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FAQ for EE Undergrads

These are some common questions that undergrads have. For anything not answered here, or for more detailed advice, contact the Undergraduate Advisor at undergradta@ee.stanford.edu.

Declaring

1) How do I declare?

See http://www-ee.stanford.edu/declaring_ee.php for the list of steps in the declaration process.

2) I'm not sure what I want to specialize in. Can I change my specialty later?

Yes, you can change your specialty up until the quarter before you graduate. If you change specialties, you have the option of keeping your old advisor or being assigned a new one.

3) How do I go about finding an advisor?

You do not need to find an adviser before declaring. When you meet with the Vice Chair to declare and choose a specialty, he will mention who is currently advising undergrads in that specialty. You can choose someone from that list yourself, or ask for the Vice Chair to recommend someone. If you know another professor who you want to be your adviser, it is sometimes possible to request them.

4) Do I need to have a program sheet filled out before I declare?

No, you do not need to turn in a program sheet until the quarter after you declare.

Acceptable Classes

1) Do EE100 and Engr102E count toward the required 68 engineering units?

No, they do not count. EE100 does not count because it is not taken for a letter grade, and Engr102E does not count because it is neither a EE class nor an engineering fundamental.

2) If I enroll in independent study (EE190/191), can it count toward the 68 engineering units?

Only EE191 (which is taken for a letter grade) can count toward the 68 units. You can use up to 10 units of EE191 to count toward the engineering depth requirement.

3) Can EE classes below the 100 level count toward the 68 units?

As long as the EE class is taken for a letter grade, it will count toward the 68 units.

Double Majors and Minors

1) If I am majoring or minoring in another department, can I use math and science classes to count toward both department's requirements?

Classes used to satisfy the 45 unit math/science requirement can be used for multiple departments' requirements. If you are using a math or science class as part of your engineering depth (part of the 68 units), then it cannot be used to satisfy another department's requirements.

2) If I am doing a double major, which department should get my academic folder?

Have the other department make a copy of your academic folder, then return the original to Diane Shankle.

Program Sheets

1) What happens if I decide to take different classes from what I listed on my program sheet?

There is no need to turn in a new program sheet every time you decide to take new classes, unless those new classes are not preapproved and require a petition. You may also want to turn in a new program sheet if you have made a lot of changes and want to be sure that it still meets all the requirements. However, for everyone, by the end of the quarter before you graduate (usually winter quarter of senior year), you should turn in a new program sheet, signed by your advisor, listing which classes you ended up taking. When you turn in your finalized program sheet, make sure that you know what you will be taking in your final quarter, since it may be very difficult to make changes in the last quarter.

2) How do I include AP credit on the program sheet?

List the equivalent Stanford class (for example, Math 41), then write "AP" in parentheses next to it, and put a check in the transfer credit column.

3) How many of the signatures do I need to obtain myself?

Have your advisor sign your program sheet. Print out an un-official copy of your transcript. Take the program sheet and the un-official transcript to Terman Engr. Room 201. Bertha Love or Darlene Lazar will approve your AP credit and then send your program sheet back to the EE Department Office where it will be placed in your academic file.

Petitions and Substitutions

1) Do petitions for transfer credit and course substitutions need to be taken care of before I declare?

No, they can be taken care of any time up until the quarter before you graduate. However, BE CAREFUL. If you wait too long, and your petition is not approved, you might not be able to graduate on time. Also, depending on how busy people are, the petition may not be approved in time. Once you plan to petition for transfer credit or a course substitution, you should go about getting approval as soon as you can.

2) Who is in charge of approving petitions?

Petitions pertaining to math/science electives or STS requirements are handled by the School of Engineering, and should be submitted to their student affairs office in Terman. Petitions pertaining to the engineering depth (fundamentals + core + specialty + electives) or required math/science classes (for example, EE178/Stat 116) are handled by the Vice Chair of the EE department, and should be submitted to Diane Shankle. In the case of transfer credit, you will need to obtain approval from the Transfer Credit Office in Old Union before submitting your petition to Terman or Packard.

3) How do I get approval for a course substitution for the engineering depth?

