Advising & Support

The mission of the ECE Undergraduate Studies Office is to provide support and guidance to our students. Through our understanding of the college experience, we provide excellent student services while fostering an inclusive academic community.

  •  Main Office Hours: Monday - Friday from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm (when the University is in session)
  • Location: A.V. Williams 2426
  • Email: eceadvise@umd.edu (Please allow for a 2 business day response window)
  • Phone: 301-405-3685
  • Drop-In Advising Hours: Fridays from 10 am - 12 pm via ZOOM, Runs from Feb. 14th - May. 9th (except when the university is closed).
  • To sign in for Virtual Drop-In advising, please complete this form during the times listed above. Once you submit your form, you will receive a confirmation message with the Zoom link. Click the link to be admitted to the Zoom meeting.   *Please note: Drop-In Advising will be for general 5-10 mins questions. Mandatory Advising blocks and changes to course permissions stamps will not be approved during Drop-In hours.*
Hollin Van Buren

Assistant DirectoR

Hollin Van Buren is the Assistant Director in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering’s Undergraduate Advising Office. She received her Master's in Higher Education from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2018. Hollin joined the ECE Department as an Academic Advisor in 2019 and became the Assistant Director in Spring 2024. She oversees ECE Advising including group advising, recruitment, departmental scholarships, and continues to advise a caseload of students. 

 

In her spare time, Hollin enjoys spending time with her family, the outdoors, crafty things, and doing yoga.
Chris Boyle

Academic Advisor
Chris Boyle serves as an undergraduate Academic Advisor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He received his B.A. in History from Loyola College in Maryland in 2006 and a M.A. in Education Leadership and Policy Studies (Higher Education) from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2012. He has extensive campus advising experience having first joined the College Park staff in 2013. Chris joined ECE in 2021 and advises a caseload of undergraduate students. In his spare time, Chris enjoys hiking and camping with his family, gardening, and hoping that one day the Orioles will win a postseason game.
Mengshi Li Mengshi Li

Academic Advisor

Mengshi Li is an undergraduate Academic Advisor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the National University of Malaysia and a master's degree in Education (Curriculum and Instruction) from the University of Maryland. Before Mengshi joined ECE, she had a few years of education experience with various age groups and two years of academic advising experience in Higher Education in China. Outside of work, Mengshi enjoys spending time with her family and is a fan of home-improvement shows.
Kathryn Weiland

Director

Kathryn Weiland serves as the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She received her M.A. in Education Leadership and Policy (Higher Education) from the University of Maryland. She has extensive campus advising experience, having worked in various programs since 2010. Kathryn joined the ECE Department as Assistant Director in 2016 and became Director of Undergraduate Studies in the spring of 2021. She oversees all aspects of the ECE Undergraduate Studies office including course scheduling, recruitment, departmental scholarships, and advising a caseload of students.

 

Outside of work, Kathryn enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, doing yoga, crafting/sewing, and cheering on the Buffalo Bills.
  Sabrina Parker

Coordinator

Sabrina Parker serves as the coordinator for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She received her B.A. in Psychology from St. Mary's College of Maryland. Sabrina will be managing the ECE Peer Mentor Program and the ECE Tutoring Program. Outside of work, Sabrina enjoys spending time with her three cats and rewatching her favorite shows such as Modern Family and New Girl.

Mission:


The mission of the ECE Undergraduate Studies Office is to provide support and guidance to our students. Through our understanding of the college experience, we provide excellent student services while fostering an inclusive academic community.

Vision:


The ECE Undergraduate Studies Office strives to be a model of advising excellence at the University of Maryland. We aim to enhance student development and promote timely degree completion while emphasizing the value of higher education.

Expectations of ECE Students:

 

  • Take responsibility for your academic career
  • Come to advising with an open mind, understanding that your advisor has your best interest at heart
  • Be honest and respectful when working with your advisor
  • Be on time and come prepared to your advising meeting
  • Read all emails from ECE advising and be professional in all communication with the ECE office

Expectations of ECE Advisors:

  • Guide students to timely degree completion, including helping to develop their course schedule and academic plan
  • Provide accurate, up-to-date information and help students navigate university, college, and departmental policies and procedures
  • Promote involvement in research, internship, study abroad, and other professional opportunities
  • Develop a professional relationship with students and listen to their concerns
  • Empower students to make informed decisions
     

Policies & Procedures

 

The following policies apply to all undergraduate students in the Electrical & Computer Engineering majors.

