The Grainger College of Engineering
Undergraduate Academic Advising

Sophomore/Junior Year Advising

See the checklists below for Sophomore and Junior Year advising to stay on track toward graduation.  Students should meet regularly with their Departmental Advisor to discuss degree requirements and plans after graduation.

Students should:

  • Run a Degree Audit and make sure that they are following along the requirements of their degree. This is where students can find all the Programs of Study. Students must check the specific requirements of their degree program, semester by semester.
  • Meet with Engineering Records Team in the Grainger Academic Advising Center (4th Floor Grainger Library), as needed.
  • Check on completion of Language Requirement. If High School language needs to be evaluated, students must work with the Engineering Records Team to address this during their second year.
  • Make sure all AP, A Level or IB credits are on their academic record.
  • Check to make sure foundational level required/prerequisites classes are complete:
    • Calculus 1 (MATH 220/221) and Calculus 2 (MATH 231).
    • CHEM 102/103 (except for Computer Science and Computer Engineering students following catalog year 2021-22 and beyond).
    • Complete or be in progress for completing PHYS 211.
    • Major specific prerequisite and foundational courses. If students are unsure what those are, contact their department advisor or talk to the Engineering Records Team.
    • RHET 105 or equivalent.
  • Begin planning for major specific technical courses classes (SFO, tech option, technical plan, etc.).
  • Submit syllabi for any non-evaluated transfer courses (i.e. showing as “TENG 1—“, “TLAS 1—“ on degree audit). Students should discuss with Engineering Records Team if they see these types of courses on their degree audit.
  • Meet with their department advisor to discuss their completion plan for their remaining requirements. 
  • Don’t forget about taking general education courses and creating balanced schedules.

Students should:

  • Run a Degree Audit and make sure that they are following along the requirements of their degree. This is where students can find all the Programs of Study. Students must check the specific requirements of their degree program, semester by semester.
  • Check and Fix Shortages. Waiting to address issues and delaying to "graduating" semester is never a "good" option.
    • Specifically, obtain credit for all required first-year/sophomore requirements (including LOTE).
    • If students have test scores or transfer credit that does not appear in their University of Illinois record, send that information to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions ASAP.
  • Visit a Records Staff in the Grainger Academic Advising Center (4th Floor Grainger Library), if they have any questions or concerns about degree requirements.
  • When registering for next semester classes:
    • Make sure to prioritize their degree progress: leaving freshmen/sophomore requirements for 'later" could leave them in an impasse later (no seat, etc).
    • Make sure that the classes students plan fulfill requirements for their degree - some classes will not count  (remedial, overlapping with already earned credit, etc).
    • Declare department specific specialty ("Track option", "Concentration", etc) if applicable for their degree (discuss with departmental academic advisor).
  • Start planning their last year of classes and map out a plan; make sure to be realistic about their plan to completion (i.e. If they are used to taking 3 to 4 technical classes, planing 6 to 7 is not realistic). Plans can be changed. Department academic advisors are here to help.