How Online Learning Works

The Virtual Classroom

As an Engineering Online student, you can expect an immersive learning environment, with a challenging curriculum taught by our world-class faculty. Rich media tools such as Echo360 lecture-capture and interactive web-based communication tools such as Skype, Elluminate, and Adobe Connect enable students to experience the classroom setting and interact with the course in ways that were never before possible.

• View Online Course Demos
• Echo360 Lecture-Capture Technology
• Web-Conferencing Tools

Program & Course Pacing

Online programs follow the same semester-based schedule as on-campus Engineering programs. Course instructors provide a syllabus which outlines the course material and lecture schedule, as well as timing for assignments, projects, and exams. Engineering Online courses are not self-paced, correspondence courses. Students are expected to complete their work and submit proctored exams within the guidelines set by the instructor.

Test Proctoring & Grading

All students (including returning students) must submit proposed proctor information each semester. A proctor may not be related to (by blood, marriage, or other legal relationship), be a peer, report to, have equivalent title or responsibilities with, the individual enrolled in the course. The proctor will be responsible for receiving the exam, locking the exam in a secure place, following the specific guidelines for proctoring the exam (i.e., time frame, open or closed book/notes, use of calculators, etc.), and for delivery of the exam back to our office. Grading policies are set by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Graduate College.

• Submit Proposed Proctor Information
• Graduate College Grading System

System Requirements

Since you will be conducting your coursework online, including watching lectures and submitting assignments, we recommend that you have a good quality computer and a reliable Internet connection. A fast, reliable Internet connection makes it easier to participate in the class. Taking classes with connections under 128Kbps is possible, but we recommend a broadband connection.

Required Equipment:

• Internet connection (broadband is highly recommended)
• “Fast” computer (any PC or Mac 4 years old or newer), speakers, sound card
• Windows OS, Mac, or Linux systems are options when taking our courses.
• Web browser (IE6+, Firefox, Google Chrome)
• News reader (such as Outlook Express)
• Lecture Media is distributed as Flash video and MP3 files. A Flash player is required to view lecture content. See the online course demo page for more details. Occasionally we will stream live content via Real or Windows media player.

Please note: students enrolled in ENG 565 and ENG 567 must use a PC.

Recommended Equipment:

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