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.

All about Duke's First-Year Design Experience
More about your First Year at Duke
Explore the First Year curriculum
Meet the Academic Deans

Components of the First Year

Duke Engineering's signature First-Year Curriculum
The First-Year Design Experience
360 Advising
Coaching Fellows and Peer Advisors
Opportunities to explore and engage topics important to you

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:

AP Math should consult the AP table and Department of Mathematics placement guidelines to determine appropriate math course placement
AP Computer Science should take CS 201 Data Structures and Algorithms to satisfy the engineering Digital Computation requirement.

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:

First-Year Design (EGR 101L Engineering Design and Communication) in the fall or spring semester
A Digital Computation course. See Note 1 for information about which course to select to satisfy this requirement

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

benjamin.cooke@duke.edu	carmen.rawls@duke.edu	lupita.mcmillian@duke.edu