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 ten departments or programs.
First-year students also participate in an engineering seminar (ENGR 0082), facilitated by their academic advisor and an Engineering Peer Mentor. 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 and peer mentors.
The science and general education requirements are the same regardless of whether you enter as a first-year student or as a transfer student. ENGR 0011/0012 or 0711 are the traditional first-year sequence. For transfer students, off-semester courses ENGR 0015 and ENGR 0016 are available in place of ENGR 0011/0012.
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 | CHEM 0960 |
CHEM 0710 | 3 |
| Basic Physics for Science & Engineering 1 | PHYS 0174 PHYS 0174 |
PHYS475*** | 4 |
| Introduction to Engineering Analysis 1 | ENGR-0011 | ENGR-0711 | 3 |
| Composition Requirement 1 (Humanities/Social Science Elective) | ENGCMP 0210 | ENGCMP 0210 | 3 |
| Freshman Engineering Seminar | ENGR-0081 | ENGR 0081 | 0 |
| Total Credits: | 17/18 |
Spring Term
| Traditional Curriculum | Course | UHC Courses** | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analytic Geometry & Calculus 2 | MATH-0230 | MATH-0240 | 4 |
| Gen. Chemistry for Engineering 2 | CHEM 0970 | CHEM 0780 | 3 |
| Basic Physics for Science & Engineering 2 | PHYS 0175 | PHYS 0476*** | 4 |
| Introduction to Engineering Analysis 2 | ENGR-0012 | ENGR-0712,ENGR-0716 | 3 |
| Composition Requirement 2 (Humanities/Social Science Elective) | ENGCMP 0412 (W) | "W" (Writing Designation) Class | 3 |
| Freshman Engineering Seminar | ENGR-0082 | ENGR 0082 | 0 |
| 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. The two-term Honors Course sequence, PHYS 0475 and 0476, is equivalent to PHYS 0174 and 0175.