First-Year Engineering program
The First-Year Engineering program provides students with practical, 'hands-on' engineering experience through project-based design courses. First-Year Engineering is comprised of Fundamentals of Engineering, a two-course sequence, and Fundamentals of Engineering for Honors, a three-course sequence.
Fundamentals of Engineering
The College of Engineering at Ohio State is committed to providing students with high-quality education in a challenging, supportive environment. To help accomplish this goal, the Fundamentals of Engineering program was created. This engineering curriculum for freshmen provides teams of students with practical, 'hands-on' engineering experience through project-based design courses.
The Engineering 181 and 183 course sequence is designed to give students a broad understanding of the principles of engineering. This two-quarter sequence teaches fundamental engineering skills to prepare students for future engineering courses and jobs. To expose students to different engineering disciplines, the professors for the courses come from various departments.
Individualized attention
Instructional sessions are kept to 72 students, while lab sessions consist of 36 students. Engineering faculty teach all core topics. In addition, graduate students, peer mentors, and additional lab instructors provide extra assistance for students.
Facilities
Students work and learn in labs and classrooms designed to promote active learning.
Computer Skills
Students are introduced to a variety of software packages, primarily for CAD and data acquisition.
Team Work:
All lab experiences are team-based. Students also participate inTeam-Building Workshops to further develop their team skills.
Communications
Students gain both written and oral communication skills through presentations and technical reports on engineering topics.
Program Content
Basic skills used in all engineering disciplines:
- Teamwork and Project Management
- 3-D visualization and sketching
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
- Oral presentations & technical reports
- MATLAB (computational tool)
- Design Process
Hands-on, Team-based Experiences:
- Circuitry and components of the single-use camera
- Composition and testing of materials used in bicycle frames
- Bridge building competition
- Sensors and basic electronics
- Transport Phenomena (e.g., heat transfer and viscosity)
- Quarter-long design-build project (e.g., roller coaster project or nanotechnology "lab-on-a-chip" project)
Mentoring
Undergraduates work alongside the faculty and graduate teaching associates to further promote student success.
Eligibility/Registration
First year students enrolled in the College of Engineering may take the Fundamentals of Engineering sequence. Those placing in Math 150 or higher take Engineering 181 Autumn quarter. Those placing in Math 140 or 148 can enroll in Engineering 181 starting Winter quarter.
Comments from Past Students
"I have definitely learned about the different engineering fields. I feel prepared to concentrate on my major now."
"Keeping the same students in the FE program for two quarters fostered a sense of belonging."
"The instructors took time to explain difficult concepts in a way that made sense to me."
For more information contact:
John Merrill, Ph.D., Program Director
College of Engineering
The Ohio State University
244C Hitchcock Hall
2070 Neil Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43210-1275
614-292-0650
merrill.25@osu.edu
For information regarding the Fundamentals Engineering for Honors sequence, please visit their website at: http://feh.osu.edu