Fill out a new program sheet including the new class which you wish to take. Then, attach a note explaining why you feel this course substitution is justified, and mentioning any relevant course information (i.e. class syllabus, note from the professor). Also attach a note from your advisor supporting the course substitution and have him sign your new program sheet. Then turn it in to Diane Shankle. After the Vice Chair looks at it, you will hear whether it has been approved. DO NOT simply ask the Vice Chair whether he would approve a certain course without following these other steps. He only grants approval after seeing how the course fits in the student's overall program, and if the student's advisor is okay with the change.

4) How do I get approval for a course substitution for math/science classes or the STS requirement?

You can obtain petitions from the Engineering Undergrad Handbook, which can be found online at http://ughb.stanford.edu. Petitions should be submitted to Bertha Love in Terman.

5) I'm an international student and I took the equivalent of the Math 40 series in high school. I do not have IB credits. Do I need to retake those classes at Stanford?

No, you should not retake those classes. You should meet with the Student Affairs office in the School of Engineering to discuss the possibility of getting a waiver for those math classes.

Research

1) When does the application process for REU begin?

The process generally starts around the beginning or middle of winter quarter. If you are interested in applying, you should contact Natasha Newson at the beginning of winter quarter.

2) Can I participate in REU more than once?

You can participate in REU multiple times, but priority is given to students who have not participated before.

3) How can I get involved in research during the year?

It is possible to do research during the year and get credit for it, by enrolling in either EE190 (pass/no credit) or EE191 (letter grade only). To find a research group you may want to work in, you can look at the faculty listing at http://www-ee.stanford.edu/faculty.php. This will give you an overview of the types of research that different professors are doing. Alternatively, you can talk to your advisor about your interests and see if they recommend any specific professors or groups. Once you get a list of professors, you can email them, asking to meet with them to talk about research opportunities, or visit them during their office hours. If the professor does not have any specific projects that you could help with at that time, another way to get involved is to ask about sitting in on research group meetings.

Advising

1) How often should I meet with my advisor?

I would recommend meeting with your advisor at least once a quarter, if for nothing else than to discuss what classes you plan to take and get feedback.

2) How do I arrange to meet with my advisor?

This will vary from professor to professor. Some will have an administrative assistant whom you should email to set up an appointment. For some professors, you can directly email them. Another option is to visit your advisor during their office hours.

Coterm

1) How early/late can I apply for the coterm program?

If you wish to begin the coterm program in a particular quarter, please submit the application by the SECOND WEEK of the PREVIOUS quarter. The earliest quarter you can begin the coterm program is the first quarter in which you have 120 units towards your undergraduate degree (include AP and transfer units). The latest you can begin the coterm is the quarter prior to the completion of your undergrad degree (typically Winter quarter of senior year); this means that Senior coterm applicants must submit their application by the second week of fall quarter.

2) After submitting my application, how long will it take to find out whether I have been admitted?

Depending on how busy the admissions committee is, it can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to over a month for you to get the decision. Winter quarter, when general applications are being considered as well, can be an especially busy time. Because of this variability, if you wait until your last quarter of eligibility to turn in a coterm application, make sure you submit it early enough in the quarter.

3) Can I count classes which I took before being admitted to the coterm toward my graduate degree?

You can count classes taken in the two quarters immediately prior to your first quarter as a coterm toward your graduate degree. For example, if your first quarter as a coterm student is winter quarter of senior year, you can count classes from spring of junior year and fall of senior year toward your graduate degree. However, these classes will then not be allowed to count toward your undergrad degree.

4) Does my tuition rate change once I have been admitted to the coterm program?

As long as you still have undergrad status (i.e. you have not yet graduated), you will be assessed the undergrad tuition rate for 12 quarters. Once you apply to graduate with your undergrad degree, or once you have accepted graduate financial assistance (such as an RA or TA position), you will be assessed the graduate tuition rate, and cannot return to the undergrad rate.

5) Does being a coterm student affect my housing?

You are still guaranteed 4 years of undergrad housing.

6) Do the three letters of recommendation all have to be from Stanford EE professors?

At least two of the three letters should be from Stanford EE professors. The third letter is only required if you are applying for funding as well.

7) Do I have to take any of GRE specialty tests?

No, you only have to take the GRE general test.

8) Where can I learn more about the coterm program?

For the department's policy on coterm applications, please visit http://ee-admissions.stanford.edu/coterm