Fall 2008 Information

Welcome MS-Tech class of 2009!

Updated - August 11, 2008
* Click here for the Orientation Week schedule and important information.

* For those students required to take the EPT test, click here for instructions and information.

* Click here for the Fall 2008 Schedule of courses, including texbooks.

* Click here for the Student Manual.

Congratulations on your admission to the University of Illinois. We look forward to welcoming you to Illinois as a MS-Tech student beginning in August of 2008. Please read this important information for new students – new and updated information will be posted as it becomes available. Please check back regularly, as this page will be updated frequently as new information becomes available. Please also see "New Student FAQ" for more information on the program, the University, and the community.

Arriving on campus
Get started on the right foot - don't arrive late! This program is challenging and it is important that you arrive in plenty of time to acclimate yourself to campus, finalize housing arrangements, and prepare for the start of classes. Plan to arrive before August 15, 2008.

Check-in with MS-Tech Office
All students should check in at the MS-Tech office in 206 David Kinley Hall. During check-in students will receive instructions on registration, university computer accesses (net id and password), complete orientation information, etc.

Check-in/MS-Tech info sessions will be done in two groups. Below please find the schedule for check in, based on the first letter (s) of your last name. Please email ms-tech@uiuc.edu to set up a separate appointment if you cannot attend your assigned session. You MUST check in prior to August 16.

Mandatory MS – Tech check in schedule

Using the first letter(s) of your last name, please identify the check in session you will attend below. Please arrive prior to the start time below, as we would like to conduct the check-in process for the entire group.

Friday, August 15 Last names beginning with
9:00 am – 10:00 am A –K
10:30 am – 11:30 am L– Z

We strongly suggest you check in with the MS-Tech office prior to any other offices on campus, as you will receive helpful information. You will need to visit the following offices on campus after checking in at the MS-Tech office:

All Students

Get your University ID Card
You must have a photo identification (such as a driver’s license or passport) to obtain your University ID. ID cards may be obtained at the First Floor of the Illini Union Building on the corner of Wright and John Streets from August 15 -24. More information may be found at: (www.union.uiuc.edu/services/icard.htm)

Math skills workshop to be offered
A workshop designed to review basic concepts in statistics and math (that will be used in your courses) will be offered prior to the start of classes.

Please review specific information prior to arriving on campus:
You should be able to utilize any Intermediate Algebra, Calculus, and Probability textbooks (first year college or even high school) to review/cover the topics in #1 and #2 on the list. Please review these before arriving. The remaining topics are tentatively planned to be covered in the MathSkills Workshop during orientation week prior to the first day of the Fall semester.

Computer Recommendations for MS-Tech Students
It is necessary that all MS-Tech students own a laptop computer. Computers are an essential tool for conducting business and delivering educational material. The University and the College of Business provide an infrastructure that allows students to access electronic information from anywhere at anytime. A wireless network is available in much of the College of Business. The University provides free remote access to our network and the internet through a dial-up bank. There are access ports for laptop computers in the MS-Tech classrooms as well as in various locations throughout the buildings.

The program recommends Tablet PC (HP Compaq tc4400 Tablet PC). Tablet PCs are fully-functional laptop PCs and more. You can use the pen directly on the screen just as you would a mouse to do things like select, drag, and open files; or in place of a keyboard to handwrite notes and communication. Unlike a touch screen, the Tablet PC screen only receives information from a special pen. It will not take information from your finger or your shirt sleeve—so you can rest your wrist on the screen and write naturally.

This is a perfect computer to take notes in class, do homework and work with your team members. Many class rooms and buildings have wireless connectivity and you can easily take advantage of this using a laptop.

Account Set up
During your check-in/information session at the MS-Tech office, you will receive your University Net ID. You will then need to go to the computer labs in the basement of David Kinley Hall to activate your account in order to register for courses. This step is very important. For more information, please visit
Campus Information Technologies and Educational Services.

Register for Courses
Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to register for classes using
UI Integrate, a web based course registration system for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. You must register before classes begin (Monday, August 25). Please note: your email account will not be active until you register for classes.

International Students Only
Check in with the Office of International Students and Scholar Services (ISSS). Check in with ISSS is required for all international students. Please visit their website for more information on their services: http://www.ips.uiuc.edu/isss/students/

Their office is located at:

400 Student Services Building, 610 W. John Street, Champaign, IL 61820

Schedule & Take the English Placement Exam.
This exam is mandatory for students who were required to take the TOEFL exam and did not score above a 613 (paper) or 257 (computer). Also students admitted on limited status due to English Language Deficiency will need to take the EPT exam.

Here’s how it works: The MS-Tech program will have it's own EPT session on Saturday, August 23 - you won't need to register for this, the program will take care of this for you (you must take the test on this day). You will receive your results approximately 2 days after taking the exam. If your score indicates that you must take an ESL (English as a Second Language) course, you take it at the same time as your other Fall classes, your MS-Tech coursework is not delayed. Fees for the test and the class are paid by the MS-Tech program.

Check in with McKinley Health Center.
Remember you will need to return to McKinley a second time to have your TB test site checked.

1109 S. Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801

Important Dates:

Friday, August 15 Mandatory check in at the MS Tech Office

Monday, August 18

Pre-session workshops
Tuesday, August 19 MS-Tech Orientation
Wednesday, August 20 Pre-session workshops
Thursday, August 21 Pres-session workshops
Friday, August 22 Pres-session workshops
Saturday, August 23 English Placement Test
(for students admitted "Limited Status because of an English deficiency")
Sunday, August 24 Free day
Monday, August 25 First day of classes
Friday/Sat., August 29 - 30 Outdoor Challenge and Teambuilding Retreat at Allerton Park, Monticello, Illinois

Click here for "Frequently Asked Questions" for incoming students