First-Year Engineering

First-Year Engineering is the launchpad for all engineering students at Purdue.

A writer can’t put pen to paper without first learning the alphabet. Much like a contractor can’t raise a strong structure without a solid foundation.

Establishing the basics is a crucial first step toward success, which is why we’ve established and continue to evolve our innovative First-Year Engineering program – to allow our engineering students to cultivate a strong foundation on which to achieve their vision and make their mark on the world.

Through this program, we educate thousands of students annually, providing them the time and resources to explore the engineering disciplines offered at the college and advising them to follow educational paths that spark something brilliant inside of them. We train, test and challenge our students, encouraging them to identify their strengths, redirect their weaknesses and define their resolve, setting them on course to go beyond what they thought was possible.

Bolstered by a research-bases curriculum, we generate better outcomes, better students, better engineers.

There are many pathways through First-Year Engineering. Our core curriculum is mapped out for potential and current students to review.

First-Year Engineering Advising

2021-22 Office Operations

Are you a current First-Year Engineering student and have questions or concerns? Your assigned academic advisor is ready to assist you with your needs! We welcome and encourage you to schedule an appointment through Boiler Connect. We look forward to helping you!

ARMS 1300 Reception

Our hours of operation are Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM-Noon and 1:00-5:00 PM.

In addition to in-person reception, we will continue to provide a “Virtual Receptionist” available Monday-Friday; 8:00 AM-Noon and 1:00-5:00 PM.  This will provide an opportunity to advise students who are unable to meet in person. 

Note that in compliance with Purdue Purdue policies, face masks must be worn in the building and offices during advising meetings. 

Advising

First-Year Engineering advisors will be advising both in-person and virtually online. Students will be able to make appointments with their assigned advisor through Boiler Connect. Advisors will offer 30-minute appointments throughout the hours of operation. 

In-person appointments start with check-in at reception in ARMS 1300. 

Virtual appointments start with check-in via Virtual Reception.

First Week of Classees: August 23-27
All advisors will be conducting walk-in meetings (no scheduled appointments) for the first week of classes. Students are encouraged to either stop in ARMS 1300 to check-in at the front desk and meet with their advisor, or they can navigate to the virtual reception link above to check-in and meet with their advisor online. Students can begin making appointments with their advisor on Monday, August 30, 2021 and CODO-In students can begin visiting with an FYE advisor on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.

Spring Registration Advising

Spring registration advising will begin during the second week in September. Students will receive an email from their assigned advisor. The email will explain the purpose of the appointment and provide information that will help the student prepare for Spring registration advising. The email will also encourage the student to make an advising appointment through Boiler Connect in a timely fashion. Spring registration advising will continue until the end of the fall semester.

Prospective Students

Due to the large number of students in First-Year Engineering, virtual “drop-in” meetings with potential CODO-in students will begin after the second week of the fall semester. Prospective CODO-in students can establish a virtual “drop-in” appointment beginning September 7.  Before making a virtual “drop-in” appointment, the prospective CODO-in student needs to have viewed the First-Year Engineering **CODO video and have spoken with their current college advisor about the CODO process.

**The CODO video and other pertinent First-Year Engineering information. 

Last Updated: August 13, 2021; Special Note: OFFICE OPERATIONS may change at any time.

Course Syllabi

ENGR 131 Syllabus

ENGR 132 Syllabus

ENGR 133 Syllabus (EPICS)

Core Curriculum Map

Required Course Descriptions

Information on all courses at Purdue is available at mypurdue.purdue.edu. You also can review course descriptions or view our map of the 30 credit-hours curriculum with advising information and latest retention data. 

Last Updated July 27, 2020

Beginning in the Fall 2018, First-Year Engineering students explored the engineering majors at Purdue using a new series of Career Exploration videos and engaging in out-of-class activities led by the schools and divisions of engineering. This replaced a former career exploration program of school presentations during classtime. 

Student Resources

Get ahead and watch informative videos about each discipline of engineering at Purdue University.

Also, check out the College of Engineering School Degree Areas.

Alumni Highlight: Making Sense of ENGR 131/132

"I wanted to let you know how helpful ENGR 131/132 has been since I have started my career at UTC Aerospace Systems. A lot of what I have been doing so far involves team dynamics, working with new people (customers), and a lot of Microsoft Excel use. In all honesty, it was hard for me to see the point of some of the lessons being taught both as a student and a peer teacher. However, I just wanted to commend you and your team for all of your hard work in truly preparing me for life in the engineering world."

Michael Davidson, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, May 2015 Graduate