Recommended First Year Courses by Major
Below you will find guidance, by major, of what classes to register for in your first year at Boulder as a first-yearengineering student. A number of classes are interchangeable between first and second semester, so options and alternatives are provided.
If you have any questions, please contact your academic advisor.
Fall Semester (15-16credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXX Math course(4-5 credits)
- Engineering Projects course* (can be taken fall or spring) (3 credits)
- PHYS 1110** General Physics 1 (can be taken fall or spring) (4 credits)
- Humanities/Social Science elective*** (3 credits)
- COEN 1500**** CEAS First Year Seminar(1 credit)
Spring Semester (16-17 credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXX Next math course in sequence(4-5 credits)
- ASEN 1030 Computer Science 1 (can be taken fall or spring) (3 credits)
- MCEN 1024 Chemistry for Energy and Materials Science(can be taken fall or spring, 3 credits)
- Humanities/Social Science electives*** (6 credits)
*Engineering Projects
ASEN 1403, GEEN 1400, and ECEN 1400 are all interchangeable first-year projects courses offered fall and spring semesters.
**Physics
Requires a pre-requisite or co-requisite of Calc. 1B or Calculus 1 in order to enroll.
***Humanities & Social Science Electives
View alist of approved courses
****COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar
All incoming first-year College of Engineering and Applied Science students will take a first-year seminar course as part of the Engineering Connections residential community. Students in the Engineering Honors Program typically take EHON 1151 Critical Encounters (3 credits) instead.
Programming
ASEN 1030 requires a pre-requisite or co-requisite of Calculus 1A or Calculus 1 in order to enroll.
Fall Semester (17credits)
- APPM XXXX*Math course(4 credits)
- CHEN 1201**General Chemistry 1 for Engineers(4 credits)
- CHEM 1114** Laboratory in General Chemistry 1(1 credit)
- APPM 1650***Python for Mathematical and Statistical Applications (4 credits)
- Humanities/Social Science elective**** (3 credits)
- COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar(1 credit)
Spring Semester (14-16 credits)
- APPM XXXXNext math course in sequence(4 credits)
- PHYS 1110**General Physics 1 (4 credits)
- Area of Application Course(consult with your advisor, 3 credits)
- Free Electives(consult with your advisor, 3 credits)
- Humanities/Social Science elective**** (3 credits)
*Applied Mathematics
If you have earned college credit for Calculus 1 and 2 (APPM 1350 and 1360), and if your own self-assessment ofprevious applied math final examsindicates you are ready for Calculus 3 (APPM 2350) or Differential Equations (APPM 2360), then we also recommend you enroll in APPM 2351 (Calculus 3 Workgroup) or APPM 2460 (Differential Equations Computer Lab). Both of these supplemental instruction courses are 1 credit, with (i.e. excluded from GPA). APPM 2351 provides additional support in a collaborative setting for students enrolled in APPM 2350. APPM 2460 teaches the fundamentals of Matlab programming, which is needed for APPM 2360.
**Physics/Chemistry
You may switch the semesters in which you take PHYS 1110 and CHEN 1201/CHEM 1114. You should have knowledge of calculus before enrolling in PHYS 1110 (calculus-based physics 1). CHEN 1211/CHEM 1221 Accelerated General Chemistry for Engineersmay be an option for qualified students.
***Computing
All Applied Math majors must take an introductory programming course, typically in their first year. We recommend APPM 1650, which provides students with an introduction to Python, an important programming language for most incoming Applied Math majors. If you are familiar with Python and/or are interested in taking more computer science classes as part of your degree, then CSCI 1300 may be a better choice. CHEN 1310 will cover Visual Basic, Excel, and an introduction to MATLAB and is appropriate for students planning to double major withChemical orBiological Engineering. Please consult your academic advisor if you have questions.
****Humanities & Social Science Electives
View alist of approved courses.
COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar
All incoming first-year College of Engineering and Applied Science students will take a first-year seminar course as part of the Engineering Connections residential community. Students in the Engineering Honors Program typically take EHON 1151 Critical Encounters (3 credits) instead.
