Mar 29, 2024  
2016-2017 University Catalog 
    
2016-2017 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

First Year Engineering


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First-Year Engineering at Purdue

The First-Year Engineering (FYE) Program of the School of Engineering Education is the entry point for all beginning engineering students. In the FYE program, students complete foundational coursework in math, science, engineering, and communications (oral and written). After this common first year, students choose their discipline of engineering and start to follow the plan of study of a particular degree program. The mission of this student-oriented program is to advise, prepare, and retain outstanding students for degree programs in Purdue’s College of Engineering.

Talk to an FYE Advisor

30+ credits
C- or better for any course used

Grade Average


To complete FYE, the student’s cumulative GPA must be of 2.00 or greater, and an Engineering Admissions Index (EAI) must be 2.00 or greater. Calculation of the EAI is equivalent to the calculation of GPA for courses used to meet all FYE requirements above. If a student meets a requirement in more than one way, only one will be used to calculate the EAI. The FYE Curriculum Committee will be responsible for keeping an updated, clear, and universal set of rules for determining which course is used in EAI for these situations. These rules are available to students in the FYE Advising office.

Typical plan of study


The requirements listed above are designed to be completed in two semesters (typically fall and spring) of full-time on-campus study. Individual plans of study may vary depending on student interest and ability, and on previously earned credit (through AP, dual-credit high school courses, etc.). However, a standard plan of study is listed below. The semesters (fall and spring) are listed for a typical student beginning FYE in the fall term, but all courses are offered in both terms.

Transitioning to a degree program


After completion of the FYE program, students may transition to one of fifteen degree programs in engineering (i.e., Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Civil, etc.); this happens through the “Transition to Major” (or T2M) process. As a student nears completion of FYE, he or she will inform FYE of their preferred choices of degree program/major. If the degree program is not at capacity, all students completing FYE requirements and requesting that degree program will be admitted. If the program is at capacity, admission will be based on academic record, including GPA, EAI, and grades in specific courses. In recent years, more than 90% of FYE students are placed into their first choice degree program.

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