Overview | Entering Freshmen | Transfer Students | Current Students | Graduate | Faculty Advisor List | Resources

Overview - Advising and RAC Numbers

The purpose of the RAC (Registration Access Code) system is to ensure that students appear for academic advising each Fall/Spring semester. Academic advising is intended to make sure that students have up to date information about degree plans, are informed about their choice of major, and are taking the correct courses toward that major. In the case of engineering students, advising is also required to fulfill the requirements of ABET accreditation. Advising is absolutely mandatory for engineering undergraduates.

Getting your RAC - Entering Freshmen

You will receive initial advising during New Student Orientation. During orientation you will get information on how to register, university core requirements, major requirements, and your RAC number. It is still important for you to see a faculty advisor in Electrical Engineering to get specific details about the EE Degree Plan. You can find your advisor from the list below.

You should expect to spend 15-30 minutes during your first visit. If you have difficulty contacting your advisor, please go directly to the Department Office (ENGR 3.214B, 956-381-2609) for help.

Getting your RAC - New transfer students

If you are transferring from another institution you should see Heinrich Foltz (hfoltz@panam.edu, 956-384-5016, ENGR 3.214B) for your first advising section. If you have difficulty contacting Dr. Foltz please call the Department Office at 956-381-2609. Make sure to bring copies of transcripts for all your previous college work. (Unofficial or personal copies are OK for advising purposes.) Please note that your RAC will not be available until after you complete orientation.

If you plan to transfer to UTPA in the future, it is a good idea to contact us early so that we can advise you on which courses will transfer and count toward the degree.

Getting your RAC - Current Students

Freshmen not in their first semester, and all sophomore, junior, and senior students, should go directly to their faculty advisor.

If you have been out of school for one or more semesters, you will need to fill out a Returning Student admission form at Admissions and Records. It may take a few days after submitting your form for your RAC to become available.

Getting your RAC - Graduate Students

Usually the University will directly mail you your RAC number. If you do not receive it, you can get it from the department office or your advisor.

Faculty Advisors

Freshmen/Sophomores (A-F) Heinrich Foltz 384-5016 hfoltz@panam.edu
Freshmen/Sophomores (G-N) Mounir Ben Ghalia 381-2402 benghalia@panam.edu
Freshmen/Sophomores (O-Z) Edward Banatoski 381-2896 banatoski@panam.edu
Juniors/Seniors (A-F) Jae Sok Son 381-2186 jaesok@panam.edu
Juniors/Seniors (G-N) Jaime Ramos Salas 381-2609 jramos8@utpa.edu
Juniors/Seniors (O-Z) Junfei Li 316-7148 fei@panam.edu
Graduate Charles Harlow 381-2923 caharlow@panam.edu
New Transfers Heinrich Foltz 384-5016 hfoltz@panam.edu


Computer Engineering

Students who are interested in switching to the proposed Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering program should see one of the advisors below.
All levels (A-G) Sanjeev Kumar 381-2401 sanjeevk@panam.edu
All levels (H-Z) Weidong Kuang 316-7133 kuangw@panam.edu

Resources

Undergraduate students should download and keep a copy of the degree plan, which can be obtained at the link: The documents below may help you in making your initial course selection prior to going for advising. They are NOT updated regularly, and are not a substitute for advising. You must visit your advisor to get the latest information.