<p>The Engineering First® program is an innovative first-year curriculum for McCormick undergraduates. The program gives Northwestern engineering students the fundamentals of a successful engineering education, and lets them experience more real engineering early in their undergraduate careers. The program is composed of two integrated sequences: Engineering Analysis and Engineering Design and Communication.</p>
<p>Engineering</a> First<sup></sup> Program - Northwestern University: McCormick School of Engineering
Coursework</a> Overview - Northwestern University: McCormick School of Engineering
[url=<a href="http://ea1.mccormick.northwestern.edu/home/%5DEngineering">http://ea1.mccormick.northwestern.edu/home/]Engineering</a> First - EA1: Home<a href="sample%20materials/syllabus%20for%20the%20first%20course%20in" title="Engineering Analysis">/url</a></p>
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This sequence replaces the five courses Math 221 - Linear Alegebra, Math 217 - Differential Equations, Civil Engineering 212 - Engineering Mechanics, Physics 135-1 - General Physics, and Computer Science 110 - Computer Programming formerly required for all McCormick freshmen.
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The 5 courses are still required in just about any other engineering schools. As an engineer, I can tell you the Engineering Analysis sequence is pedagogically superior. I am sure many practicing engineers can recall how boring linear algebra and differential equations classes from the math department were. But when you get to apply them for engineering problems and case studies while learning the concepts, it's a different story. Also, you get 4 quarters to practice various tools, such as using linear algebra and matlab, to solve engineering problems. By the time you finish the whole sequence, you really remember/know the materials and develop the proficiency because concepts/materials have been reinforced repeatedly over a long period.</p>
<p>Another unique feature of the curriculum is "Engineering Design and Communication". Freshmen get to work on real-world projects for industry clients and make presentation for their products. </p>
<p>[url=<a href="http://video.mccormick.northwestern.edu/%5DMcCormick">http://video.mccormick.northwestern.edu/]McCormick</a> Video Gallery - Northwestern University: McCormick School of Engineering<a href="first%20row,%20third%20from%20the%20left;%20first%20column,%202nd%20from%20the%20bottom">/url</a></p>