Here are some misc points for my Spring 2007 freshman advisees.

  1. See ECSE's excellent new advising site, which is gradually replacing this page.
  2. RPI Catalog CSYS courses are on page 200.
  3. Consider taking a summer course at RPI.
    1. Announcement
    2. Application
  4. The ABET requirement: One of your H&SS courses must be from this list:
    http://hibp.ecse.rpi.edu/%7Econnor/ecse/ABET%20Courses.pdf
  5. If you change majors: see Pat Rickert in JEC3018 for the name of an advisor in your new major.
  6. For complicated H&SS questions see Elizabeth Large in Sage 5208.
  7. For complicated ECSE questions see Dave Nichols in 6046 JEC.
    Office Hours: M&W 9 AM-5 PM & R 9 AM-1 PM
    email: nicholsATecse.rpi.edu
    Phone: 518.276.2601
  8. Program to help you plan your schedule, provided you're willing to run Windows and turn off your firewall: http://rpischeduler.com
  9. SCHOOL-OF-ENGINEERING-IMPORTANT-CONTACTS
  10. Writing requirement:
    1. Motivation: Your ability to communicate is about the most important factor in your future success (or lack thereof). (Of course, if you know nothing but communication, you may be restricted to running for President.)
    2. The rules are accessible from http://sis.rpi.edu .
    3. Note that the writing course replaces another H&SS course. That is, you do not need to take more H&SS courses, but one of the ones that you take must be writing (unless you are exempted).
    4. There are not enough writing courses yet, and they are filling up. Therefore, it's good to register early.
    5. If you cannot get into the writing course you want, then consider not taking any H&SS course next semester. The danger to avoid is having taken your quota of H&SS courses w/o having taken your writing course. Then you'd have to take another H&SS course as a free elective.
  11. Your annual meet-your-advisor requirement may be met with the semi-annual group meeting. It may also be met by communicating with me by phone or email, if you feel sufficiently advised. Of course, private meetings are always welcome, and are not restricted to once a semester.
  12. My group meeting slides:
    1. Sept2006
    2. Mar2007
  13. Useful links:
    1. RPI Advising and Learning Assistance Center.
  14. Be nonlinear!
    1. Attend some seminars in other topics, like Biotech or Management.
    2. After graduation, consider a short-term job working for, e.g.,
      1. Congress as an intern,
      2. the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is largely staffed by short-term people.
      This can be very interesting, and can also set you up for a good job after.