Fall Semester (16-18credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXX Math course (4-5 credits)
- AREN 1316Introduction to Architectural Engineering(fall only, 1credit)
- CHEN 1201* General Chemistry for Engineers 1 (fall or spring, 4 credits)
- CHEM 1114* Laboratory in General Chemistry 1(fall or spring, 1credit)
- CSCI 1200*** Introduction to Computational Thinking (fall only, 3 credits)
- Humanities/Social Science elective**** (3 credits)
- COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar(1 credit)
Spring Semester (17-18 credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXX Next math course in sequence(4-5 credits)
- AREN 1027 Engineering Drawing (fall or spring, 3 credits)
- PHYS 1110*General Physics 1(4 credits)
- Engineering Projects course** (fall or spring, 3 credits)
- Humanities/Social Science elective**** (3 credits)
*Physics/Chemistry
You may switch the semesters in which you take PHYS 1110 and CHEN 1201 & CHEM 1114. You should have knowledge of calculus before enrolling in PHYS 1110 (calculus-based physics 1). Architectural Engineering students can choose to take CHEM 1114 (chemistry lab) or PHYS 1140 (physics lab). Students choosing to take the physics lab will take it concurrently with PHYS 1120 General Physics 2, usually in the sophomore year.
**Engineering Projects
ASEN 1403, GEEN 1400,and ECEN 1400 are all interchangeable first-year projects courses offered fall and spring semesters.
***Computing
Architectural Engineering students are encouraged to take CSCI 1200. AREN will also accept ASEN1320,CHEN 1310, CSCI 1300, or MCEN 1030to fulfill this degree requirement.
****Humanities & Social Science Electives
View alist of approved courses.
COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar
All incoming first-year College of Engineering and Applied Science students will take a first-year seminar course as part of the Engineering Connections residential community. Students in the Engineering Honors Program typically take EHON 1151 Critical Encounters (3 credits) instead.
Fall Semester (15-18 credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXX Math Course (4-5 credits)
- BMEN 1025 Computer-Aided Design & Fabrication or Humanities/Social Science elective* (3-4 credits)
- CHEN 1201 General Chemistry for Engineers (4 credits)
- Students on the Pre-Med track should also enroll in the CHEM 1114 lab (1 credit)
- BIEN 2810 for Industry track or MCDB 1150 for Pre-Med tracks (3 credits)
- COEN 1500** CEAS First Year Seminar(1 credit)
Spring Semester (15-18 credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXX Math Course (4-5 credits)
- BMEN 1000 Explore BME (1)
- CHEN 1203 General Chemistry for Engineers (2 credits) and CHEM 1221 Engineering General Chemistry Lab (1 credit)
- Students on the Pre-Med track should enroll in CHEM 1133 (4 credits) and CHEM 1134 (1 credit) instead
- PHYS 1110 General Physics 1 (4 credits)
- BMEN 1025 Computer-Aided Design & Fabrication or Humanities/Social Science elective* (3-4 credits)
Students considering a pre-med career path follow a more restricted schedule and should consult with an academic advisor.
*Humanities & Social Science Electives
View a list of approved courses.
**COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar
All incoming first-year College of Engineering and Applied Science students will take a first-year seminar course as part of the Engineering Connections residential community. Students in the Engineering Honors Program typically take EHON 1151 Critical Encounters (3 credits) instead.
Fall Semester (15-17 credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXXMath course(4-5 credits)
- CHEN 1201 General Chemistry 1 for Engineers (4)
- Accelerated Chemistry is available; please contact your advisor
- CHEN 1300 Introduction to Chemical Engineering (1 credit) (Optional Engineering Elective)
- CHEN 1310Introduction to Engineering Computing(3 credits)
- Humanities/Social Science elective*** (3 credits)
- COEN 1500* CEAS First Year Seminar(1 credit)
Spring Semester (17-18 credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXXNext math course in sequence(4-5 credits)
- CHEM 1221 General ChemistryLab (1 credit)
- CHEN 1203 General Chemistry 2 for Engineers (2 credits)
- BIEN 2810Biology for Engineers(3 credits)
- PHYS 1110General Physics 1(4 credits)
- Humanities/Social Science elective**(3 credits)
Students considering a pre-med career path follow a more restricted schedule and should consult with an academic advisor.
*COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar
All incoming first-year College of Engineering and Applied Science students will take a first-year seminar course as part of the Engineering Connections residential community. Students in the Engineering Honors Program typically take EHON 1151 Critical Encounters (3 credits) instead.
**Humanities & Social Science Electives
View a list of approved courses.
