All first-year engineering students pursue a common academic program consisting of mathematics, chemistry, physics, humanities/social science electives, and two specially designed first-year engineering courses. These courses provide an overview of the fields and methods of engineering, introduce foundational skills, and develop the problem-solving, logic, and creative thinking central to the discipline. Although the curriculum is common, each student's schedule is based on their incoming background and anticipated major. Upon completion of the first-year curriculum, students with a 2.00 GPA or higher choose their major from any of the eleven departments or programs.
First-year students also participate in an engineering seminar sequence: ENGR 0081 & ENGR 0082. This seminar is facilitated in the Fall term (ENGR 0081) by the student’s academic advisor and an Engineering Peer Leader, and in the Spring term (ENGR 0082) by the student’s advisor and various campus partners. These seminars cover the transition to college, study skills, co-curricular opportunities, and an overview of the various engineering fields. The seminar is a group advising experience that provides weekly contact with advisors, upper-class peer mentors leaders, and campus community members.
Frederick Honors College
Entering first-year students who meet eligibility requirements may opt to take honors courses through the Frederick Honors College. These courses substitute for regular required offerings. Students may enroll in all honors courses or a combination of honors and traditional sections. Placement into honors courses is based on exam scores, high school performance, and consultation with your advisor.
First-Year Engineering Curriculum
Fall Term
| Traditional Curriculum | Course | UHC Courses** | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analytic Geometry & Calculus 1 | MATH 0220 | MATH 0235*** | 4 |
|
Gen. Chemistry for Engineering 1 -or- Basic Physics for Science & Engineering 1 |
CHEM 0960 or PHYS 0174 |
CHEM 0710 or PHYS 0475 |
3 or 4 |
| Introduction to Engineering Analysis 1 | ENGR-0011 | ENGR-0711 | 3 |
| Composition Requirement 1 (Humanities/Social Science Elective 1*) | ENGCMP 0210 | ENGCMP 0210 | 3 |
| Freshman Engineering Seminar | ENGR-0081 | ENGR 0081 | 0 |
| Humanities/Social Science Elective 2* | Students choose from our Approved Electives list | Students choose from our Approved Electives list; courses designated with the course attribute of “Frederick Honors College” can count towards honors coursework. | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 16/17 |
Spring Term
In the spring semester of the first year, engineering students typically continue with the second course in each sequence they began in the fall. For example, students who take Calculus I in the fall enroll in Calculus II in the spring. For science courses, students complete the second course of the science they started in the fall and begin the first course of the other science. For example, a student who takes honors Chemistry I in the fall will take honors Chemistry II and Physics I in the spring.
| Traditional Curriculum | Course | UHC Courses** | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analytic Geometry & Calculus 2 | MATH-0230 | MATH-0240 | 4 |
|
Gen. Chemistry for Engineering 2 -or- Basic Physics for Science & Engineering 2 |
CHEM 0970 or PHYS 0175 |
CHEM 0780 or PHYS 0476 |
3 or 4 |
| Introduction to Engineering Analysis 2 | ENGR-0012 | ENGR-0712 or ENGR-0716 | 3 |
| Composition Requirement 2 (Humanities/Social Science Elective 3*) | ENGCMP 0412 (W) | ENGCMP 0412 | 3 |
| Freshman Engineering Seminar | ENGR-0082 | ENGR 0082 | 0 |
|
Gen. Chemistry for Engineering 1 -or- Basic Physics for Science & Engineering 1 |
CHEM 0410 or PYS 0174 |
No honors options available since the honors version of the first course in the sequence is only offered in fall. | 3 or 4 |
| Total Credits: | 17 |
* Engineering students must take six humanities/social science courses from an approved list before they graduate; two will be composition courses (ENGCMP 0210 and 0412) in the first year. More information on humanities/social science electives.
** The results of student's placement exams, performance in high school, and scores on SAT (ACT) will be considered and discussed with the student's advisor prior to registering for one or all of these courses.
*** The first-term Honors Calculus 0235 is equivalent to MATH 0220 and 0230.