Advising FAQ
Please note: For further explanation on many of these questions, please refer to the available recordings of the CS Advisor Town Halls and Workshops accessible through Advising Resources.
Advising FAQs Heading link
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DARs
DARs (Degree Audit Reports) can be accessed through the U.Achieve link of your MyUIC portal. DARs are a tool used to keep track of academic progress toward the completion of your degree. It includes all degree requirements for your specific major, noting which classes you have completed and which classes you still need to take. (Note: If you notice that a course is listed incorrectly or under “not used toward degree,” contact your advisor for assistance.)
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Free Electives
Free electives are classes of your choosing that count toward your graduation (with some exceptions). They may be technical or nontechnical, but remedial* or duplicative courses are not allowed. A maximum of 2 semester hours of free elective credit in kinesiology are allowed. Speak to your CS advisor for additional information.
*A remedial class is any class below the first required class for your CS degree.
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What Do I Go to the CS Student Affairs Office For?
You can visit the office (SEO 905) for any CS-related issue, such as CS class registration, CS petitions, curriculum, and grievances. Various student forms and petitions related to your academics are available there as well. The office welcomes all students for any issues, and if they are not able to help, they will point you in the right direction. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Note: The CS student affairs team is working on a hybrid schedule right now. If you have a question, it may be faster to email cs-ugrad@uic.edu or call them at 312-413-5643 instead of coming into the office.
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How Do I Declare A Minor and/or a CS Concentration?
You must visit the department you are planning to minor in (for example, if you want to pursue a math minor, you must visit the math department). You also must declare your minor/concentration with the College of Engineering. To do so, complete the Minor/Concentration form found on the COE student resources page.
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I Decided to Change My Major To Something Other Than CS. What do I Do?
You should visit the department you wish to major in to initiate the change of major and to set up an appointment with the person who will be your academic advisor in your new department. Usually, the change in major is effective the following semester. Students changing majors outside of engineering should first attend an ICT session.
(Note: Until the change is official, you will still need to meet with your CS advisor).