Graduate Student Orientation

1. Graduate Student Orientation Electrical & Computer Engineering Auburn University

2. Orientation Overview • Important People in the Life of an ECE Graduate Student • Other important notes for ECE Graduate Students

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Prof. Victor Nelson • Graduate Coordinator • Admission and academic issues • e-mail: nelson@eng.auburn.edu • office: BR 305

6. 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

7. Ms. JoAnn Loden • Course registration & guidance • RA and TA appointment administration • e-mail: jloden@eng.auburn.edu • office: BR 229

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. Ms. Linda Barresi • Laboratory equipment issues • Report problems promptly, especially in teaching laboratories • Building issues • e-mail: barresi@eng.auburn.edu • office: BR 257

12. Academic issues Appointments Tuition notes Course enrollment Fire and Safety Inventory Professionalism Resources Security Notes for ECE Graduate Students

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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)

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. For International Students • Fees, forms, regulations… • Visit the Office of International Education website: www.auburn.edu/academic/other/international_education/office/international/

20. 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

21. 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)!

22. 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.

23. Public and Environmental Safety • Visit BOTH of these websites: www.auburn.edu/administration/public_safety/ www.auburn.edu/administration/safety/

24. 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!

25. 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

26. 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.

27. Security • Do NOT loan keys! • Do NOT share door codes! • Do NOT prop open doors! • Graduating? Return the keys.

28. Return this sheet to Dr. Hung I have read and understand the ECE Graduate Orientation material. Signature: _____________________ Name (print): ___________________ Date: _________________________