|
|
|
Jul 18, 2026
|
|
2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
First-Year Student Engineering Program
|
|
|
Requirements
All engineering first-year students pursue a common academic program, selecting a major upon completion. The first-year student curriculum includes two, specially designed, engineering-oriented courses and two, integrated Engineering Composition courses. These courses provide first-year students with an overview of the various engineering disciplines, introduce certain engineering skills and tools, and acquaint students with the engineering problem solving process. First-year students also participate in an engineering seminar, facilitated by the students’ Academic Advisors and a team of Engineering Peer Leaders. These seminars provide general information on the transition to college and the improvement of study skills and provide an overview of the various engineering fields so that first year students can make an informed choice of majors at the end of the first year. Students are also given opportunities to visit the various Engineering major departments in order to talk to the faculty and learn about the specific academic requirements. All engineering first-year students participate in the First-Year Student Engineering Conference during the Spring Term. For more information on the First-Year Engineering Program, visit https://www.engineering.pitt.edu/firstyear.
The first year student curriculum is detailed below:
Credits: 17
In the spring semester of the first year, engineering students typically continue with the second course in each sequence they began in the fall. For example, students who take Calculus I in the fall enroll in Calculus II in the spring. For science courses, students complete the second course of the science they started in the fall and begin the first course of the other science. For example, a student who takes Chemistry I in the fall will take Chemistry II and Physics I in the spring.
Note: All engineering students are required to complete a basic science laboratory in their time at Pitt. Students will have the option to complete this in the first year, but it is not a required component of the first-year curriculum. Advisors will work with students to plan for this lab based on student goals and/or intended major.
Honors Courses for Engineering First Year Students
Outstanding first-year engineering students are eligible to participate in the David C. Frederick Honors College. Entering first-year students admitted to the David C. Frederick Honors College or given permission from an Academic Advisor may be eligible for honors courses. Students participating in the David C. Frederick Honors College may take honors courses that substitute for regular required course offerings in their first two terms. For more information on the David C. Frederick Honors College, visit www.honorscollege.pitt.edu
Honors courses offered include:
Credits: 17
*Students who receive a C or higher in MATH 0235 will be awarded advanced standing credit for MATH 0220 .
Credits: 17 or 18
*Students who earn a C or higher in MATH 0235 for the first term may take MATH 0240 the second term and will be awarded advanced standing credit for MATH 0220 .
In the spring semester of the first year, engineering students typically continue with the second course in each sequence they began in the fall. For example, students who take Calculus I in the fall enroll in Calculus II in the spring. For science courses, students complete the second course of the science they started in the fall and begin the first course of the other science. For example, a student who takes honors Chemistry I in the fall will take honors Chemistry II and Physics I in the spring.
|
|
|
|
