Registration Information

In order to attend the University of Maryland, students must officially register for classes. Specific dates for registration are listed in the schedule of classes. Please also check information on the ECE web page (www.ece.umd.edu) for the most up-to-date listing of ECE offerings.

Early Registration

Early registration (or pre-registration) periods begin in late October (for spring semester) and late March (for fall). At that time, students receive an email from Records and Registration listing their early registration date. This date is assigned based on the number of credits completed by the student (including advanced placement and transfer credits). Students with higher number of credits are assigned earlier dates.

In order to register for appropriate courses, students should seek advising from staff in the ECE Undergraduate Office (or from a specific faculty advisor), either by making an appointment or by dropping by during regular office hours. For best results, schedule your advising session well in advance of your registration date.

Prerequisites

All students must have fulfilled the appropriate prerequisites in order to register for courses. The course descriptions in both the Undergraduate Catalog and in the ECE handbook outline the specific prerequisites for each course. The ECE Undergraduate Office staff checks each student's registration prior to the start of every semester. Students who have registered for courses for which they do not have the prerequisites will have their course registration canceled.

  Add/Drop/Change of Grading Method

Students who wish to change their schedules may do so without any penalty during the first 10 days of classes (check the schedule of classes for specific dates). After this point, students may only drop one course or 4 credits with a grade of "W" up until the 10th week of classes. If a student becomes ill or for some reason does not believe he/she can complete the semester, he/she should contact the ECE Undergraduate Office staff as soon as possible. With appropriate documentation, special exceptions may be made to assist the student. It is best not to wait until the end of the semester before notifying faculty and staff of any change in circumstances.

If you need to maintain your full-time status (due to financial aid, student loan or visa requirements) please check with the corresponding offices (Financial Aid or IES) before altering a course schedule. For more information, please check the Schedule of Classes and the Undergraduate Catalog for a complete listing of regulations.

Repeat Policy

All students who matriculated at the University of Maryland in Fall 1990 or later are allowed a maximum of two attempts per course, up to a maximum of 18 repeat credits. Please note that a withdrawal counts as an attempt (grade of "W"). All attempts resulting in a grade "A"-"F" are included in the computation of the grade point average. The only exception to this policy is for courses taken within the first 24 credits (for first-time students) or during the first semester (for transfer students). If these courses are repeated, then the grade point average will reflect only the best attempt. Both grades will, however, remain on the student's official transcript. Students must use their repeat credits cautiously. If a student is considering repeating a course, especially if it is not a major requirement, he/she should check with the ECE Undergraduate Office staff before doing so.

Wait/Hold List

During early registration, a course may become full and a student's only option is to be put on a wait list. Keep in mind that from the end of the current semester until the end of the schedule adjustment period in the next semester, many drop/adds are processed and seats open in several courses. Please refer to the schedule of classes and follow instructions carefully concerning wait list check in. If you are unable to register for a class and it is imperative that you take it in order to graduate, please contact the staff at the ECE Undergraduate Office by email (eceadvise@deans).

Students often become confused about the difference between the hold list and the wait list. When a ECE student attempts to register for a restricted course offered by another department, he/she is added to the hold list until all students in the other major have had a chance to register. On the first day of classes, the hold list is merged with the wait list and students are offered seats on a space available basis.

Academic Probation

All students who find themselves on academic probation must seek mandatory advising from staff or faculty in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Additionally they should plan to meet regularly with the academic advisorr to review options for improving their academic record. In order to stay in good academic standing and to receive a degree from the University, students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

Minimum Grades for Engineering Course Work

Students wishing to obtain a degree from the A. James Clark School of Engineering must receive a minimum grade of "C" in every engineering course. Students who receive a lower grade must repeat the course in accordance with the University's repeat policy. Because many of the lower level courses in mathematics, physics and chemistry are essential preparation for the Electrical Engineering curriculum, you are it is strongly recommended that students obtain a "C" or better in these courses (by repeating some if necessary). NOTE: For all students who started at any institution of higher learning in Spring 2005 or after a "C" or higher is NOW required in all mathematics, physics, and chemistry courses as well as any other course used to satisfy a major requirement such as the Non-EE Elective requirement.

Advising for Conditionally Admitted Students

Students who do not make the minimum admission requirements to Engineering are admitted on a conditional basis (see A. James Clark School of Engineering admissions requirements). These students must be advised by the ECE Undergraduate Office staff prior to receiving mandatory advising from the College of Engineering Student Affairs Office (room 1124 Engineering Classroom building). This process is in place to ensure that students receive proper information about courses and guidance for full admission to the Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering degree programs.

Double Major / Double Degree

To complete a "Double Major'' you must satisfy the degree requirements for two majors. If you, graduate with less than 150 credits will receive a single degree Bachelor's Degree. However, if you complete the requirements for both disciplines and earn at least 150 credits, you will actually receive two separate Bachelor's Degrees. Contact ECE Office of Undergraduate Studies for further information and relevant procedures.

Graduate Courses

Students in their final year of course work occasionally decide to fulfill a technical elective requirement by taking a graduate course. In order to do so, students must first seek permission from both the instructor teaching the course and a staff member in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Office (A.V. Williams room 2435, 301-405-3686).

If you are considering continuing your education by pursuing a graduate degree, please feel free to contact the ECE Undergraduate or Graduate Office, or ECE faculty members in appropriate technical areas. We will be happy to assist you in your search and provide you with helpful information.

Permission to Take Courses at Another Institution

Once you are admitted to the University of Maryland, you may not take courses at another institution and apply them to your degree unless you first obtain approval from the Engineering Student Affairs Office (1124 Engineering Classroom Building). Permission is not automatic and will not be given to students who wish to repeat a course already taken at the University of Maryland. The University has articulation agreements with the community colleges in the State, which can facilitate the evaluation of courses.

Application for Graduation

Students preparing to graduate must file an application for a diploma during the first ten days of the semester. In order to facilitate this process, students may apply in the Office of Records and Registrations (first floor of the Mitchell Building), using MARS (301-403-0500) or online at www.testudo.umd.edu.

Academic Honesty

At the University of Maryland, student and faculty together share the responsibility of academic integrity. Members of the University community believe academic dishonesty is a serious issue. As a student, you hold the responsibility to both uphold academic integrity for yourself and reporting dishonesty when you encounter or observe it.

Academic dishonesty is defined as:

1. Cheating: intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise;
2. Fabrication: intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise;
3. Facilitating academic dishonesty: intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another violate any provision of this code;
4. Plagiarism: intentionally or knowingly presenting the words or ideas of another as one's own in any academic exercise.
(from the University of Maryland Undergraduate Catalog, 1999-00).

If you believe you have observed academic dishonesty, please contact the Student Honor Council at 301-314-8450, or in room 2118 Mitchell building. For more information, see www.inform.umd.edu/JPO

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