Engineering is the natural extension of your childhood curiosity about how things work. The purpose of engineering study is to enhance your abilities to explore, experiment, design, and produce.
The engineering curriculum trains you to use physical laws for creating objects and processes that offer solutions for industry, business, and individuals. It takes dedication and hard work to learn about these structures that govern the world we live in, and how to simplify and apply them creatively. It also involves taking appropriate risks, learning from failures, and developing a keen sense of the aesthetics of good design.
Our Engineering Fundamentals faculty appreciate that working on an engineering project is a creative act (the words engineer and ingenious share the same Latin root). They also recognize that even as beginning engineering students, the accomplishment of real solutions to genuine problems is a necessary—and fun—part of your education.
The First-Year Student Village
In an effort to increase student success, historic Perkins Hall has been transformed into the heart of the Engineering Fundamentals Division. Perkins features newly remodeled laboratory classrooms for hands-on activities, a large student workshop and project area, the Innovation and Collaboration Studio, a computer classroom, study rooms, and an open computer lab.
All EFD instructors have offices in Perkins and are always available to support students of diverse backgrounds and skill levels. Help sessions, discussion boards, and extensive web-based supplemental materials are just some of the additional resources that make Perkins a truly unique learning community.
Engage Living & Learning Community
All qualified first-year engineering students have the option to live in the Engage Living & Learning Community, a residence hall floor exclusively for admitted engineering students.