Foundational Engineering

Hello, I am a prospective international student and have been admitted to the Foundational Engineering program although I stated Mechanical engineering as my major. I have received the highest scholarship available in TTU (6k per year plus a 1 time 4k stipend).
I just wanted to know that whether EACH AND EVERY incoming freshmen HAVE to take the foundational engineering course REGARDLESS of their SAT scores and high school GPA, because I talked to a student who was admitted at fall 2015 and she said that she was directly admitted to the Whitacre college of engineering (Electrical engineering) and that she didn’t have to do the foundational course. I am just a bit confused here. Is it because my grades weren’t good enough or something? She told me I would have to miss out 1 whole year of the core courses if I am admitted into Foundational engineering.
Was there like a rule change this year?
Can someone explain to me the entire process in details please? Will i be graduating in 4 or 5 yrs? and if its 4 yrs will this foundational course harm my credentials?
Please kindly shed some light onto this matter. I am a little worried here.
Thank you.

Yes, incoming Freshman like you who meet the University’s assured admission standards are admitted to the Whitacre College of of Engineering Foundational Curriculum. The coursework also fulfills many of the University’s general core curriculum requirements, so you can earn your undergraduate degree in 4 years. Good luck!

See the following links for details:
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/coe/publications/library/documents/admissions.pdf
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/coe/undergraduate/admissions.php

Thank you for the reply. Also i had some questions regarding the honors classes. I missed thr deadline for Fall 2016 but I want to apply for Spring 2017. In the meantime I want to take some non-honors courses which correspond to the honors courses in spring. For e.g. In spring physics II and bio II are offered but in fall phys I and bio I so I want to take phy and bio I non honors classes in the fall so that I dint fall behind when and if I take the phy and bio II Honors Classes in the spring. Do you that that’s a good and feasible idea?

Also my intended major is Mechanical Engineering. If I am admitted in the Honors College in the Spring of 2017 and if I take the Honors classes for the required number of hours for 4 years will I still not be eligible to graduate with Honors? Because if I am admitted then I will be a Honors student right? And if I am an Honors student and if I can complete the required number of hours of the Honors classes as a Honors student, will I still not be able to graduate with Honors?

Your Academic Advisor will work with you to select the appropriate courses and sequence to earn your degree. The Honors College offers a variety of courses in Math, History, Science and Engineering which are required for the core curriculum or your major, so you should have no shortage of options.

Some links you may find useful:
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/01_curriculum/engr_me_mechanical.pdf
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/honors/academicsandenrichment/advising/courselistings/courses_old/2016fallcoursebooklet10.pdf