Freshman Academic Programs

The Freshman Engineering Program provides significant academic support and a variety of educational and social opportunities for first year students to help them adjust to the new responsibilities of university life and to succeed in their chosen major. 

Common Freshman Year

Students entering the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources are accepted as either Engineering or General Engineering students depending upon a set up entrance requirements.  This provides time for students to learn more about each engineering major so they can make a more informed decision.  After the completion of 6 core courses, students can then enter into their chosen engineering discipline.    The requirements to enter an engineering discipine are:

• ENGL 101
• CHEM 115
• MATH 155 (C or better)
• ENGR 101
• ENGR 102
• ENGR 199
• GPA >= 2.0

Note that because General Engineering students must take pre-requisite math and chemistry courses during their first semester, they typically take three semesters to complete the required “freshman” courses.  Also, it is recommended that students complete PHYS 111 and MATH 156 during their freshman year because they serve as pre-requisites for most sophomore level courses.

Freshman Engineering Courses

First year engineering courses are designed to help students build problem solving skills and technical communication skills.  Working individually and in teams, students use a variety of methods and tools to solve engineering problems and to present their solutions clearly and effectively, both orally an in writing.  Strong teamwork and communication skills are essential to a successful engineering career and students begin developing and honing these skills throughout the first year.

Study Resources

The Freshman Engineering Program believes in providing our students with high levels of academic support.  Study labs are held 5 days a week in all freshman math and science courses.  The College of Engineering and Mineral Resouces has contacts in both the Math and Chemistry Learing Centers, and maintains a list of private tutors.