Graduate Student Orientation

Electrical & Computer Engineering

Auburn University

Orientation Overview

• Important People in the Life of an ECE Graduate Student

• Other important notes for ECE Graduate Students

Your research advisor

• Identify an advisor as soon as possible

• Develop and submit a Plan of Study– by end of 1st semester (Master’s)– by end of 2nd semester (Ph.D)

• Meet regularly and often to make good progress.

Teaching supervisor (GTAs)

• Meet your supervisor– immediately to get specific responsibilities.– regularly and promptly thereafter.

• Laboratory grades are due before final exams.

• Course grades are due as indicated on the final exam schedule.

Prof. Victor Nelson

• Graduate Coordinator

• Admission and academic issues

• e-mail: nelson@eng.auburn.edu

• office: BR 305

Prof. John Hung

• Laboratory Chairman

• GTA assignments– Only on-line applications accepted

• Go to ECE department website

• e-mail: j.y.hung@ieee.org

• office: BR 213

Ms. JoAnn Loden

• Course registration & guidance

• RA and TA appointment administration

• e-mail: jloden@eng.auburn.edu

• office: BR 229

Dr. William Flick

• International Students– Test of Spoken English (TSE)– ENGL 1820 “Classroom Communication

Skills …”

• e-mail: bflick@auburn.edu

• phone: 844-2122

• Usually, phone interview comes first.

Ms. Shelia Collis

• Paychecks

• Day-to-day needs

• Check your mailbox daily!

• Personal use of copiers requires access code.

• e-mail: smcollis@eng.auburn.edu

• office: BR 200

Ms. Lavonne Howard

• Building keys

• Packing slips and invoices– Sign, date, and submit promptly.

• Telephones and copiers are for professional activities only.

• e-mail: lhoward@eng.auburn.edu

• office: BR 202

Ms. Linda Barresi

• Laboratory equipment issues– Report problems promptly, especially in

teaching laboratories

• Building issues

• e-mail: barresi@eng.auburn.edu

• office: BR 257

Notes for ECE Graduate Students

• Academic issues• Appointments• Tuition notes• Course enrollment• Fire and Safety

• Inventory• Professionalism• Resources• Security

Academic Issues

• Discuss policies with the responsible faculty member (research or teaching).

• Study the “Tiger Cub” student handbook– Rules section– www.auburn.edu/tigercub

• Graduate School website– www.grad.auburn.edu

The Plan of Study

• Develop with your academic advisor

• Submit as soon as possible!

• Plans are amended when you approach degree completion

• Students without approved Plans of Study can be denied GTA support

Appointments (1)

• Teaching assistantships are reviewed every term. Students must apply EVERY term, ON-LINE, at the ECE department website.

• Research assistantships should be discussed periodically with the research advisor.

Appointments (2)

• GTA application deadlines– See the online application form– www.eng.auburn.edu/department/ece– March 15 (for summer and fall terms)– October 15 (for spring term)

Appointments (2)

• Teaching appointment duration– Aug. 16 to Dec. 31 (fall semester)– Jan. 1 to May 15 (spring semester)

• Research appointment duration should be discussed with the research advisor.

Notes on Tuition

• GTAs with a minimum of 25% support receive a tuition waiver

• GRAs with a minimum of 25% support qualify for resident tuition rate

• A limited number of graduate tuition fellowships are available. See Dr. Nelson.

For International Students

• Fees, forms, regulations…

• Visit the Office of International Education website:

www.auburn.edu/academic/other/international_education/office/international/

Some GTA Considerations

• Newer students favored

• U.S. citizens favored

• Ph.D. students favored

• Academic progress– e.g. Has a Plan of Study been filed?

• Faculty support

• Language skills

Course enrollment

• Pre-register. Course offerings are affected by pre-registration demand!

• Do NOT wait until the beginning of a term to register; two results may occur:– full class (you can’t get in)!– no class (the class was dropped)!

Fire

• Learn escape routes for office and laboratory.

• If you discover a fire– activate fire alarm system– AND dial 911 to report the fire! Alarm

system does not dial 911 automatically

• If alarm sounds, evacuate building immediately.

Public and Environmental Safety

• Visit BOTH of these websites:

www.auburn.edu/administration/public_safety/

www.auburn.edu/administration/safety/

Inventory

• Obtain appropriate permissions before moving equipment or furniture from a room, e.g. research advisor.

• Never remove teaching laboratory equipment without consent of professor who supervises that facility!

Professionalism

• You are NOT a mere student - you are a practicing professional!– Be on time for classes and appointments.– Prepare for classes, teaching, research:

• physically, mentally, and spiritually• GTAs should check laboratories ahead of time

• Are you a member of IEEE? If not, visit www.ieee.org

Resources

• Check your mailbox daily.– Boxes are shared by 2-3 studets– If there are multiple copies of a sheet, take

one.

• Copiers and telephones are for professional activity.

• Computer and network access is a privilege that carries responsibility.

Security

• Do NOT loan keys!

• Do NOT share door codes!

• Do NOT prop open doors!

• Graduating? Return the keys.

Return this sheet to Dr. Hung

I have read and understand the ECE Graduate Orientation material.

Signature: _____________________

Name (print): ___________________

Date: _________________________