Your First Year
The first year of study in the Pratt School of Engineering is largely common to all engineers, with seven of the eight first year courses being completely transferable between the four engineering majors. The first year curriculum offers:
- a general education in the fundamentals of mathematics, physics and chemistry, on which the science and practice of engineering are based;
- instruction in modern engineering problem solving skills, including the use of digital technology for both computational and laboratory applications;
- an exposure to the range of career opportunities in engineering; and
- the opportunity to explore intellectual opportunities in Trinity College, through satisfaction of the University writing requirement and selection of a humanities and social sciences elective.
Students predisposed toward a particular Pratt major use the eighth course to begin fulfilling degree requirements for that major as indicated below, while undecided students are encouraged to use this eighth course to aid in their subsequent selection of a major. EGR 90(10) (Introduction to Engineering), a seminar course in which both disciplinary and multi-disciplinary opportunities in engineering are explored. EGR 90 (10) is recommended for first year students who are undecided and need more information to explore their engineering options. EGR 90 (10) is a fall semester only course.
Curriculum General Layout
| First Semester | Second Semester |
| Mathematics 111L(31L) | Mathematics 112L(32L) |
| Chemistry 101DL(31L) | Physics 151L(61L) |
| Writing 101(20) or Humanities/Soc. Sci. Elective | Writing 101(20) or Humanities/Soc. Sci. Elective |
| Engineering 103L(53L)* | Technical Course (see below) |
| Engineering 90(10)** |
The above assumes no advanced placement credit. In the event that such credit is granted for one or more of the above courses, substitutions of upper level technical requirements can be made or other curricular interests may be pursued (including freshman focus programs, or initiation of a second major/minor). The first year technical course should be selected according to the student's intended major, if known:
- Undecided: Biology 201L(101) or one of the classes listed below
- Biomedical Engineering: Chemistry 210DL(32L) or 201DL(151L)
- Civil Engineering: Engineering 120(25L)
- Electrical and Computer Engineering: Electrical & Computer Engineering 110L(27L)
- Mechanical Engineering: Engineering 121L(20)
*Note: All engineering students must take EGR 103L(53), Computational Methods in Engineering, preferably in the fall semester. Only under special circumstances should students plan to take this course in the spring semester.
**Half credit course that is optional and recommended only for students who are unsure of which area of engineering they would like to pursue.