Fall Semester (17-18credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXXMath course(4-5 credits)
- CVEN 1317Introduction to Civil & Environmental Engineering (fall only, 1credit)
- CHEN 1201* General Chemistry for Engineers 1 (fall or spring, 4 credits)
- CHEM 1114 Laboratory in General Chemistry 1 (fall or spring, 1 credit)
- CSCI 1200**** Introduction to Computational Thinking (fall only, 3 credits)
- Humanities/Social Science elective*** (3 credits)
- COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar(1 credit)
Spring Semester (14-15 credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXXNext math course in sequence(4-5 credits)
- CVEN 1027 Engineering Drawing (spring only, 3 credits)
- PHYS 1110* General Physics 1 (4 credits)
- Engineering Projects Course**(3 credits)
*Physics/Chemistry
You may switch the semesters in which you take PHYS 1110 and CHEN 1201 & CHEM 1114. You should have knowledge of calculus before enrolling in PHYS 1110 (calculus-based physics 1).
**Engineering Projects
ASEN 1403, GEEN 1400,and ECEN 1400 are all interchangeable first-year projects courses offered fall and spring semesters.
***Humanities & Social Science Electives
View alist of approved courses.
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Civil Engineering students are encouraged to take CSCI 1200. CVEN will also accept ASEN1320,CHEN 1310, CSCI 1300, or MCEN 1030 to fulfill this degree requirement.
COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar
All incoming first-year College of Engineering and Applied Science students will take a first-year seminar course as part of the Engineering Connections residential community. Students in the Engineering Honors Program typically take EHON 1151 Critical Encounters (3 credits) instead.
Fall Semester (16-17credits)
- APPM 1350 or MATH 1300Calculus 1(4-5 credits)
- CSCI 1000Computer Science as a Field of Work and Study (fall only, 1 credit)
- CSCI 1300* Computer Science 1(4 credits)
- Natural Science**
- PHYS 1110 General Physics 1 (4 credits), or Natural Science Elective(3-4credits)
- Humanities/Social Science elective***(3 credits)
- OR a Logic & Ethics Requirement Course****
- COEN 1500 First-Year Seminar (1 credit)
Spring Semester (14-17credits)
- APPM 1360 or MATH 2300Calculus 2(4-5 credits)
- CSCI 2270Computer Science 2: Data Structures(4 credits)
- Next Course in Natural Science sequence** or Natural Science elective (3-5 credits)
- Humanities/Social Science elective***(3 credits)
- OR a Logic & Ethics Requirement Course****
*Computing
CSCI 1300, Computer Science 1requires a co-requisite or pre-requisite of Pre-Calculus or Calculus 1.
**Natural Science Requirements
Natural Science requirements are found on the Computer Science website. You should have knowledge of calculus before enrolling in PHYS 1110 (calculus-based physics 1).Please consult with your advisor if you have questions about the natural science requirements.
***Humanities & Social Science Electives
View a list of approved courses
****Logic & Ethics Requirement
The Logic and Ethics Requirement for BS Computer Science majors can be found on the Computer Science website.
COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar
All incoming first-year College of Engineering and Applied Science students will take a first-year seminar course as part of the Engineering Connections residential community. Students in the Engineering Honors Program typically take EHON 1151 Critical Encounters (3 credits) instead.
Fall Semester (17credits)
- MATH 1300 Calculus 1 (5 credits)
- CSCI 1000Computer Science as a Field of Work and Study (fall only, 1 credit)
- CSCI 1300* Computer Science 1 (4 credits)
- General Education Skills Requirement Lower Division Written Communication (3 credits)
- GE Distribution course (3 credits) OR a Logic & Ethics Requirement Course**
- COEN 1500**** CEAS First Year Seminar(1 credit)
Spring Semester (14-17 credits)
- MATH 2300 Calculus 2 (5 credits)
- CSCI 2270 Computer Science 2: Data Structures (4 credits)
- GenEd Natural Science elective ** (3-5 credits)
- GenEd Distribution course** (3 credits) OR a Logic & Ethics Requirement Course***
*Computing
CSCI 1300, Computer Science 1 requires a co-requisite or pre-requisite of Pre-Calculus or Calculus 1.
**General Education Distribution
Courses can be identified using the Advance Search filters in the class search under “Any A&S GenEd Attribute (Fall 2018+)” select Natural Sciences, Social Sciences or Arts & Humanities
***Logic & Ethics Requirement
The Logic and Ethics Requirement for BA Computer Science majors can be found on the Computer Science website.
****COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar
All incoming first-year College of Engineering and Applied Science students will take a first-year seminar course as part of the Engineering Connections residential community. Students in the Engineering Honors Program typically take EHON 1151 Critical Encounters (3 credits) instead.
