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College of Engineering

First-Year Engineering

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 required for all first-year students designed 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 please visit 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 Women & Minority Engineering Program invites hundreds of newly admitted engineers to participate in this summer bridge program, where they interact with engineering faculty members, visit industry sites and get an early start on their membership in the engineering family. You will spend a week on campus with us, make new friends, do exciting engineering activities, eat (A LOT), and maybe even meet someone who will hire you for your first job! Summer orientation is a part of the experience. Watch your email for an invitation!

Visit the Study Abroad Office’s website to learn more about Incoming First-Year Study Abroad.

Fall Semester

The fall begins the Engineering First Year Program.

Wolfpack Welcome Week

Wolfpack Welcome Week (WWW) is held in August the first week of classes. During WWW a variety of fun events are scheduled to welcome new students to campus. For more information on event specifics, visit the WWW website.

The Engineering College Connection event is a mixer for new engineering students, that allows them to meet engineering academic advisors and other students while listening to music, playing games, and eating ice cream. Additionally, this event hosts an engineering student organization fair to help new students get engaged.

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. These Engineering Grand Challenges have been identified by the National Academy of Engineering and are sorted into four categories: Health, Joy of Living, Security, and Sustainability. 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 engage in their professional development as soon as possible. The Engineering Career Fair is one of the largest career fairs in the country held specifically for engineering students. The event allows engineering students to interact with prospective employers and to learn more about a wide range of industries. The fall career fair spans two days and attracts over 300 companies.

Grand Challenge Poster Competition

This event is an end-of-semester opportunity for first-year engineering student teams to showcase their research and creative solutions to help those most impacted by the world’s greatest engineering challenges. Projects are completed as part of the E 102 – Engineering in the 21st Century course and allow students to think big and put core research concepts, universal design, and systems thinking into practice while learning how to work successfully in a team. Projects will be evaluated by course instructors, campus partners, and engineers from various industries.

Spring Semester

E 101 – Introduction to Engineering and Problem-Solving

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

Students also have the option to participate in an E101 Spring Break Abroad section. Students participating in these sections will complete much for their E101 course work abroad in Kenya, Prague (Czech Republic), or Quito (Ecuador).

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 allows 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.

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 project team demonstrations. 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 year 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!

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