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The First Year

Welcome Class of 2027!

This will be an exciting year—

In the classroom and lab, you will be immersed in real-world, hands-on design. And, you'll begin your training in computing and data science, chemistry, mathematics and physics. You will grow critical-thinking skills and develop important communication skills.

Just as important, we'll start a sustained conversation about your sense of purpose.

Plus, we've designed experiences and provided support that will help build your motivation to become an engineer who makes a difference in the world.


Components of the First Year


The First-Year Curriculum

Fall Semester

  • First-Year Design EGR 101  Note 3
  • Mathematics 111L
  • Chemistry 101DL Note 2
  • Digital Computation (some may be assigned to Writing 101) Note 4

Spring Semester

  • Mathematics 112L
  • Physics 151L
  • Technical Course Note 5
  • Writing 101 (Digital Computation for those assigned to Writing 101 in the Fall) Note 4

This table assumes no AP or IPC credit Note 1

Important Notes

1. If You Have AP or IPC Credit

Students with credit for:

Students without AP Computer science credit should take EGR 103L Computational Methods.

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

2. Chemistry Placement

  • Students without AP Chemistry credit should enroll in CHEM 101DL
  • Students who plan to major in Civil Engineering (CE), Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), Environmental Engineering (EnvE) or Mechanical Engineering (ME) have satisfied the chemistry requirement with a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Chemistry exam
  • Students who plan to major in Biomedical Engineering (BME), and received an AP Chemistry exam:
    • Score of 5—Should enroll in CHEM 201DL
    • Score of 4—Should enroll in CHEM 101DL or CHEM 110DL

See chemistry placement guidelines »

Contact pratt-advising@duke.edu for guidance on appropriate chemistry placement.

3. All First-Year students take Design and Digital Computation Courses

All first-year Duke Engineering students take:

4. Writing 101

  • Students assigned to Writing 101 in the Fall should enroll in a writing section
  • Students not assigned to Writing 101 in the Fall should enroll in a Digital Computation course

5. Suggested First 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 & Computer Engineering—ECE 110L
  • Environmental Engineering—CEE 132L
  • Mechanical Engineering—EGR 121L

Academic Deans

For the Class of 2027, your dean is assigned by your last name

A-He

Her-O

P-Z

Dean Ben Cooke

Dean Carmen Rawls

Dean Lupita
Temiquel-McMillian

Ben Cooke Carmen Rawls Lupita Temiquel-McMillian
benjamin.cooke@duke.edu carmen.rawls@duke.edu lupita.mcmillian@duke.edu