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Prospective Students

The Freshman Program

Valparaiso University feels that it is important for students to begin their engineering careers on a positive note. We ensure this by having all freshmen engineering students take GE 100, Exploring Engineering.

GE 100 is a one-semester course that provides an introduction to the engineering profession using hands-on projects to develop engineering skills. Topics include basic theory for each engineering major, engineering professional issues, computer applications, and academic survival skills. Teamwork is emphasized.

Students work in teams on hands-on projects in a recitation (laboratory) setting. These are small sections with a faculty mentor and two student mentors guiding the projects. The projects might include:

Civil Engineering: In lecture, learn about tensive and compressive forces. In recitation, test the strength of materials and then design a bridge.

Mechanical Engineering: In lecture, learn about energy transfer (thermodynamics) and in recitation, build a steam-powered vehicle to test against other vehicles in a drag race.

Electrical Engineering: In lecture, learn about circuit design and logic and in recitation, design and build an entrance security system.

Problem Solving: In lecture, learn the techniques of problem solving and in recitation, practice them by building a LEGO Robotics vehicle, and programming it to complete an obstacle course.

At the end of this course, students will see a positive and substantial improvement in their ability to:

Describe engineering, including aspects such as problem solving and ethics.

Identify and describe the engineering disciplines (civil, electrical, mechanical, and computer) and typical projects.

Choose a major or devise a plan to choose a major.

Discuss various options within engineering both as an undergraduate (co-op, study abroad etc.) and as a graduate (careers).

Understand basic principles in civil, electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering.

Work in a team environment.

Identify with their new engineering "family", including both faculty and students.