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College of Engineering

First-Year

All engineering students join the College as part of our Engineering First Year Program. Our objectives in the Engineering First Year Program are to welcome students to the College, get them connected to important resources, help them learn about engineering as a profession and help them explore all of their academic options prior to joining a department. Here is what you can expect during your first year.

Summer

Summer programs offer opportunities to prepare for the fall semester and even get an early start on your undergraduate studies.

New Student Orientation

In the summer prior to fall classes, incoming students attend New Student Orientation. Orientation is a program that is required of all first-year students to facilitate a student’s transition to college life and the start of their engineering education. The program is designed to help prepare students for the transition to NC State,  including the intellectual, emotional, academic, and social challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Prior to orientation students will have suggested courses added in their MyPack Planner based on a common first year of courses, available placement scores, and other preparatory work accomplished.

Additionally, advising information will be provided via online modules and students will have the opportunity to make schedule adjustments prior to orientation. During New Student Orientation students will have the opportunity to ask questions and make additional schedule adjustments as needed.

Visit the New Student Orientation website to register and to prepare to attend.

For more information about advising and registration at New Student Orientation please visit the our Newly Admitted Student Advising page.

Optional Programs for New Students

Summer Start is a residential program designed to assist new first-year students with the transition to our campus through five weeks of NC State courses and involvement opportunities during Summer II session.  Participating students will be advised by the College of Engineering to enroll in classes that satisfy degree requirements, which typically include pre-engineering courses as well as the General Education Program (GEP) courses. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of extra-curricular activities related to academic, social, recreational, or personal interests.  Examples include local trips to museums and parks, learning about campus traditions, time management and success workshops, and weekly cookouts.

Below are some examples of courses frequently taken by Engineering First Year students during Summer Start for a total of 6-8 credit hours:

  • Sample Schedule 1:
    • A chemistry course (either CH 111 or CH 101 plus CH 102 for 3-4 credits) – All students must complete NC State’s chemistry placement exam before registration advising and enrollment can begin
    • USC 100: Transitioning to a Diverse Community (1 credit) – Satisfies GEP U.S. Diversity
    • GEP Course (3 credits) – one of either Humanities, Social Science, Interdisciplinary Perspectives or Visual Performing Art
  • Sample Schedule 2:
    • Academic Writing and Research (either ENG 101 or FLE 101 for 4 credits)
    • USC 100: Transitioning to a Diverse Community (1 credit) – Satisfies GEP U.S. Diversity
    • GEP Course (3 credits) – one of either Humanities, Social Science, Interdisciplinary Perspectives or Visual Performing Art
  • Sample Schedule 3:
    • A math course (either MA 111 or MA 141 for 3-4 credits) – All students must complete NC State’s math placement assessment before registration advising and enrollment can begin
    • USC 100: Transitioning to a Diverse Community (1 credit) – Satisfies GEP U.S. Diversity
    • GEP Course (3 credits) – one of either Humanities, Social Science, Interdisciplinary Perspectives or Visual Performing Art
  • Sample Schedule 4:
    • A microeconomics course (either EC 201, EC 205, or ARE 201 for 3 credits) – Required for all engineering majors
    • USC 100: Transitioning to a Diverse Community (1 credit) – Satisfies GEP U.S. Diversity
    • GEP Course (3 credits) – one of either Humanities, Social Science, Interdisciplinary Perspectives or Visual Performing Art

To learn more about Summer Start, visit go.ncsu.edu/summerstart. Please feel free to contact the Summer Start staff with any questions at new-students@ncsu.edu or 919.515.1234.

Each year, the College’s Women and Minority Engineering Programs (WMEP) invites newly admitted female engineers to participate in this summer bridge program, where they interact with female engineering faculty members, visit industry sites and get a head start connecting with important people and resources within the College.

Visit the Study Abroad Office’s website to learn more about FYI Abroad.

Fall Semester

The fall begins the Engineering First Year Program.

Wolfpack Welcome Week

Wolfpack Welcome Week (WWW) is held in August, which is the week before classes begin to welcome new students to campus. A variety of engaging and fun University and College activities are scheduled during this time. For more information on event specifics, visit the WWW website.

The College Connection held before the first day of classes is a mixer for engineering first-year students, so they can meet engineering faculty, staff, and other students while listening to music, playing games and eating ice cream. New students learn about engineering student groups on campus and important programs, such as Study Abroad, Co-op and the University Tutorial Center. There is also an academic advisor on hand to answer any questions about the first day of classes, course schedules, academics, etc.

College Welcome

The College Welcome features the Dean of Engineering along with a distinguished speaker to greet and exhort first-year students in their engineering education.

E 102 – Engineering in the 21st Century

This interdisciplinary course provides an overview of the Grand Challenges for Engineering of the 21st century and their relationships to all of engineering disciplines in the College of Engineering. The lectures incorporate examples, guests, and specific readings on the challenges in sustainability, health, vulnerability, and the joy of living to advance civilization into the next century. Students will gain an appreciation for the methods in which engineers, in each discipline, acquire knowledge and design tools or interdisciplinary solutions essential to meet society’s future needs. While required for first-year engineering students, enrollment is open to 25% non-engineering students.

Engineering Career Fair

First-year students are strongly encouraged to explore career paths and to engage early on in their professional development. The Engineering Career Fair is one of the largest career fairs in the country held specifically for engineering students. The event provides allows for engineering students to interact with prospective employers and to learn more about a wide range of industries where engineers are employed. The fall career fair spans two days and attracts over 300 companies.

First-Year Engineering Design Day

Another significant event for students in their first year is the annual First-Year Engineering Design Day, an exciting day of E 101 project team demonstrations. The projects are completed as part of the E 101 – Introduction to Engineering and Problem Solving course and allow students to put core design concepts into practice during their first semester while learning how to work successfully in a design team. Parents and families, you’re invited, and we hope that you’ll join us for the design day!

Spring Semester

E 101 – Introduction to Engineering and Problem-Solving

This is the College of Engineering’s introduction to the discipline and profession. Topics include the engineering design cycle, interdisciplinary teamwork, and problem-solving from a general engineering perspective. The course also includes an overview of academic policies affecting undergraduate engineering students plus exposure to university-wide programs and services.

Engineering Career Fair

First-year students are strongly encouraged to explore career paths and to engage early on in their professional development. The Engineering Career Fair is one of the largest career fairs in the country held specifically for engineering students. The event provides allows for engineering students to interact with prospective employers and to learn more about a wide range of industries where engineers are employed. The spring career fair is one day featuring over 200 companies.

Change of Degree Application (CODA)

When students complete the Engineering First Year Program, they are expected to go through a change of degree application (CODA)* to apply to major in one of the 18 engineering degree programs and continue their path towards becoming a great engineer.

*Note: The Change of Degree Application was formerly called the Change of Degree Audit. The acronym is still CODA.

Contact Us

Office of Academic Affairs

111 Lampe
Campus Box 7904
College of Engineering
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7904
Phone: 919.515.3263
Fax: 919.515.8702

Email: engineering@ncsu.edu