Fall Semester (15-16credits)
- APPM 1350 or MATH 1300Calculus 1(4-5 credits)
- ATLS 1300 or CSCI 1300 (4credits)
- ATLS 1100Design Foundations(3 credits)
- Humanities/Social Science elective* (3 credits)
- COEN 1500** CEAS First Year Seminar(1 credit)
Spring Semester (17-18credits)
- Approved Discrete Mathematics Course***(3credits)
- ATLS 2270 or CSCI 2270 (4 credits)
- ATLS 2000Meaning of Information Technology(3 credits)
- Approved Natural Science Course*** (3-4 credits)
- How-To Elective**** (1 credit)
*Humanities & Social Science Electives
View a list of approved courses.
**COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar
All incoming first-year College of Engineering and Applied Science students will take a first-year seminar course as part of the Engineering Connections residential community. Students in the Engineering Honors Program typically take EHON 1151 Critical Encounters (3 credits) instead.
***Approved Math & Natural Science Courses
Find the list of approved courses in the .
****How-To Electives
Students may choose four courses from the list of How-To electives (found in degree audit).
Fall Semester (16-17credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXXMath course(4-5 credits)
- ECEN 1100Freshman Seminar(fall only, 1 credit)
- ECEN 1400*Introduction to Digital & Analog Electronics (3 credits)
- PHYS 1110**General Physics 1(4 credits)
- Humanities/Social Science elective*** (3 credits)
- COEN 1500**** CEAS First Year Seminar(1 credit)
Spring Semester (16-17 credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXXNext math course in sequence (4-5 credits)
- ECEN 1310 C Programming for ECE (4 credits)
- PHYS 1120General Physics 2(4 credits)
- PHYS 1140Experimental Physics 1(1 credit)
- Humanities/Social Science elective***(3 credits)
*Engineering Projects
Electrical and Electrical & Computer Engineering students are encouraged to take ECEN 1400. ECEE will also accept GEEN 1400 and ASEN 1403 to fulfill this degree requirement.
**Physics/General Science Elective
PHYS 1110 is recommended for students with prior Calculus experience who will be concurrently enrolled in Calculus 1 or higher. Students who are not enrolled in Calculus 1 or higher in their first semester may want to consider enrolling in aGeneral Science Electiveinstead of PHYS 1110.
***Humanities & Social Science Electives
View a list of approved courses.
****COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar
All incoming first-year College of Engineering and Applied Science students will take a first-year seminar course as part of the Engineering Connections residential community. Students in the Engineering Honors Program typically take EHON 1151 Critical Encounters (3 credits) instead.
Fall Semester (15-17 credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXXMath course(4-5 credits)
- PHYS 1115* General Physics 1 for Physics Majors or PHYS 1110*General Physics 1(4 credits)
- Approved computing course or Engineering Elective** (3-4 credits)
- Humanities/Social Science elective*** (3 credits)
- COEN 1500**** CEAS First Year Seminar(1 credit)
Spring Semester (15-17 credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXXMath course(4-5 credits)
- PHYS 1125 General Physics 2 for Physics Majors OR PHYS 1120General Physics 2(4 credits)
- PHYS 1140Experimental Physics 1(1 credit)
- Approved computing course or Engineering Elective** (3-4 credits)
- Humanities/Social Science elective*** (3 credits)
*Physics
You should have knowledge of calculus before enrolling in PHYS 1115 or PHYS 1110 (calculus-based physics 1). Calculus 1 (APPM 1350 or MATH 1300)is a co-requisite course for PHYS 1115 and PHYS 1110. If you are not enrolled in Calculus 1(or higher) your first semester, consider enrollment in CHEM 1113 & CHEM 1114 (General Chemistry 1 + Lab) to alternatively work on your chemistry requirement.
**Computing/Engineering Electives
See options in the . Students must take two approved computing courses as part of the Engineering Physics degree. PHYS 2600 is recommended as one of the computing courses, but must be taken after PHYS 1125/1120.
***Humanities & Social Science Electives
View a list of approved courses.
****COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar
All incoming first-year College of Engineering and Applied Science students will take a first-year seminar course as part of the Engineering Connections residential community. Students in the Engineering Honors Program typically take EHON 1151 Critical Encounters (3 credits) instead.
The recommendations below are for students with a chosen disciplinary emphasis within Integrated Design Engineering.Because Integrated Design Engineering inherently involves a great deal of flexibility, many curricular paths are possible. For the clearest explanation of these options, please see the Integrated Design Engineering program website.
