If you cannot find the answer to your question please email it to us at eecsundergrad.info@oregonstate.edu.  Please include your first and last name in your email.

Advising Questions

• What do I need to fill out and bring to my advising session?
• Who is my Advisor?
• What is Spring Term Advising and how is it different from the other terms?
• Do I need a Registration PIN?
• What is considered a passing grade for required courses in the CS and ECE programs?
• What do I do if I don’t pass a required course?
• For Computer Science Students
• When do I have to decide which Computer Science program option I will take (computer systems, information systems, or applied computer science)?
• Why do I have to take so many non-CS courses?
• What courses do I have to complete for the CS degree? [pdf]
• For Electrical and Computer Engineering Students
• When do I have to decide which ECE Track I will take?
• What are the different tracks in ECE?
• What courses do I have to complete for the ECE degree? [pdf]

Registration Questions

• When can I register?
• What does Phase 1 and Phase 2 priority registration mean?
• How many credits can I enroll in during each registration phase ?
• What does waitlist mean?
• How do I get on a waitlist?
• How do I enroll in a Blanket Course (ECE/CS 401, 405, 406)?

Applying to the Professional Program

• When and how do I apply to the CS or ECE Professional Program?
• What if I can't finish the required pre-engineering courses by the end of my second year?
• When I submit my application to the professional program in EECS, how will it be evaluated?
• Can I apply to more than one department or program when I apply to the professional engineering program?
• I applied but was not accepted to the professional program. What do I do now?

General Questions

• Can I take a course S/U?
• If I get a grade of C- in a required course, may I repeat it?
• I have completed the pre-engineering course work but I have not yet been accepted into the Professional Program. Can I take any upper division courses while I'm waiting?
• I am enrolled in the professional program. Does that mean that I can take any upper division engineering course?
• How long will it take me to complete my CS or ECE degree?
• Can I substitute courses from other institutions or departments for required courses?
• When and how do I apply for graduation?

How To:

• Add a course in the 2^nd week of the term?
• Apply for Graduation?
• Calculate my Pre-Engineering GPA?
• Change my CS option?
• Change my major or add a minor?
• Change to S/U Grading?
• Get a course waived or substitute a course for a required course?
• Get an CS-Applied Program or ECE Self-Designed Program Approved?
• Withdraw from a course?
• Late drop, late add, or late withdraw from a course?
• Get into a closed ECE or CS course?
• Get into a Pro-ECE or Pro-CS course as a Pre-Engineering Student?
• Get into an ECE or CS course as a non-engineering student?
• Get into a course when I’m missing a prerequisite?
• Get advised?
• Get a Registration PIN?

ADVISING

What do I need to fill out and bring to my Computer Science advising session?

• Completely fill out the academic plan corresponding to your major-option found on the Commonly Used Forms page.
• The following are sample four year plans for each option:
• Computer Systems Option sample plan
• Information Systems Option sample plan
• Applied Option sample plan

What do I need to fill out and bring to my ECE/EE/CpE advising session?

• Completely fill out the academic plan corresponding to your major found on the Commonly Used Forms page.
• The following are sample four year plans for each track:
• Electrical and Computer Engineering sample plan
• ECE Track Specific Plans [pdf]
• Computer and Network
• Energy Systems
• Generalist/FE Exam Prep
• High Frequency Systems and Applied Electromagnetics
• Integrated Circuits
• Materials and Devices
• Optoelectronics
• RF Communications
• Robotics and Controls
• Systems, Signals, and Communications

What is Spring Term Advising and how is it different from the other terms?

Spring term advising is when all EECS students meet with an advisor to plan out their next two years worth of courses. This usually happens around the fifth week of spring term. For more information see the Spring Term Advising Process page.

Do I need a registration PIN?

Yes, the College of Engineering requires that all engineering students be issued a new registration PIN for fall, winter, and spring term registration.  A registration PIN is not required for summer term registration.

What is considered a passing grade for required courses in the CS and ECE programs?

A grade of C- or better is considered a passing grade for required courses in the CS and ECE programs. 

What do I do if I don’t pass a required course in the CS or ECE program?

If you do not pass a required course in the CS or ECE program you must retake it.  This course must be repeated until it is successfully passed.  You should not take any courses that lists the non-passed course as a prerequisite. 

