• Jonsson School
• Biomedical Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Software Engineering

1. Verify Admitted Major: Verify admitted major in Galaxy.  Check your admitted major as listed in your admissions acceptance letter and academics tab in Galaxy.
2. Register for Orientation: Freshman Orientation | Freshman Year Experience (utdallas.edu). Students will meet with the advising staff during their orientation session.
3. Review requirements for ALEKS Math Placement Assessment Exam Review requirements for ALEKS Math Placement Assessment Exam ALL ECS incoming freshman students MUST take the ALEKS assessment three days prior to their scheduled orientation date. Information about the ALEKS assessment can be found here: ALEKS Math Assessment Exam – The University of Texas at Dallas (utdallas.edu).
4. Review and resolve any holds on your account: Check for any holds on your account and take care of them before your scheduled orientation date. This excludes the “Cannot Register Online” hold and the New Student Program orientation hold, as they will be removed after you attend orientation. Examples of holds to take care of prior to your scheduled orientation date: meningitis hold, residency requirement documents, etc. Click on the hold to see which department the hold corresponds to and email that department for any questions about the hold listed.
5. Optional Computer Science Placement Test: You are not required to take the Computer Science placement test. This is an optional placement test for students who already have programming knowledge. If you do not have any programming knowledge, you do not need to take the Computer Science Placement test. This is a placement test that measures programming knowledge and places students into the appropriate Computer Science course. Students take the placement test after they have registered for classes. More information will be provided the day of your orientation session.

• Recommended AP classes to take in high school
  • Calculus (AB or BC)
  • Physics C Mechanics
  • Physics C Electromagnetism and Waves
  • Computer Science A
  • Other credits like core classes help too, but the courses listed here are particularly helpful because they are prerequisites to many other classes you will take for your major in The Jonsson School. Review AP and IB credit equivalencies.
• Applying for Admission
• Freshman Orientation
  • All freshmen are required to complete freshman orientation requirements. Find out more about orientation.
  • Good news! Summer 2023 and Fall 2023 students may register for classes early (before their assigned orientation date) if they have completed all required modules and have no holds. Please monitor your UTD email for instructions and next steps. This will be our official form of communication.
• UT Dallas offers a Freshmen Mentor Program. Find more information about how to participate in that program HERE
• Math Placement: The ALEKS Assessment
  • All Jonsson School students take math in their first semester. For math course placement, UT Dallas uses the ALEKS Assessment OR college level math credits earned while in high school. Do I need to take the ALEKS?
  • We recommend completing the ALEKS two weeks before your Freshman Orientation. Keep in mind, you can retest after your first attempt. Delaying the ALEKS can delay your registration.
• CS Placement Exam
  • Incoming students must attend an orientation session and register for at least one class at UTD (not specifically a CS Class), before being able to enroll and take the CS Placement exam.
  • This assessment is optional.
  • Only take this test if you have prior knowledge of C++.
  • You must score 70% (not just 70 points) to pass the test.
  • Only one attempt is allowed.
  • This test allows you to skip programming fundamentals (CS 1336/1136). It does not give you college credit for programming fundamentals.
  • If you take programming fundamentals and do not pass, you cannot use this assessment to get credit.
  • Ready to take the test? See instructions on how to take the test.
• Learning about your degree requirements
  • You can familiarize yourself with the courses required for your degree by reviewing your degree plan and flowchart, found on the Degree Resources page.
  • You will learn more about your degree requirements in your ECS 1100 class, a required course for all Jonsson School freshmen that is taught by an advisor.
  • After your first semester, your assigned academic advisor will be your primary contact regarding degree requirements.

• Helpful classes to take
  • Engineering and computer science classes have math, programming, and physics prerequisites. You should strongly consider prioritizing these courses before you transfer. If you do not take these classes prior to transferring, your graduation is likely to be delayed.
• Transfer Plans
  • Utilize transfer plans and communicate with your UT Dallas academic advisor long before you transfer to ensure you’re on the right track with math, programming, and other helpful coursework. Note that the transfer plan is simply a guide. Your degree requirements will be determined based on the catalog year in which you transfer.
• How to streamline your transfer experience to UT Dallas
  • Meet with your assigned UT Dallas academic advisor based on last name and major when you first start at the community college.
  • Check in with your UT Dallas advisor periodically to review your enrollment choices.
  • Please refer to the transfer admissions website for the recommended application timeline.
  • Once accepted, sign up for the next transfer orientation that works for you. Note that at UT Dallas, registration opens for the subsequent term in November and April.
• UT Dallas offers a Transfer Mentor Program. Find more information about how to participate in that program HERE

The Jonsson school does admit students pursuing their second bachelor’s degree on a holistic basis (GPA, essay, relevant coursework, etc.). If you do not have a science or technology background, we recommend taking major preparatory coursework (calculus, physics, programming, etc.) at a community college prior to applying. Transfer plans and degree plans will assist you in identifying which courses to take at the community college.