General Advising
Q: What is the difference between College advisors and faculty advisors?
A: College advisors primarily handle academic and personal issues such as graduation paperwork, evaluation of core credit transfer classes, academic alert, probation, suspension, course selection, referrals to tutoring in non-major areas, and other helpful campus resources. Faculty advisors are able to handle most of the above concerns but are especially valuable for career counseling, major selection, evaluation of major-related transfer work, and referrals to major-related resources.
Q: I can’t decide on Engineering major. Who can help me choose a major?
A: Try to narrow down your choices to a few majors and make appointments to visit with Chris Heiden or a faculty advisor for each major. Both Chris and the faculty advisors can give you helpful insights into the content of the classes in the major and what kind of jobs you can get as a graduate of that program.
A: Make an appointment to meet with a College Advisor, who will change your major, go over your new degree requirements with you, and answer any questions you may have.
Q: What is the difference between Engineering and Engineering Technology?
A: Generally speaking, Engineering is more focused on theory and design; Engineering Technology is more focused on using theories and designs. Engineering often involves more advanced science and math requirements than Engineering Technology. Engineers often spend most of their time planning and designing, while Engineering Technologists spend most of their time carrying out the plans of engineers. You can find more information by reading our degree program descriptions.
Q: What is the difference between Computer Science and Computer Engineering?
A: Computer Science deals with software and programming; Computer Engineering deals more with hardware and design. Information technology deals with designing and managing networks, databases, and other information technologies. You can find more information by reading our degree program descriptions.
Q: When should I make an appointment to meet with a College Advisor?
A: College Advisors are available to help plan your schedule, resolve some registration issues, discuss probation and other academic status issues, answer questions about degree audits, answer questions about graduation and accept graduation applications, change your major, add a minor, give you maximum term limit overrides, and refer you to campus resources such as tutoring.
Q: When should I make an appointment to meet with a Faculty Advisor?
A: Faculty advisors can perform many of the same services as College Advisors, but faculty advisors are especially helpful when you need help choosing a major, defining your career options and paths, initiating your degree plan, and evaluating major-related transfer credit.
A: We strongly recommend that students complete the College of Engineering Core curriculum before enrolling in any major-related Engineering courses.
Q: I want to take a semester off. What do I need to do?
A: You can be out of school for up to a year before you have to reapply to UNT. You may consider discussing your plans with an advisor, but it is not required.