When do I have to decide which Computer Science program option I will take (computer systems, information systems, or applied computer science)?
The first four terms of pre-computer science coursework are identical for all three options. Students should complete CS 160, CS 161,CS 162, CS 261, MTH 231, MTH 232, MTH251, and MTH 252 during these terms.

Why do I have to take so many non-CS courses?
Computer scientists play a key role in providing services for various user communities. They need to be aware of the effects on society of the technical decisions they make. Employers regularly tell us that students graduating from our School are technically prepared. What they are looking for in addition are oral and written communication skills. For the Computer Systems Option many of these courses are also required for accreditation.

When do I have to decide on an ECE Track?

Students should have a good idea which track they want to pursue when they apply to the professional program.  At the very least, students should decide if they are going to pursue the Computer and Network track due to course planning constraints.  It is possible for students to work on some tracks prior to being admitted into the professional program.  Students are encouraged to meet with an undergraduate advisor to help explore their options.

REGISTRATION

How do I enroll in a Blanket Course (CS/ECE 401, 405, 406)?

Complete the Blanket Course Request Form.  Instructions are included in the form.

APPLYING TO THE PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM

When and how do I apply to the CS or ECE Professional Program?
Most students apply at the beginning of spring term of their sophomore year. The applications are submitted online. Applications for entry into the professional program are due on April 10 for Fall Term admission and on November 1 for Winter Term admission. The application forms come online about one month before the due date. A link to the forms is found on the College of Engineering home page when the forms become available.

What if I can't finish the required pre-engineering courses by the end of my second year?
First, you may choose to take one or more pre-engineering courses during summer term. The School usually offers all freshman-, sophomore-, and junior-level Computer Science courses each summer. You may also take the mathematics, writing, and speech courses you need during summer term.

Your application will be considered if you will be no more than one course short by the beginning of the term you will enter the professional program. If you are accepted, you will be expected to complete the course with a grade of C- or better the next term the course is offered.

If you are more than two courses short, you should plan to apply to the professional program during the fall term of your junior year. Take technical courses, restricted electives, etc., so that you do not lose ground. (Some courses open to 3rd year, non-CS program students are synthesis and perspective courses.)

More admission details are found in the College of Engineering Advising Guide.

When I submit my application to the professional program, how will it be evaluated?
The School uses pre-engineering course grades to calculate your core GPA from your transcript. The method for computing the GPA is detailed in the College Advising Guide. The School then compares all applicants' GPAs and selects the top applicants.  You can figure out your Pre-Core GPA by using the College of Engineering Pre-Core GPA Tracking Tool.

Can I apply to more than one department or program when I apply to the professional engineering program?
You may apply to more than one department or program. However, you must satisfy all requirements for each department or program to which you apply. You will only be admitted to one program. To add an additional major ot to change to a different major in the College of Engineering you must submit a College of Engineering Petition and a Change of Undergraduate Program.

I applied but was not accepted to the professional program. What do I do now?
One option is to wait and apply to the program next year. More realistically, you should consider another major or, if that is not acceptable, consider another university. In a case like this, it is always a good idea to talk to your advisor or a counselor at the Counseling and Psychological Services (Snell 500). It is also possible to switch to another major and apply the pre-engineering course work that you have completed toward that degree.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Can I take a course S/U?
You may take any course S/U except those which appear on the list of required pre-engineering and professional courses for your major. Non-engineering courses that are required for your major, such as WR 121, COMM 111 or 114, and WR 327, cannot be taken S/U. See also Academic Regulation 18 for additional details.

If I get a grade of C- in a required course, may I repeat it?
Once you receive a grade of C- or higher in a required course you may not repeat the course to improve your Pre-GPA or Pro-GPA. For purposes of getting into the professional program, all repeats are counted until the first C- grade.  You must have a grade of C- or above in a required major course to have that requirement considered to be completed.  A course taken at OSU anc be repeated once to attempt to improve your OSU GPA. See AR 20 - Repeated Courses.

I have completed the pre-engineering course work but I have not yet been accepted into the Professional Program. Can I take any upper division courses while I'm waiting?
Yes, but you must get a waiver for each course you wish to take. To do this you must file a petition with the EECS office. The petitions will be generally approved for classes for which you have completed all of the prerequisites if it also appears that you have a chance of being accepted into the program based on your current GPA. The petition must be approved by the School and by the College if your pre- GPA is below 2.75. Submitted petitions will be available on or before the first day of classes. In any case you should attend the first day of classes for each course you petitioned.

