Mission of the UIC College of Engineering

• Our core belief is that the most significant impact we have on society is educating our students.

• Our mission is to offer students a world class education in engineering to prepare them for a successful and fulfilling professional career, one important, but not the only, component of a full life.

• To carry out this mission, we strive to create a positive learning environment in our college.

Creating a Positive Learning Environment at UIC

• Now: Build a strong, thriving, positive learning community.

• After: Maintain life-long connection with colleagues and alma mater; expand networks; enrich professionally and socially; give back.

Goals of the UIC College of Engineering

• Improve learning environment to raise the quality of experience for students and faculty alike.

• Provide coaching tips to improve each student's effectiveness, professional/social skills and success.

Necessary Elements for a Positive Learning Environment

• Students respecting Students

• Professors respecting Students

• Students respecting Professors

Students Respecting Students

• UIC's diversity offers an extraordinary opportunity to learn in an intense research environment reflective of today’s global market place.

• Ability to work well with others and good teamwork skills are greatly valued and sought by employers.  

• Fellow students offer an important support network (and sometimes lifelong friendships), now and after you leave UIC.

Students Respecting Students (Cont.)

• Work hard, take advantage of the world-class resources made available to you.

• Take time to get to know and appreciate those around you. Students who build positive working relationships with peers can reap rich benefits for a lifetime.

• Remember your early days at UIC. Extend a helping hand to your junior colleagues.

• Respect begets respect.

Students Respecting Students (cont.)

• As engineers we have professional AND ethical responsibilities.

• Be aware of biases, e.g., unconscious gender, ethnic, or race-based assumptions and stereotypes embedded in the patterns of thinking of many people.

Students Respecting Professors

• The classroom is a microcosm of the work place.

• Students who build a positive working relationship with their professors set the groundwork for successful working relationships with supervisors and mentors in the real world.

Classroom Etiquette

• Etiquette = Courtesy Guidelines

• Classroom is a professional, formal setting.

• The rules of “Common Courtesy” guide discussion and all interactions.

• When students demonstrate respectful regard for everyone present, this sets a positive classroom tone which promotes learning.

Effective Communication with Your Professor

• Today, the professoriate is as diverse as the student body; your professor brings a unique perspective to enrich your learning.

• Maintain a respectful tone in the classroom: arrive on time, turn-off cell phone, be attentive, participate in a positive learning exchange.

• Listen to others’ point of view, take your turn to express your question or idea, agree to disagree, if needed.

Communication: Office Hours

• Pre-schedule an appointment with your professor. Be mindful that emergencies come unannounced.

• During the meeting with your professor: arrive on time, state your questions clearly, and keep the appointment time provided.

• The code of conduct applies to office meetings and lays the groundwork for a productive meeting.

Communication: E-mail

• Write concise emails that clearly indicate your questions and requests/concerns.

• Indicate when you need a reply, if a deadline looms.

• Use language that mirrors a professional setting.

• Do not send an e-mail when you are upset. Wait a while, if you can.

Professors Respecting Students

• Professors are responsible not only for teaching the technical contents of the course, but also for preparing the students for their future careers, whether in industry, academia or government.

• Engineering today requires social skills and ethical judgment that must also be learned in school.

• Professors have different styles of teaching, just as coaches have different styles of coaching.

Professors Respecting Students (Cont.)

• Professors evaluate and issue grades based on many factors, including class participation, performance in homeworks and exams, classroom conduct, attendance, etc.

• Primary factor when assigning a grade is fairness.

• Professors value students’ input and constructive criticism on any element of a course.

Classroom Etiquette

• Professors demonstrate respect through their teaching.

• Professors set the tone in the classroom. Creating and maintaining a respectful, yet comfortable, learning environment facilitates effective two-way communication.

• Professors should be fully attentive to their students’ educational needs.

Professors Communicating with Students

• Professors make an honest effort to get to know their students; students come from different backgrounds and have different needs and expectations.

• Set a respectful tone in the classroom: arrive on time, be prepared, use effective means of communication, allow for feedback from the students.

What to Expect from Your Professors

• Professors must make clear what is required from the students: discuss the syllabus clearly, explain grading policy, be available outside the classroom during office hours.

• If problems arise, the Director of Undergraduate Studies and the Department Head are available to discuss any concerns that students may have about their professors/instructors/teaching assistants.

Continuing Dialog for Improvement

Let's work together to make the

most of your education!

A BIT ABOUT UIC

Introduction of Professor