Academic Policies

Any course that applies to the Electrical or Computer Engineering major must be completed with a minimum grade of a "C-". 

  • Students are limited to no more than four (4) technical courses per semester.  Technical courses include CHEM, MATH, PHYS, ENEE, and CMSC.
    • Students with a cumulative UMD GPA of a 3.5 or higher and who have completed their 200-level ENEE technical courses may receive an exception to this policy.
    • Students with exceptional circumstances may petition an exception to this policy to the Associate Chair of Undergraduate Education by using the Exception to Department Policy: Technical Courses form.
  • All 200-level ENEE courses must be completed before enrolling in 300-level ENEE courses (except ENEE200).
  • Students may take up to 18 credits each semester.
  • All ENEE courses require department permission (except ENEE200).
  • Students must meet all course prerequisites and corequisites when registering for classes. Students seeking an exception to a prerequisite or corequisite should fill out the Exception to Department Policy: Requirement Waiver form. 
  • Any student who wishes to take a second advanced lab or capstone course, must submit the Exception to Departmental Policy: 2nd Lab/Capstone form. Students will be given permission for their 2nd advanced lab or capstone no later than the first day of classes, if seats are available and prerequisites are met.

Advising Policies

  • All ECE students have mandatory advising every semester; and must meet with their assigned advisor.
  • Students who do not show up to their advising appointments, may not be seen before their registration date.
  • Any student who is more than 10 minutes late to their advising appointment will be considered a no show and will need to reschedule their appointment.
  • If you cannot make it to your appointment, please let us know no later than 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment.
  • Advising requirement must be satisfied in order to get advising block lifted.

Waitlist Policies/Guidelines

  • Waitlisting into a class/section does not guarantee enrollment into that specific class/section.
  • All waitlist inquiries must be directed to your academic advisor.
  • Oversubscriptions to a closed sections will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances as determined by the ECE Undergraduate Office.

All ECE students, except for first-semester freshmen*, will have an assigned academic advisor.  

Each semester, ECE advisors will e-mail their students to inform them of the advising assignments and when students can set up appointments for their mandatory advising meeting.  Students can schedule these advising meetings through TerpEngage Advising; please make sure you schedule your meetings with your assigned advisor.

*First-semester freshmen students will receive advising via our group advising session in the fall semester, during their second (spring) semester, they will be assigned a permanent advisor.

It's important to make sure you're on track for graduation and fulfilling the program requirements (get a degree check-up!).

  • Get help choosing classes for future semesters
  • Make a graduation plan
  • Discuss academics or difficulties with campus life (Tutoring Resources)
  • Learn about any new program policies or requirements
  • Discuss any issues with instructors/TAs

Prior to registration, you are required to meet with your assigned advisor at least once a semester to make sure that you are on track for graduation. 

We also like to touch base with you to discuss your academic progress and to assess your satisfaction with your experiences in ECE thus far.

Given the undergraduate enrollment, we ask students to follow these guidelines when scheduling advising appointments:

  • Schedule your appointment with your assigned advisor; our office will cancel your appointment if you schedule with the wrong advisor.
  • Advising appointments may be scheduled through TerpEngage. Please do not send advising appointment requests by e-mail.
  • When you are logged into the Terp Engage Portal, you should see the black "Schedule Appointment" button which walks you through the scheduling process with your ECE Advisor. Please select “virtual appointment” to schedule a zoom meeting.
  • If you are not able to make it to your appointment, we ask that you cancel your appointment at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled time; this will allow other students to schedule for that time.
  • Students who are no-shows to their advising appointment or cancel their appointment at the last minute, will not be seen until the end of the advising period. 

Fall 2025 Drop-In Advising:

Location: via ZOOM

Instruction: To sign in for Virtual Drop-In advising, please complete the associated form during the times listed below. Once you submit the form, you will receive a confirmation message with the Zoom link. Click the link to be admitted to the Zoom meeting. Drop-in advising will be for general 5-10 mins questions. Mandatory Advising blocks and changes to course permissions stamps will not be approved during Drop-In hours.

