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Frequently Asked Questions



WHY I CAN'T REGISTER ONLINE?

All CME majors will not be able to register online until they have met with their academic advisor and discussed their course plan for the next two semesters. Students should check the online class schedules to prepare this plan prior to the meeting with their advisor. After this meeting students will be able to register online in the usual way (through Oasis).


HOW DO I FIND OUT WHO IS MY ADVISOR?

Go to goPFW. If you still can not find who is your advisor call the department secretary at 260-481-6965.


WHY I HAVE TO PREPARE A "COURSE PLAN?" DO I HAVE TO FOLLOW IT?

The curriculum has been designed to provide a careful buildup of skills and knowledge to become a successful engineer. It is crucial to take courses in a particular sequence. Many engineering and science courses are not offered every semester and often there is only one section. To ensure a steady and a successful progress towards graduation it is very important to have a plan and follow it as close as possible. Always check with your advisor if you can not follow the agreed course plan.


What is the CME department policy regarding the courses' prerequisites and co-requisites listed?

The prerequisites and co-requisites are essential components of the curriculum. Regardless of the circumstances, prerequisites and co-requisites are not negotiable. They apply to all students in all courses.

Also, our programs are accredited by ABET.


I AM PLANNING TO GRADUATE NEXT SEMESTER, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Please make an appointment to see your academic advisor before the next semester starts. Graduation application is located in goPFW under Enrollment, then Registration tools.


HOW DO I KNOW WHAT MY CLASS STANDING (FRESHMAN, SOPHOMORE, JUNIOR, SENIOR) IS?

Your class standing is based upon progress made toward completing the requirements of your engineering degree program. Therefore, you earn sophomore standing after you have successfully completed a quarter of the degree requirements; Junior standing after you have successfully completed one half of them; and Senior standing after successful completion of three quarters of those requirements. Only relevant courses, i.e. they are in the bingo sheet, on your official transcript from the university are used in this determination, specifically:

Naturally, this answer assumes that you know the requirements for your degree program. Note that filing a plan of study and updating it regularly will assist you in this process.


MY BLUEPRINT SHOWS INCORRECTLY MY CLASS STANDING AND/OR MAJOR. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

The database used by My BLUEprint needs to be updated. Contact your academic advisor and then the department administrative assistant who will assist you in correcting this problem.


WHEN I STARTED IN PURDUE UNIVERSITY-FORT WAYNE THE COURSE PLAN FOR MY MAJOR HAD REQUIRED AND ELECTIVE COURSES THAT NO LONGER EXISTS AND WHICH I HAVE NOT YET TAKEN. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Because of advances in technology engineering curricula are always subject to change. When changes occur every effort is made to not penalize students who are following an outdated course plan. For every course that is no longer offered there is an equivalent course(s) that can be taken. Every course that was taken following the old curriculum will count towards graduation and there is no need to take the new equivalent course(s). If you have any doubts always check with your academic advisor.


WHEN PREPARING MY COURSE PLAN USING THE ONLINE SCHEDULES I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A TIME CONFLICT BETWEEN COURSES THAT I AM SUPPOSED TO TAKE IN THE SAME SEMESTER, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Every effort is made to avoid this type of conflict.It should not exist. If you notice this problem contact your academic advisor or the department chair and they will resolve it. If the time conflict is between CME and science courses it might take some time to have the problem resolved since it requires coordination with another academic department.


I HAVE A DEGREE FROM IVY TECH (OR TAKEN COURSES THERE), HOW MUCH OF THAT COURSE WORK COUNTS TOWARDS AN ENGINEERING DEGREE?

Purdue University-Fort Wayne's Admission Office produces a credit transfer report that shows for each course taken in Ivy Tech what is the equivalent Purdue Fort Wayne course. Using this report the CME department can determine how much of the course work at Ivy Tech counts towards a civil or mechanical engineering degree. Indiana Transfer Single Articulation Pathway - TSAP


AS AN ENGINEERING STUDENT I HAVE TO TAKE SEVERAL MATH COURSES. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET A MINOR IN MATHEMATICS?

For requirements about how to earn a minor in mathematics please refer to the Undergraduate Catalog (formerly known as Bulletins) and Minor in Mathematics. To be officially awarded a minor in math a form must be filled and approved by the Math Department prior to graduation.

Students planning to earn a minor in mathematics are advised to directly contact the Math department.


AS AN ENGINEERING STUDENT I TAKE PHYS 152 AND PHYS 251. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET A MINOR IN PHYSICS?

For requirements about how to earn a minor in physics, please refer to the Undergraduate Catalog (formerly known as Bulletins) and Minor in Physics. To be officially awarded a minor in physics, a form must be filled and approved by the Department of Physics prior to graduation. This form is available at the Department of Physics.

Students planning to earn a minor in physics are advised to directly contact the Physics Department.


WHAT LAPTOP SHOULD I GET?

CME does not require a laptop. Currently SolidWorks is the most demanding application CME uses. Minimal System Requirements:


WHAT DOES ACADEMIC DISMISSAL MEAN?

Regardless of the circumstances, a student who has been dismissed from the CME department must not enroll at PFW until one fall or spring semester has passed. When you miss a major semester, you just go through the admissions process again. This means when you decide to return to campus you must reapply to the university and be re-accepted. If you are readmitted to the university, you must go through an orientation process prior to re-enrolling in courses. For more information, please go to: https://www.pfw.edu/committees/senate/regulations/standing.html


HOW MANY COURSE CREDITS SHOULD I TAKE??

Engineering students at Purdue Fort Wayne are constantly over-committing themselves with too many course credits, too much work, and too many other commitments with family, friends, and their community. Setting realistic course and work loads is essential for succeeding in the program. So how many course credits should they take? Well it depends on how many hours a week they plan to work. The following table can be used to estimate how many credits are realistic to take based on hours of work per week.

Hours of Work per Wk   10  20  40
 Max Credit Load  Full Load (15 Credits)  12 Credits  8 Credits


IHOW CAN I SUPPORT A NEW ENGINEERING STUDENT?

Please go to: How to support a new engineering student


HOW DO I GET A GRADUATE ASSITANTSHIP

We have limited graduate teaching assistantships (GTAs). Only graduates from ABET accredited programs can be awarded a GTA the first semester at our department. For non-ABET graduates, after establishing a GPA (academic grades) at Purdue Fort Wayne, we will consider the candidates.


For graduate research assistantships (GRAs), please contact the individual ME faculty.


HOW DO TRANSFER CREDIT FROM ANOTHER UNIVERSITY?

Transfer Steps:

  1. Apply to Purdue Fort Wayne’s Engineering department using this link by creating an account and selecting Undergraduate Transfer or Returning. - Purdue Fort Wayne Application (pfw.edu)

  2. Be sure to provide ALL transcripts from each higher education institution to receive credit. High School Transcripts cannot be in place of a College or University transcript.

  3. As a transfer student, you must have an overall GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) from the college you attended most recently to qualify for admission to Purdue Fort Wayne.

  4. Complete any additional placement tests to prepare for registration.

  5. Submit transfer credit that has not been evaluated through the TES system using this link to ensure all credits are applied where necessary. - TES Public View: PURDUE UNIVERSITY FORT WAYNE (collegesource.com)

  6. Visit campus and set an appointment to meet with the Civil and Mechanical Engineering Department.

  7. Attend a new student orientation at provided times.

  8. Once accepted, schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to register for courses.
  9. For additional questions and transfer support follow this link -
    Transfer Students - Purdue Fort Wayne (pfw.edu)