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ECE 486 FAQs

  1. I am a Blah student (non-ECE or non-engineering major), can I take ECE 486?
  2. I have never used Matlab before; I am not sure my linear algebra is good enough either. If I took ECE 486, would I be able to fare well?
  3. I wanted to register for 486 but there is not a free spot. What can I do?
  4. I was wondering why all the lab office hours are on Mondays?
  5. Instructor and Homework TAs' office hours are useless since I take 5 different courses this semester and I cannot go to any of those TA office hours! What can I do?
  6. I am currently registered for ECE 486 with lab section ABX. However I realized there is a time conflict for another class that I really want to have. I want to switch to lab section ABY. What can I do?
  7. Do you accept late homework or late lab prelab/postlab report?
  8. Is there a grade cut-off regarding letter grade? i.e., the minimum percentage to be assigned a letter grade A.
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(more to come up)

Question 1: I am a Blah student (non-ECE or non-engineering major), can I take ECE 486?

Answer: Yes, absolutely. The only official prerequisite is ECE 210 or equivalent.

Question 2: I have never used Matlab before; I am not sure my linear algebra is good enough either. If I took ECE 486, would I be able to fare well?

Answer: It depends on how serious and determined you are. It matters more how much you know at the end of the semester than at the beginning. Even your knowledge of programming and math is rusty as of now, through your effort in ECE 486, hopefully you can enjoy this class. Many students in the past did.

Question 3: I wanted to register for 486 but there is not a free spot. What can I do?

Answer: You can wait until the end of the first week to see if someone would drop the class before then. Spots are usually freed around the weekend of the first week.
If you are planning to join the rest of the class, you should attend lectures and do homework though not registered during the first week. This will not cause any problems to your lab credit since lab won't start until the second week.

Question 4: I was wondering why all the lab office hours are on Mondays?

Answer: Because prelabs are due on Mondays 5 p.m..

Question 5: Instructor and homework TAs' office hours are useless since I take 5 different courses this semester and I cannot go to any of those TA office hours! What can I do?

Answer: You can contact the course instructor or homework TAs to see if office hours can be rescheduled; if not, requesting office hours by appointment is another possible option.

Question 6: I am currently registered for ECE 486 with lab section ABX. However I realized there is a time conflict for another class that I really want to have. I want to switch to lab section ABY. What can I do?

Answer: As for lab switch, you don't in general have to deregister. You can inform both lab TAs of lab sections ABX and ABY and see if TA for ABY section can take care of your lab. As for time conflict, you can ask someone in advising office on the second floor to give an override in order for you to sign up for a course with time conflict.

Question 7: Do you accept late homework or late lab prelab/postlab report?

Answer: We don't accept late homework or late prelab work. There is a late penalty if you submit a late postlab report if no later than two days after deadline. But you are still encouraged to go through all the problems you miss out on practicing. The point of assigned exercises is for promoting understanding rather than points scoring.

Question 8: Is there a grade cut-off regarding letter grade? i.e., the minimum percentage to be assigned a letter grade A.

Answer: At the moment there is not. But this may change depending on how good everybody's midterms are. At such an early stage, it is recommended that your energy and time be directed to real mathematics rather than calculations of how much you need to get an A.