Engineering Course Selection Guide

Sample Fall Semester Schedule

Course 1 | First-Year Writing Requirement

Choose: Writing and Rhetoric or University Seminar

You must take a University Seminar (USEM) in your first year. If you do not have Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credit for Writing and Rhetoric, you must also take Writing and Rhetoric in your first year. 

If you need to take both a USEM and Writing and Rhetoric in your first year, you will take one in the fall semester and the other in the spring semester. You can take the USEM and Writing and Rhetoric in either order. You cannot take them both in the same semester.

If you have AP or IB credit for Writing and Rhetoric, you should take a USEM or a Core course as described below. You can discuss your options with your first-year advisor. 

Students are only allowed to take one USEM while at Notre Dame.

Course 2 | Engineering Requirement

Choose: EG 10117: Engineering Design

EG 10117 is required for all students considering a major in Engineering. It introduces students to the field of engineering, helps them to discern which engineering discipline would be the best major for them, and challenges them to learn and engage in the engineering design process.

Course 3 | Engineering Requirement

Choose: MATH 10550: Calculus I or appropriate-level calculus course

Consult the Calculus Requirements by Major page for guidance on selecting and registering for a calculus course. If you have Advanced Credit for Calculus I or Calculus I and II, take the next level of calculus for which you do not have credit. 

Course 4 | Engineering Requirement

Choose: CHEM 10171: Introduction to Chemical Principles

If you have AP or IB credit for the equivalent of CHEM 10171, take PHYS 10310: Engineering Physics I: Mechanics. If you have AP or IB credit for the equivalent of CHEM 10171 and PHYS 10310, you should discuss with your advisor which course to take instead.

Students who are considering a health profession must take CHEM 10171 regardless of AP or IB credit. 

Course 5 | Optional Core Course

Choose: A course for the Core Curriculum

Liberal Arts 1, 2, and 3 requirements of the Core are generally satisfied by courses in the Engineering curriculum, so your best options are to search for Liberal Arts 4, 5, or 6 courses; Foundational Theology courses; and Introductory Philosophy courses. Review this video for instructions on how to search for these categories using PATH Class Search.

If your choices for Courses 1 through 4 and Course 6 total at least 15 credits, you are not required to take Course 5. Your first-year advisor will help you decide which option is best for you. 

Course 6 | Moreau First Year Experience

Choose: A section of FYS 10101: Moreau First Year Experience based on your assigned campus neighborhood

Read the instructions for selecting a section of FYS 10101 here.

Sample Spring Semester Schedule

Course 1 | First-Year Writing Requirement

Choose: Writing and Rhetoric or University Seminar

If you did not take a USEM in the fall semester, you must take one in the spring semester. 

If you took a USEM in the fall semester and do not have AP or IB credit for Writing and Rhetoric, you must take Writing and Rhetoric in the spring semester.

If you took a USEM in the fall semester and have AP or IB credit for Writing and Rhetoric, you should take a Core course in the spring semester.

Students are only allowed to take one USEM while at Notre Dame.

Course 2 | Engineering Requirement

Choose: EG 10118: Engineering Computing

EG 10118 is required for all students considering a major in Engineering. It teaches students basic understanding of computing hardware and software tools and how to use these tools to model, analyze, and solve engineering problems. Both MATLAB and Python are used to teach basic programming concepts.

Course 3 | Engineering Requirement

Choose: MATH 10560: Calculus II or appropriate-level calculus course

Consult the Calculus Requirements by Major page for guidance on selecting and registering for a calculus course.

If you have completed MATH 10560, take MATH 20550: Calculus III.

If you have completed MATH 20550, take MATH 20580: Introduction to Linear Algebra and Differential Equations. 

Course 4 | Engineering Requirement

Choose: PHYS 10310: Engineering Physics I: Mechanics

If you have AP or IB credit for the equivalent of PHYS 10310, you should take PHYS 10320: Engineering Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism.

If you have AP or IB credit for the equivalent of PHYS 10310 and PHYS 10320, you should discuss with your advisor which course to take instead.

Students who are considering a health profession must take PHYS 10310 regardless of AP or IB credit. 

Course 5 | Engineering Technical Elective or Core Course or Organic Chemistry

Choose: An appropriate technical elective for your major or a course for the Core Curriculum or CHEM 10172 

Many of the Engineering majors have recommended first-year technical electives that students may take in order to further explore their interest in the major. Your first-year advisor will share the list of these courses before registration.

Students may elect to take a Core course instead of a technical elective.

Students who are considering a health profession must take CHEM 10172: Organic Structure and Reactivity.

Course 6 | Moreau First Year Experience

Choose: A section of FYS 10102: Moreau First Year Experience

There are no neighborhoods for Moreau in the spring semester. You can select any section that is available and fits your schedule.