Welcome to the first edition of "From the Adviser's Desk", which represents a more systematic and regular way of keeping in touch with students. While time sensitive information will still be sent out promptly, everything will be repeated in the newsletter, and ideally reduce the email clutter. Balancing the needs of making quick contact against the inconvenience of sorting through too much stuff is the goal. PLEASE let me know how well or poorly this new system works for you!
There are a couple items worthy of mention this week, though if this seems a bit disorganized, keep in mind I am composing this at home where I have multiple cats wanting my attention, wandering around knocking things off shelves in order to get it.
Our department has a new automated system for monitoring registrations for prerequisites. Some of you have received email indicating that you might not be meeting the prerequisites for one of our courses. Do not panic. Instead, take a look at your courses to see if this may indeed be the case. If you feel you did meet the prerequisite, perhaps with a transfer course, or perhaps through work experience or an alternate course, let me know. I can verify and approve it.
Many of our courses have been filling up this fall. There appear to still be a couple rough spots. One is CSCE 361. We are bumping the ceiling on classroom space, with strictly less than optimal alternatives. If you can afford to wait until spring, it would be very much appreciated if you do so. Several students need the course so that they can take the 487 senior design in the spring and graduate next May or the following December.
If there are other registration problems, now is the time to let me know. Email works: riedesel@cse.unl.edu and sometimes I actually pick up my phone: 472-3486. Getting an appointment is a matter of dropping by, wishing for the best, or checking online at my pre-Google calendar at http://cse.unl.edu/~riedesel/pub/Advise/appointments.xls (At some point in the near future I hope to have a more presentable web site!)
There have been a few changes in our courses, and we want to know how well they are working. The old intro to programming courses have been replaced with "flavors" of CSCE 155, any of which should get you to the next level course, CSCE 156. Computer Science majors mostly opt for the A (Java) flavor, but Computer Engineering majors are now directed to E (C language). While CSCE 156 is taught using primarily Java, students coming in with other languages should be accommodated during the first couple weeks with help making the conversion as the Java students try something else. Please report any concerns and comments you may have!
The new Computer Engineering curriculum is now in effect, dropping several old requirements including CSCE 430, ELEC 361/307, and ELEC 475, while adding the new CSCE 236 Intro to Embedded Systems, and increasing the number of technical electives from 3 to 5. This may total about the same, but provides greater flexibility. There is also provision to receive a "focus" in one of several popular topic areas. I can help you compare by running "what if" analyses on the DARS system.
It's not to early to start thinking about programming contests. This year the World Finals are in Warsaw. If would be very much appreciated if one of our teams would help me get there. Ok???? Watch for announcements regarding the local and regional contests!
Finally, please note that during certain crunch times such as the first week of classes, my response rate may lag and the line may get long outside my office at 259 Avery. Please be patient, check back, and if the need is great, check with Jodi Holt or Prof. Stephen Scott, both in the main department offices.
Until next time!
Chuck R