NEW! Weekly Drop-In: Fridays starting Sept. 19th until Dec. 12th from 10 am - 12 pm   

Schedule Adjustment Drop-In*: Sept. 2nd-Sept. 12th: 9:30 am-11:30 am  

Start of Senior Registration Drop-In*: Nov. 3rd and Nov. 4th

Withdrawal Deadline Drop-In*: Nov. 12th, 2025

Finals Drop-In Advising*: Dec. 15th & Dec 19th: 9:30am-11:30am

*Specific form links for drop-in advising will be available closer to the date and sent via email.

 

Current Clark School of Engineering students: Any current Engineering majors interested in ECE, please contact the ECE Undergraduate Studies Office to meet with an advisor in our department.

Current non-Engineering students at UMD: Due to the limited enrollment nature of all the Engineering majors, we cannot advise any non-Engineering student at the University.  Non-Engineering majors are welcome to contact the Clark School's Office of Undergraduate Advising and Academic Support at transfer_engr@umd.edu. 

Programming Sequence

Electrical Engineering majors are required to complete ENEE150, Intermediate Programming Concepts for Engineers (3 credits). This course is generally taken during the second semester of the freshman year. However, this course has a prerequisite of prior programming experience which customarily would be satisfied by completion of ENEE140, Introduction to Programming Concepts for Engineers. There are, however, alternate ways to satisfy the prerequisite for ENEE150 which are explained below:
 
The pre-requisites for ENEE150 can be satisfied in one of four ways:
  1. Earn a grade of 'C-' or higher in ENEE140: "Introduction to Programming Concepts for Engineers" (2 credits). ENEE140 does not itself satisfy any requirements for the EE major.
  2. Earn a grade of 'C' or higher in CMSC131*.
  3. Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Exam: A score of '5' on the A or a score of '4' or '5' on the AB.
  4. OR Earn a passing score on the ENEE150 placement exam.

*Students must have taken CMSC131 at UMD or taken an equivalent course at another institution. Exemption via the CMSC Department Exemption Exam does not fulfill this requirement.

Placement Exam Information

Eligible students may register to take the placement exam by emailing eceadvise@umd.edu.  The exam will only be offered during the dates listed below, which fall in the period between academic semesters, and you must register at least 24 business hours in advance. 
 
Spring 2025: January 15th, 10-11:00am
Fall 2025: August 13th, 10-11:00 a.m.
 
Since the exam is designed to test programming knowledge that the student already has, our office does not provide any study guides. However, students are welcome to review the topics in ENEE140 Introduction to Programming Concepts for Engineers.
 
PLEASE NOTE: Students who have attempted and earned a non-passing grade or a "W" in ENEE140, are not eligible to take the placement exam. 
 
The exam will be proctored remotely via Zoom. All students must have a functioning webcam. Students are given one hour to complete the exam. Be prepared to show your University ID and have a pencil and white paper. Calculators, cell phones, and notes will not be allowed in the exam.  You will be asked to scan and send your exam to eceadvise@umd.edu upon completion of the exam. Please make sure you have a reliable scanner or phone scanning application available.
 

Academic Resources and Support:

Career Service and Support:

Mental Health and Wellness:

Virtual Workshops Offered by the Clark School:

  • Study Skills for Success Workshop
  • Time Management Workshop
  • Preparing for Exams Workshop
  • Note Taking Workshop
  • Preparing for Finals Workshop
     

This contains information for graduating seniors in the ECE Department. Please be sure to review the entire content for senior audit requests and other important graduation information. 

Spring 2025 Graduating Seniors

All graduating seniors must have a senior audit completed and apply for graduation on Testudo by the end of the drop/add period. 

Senior Audit Request
The ECE Undergraduate Office is accepting requests for Senior Audits until February 5th, 2025.  Please plan ahead and allow at least 48 business hours for your advisor to process your senior audit request. 

Apply for Graduation on Testudo
Please apply for graduation on Testudo by no later than February 7th, 2025.

Find information on commencement and more here:

https://eng.umd.edu/commencement

https://eng.umd.edu/services/graduation

 

 

 

 

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