First-Year Program

The Fundamentals of Engineering program offers an unparalleled first-year engineering experience because

* Students who place at the pre-calculus or higher level of math can take engineering courses beginning their first semester. Labs and projects given throughout the Fundamentals of Engineering sequence are designed to provide as broad an introduction to engineering as possible.

* Prospective employers favor candidates who demonstrate the ability to work in teams. By the end of the Fundamentals of Engineering experience, students will have had many valuable group work experiences.

* Presentation and communication skills will be enhanced, and students will learn the importance of documentation in engineering. These are valuable assets when looking for a job or internship.

The program consists of different course sequences designed to give students a broad understanding of the principles and practices of engineering:

• Standard two-quarter sequence: Engineering 1181 and 1182
• Honors sequence: Engineering 1281.01 or .02 and 1282.01 or 302
• Transfer sequence: Engineering 1186.01, 1187, 1188

The two-semester sequence teaches basic engineering skills to prepare students for advanced courses, internships and careers in engineering. The Honors sequence accomplishes the same objectives but in a more accelerated fashion with a programming course built in to the sequence.

Program options entail a major design-build project. The continuously updated curriculum, taught by faculty and professional engineers, exposes students to different engineering disciplines and helps develop the most up-to-date and practically relevant skills.