Fall Semester (14-15 credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXX Math course (4-5 credits)
- GEEN 1400 Engineering Projects (fall or spring, 3 credits)
- Science 1* (3-5 credits)
- Writing/Humanities/Social Science elective** (3 credits)
- COEN 1500**** CEAS First Year Seminar(1 credit)
Spring Semester (13-17 credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXX Next math course in sequence (4-5 credits)
- Science 2* (3-5 credits)
- Engineering Computing Course*** (consult your advisor, 3-4 credits)
- Writing/Humanities/Social Science elective** (3 credits)
*Science
Your science sequence is flexible, but the recommended sequence for each emphasis is shown in the table below. You should have knowledge of calculus before enrolling in PHYS 1110 (calculus-based physics 1).
Emphasis | Science 1 (Fall) | Science 2 (Spring) |
Aerospace | PHYS 1110 | MCEN 1024 or CHEN 1201 |
Architectural | CHEN 1201 OR PHYS 1110 | PHYS 1110 CHEN 1201 |
Civil | CHEN 1201 & CHEM 1114 OR PHYS 1110 | PHYS 1110 CHEN 1201 & CHEM 1114 |
Electrical | PHYS 1110 | PHYS 1120 & PHYS 1140 |
Environmental | PHYS 1110 | PHYS 1120 &PHYS 1140 |
Mechanical | PHYS 1110 OR MCEN 1024 | MCEN 1024 OR PHYS 1110 OR PHYS 1120 & PHYS 1140 |
**Humanities & Social Science Electives
View a list of approved courses.
***Computing
The recommended computing course for each emphasis is shown in the table below. You should have knowledge of calculus before enrolling in CSCI 1300 or CHEN 1310.
Emphasis | Computing Course |
Aerospace | ASEN 1030 |
Architectural | CSCI 1200 |
Civil | CSCI 1200 |
Electrical | CSCI 1300 |
Environmental | CHEN 1310 |
Mechanical | MCEN 1030 |
****COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar
All incoming first-year College of Engineering and Applied Science students will take a first-year seminar course as part of the Engineering Connections residential community. Students in the Engineering Honors Program typically take EHON 1151 Critical Encounters (3 credits) instead.
Fall Semester (16-17credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXXMath course(4-5 credits)
- CHEN 1201General Chemistry 1 for Engineers(4)
- Accelerated Chemistry is available; please contact your advisor
- EVEN 1000Introduction to Environmental Engineering(fall only, 1 credit)
- Engineering Projects course** (fall or spring, 3 credits)
- Humanities/Social Science elective*** (3 credits)
- COEN 1500**** CEAS First Year Seminar(1 credit)
Spring Semester (18-19 credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXXNext math course in sequence (4-5 credits)
- CHEN 1310Introduction to Engineering Computing(fall or spring, 3 credits)
- PHYS 1110Physics 1 (4 credits)
- CHEN 1203 & CHEM 1221
- Humanities/Social Science elective***(3 credits)
**Engineering Projects
ASEN 1403, GEEN 1400, and ECEN 1400 are all interchangeable first-year projects courses offered fall and spring semesters.
***Humanities & Social Science Electives
View a list of approved courses.
****COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar
All incoming first-year College of Engineering and Applied Science students will take a first-year seminar course as part of the Engineering Connections residential community. Students in the Engineering Honors Program typically take EHON 1151 Critical Encounters (3 credits) instead.
Fall Semester (15-16credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXXMath course(4-5 credits)
- MCEN 1024*Chemistry for Energy & Materials Science(3credits)
- MCEN 1030 Intro to Engineering Computing** (4 credits)
- Engineering Projects course*** (3 credits)
- COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar(1 credit)
Spring Semester (15-16 credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXXNext math course in sequence(4-5 credits)
- PHYS 1110*General Physics 1(4 credits)
- MCEN 1025Computer-Aided Design & Fabrication(4 credits)
- Humanities/Social Science elective****(3 credits)
*Physics/Chemistry
Mechanical Engineering recommends either a Physics or Chemistry course for thefirst semester:
- PHYS 1110 is recommended for students with prior Calculus experience who will be concurrently enrolled in Calculus 1 or higher.
