Your First Year
This is Going to be Great
Your first year as a Duke engineering student is more than just a course schedule. It’s a carefully curated immersive experience that sets you up for long-term success.
Welcome Class of 2029!
You’re about to receive what we call the Duke Engineering Signature Experience. It will be an amazing year.
On the first day, you’ll dive into hands-on design projects and begin to think like a programmer.
You’ll gain key skills over the fall and spring, including critical thinking and effective academic writing. You’ll build up stores of grit and resilience. And, we’ll start a sustained conversation about your sense of purpose.
Our Innovative Team Approach to Learning
No one goes through our First Year Experience alone. Far from it. Our team approach to advising surrounds students with supportive coaching through 360 degrees.
You’ll be proud (and a little amazed) of all you’ve accomplished at the end of your first two semesters. Plus, you’ll feel confident going into Year 2, knowing you’ve got what it takes to be a Duke Engineer.
The Duke Engineering Signature Experience
Yes, We Have the Technology
The Lawrence Lenihan Design Pod is a 5,000-square-foot maker space specially built for Duke’s First-Year Design course. FYD teams also meet in The Foundry, another awesomely equipped design studio at Duke.
Year 1 Course Schedule
For the Duke Engineering Class of 2029
When you begin building, you start with the foundation. That tracks, right? Your first courses set up a sturdy base of knowledge and skills you’ll use at Duke—and for the rest of your life.
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|
| First-Year Design (EGR 101L) | Your First Engineering Course |
| First-Year Computing (EGR 105L) | Writing 120 |
| Chemistry (CHEM 101DL) | Mathematics (MATH 112L) |
| Mathematics (MATH 111L) | Physics (PHYSICS 151L) |
Important Notes
- The table above assumes no Advanced Placement (AP) or International Placement (IPC) credits in math, chemistry or computer science
- Students enrolled in the Focus Program should discuss their fall course schedule with their Academic Dean
Suggested First Engineering Courses
Undecided? Discuss your interests and explore your options with your faculty advisor.
| Prospective Major | Course |
|---|---|
| Biomedical Engineering | BIOLOGY 201L Gateway to Biology |
| Civil Engineering | CEE 132L Engineering the Planet |
| Electrical & Computer Engineering | ECE 110L Fundamentals of Electrical & Computer Engineering |
| Environmental Engineering | CEE 132L Engineering the Planet |
| Mechanical Engineering | EGR 121L Engineering Innovation |
Your Academic Dean
You’ll consult with the same dean throughout your time at Duke, creating a strong professional relationship. Together, you’ll craft a personalized academic plan.
Lupita Temiquel-McMillian
Assistant Dean for Advising & Student Affairs
Academic Dean Assignments
Class of 2028
| Student Surname Begins | Academic Dean |
|---|---|
| A to Ha | Dean Cooke |
| He to O | Dean Rawls |
| P to Z | Dean Temiquel-McMillian |
