1. How will the iEFX experience make a difference in my freshman year?
2. iEFX students will have some special opportunities from the outset:
   • an enhanced orientation course, ENG 100++ has been designed to introduce students to the missing basics of engineering and the joys of engineering, community, and lifelong learning.
   • iEFX students will be teamed up with a community (iCommunity) of other undergraduate learning assistants who will support and guide them through special projects and seminars
   • iEFX students will have priority access to newly-developed courses and interdisciplinary activities that will broaden their engineering education from the beginning
3. How is iEFX related to the Campus Honors or James Scholar Programs, and other departmental honors programs?
4. Participation in iEFX does not preclude your participating in any other Campus Honors, James Scholar, or departmental honors programs. In fact, all of these honors-level experiences mutually reinforce one another and deepen your experience in the College and University. We encourage students accepted to multiple programs to participate in as many honors opportunities as their time and schedule permit.
5. Who are the faculty involved in developing and teaching iEFX courses and experiences?
6. iEFX has brought together a distinguished group of scholars and teachers from across the College of Engineering, Art and Design, and Liberal Arts and Sciences to think about new ways to develop engineering education for Illinois students. iEFX courses, programs, and seminars involve a wide range of these professors who have committed to help lead and develop the orientation course, as well as new courses in other engineering departments and across campus which are open to iEFX students in their freshman year and going forward.
7. What happens after my freshmen year in iEFX – will iEFX courses and experiences continue?
8. iFoundry will continue to develop new courses and experiences as you proceed through all levels of your curriculum. As a pilot incubator for new courses that will enhance engineering education, we expect to expand offerings and modify existing requirements for the iEFX class of 2014 and for future classes of entering students. As part of the iCommunity where peers help and guide one another, you’ll have a chance to engage with the entering iEFX freshmen classes that follow you. iEFX also will help students shape their humanities and social sciences coursework requirements into coherent themes, aims, and purposes that will enrich your engineering education.
9. Will iEFX participation be noted on my transcript or is there some special certificate I obtain from being an iFoundry student?
10. The College of Engineering, and iFoundry leadership, think that students will indeed be transformed in many positive ways by participating in this program, so we are working on an official and certified signal to employers, and graduate schools, that a student has engaged in this enhanced curricular opportunity. We expect to have more formal procedures in place to certify iEFX involvement by the end of the spring 2010 semester.
11. Do I get special advisors by being in iEFX?
12. From its inception, iFoundry has worked closely and collegially with all departments in the College of Engineering and the chief advisors in each department. You will be assigned an advisor who has been working with the iFoundry leadership since Fall 2008 and understands the unique aspects of this program.
13. Are there employers and companies involved in iFoundry and iEFX?
14. Yes, iFoundry and iEFX are developing in-kind and financial support from companies, as well as considerable interest from employers. iEFX aims to cultivate a high degree of entrepreneurial drive in its students, and to help students in their fields. Companies will be highly interested in the special skills which iEFX participants bring to their employment as they enter the work force in coming years.
15. Does iEFX involve special social activities?
16. Yes, social activities are an important part of the iEFX experience in a variety of ways. You’ll be closely involved with your fellow students in the orientation class, and with the teams of upper level engineering students supporting you. Many student organizations are also very active in working with iFoundry leadership to give input and help with curricular changes, so you’ll have a wide pipeline linking you to such RSO’s as the Illinois Entrepreneurial Network, Engineering Council, Engineers without Borders, Society of Women Engineers, etc. Finally, we are exploring ways to bring the iEFX experience into residential life at Illinois, so stay tuned!
17. Can I get research or design experience in iEFX?
18. Design and undergraduate research are a critical part of the iEFX experience. Students will have enhanced opportunities in the freshman orientation course to think about, and work on special design projects. iEFX is working closely with all departments in the College to foster many design-oriented opportunities in the sophomore and junior years. These will add to the many outstanding capstone and senior design projects available in your home department.
19. If I get into iEFX and come to Illinois, what happens next?
20. Since iEFX works closely with the Undergraduate Programs Office, the iEFX registration will be integrated with the I-Start system, and the other requisite orientation visits and registration procedures which matriculating students participate in after May 1.
21. I’d like to learn more and I have a lot of questions. So do my parents! Who can I contact for assistance?
22. We welcome your questions, concerns, and interest in iFoundry. Karen K. Hyman, Associate Director, and student leaders in Engineering will be happy to assist you, and your family, by email or by phone, kkhyman@illinois.edu or 217-244-3824 (office). We also encourage visitors to campus and to the College of Engineering to stop by the iFoundry office, Engineering Hall 201, 1308 West Green Street.

For iEFX/iFoundry contact information click here.