic professionals that would add to and enrich their academic experience at UIC. Completion of ENGR 100 (or 189) with satisfactory grade is a graduation requirement.

Orientation courses are now prevalent in UIC colleges and in curricula nationwide. These courses have a variety of formats and presentation modes. Engineering 100 was the first such course at UIC and now includes lecture/discussion with instructors, practicing engineering speakers, breakout sessions with upperclassmen teaching assistants, visits to engineering departments, overview of engineering research in the departments and more; however, the main mission of the course has not changed. We believe that providing critical information and links with other resources and support on campus significantly improves students' chances of completing an engineering baccalaureate degree, and this handbook is part of that mission.

The Engineering 100 Handbook is available on-line for student access 24 hours a day. It is a starting point for locating any type of information on engineering and the UIC campus--providing web page hyperlinks and e-mail hyperlinks wherever possible--to make student communication and information retrieval that much easier. We encourage your comments on this document; please send your comments to your instructor, Florencio Diaz, fdiaz4@uic.edu, Chris Kuypers, ckuype1@uic.edu, Jan Nekola, nekola@uic.edu or Lynn Thomas lynnann@uic.edu .

IMPORTANT SOURCES OF INFORMATION

The UIC Undergraduate Catalog

The UIC Undergraduate Catalog, often called the "academic bible," contains detailed information on UIC colleges, programs, graduation requirements, course content, special programs and many other important facets of life at UIC. The catalog is available to new students from the Office of Student Development Services, Room 1600, Student Services Building (SSB), 1200 W. Harrison. Other students may purchase a copy in one of the bookstores. You can find the 2001-2003 catalog on-line at: http://www.uic.edu/ucat/catalog/ . The new 2003-05 catalog should be available by summer 2003.

Timetable

The UIC Timetable lists course offerings for each term and the days and times courses are offered. The first few pages of the timetable contain an up‑to‑date calendar of important dates, tuition and fee schedules, information on insurance and immunization, final exam schedules and much more important information. Timetables are distributed by the College of Engineering in room 123 SEO or in Chicago Circle Center (CCC). They are available during the 10th or 11th week of each semester. Summer and Fall timetables are both available in the Spring. The online timetable allows students to receive important information before the distribution of the printed timetables. To access it through the web, go into the address: http://www.uic.edu/htbin/csa and click on the UIC Timetable.

The UIC Student Access System

In collaboration with the Office of Registration and Records and the Office of Student Financial Aid, the Office of the Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Information and Management Systems has developed the UIC Student Access System. The UIC Student Access System is composed of a series of Web-based applications. The applications available are: Student Schedule, Grade Listing, Academic History, Course Availability, Address Change, PIN Change, Registration Eligibility, Registration, and Financial Aid Information. These applications complement the voice response systems that are currently available. Hours of operation are:

Monday - Friday : 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Saturday : 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. To access the system go to: http://www.uic.edu/depts/ims/webstudent/

Student Information Network Centers (SINC)

The Student Information Network Center staff are some of the best sources of information available to you. The SINC staff (your fellow students) are trained to answer your questions about University policies and procedures, whom to see for what service, and what events are scheduled on campus. SINC has offices on the 1st floor of Chicago Circle Center (CCC), and SSB. For assistance or information, stop by or call 996‑5000 (CCC) or 996-9652 (SSB).

Engineering College's Undergraduate Office (UGO)

Room 123 in the Science and Engineering Offices Building (SEO) serves as a clearinghouse for questions about the College and undergraduate activities. The phone number is (312) 996‑3463 and the website address is: http://www.uic.edu/depts/enga/

Explore the College website. It is filled with lot of useful information.

Student FAQs on Advising: http://www.uic.edu/depts/enga/faq/index.htm

Faculty FAQs on Advising: http://www.uic.edu/depts/enga/faculty/facultyadvising.htm

Information for current students: http://www.uic.edu/depts/enga/currstud/index.htm

Transfer Guides: http://www.uic.edu/depts/enga/prostud/transferguide.htm

Online Forms: http://www.uic.edu/depts/enga/online/index.htm

UGO Directory: http://www.uic.edu/depts/enga/college/ugadmin.htm

Engineering Student Societies Office

All student chapters of Professional Engineering Societies have access to Room 110 SEO and a mailbox outside this office. Since PCs, printers and a phone are also provided for student groups, you will frequently find students there and are welcome to drop in for informal conversation ‑ or to lend a hand (413‑7624). Web link: http://www2.uic.edu/stud_orgs/prof/pesc/

Campus Newspapers

The UIC campus newspaper, UIC News, is published weekly throughout the academic year by UIC's Office of Public Affairs. The Chicago Flame is the student newspaper serving UIC. Published during the academic year, the Flame generally focuses on issues primarily of concern to students. New staff members are always welcome. Contact the editor at (312) 996‑5421. Other newspapers available in bins around campus include UIC Today (daily) and the Chicago Reader (weekly).

Engineering News

Engineering News (ENGRNEWS) is the free electronic newsletter produced by the college’s Undergraduate Office (UGO). ENGRNEWS announces timely information on activities, events, jobs, new courses, etc. All engineering students are encouraged to subscribe as soon as they enroll. Instructions on how to subscribe are found in Section 4.

Student Handbook of the University of Illinois at Chicago

The Student Handbook of the University of Illinois at Chicago contains detailed information on academic support programs, the libraries, academic and social fraternities, and student services. The Handbook also describes recreation facilities, lounges, intramurals, etc. or students can obtain copies during summer orientation, from the SINC office in SSB, or from the bookstore.

Bulletin Boards

News about seminars, field trips, summer jobs, guest speakers, etc. are posted on bulletin boards near each engineering departmental office, in the hallway outside Room 123 SEO, in the library and throughout CCC. Be sure to browse through the postings frequently so you can take full advantage of your College experience.

Campus Phones

At various locations on campus you will see non‑pay phones. These are campus phones you are free to use to make on‑campus calls. Only the last five digits of the number need be dialed; for example, 6‑2419 or 3‑7461.

Safety and Security

Read about campus safety and security policies, including information on the UIC Police, victims resources, safety tips, important phone numbers, and Clery Act Crime statistics. Go to:

http://www.uic.edu/index.html/crimestats.html