Forms, Policies, and Procedures

Success in electrical and computer engineering careers depends on maintaining high professional standards. Our department facilities and shared spaces mirror industry environments where safety, efficiency, and teamwork are essential. By practicing these standards now, we develop the professional habits and workplace ethics that distinguish excellent engineers and designers.

As a member of the Electrical and Computer Engineering department, I commit to the following professional standards:

Respect the Space

• Use equipment and materials carefully, following proper procedures
• Report problems immediately and help maintain a safe, organized space
• Maintain a clean and organized environment and return everything to its proper place
• Speak and act professionally

Know your Limits

• Prioritize safety in all activities
• Work only when alert and focused, never under the influence
• Stop and ask for help when unsure
• Check equipment condition and use tools only as designed

Respect Others

• Create a welcoming space that values all backgrounds and perspectives
• Maintain professional language and conduct
• Listen to and learn from peers
• Respect everyone's time, space, and right to a safe and educational work environment

Be Mindful

• Speak up when something doesn't seem right
• Maintain awareness of my physical and mental wellbeing
• Own my mistakes and learn from them
• Contribute to a positive department culture

Succeed Together

• Support others' learning while growing my own skills
• Address challenges constructively
• Contribute to our shared success through accountability and mutual support

Students who are accepted as Electrical and Computer Engineering majors are expected to maintain academic progress throughout the duration of their studies. Students are expected to continue to make overall progress through Western, as is defined in the University’s Criteria for determining Insufficient Progress, and to progress efficiently through the required classes of their major. 

Major-restricted courses are defined as those classes that have their enrollment restricted to declared EECE majors.   

Students will be removed from their major if any of these four conditions are met:

• Failure to pass a major-restricted course with a grade of C- or better for a second time,
• Failure to pass four different major-restricted courses with a grade of C- or better,
• Withdrawal from three or more major-restricted courses during a span of four consecutive quarters, including summer, other than due to a university withdrawal, or
• Failure to enroll in any EECE courses for two consecutive quarters, excluding summer, without prior written approval from the department regarding academic plans.

Decision of removal from a major due to insufficient progress may be appealed through the exception request procedure (see Student Forms below). Appeals must be submitted within two weeks of notification of removal from the major.

The student is responsible for ensuring that he or she has satisfied all prerequisites, with a grade of C- or better, before registering for a given course. Although some prerequisite enforcement is driven by the Web registration system, students should not assume they are eligible to enter a course without having taken the prerequisite just because the system allows them to register for the course. A student who has registered for a course without satisfying prerequisites or obtaining permission may be required by the instructor to withdraw from the course. If an instructor requires a student to withdraw from a course because a prerequisite is not satisfied, the student is responsible for doing so via Web4U or in person in the Registrar’s Office. All tuition, fees and withdrawal related deadlines apply.

Link to University prerequisites policy

Requesting an Exception to Program Policy

This process is intended for students with rare and extenuating circumstances that may warrant a deviation from established academic rules. An exception request is not a standard procedure and is not routinely granted; it requires a thorough and compelling justification to be considered.

This process can be used to request any exception to program policy, such as:

• Waiving a course prerequisite based on equivalent prior learning.
• Accepting a course grade that falls below the required minimum (e.g., lower than a C-).
• Modifying a curriculum requirement due to a unique academic situation.

How to Submit a Request

Follow these steps to submit your request for review by the Electrical and Computer Engineering Curriculum Committee. 📝

1. Download the Form: Get the Exception Request Form from the "Student Forms" section, found below.
2. Build Your Case: On the form, you must clearly state the specific policy for which you are requesting an exception. You must also provide a compelling and detailed justification that explains your unique circumstances and why an exception is warranted.
3. Submit to Your Advisor: Give the fully completed form to your faculty advisor. They will review your request, add their comments and recommendation, and then forward it to the committee for a final decision.

Important: Please check the submission deadlines listed on the form. The committee requires ample time to give each request a careful review, so plan accordingly.

This form must be completed and submitted to your advisor by the end of the fifth week of the quarter prior to the time at which a decision is required. If the request is the result of a grade received in a course the quarter prior to the affected course being taken, the deadline will be extended to the end of the first week of classes.

Exception Request Form

An individualized course of study, not available through or replacing existing curriculum, to be arranged between one matriculating student and sponsoring faculty member. All academic policies and registration deadlines apply. Directed Independent Study courses cannot substitute for General University Requirements and are not eligible for tuition waiver.  In order to register you must complete the forms below.  Approval is required by the faculty member and the department chair. The registrar issues the override once approved. 

Independent Study Form

Independent Study eform

A directed research proposal draft must be prepared by the student and submitted to the research advisor at the beginning of dead week prior to the quarter when work will start. Based on feedback and input from the research advisor, the student must submit a revised, final version of the proposal back to the research advisor before the start of the quarter. 

If the advisor approves the proposal, the advisor submits the approved proposal to the main office by the end of the first week of classes. The proposal is kept on file and serves as the course syllabus. The advisor then enters an override to allow the student to register for the appropriate EECE 495 section, and the student registers for course.

EECE 495 Directed Research Syllabus

Concentration change requests for current majors will only be granted if there is room in the required courses for the desired concentration. While students may request concentration changes at any time, changes after the start of fall quarter of the 3rd year may require an additional year of study to complete the coursework for the newly chosen concentration.

Change Request Form

Current majors may request a new EECE academic advisor by completing this form. Preference as to who the new advisor is may not be able to be accommodated.

Advisor Change Request Form

Students are required to immediately report lost keycards to the EECE Department. To obtain a replacement keycard, follow these steps:

1. Make a $30 deposit at the EECE Keycard Deposit website.
2. Complete a Replacement Keycard form.
3. We will reach out to arrange pickup of your new card. You must bring an ID with you.