First-Year Engineering
The First-Year Engineering Program is designed to help first year students build a solid foundation for their engineering education. All new students take a common set of classes, which includes an introduction to engineering class. This class will help students get to know all the different engineering fields, and choose a major that is right for them.
First-Year Engineering is more than just a set of classes
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Tutoring and
Supplemental Instruction -
Academic and
Career Advising -
Academic Skills
Development -
Computer Labs and Areas for Tutoring and Study Groups
First-Year Curriculum:
The First-Year Engineering Academic Program is a two-semester program required for
all incoming freshmen starting in the College of Engineering and all transfer students
who have not completed Calculus I. Students are initially declared as “Engineering
First Year Student”. During the spring semester, students will select their major
and transition to their new department to begin discipline-specific courses their
second year.
The two-semester curriculum includes the following:
- Introduction to Engineering I and II
- Two mathematics courses
- Science courses based on student’s math progress
- Composition I and II
- At least one university core elective
FEP is designed to provide proactive support for all new freshmen entering the College of Engineering. Particular emphasis is placed on academic, personal and career success, which leads to student success.
The First-Year curriculum for can be found in the Catalog of Studies. Students who do not qualify to start in Calculus I will have an adjusted first-year schedule.
Choosing a Major
All incoming first-year engineering students have their majors set to “Engineering
First Year Student”. In the first-year engineering courses, students learn about the
nine engineering disciplines offered at the University of Arkansas so they can make
an informed decision about their major.
Students will declare their major in March during a Decision Day celebration. After
Decision Day, students enrolled in Calculus I or higher will be advised by their new
department. Students taking Precalculus in the spring will continue with the First-Year
Engineering Program until they complete Calculus I.
Orientation
During the college meeting, you will learn about Engineering One-Stop, courses for your first semester, meet one-on-one with an academic advisor, and register for courses. Parents and supporters, we encourage you to attend with your student. You will attend group presentations so you can ask questions at that time. Needing to change your major, orientation session, or have other questions for NSO?
Please see the New Student Orientation FAQs on the U of A Orientation website.
Peer Mentoring
To help first year students ease the transition from high school to college, each
student is paired with an upperclass engineering student to help with academic, professional,
and personal development.
Students will meet weekly with a peer mentor through the fall and spring semesters.
Peer mentors will share the lessons they have learned and answer any questions students
may have about academics, extracurricular activities, balancing school and fun, and
anything else they may want to ask.
Most importantly, they are great listeners and are willing to help if students need
to bounce ideas off someone or discuss a problem or frustration they may be experiencing.
Honors Experience
Engineering students in the Honors College with AP Calculus I credit can apply for the FEP Honors Experience for advanced learning beyond Introduction to Engineering I and II. The AP math requirement is waived for graduates of schools that don’t offer AP math, such as the Arkansas School of Math, Science, and the Arts.
Participants in the Honors Experience will also enroll in a specialized Introduction to Engineering course. This course includes self-paced online work to master fundamental engineering skills and in-person drills to explore various engineering majors and develop professional skills.
Student have two programs to choose from:
Honors Research Experience
These students attend weekly research seminars delivered by University of Arkansas faculty and learn to utilize library resources to conduct background research on engineering topics. Students also begin working in teams of two on undergraduate research projects defined and mentored by College of Engineering faculty. Students continue with Research Experience II in the spring. Students in this theme select from a list of pre-determine projects which focus on the science and technology side of engineering and use systematic processes to learn about knowledge gaps, concepts and designs within the fields of engineering.
Honors Innovation Experience
These students explore topics in innovation and entrepreneurship including lean start-ups, intellectual property, venture capital, product cost and marketing channels by industry professionals. Students work in interdisciplinary teams of engineering and business students and have University faculty mentors with experience in innovation to guide their innovative design projects. Students continue with Innovation Experience II in the spring. Students in this theme generate their own innovative project idea which focus on the business and technology side of engineering and idea generation through customer discovery and prototyping.
Have Questions? Interested in Participating?
All questions regarding the Honors Experience and the application process should be directed to fep@uark.edu.
If you are interested in enrolling in Honors Research Experience (GNEG 131H1) or Honors Innovation Experience (GNEG 141H1), complete the application and we will add the class to your schedule before orientation. If you are unsure if this is the right opportunity for you, you may also enroll in either course during New Student Orientation, space permitting, on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Freshman of the Year
Each year we recognize one student from our incoming first-year engineering class
as Freshman of the Year. Students may either self-nominate or are nominated by First-Year
Engineering Program faculty, staff, or teaching assistants. The award recipient is
selected based upon his/her academic excellence, leadership, and involvement as a
first-year engineering student. The First-Year Engineering Program faculty and staff
evaluate the nominees to select the finalists. A committee of faculty and staff representing
the College of Engineering interview the finalists to select the Freshman of the Year.
The winner receives an award as well as a book scholarship at the Annual College of
Engineering Student Awards Reception.
Contact us at fep@uark.edu for questions on how nominate a student.
FAQs
The college of engineering requires that entering first year students have a laptop computer and strongly recommends that entering students obtain a computer that meets or exceeds the college’s requirements. The most up to date engineering specifications for laptops can be found on our IT Services website. The minimum requirements for the entering fall class are updated annually in the spring. The College recommends that you wait until the summer to purchase a new computer to get the most up to date system.
An adjustment to your financial aid for the purchase of a computer may be available by completing a Budget Adjustment Form through the University Financial Aid Office.
Math placement is determined by the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Math is key in the First-Year Engineering Program as it determines the science and engineering courses new students will enroll in.
There are four ways to determine math placement:
- ACT or SAT scores.
- College credit for a prerequisite course.
- AP, IB or CLEP credit.
- Taking the math placement test.
If you ever feel like you are having a hard time processing information in a specific class, it is highly encouraged that you begin to check out the various resources the campus provides to assist. One of those resources is tutoring. Campus tutoring resources include Student Success for various subjects and the Math Resource and Teaching Center for math specific help. Some departments may also have specific tutors for hire available upon request.
While not tutoring, we encourage students to make use of their instructor’s office hours, any course that offers Supplemental Instruction (CHEM 1103’s SI is required part of the course), and the Physics Library as means of helping when you reach academic roadblocks or just wish to better refine your knowledge.