In your very first year at Duke, you receive instruction in real-world design—through our first-year design course, EGR 101L

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The First Year

Welcome to your first year as a Duke Engineer!

Duke Engineering's signature educational experience prepares you to be an engineer who is inspired & equipped to solve complex societal problems—making you a confident creator ready to reshape the world.

This experience starts during your very first year at Duke.

The First-Year Curriculum

Our Duke Engineering undergraduate first-year curriculum offers:

Course Layout

Assuming no AP or IPC creditSee Note 1:

Fall Semester

  • Mathematics 111L
  • Chemistry 101DL
  • Writing 101
  • Engineering 101LSee Note 2

Spring Semester

Notes

1. Important: If you have AP or IPC credit

If Advanced Placement (AP) or International Placement (IPC) credit is granted for one or more of the above courses, students should take EGR 103L Computational Methods in the fall semester.

Students with AP Math credit should consult the AP table and Department of Mathematics placement guidelines to determine appropriate math course placement.

Email pratt-advising@duke.edu for assistance interpreting such credit as it pertains to course selection.

2. All students must take EGR 101L and EGR 103L

All engineering students must take EGR 101L Engineering Design and Communication in the fall semester.

Students with AP or IPC credit for any of the above must take EGR 103L Computatonal Methods in the fall semester.

3. Suggested First-Year Technical Courses

The technical course in your first spring semester should be selected according to your intended major, if known:

  • Undecided: Biology 201L or one of the classes listed below
  • Biomedical Engineering: Biology 201L
  • Civil Engineering: CEE 132L
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering: ECE 110L
  • Environmental Engineering: CEE 132L
  • Mechanical Engineering: EGR 121L