I am enrolled in the professional program. Does that mean that I can take any upper division engineering course?
Yes, as long as you have completed any prerequisite courses for that course.

How long will it take me to complete my CS or ECE degree?
The normal completion time is four years. Students participating in MECOP will require at least two additional terms.

Can I substitute courses from other institutions or departments for required courses?
In many cases students wish to complete degree requirements with courses from other institutions or with similar courses at Oregon State. Substitute courses must be approved by the School. Students submit a EECS Program Petition for such approvals. These requests are generally approved when the substitute course can be shown to be equivalent. Course equivalencies already accepted by the University are listed in these articulation tables.

When and how do I apply for graduation?
File an Application for a Bachelor's Degree with the Registrar's Office three terms before you plan to graduate. You must pick up the application from and submit it to the Registrar’s office in Kerr.

HOW TO:

Add a course in the 2^nd week of the term?

Use the College of Engineering Restriction Override form.

This form requires the signature of the student and course instructor.

Once the proper signatures are acquired, the form is returned to the department offering the course for departmental approval. That department will complete the override if approved.

Apply for Graduation?

File an Application for a Bachelor's Degree with the Registrar's Office three terms before you plan to graduate. You must pick up the application from and submit it to the Registrar’s office in Kerr.

Change my CS option?

Use the Undergraduate Academic Program form.

Return the form to the EECS (KEC 1148) for approval.

Take form to the College of Engineering Undergraduate Office (BAT 151) for approval.

Submit form to the Registrar’s Office in Kerr for processing.

Change my major or add a minor?

Use the Undergraduate Academic Program form.

Return the form to Batcheller 151 for approval.

Submit form to the Registrar in Kerr for processing.

Change to S/U Grading?

Use the Change of Grading Basis Form.

Verify that you are allowed to S/U the course.

This form requires the department all approval (KEC 1148)

If approved, submit to the Registrar in Kerr Administration Building.

Get a course waived or substitute a course for a required course?

Use a EECS Program Petition and carefully detail the justification for having your petition approved.

Return the petition to the EECS Office (KEC 1148).

Get a CS-Applied Program or ECE Self-Designed Program Approved?

Use the Approval Form for Applied Computer Science Option Program or ECE Self-Designed Track Approval Form. 

Return the form to the EECS (KEC 1148).

Withdraw from a course?

This can be done online. This must be done before the end of the 7th week of classes.

If you have a hold on your account you must go in person to the Registrar’s Office to drop a course.

Late drop, late add, or late withdraw from a course?

Pick up a PETITION for Approval form from the Registrar in Kerr Administration Building.

The Registrar's Office will advise you of what approvals you will need. These petitions are not often approved so don't miss the deadlines.

Return the form to the Registrar in Kerr Administration Building.

Get into a closed ECE or CS course?

Use the College of Engineering Restriction Override form.

This form requires the signature of the student and course instructor.

Once the proper signatures are acquired, the form is returned to the department offering the course for departmental approval. That department will complete the override if approved.

Get into a Pro-ECE or Pro-CS course as a Pre-Engineering Student?

Use the College of Engineering Restriction Override form.

This form requires the signature of the student and course instructor.

Once the proper signatures are acquired, the form is returned to the department offering the course for departmental approval. That department will complete the override if approved.

Get into an ECE or CS course as a non-engineering student?

Use the College of Engineering Restriction Override form.

This form requires the signature of the student and course instructor.

Once the proper signatures are acquired, the form is returned to the department offering the course for departmental approval. That department will complete the override if approved.

Get into a course when I’m missing a prerequisite?

Use the College of Engineering Restriction Override form.

This form requires the signature of the student and course instructor.

Once the proper signatures are acquired, the form is returned to the department offering the course for departmental approval. That department will complete the override if approved.

Get a Registration PIN?

You must meet with an academic advisor before you can get your registration PIN.  If you are currently in the School of EECS and you are making satisfactory progress in your major your winter and spring registration PIN may be mailed to your ONID email account.  Those students not making satisfactory progress will be notified by an email to their ONID account with further directions.  This usually happens in the fifth week of the term.  All students are required to meet with a faculty advisor in spring term.