Frequently Asked Advising Questions

1.       Who is my advisor and do I need to go to them?

You are assigned an advisor by the last digit of your student number.  If you are a transfer student your advisor is Dr. Freeman.  If you are a future civil engineering major and have completed over 30 hours your advisor is Dr. Jones.  You may see another advisor if they are willing to meet with you but it is strongly discouraged.

2.       Does it matter what section of ethics I take?  

We have arranged for a special section for engineering students, Phil 2393 Engineering Ethics.  Although you will receive credit for PHIL 2390, the special section will be more appropriate for engineering students and help you be better prepared for the engineering workplace.

3.       What degree plan should I follow?

Current students have a choice between the current degree plan (2008-9) and any plan in effect while they have been a UTPA student but not more seven years old at the time of graduation.  When a student decides to follow a particular plan, they must take every single course listed in it.  Students who began in the fall of 2008 or later must follow the new degree plan (2008-9).

4.       What math courses do students need to take?

All students must take Calculus I & II (MATH 1460 & 1470). After that there are two routes depending on the degree plan you are graduating under.  If a student is graduating under the old degree plan they may substitute MECE 3449 (Analysis I) as a replacement for MATH 2401 (Calculus III) and may substitute MECE 3450 (Analysis II) for  MECE 3340 (Analysis).

5.       What courses don't I need to take under the new plan?

Foreign Language, Kinesiology, UNIV 1301 (see notes below), CSCI 1380, and ELEE 3305

6.       What happens if I already took Chemistry II?

Chemistry II will not be counted toward the new degree plan requirements.  However, the course might be helpful to you as a practicing engineer depending on your area of expertise.

7.       Do I need to take UNIV 1300?

Under the new degree plan (2008-9) you must take UNIV 1301 unless you are determined to be exempt based on fairly stringent college entrance test scores and first year performance (see below).  This course is only required under the 2006-7 plan.  If you are graduating under a plan prior to 2006 it is not required for any student. 

UNIV 1301 exemption requirements for new degree plan only.

• Top 25% of graduating class

•  ACT (composite) >19 or SAT (verbal + math) >/=900

• Must earn 12 credit hours with a min. GPA of 2.5 in first semester

• Must have completed 24 credit hours with a min. GPA of 2.5 by second semester

8.       Do I need to take system dynamics?

This is a required course under the 2008-9 plan.  You can take this course as an elective if you are under a previous plan.

9.       Can I take any P.E. class?

Kinesiology is not required under the new degree plan.  Under the prior plans you must take two hours of  kinesiology or appropriate health wellness or ROTC course.

10.   What are the real prerequisites for Physics?

The prerequisite for Physics I is Calculus 1 and a co-requisite of Calculus II.  Note that at this point in time that students are blocked from courses taken with co-requisites and it may require an override from your advisor when you register.

11.   Do I have to take College Algebra and Pre-Calculus?

The rules for what math course new students are placed in are fairly involved (see attached form).  If a student believes that they have been placed in the wrong math course they should contact the math department.

12.   What electives will be offered in the spring?

Undergraduate Courses: Automatic Control, Acoustics, Physical Metallurgy of Alloys, Introduction to Computational Biomechanics, and Introduction to the Practice of Finite Elements.

13.   What courses will be offered this summer?

Summer I 2009

Summer II 2009

14.   What courses are offered only once per year?                 

All courses are offered at least twice per year, however several that are offered in the summer are only offered in either the fall or spring semester.  The typical schedule of course offerings may be found on the advising spreadsheet in a column labeled F/S.

15.   What elective courses can I take?

There are 14 mechanical engineering elective courses listed in the catalog.  Students may take other new mechanical engineering electives or electives out of the department at the discretion of the faculty advisor.

16.   When do I have to take MECE 4101?

The semester before your last semester.

17.   How do I find about co-ops and internships?

Ricardo Ramirez at the placement office can give valuable assistance.  Attending  the UTPA Career day (there is one each fall and spring) and contacting companies directly has also been beneficial for many students.

18.   How do I find out what courses will transfer from another school?

Contact the department chair, Dr. Robert Freeman

19.   What courses can I take at STC?

Introduction to Engineering, Engineering Graphics, Statics, Dynamics, Calculus I, Calculus II, and all the general requirements.

20.   How many hours can I take per semester and in the summer?

18/semester and 6/summer without approval of your advisor.  It is recommended that you set aside three hours per week for each credit hour.  If you are taking 15 hours then you should have 45 hours per week in your schedule for school if you expect to perform at a reasonable level.

21.   What courses do I need to take for civil engineering?

Intro, Engineering Graphics, (Statics, Dynamics or Engineering Mechanics), Materials, Thermo, Solids, Fluid, PHYS I&II, CHEM I , Engineering Statistics and Engineering Economics

22.   How many classes can I drop and retake?

There are many new rules that have been created to discourage students from repeating courses.  Students who repeat courses or take too many course outside of their degree plan may pay out of state tuition and fees of up to $125/credit hour.  See UTPA academic policies.

23.   When can I take a graduate course as an undergraduate?

Graduate courses will NOT replace undergraduate technical electives.  In their last semester, the student can apply to the graduate program and register for one graduate course if they have 9 undergraduate hours remaining or two graduate courses if they have 6 or less undergraduate hours remaining.

24.   What happens if I received a "D" for a course?

You may retake a course if you received a "D".  However, you must retake the course if you received a "D" in any of the following courses: General Chemistry (CHEM 1301/1101), Introduction to Engineering (MECE 1101), Calculus I (MATH 1460), Calculus II (MATH 1470), Engineering Graphics (MECE 1221), Statics (MECE 2303), Engineering Materials (MECE 2440).

25.   When can I register?

ASSIST REGISTRATION APPOINTMENT TIMES