- MCEN 1024 is the recommended chemistry course for students enrolled in Mechanical Engineering who are not considering switching to a different major or who placed into Pre-Calculus. Mechanical Engineering majors are not required to complete a Chemistry lab course (i.e. CHEM 1114).The recommended pre-requisite for MCEN 1024 is one year of high school chemistry or CHEM 1021.
- CHEN 1201 & CHEM 1114 are the recommended chemistry courses for Engineering students who are unsure about their major, or who are considering the medical field.The pre-requisite for CHEN 1201 is one year of high school chemistry or CHEM 1021.
**Programming
Mechanical Engineering students are encouraged to take MCEN 1030. MCEN will also accept CSCI 1300, ASEN 1320, or ECEN 1310 to fulfill this degree requirement.
***Engineering Projects
GEEN 1400, ASEN 1403, and ECEN 1400 are all interchangeable first-year projects courses offered fall and spring semesters.
****Humanities & Social Science Electives
View a list of approved courses.
COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar
All incoming first-year College of Engineering and Applied Science students will take a first-year seminar course as part of the Engineering Connections residential community. Students in the Engineering Honors Program typically take EHON 1151 Critical Encounters (3 credits) instead.
The college offers a Flexible First-Year Curriculum (detailed below) that allows students to explore various engineering majors before making an informed decision about which one to select. The Flexible First-Year Curriculum provides assurance that all credits can be used to meet the requirements of all College of Engineering and Applied Science undergraduate degree programs. If desired, Open Option students may be able to enroll in additional major-specific coursework with department approval. Open Option students must declare their choice of major by the 8th week of their second semester.
Fall Semester (16-17 credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXX Math Course (4-5 credits)
- Appropriate Science Course*(fall or spring, 4 credits)
- Engineering Projects Course** (fall or spring, 3 credits)
- Humanities/Social Science Elective or Writing Course*** (3 credits)
- Major introduction course**** (recommended, 1 credit)
- COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar(1 credit)
Spring Semester (14-16 credits)
- APPM XXXX or MATH XXXX Math Course (4-5 credits)
- Computing course* (fall or spring, 3-4 credits)
- Appropriate Science Course* (fall or spring, 4 credits)
- Disciplinary Course (consult your advisor, 3 credits)
- AND/OR: Humanities/Social Science Elective or Writing Course*** (3 credits)
*Appropriate Science Course
Most engineering majors recommend taking PHYS 1110 General Physics 1 in the first semester. However, you need to have a Calculus math placement in order to enroll in PHYS 1110 your first semester. If your math placement is lower than Calculus, talk with your academic advisor about an appropriate replacement course for the fall semester.
Some majors recommend or require chemistry (CHEN 1201 or CHEN 1211) in the first year or first semester of the degree plan. Check with your academic advisor for more information about the particular program(s) you are interested in pursuing in order to ensure you are enrolled in the appropriate science course or course combination for your first semester/year in Engineering.
**Engineering Projects
GEEN 1400, ECEN 1400, ASEN 1400, and ASEN 1403 are all acceptable first-year projects courses.
***Humanities & Social Science Elective or Writing Course
View a list of approved courses.
****Major Introduction Courses
Open Option students have the opportunity to enroll in any of the following 1 credit introduction courses:
- ASEN 1009 Undergraduate Aerospace Seminar (fall and spring, 1 credit)
- AREN 1316 Introduction to Architectural Engineering (fall only, 1 credit)
- BMEN 1000 Exploring Biomedical Engineering (spring only, 1 credit)
- CVEN 1317 Introduction to Civil & Environmental Engineering (fall only, 1 credit)
- CHEN 1300 Introduction to Chemical Engineering (fall only, 1 credit)
- CSCI 1000 Computer Science as a Field of Work and Study (fall only, 1 credit)
- ECEN 1100 Exploring ECE (fall only, 1 credit)
COEN 1500 CEAS First Year Seminar
All incoming first-year College of Engineering and Applied Science students will take a first-year seminar course as part of the Engineering Connections residential community. Students in the Engineering Honors Program typically take EHON 1151 Critical Encounters (3 credits) instead.
*Computing
Computer Science and most other majors typically accept CSCI 1300, which covers programming in C++. Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, and Environmental Engineering majors should enroll in CHEN 1310, which covers Visual Basic, Excel, and an introduction to MATLAB. Architectural Engineering and Civil Engineering majors typically enroll in CSCI 1200. Aerospace majors enroll in ASEN 1030.Mechanical majors enroll in MCEN 1030. Check with your academic advisor to ensure you are enrolling in the appropriate computing course for the major(s) you are interested in pursuing.