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
http://www.acm.org/about/code-of-ethics
http://www.ieee.org/about/corporate/governance/p78.html.
• 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.
• http://www.wikihow.com/Email-a-Professor
http://chrisblattman.com/2010/11/08/students-how-toemail-to-your-professor-employer-and-professionalpeers/
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