<p>Hey ThisIsMichigan, </p>
<p>I have a question about some of the introductory engineering courses. Specifically ENGR101 and 100. Is it in any way possible to test out of these classes if you have previous knowledge in the subjects or are they absolutely necessary for a freshman engineering student?
If it is not possible to test out of them, how are the professors in terms of granting overrides for these introductory courses if I’d like to take some higher level engineering course (like eecs281) during my freshman year?</p>
<p>^I don’t recall anything to place out of either, and the CoE site isn’t saying anything.</p>
<p>No way to make 100 easier as far as I know, however 101 I imagine is significantly easier if you’ve taken a course a programming course before (specifically one that covers C++ and/or MATLAB). Both classes are required by all programs.</p>
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<p>You’re not going to get out of 100, and you don’t know all of the material taught in every single section of 100. </p>
<p>But for skipping 101, try this:</p>
<p>Take 100, 203 and 280 first semester. After you’ve taken 280, ask to be granted an exception for 101. Your argument will be much stronger if you’ve done well in 280. And even if they make you take 101, you can still take 101 and 281 at the same time 2nd semester freshman year.</p>
<p>I thought you could get AP credit to get out of Engr 101, but I was mistaken. I remember now I get credit for some random EECS course for my AP Comp Sci test. You can choose to take the advanced programming course, Engr 151 if you’d like. That’s what I did. Its full of a lot of weird people though…</p>
<p>You can sub an english course with Engr 100 if you transfer from LSA I think. But you’ll just have to take it anyway. </p>
<p>I don’t believe there are any ways to get out of these courses. You are getting a little ahead of yourself anyway.</p>
<p>I hope it isn’t too late to post on this thread–
I’m a rising sophomore in the college of engineering, and I have yet to declare because I’m still doing a bit of exploring between two different majors. (I’m hoping to declare by the middle of the fall semester once I’m sure what I want to do).</p>
<p>I didn’t seek out a lot of opportunities freshman year–I worked hard in my classes and kept up my grades, but I never really gave a lot of thought to (academic) opportunities and what I can do to gain experience and such.</p>
<p>Now that summer is more than half over, I’ve been realizing that more than ever, I need some kind of research experience to help me as I apply for future internships and jobs. </p>
<p>It’s already too late to apply to UROP at this stage, which is why I’m so mad at myself.
I’m wondering if anyone can give me steps on how I can pursue research at Michigan? </p>
<p>I’ve been thinking about emailing professors whose work seem interesting to me, but I’m not sure if they’d be willing to take on an undecided sophomore, and at the same time, I know many of them are UROP sponsors so they may choose students in that program instead. </p>
<p>I’m not sure what exactly I can do–does anyone know of people in similar positions who have been able to get research experience during their under-classmen years without being in UROP? Any advice would be helpful!</p>
<p>not having declared may be holding you back. what majors are you interested in? do you have any special skills like programming, math, etc?</p>
<p>I started doing research with a professor I had 1st semester sophomore year, during 2nd semester Sophomore year, but I had declared already. I would recommend you actually declare a major, even if you think you may switch. You can try emailing professors you don’t know, but I would recommend trying to find one you’ve had a class with (and hopefully did well in) to do research with, because I think they’d be more likely to respond.</p>
<p>Hey guys. Incoming freshmen here. A few questions about AP credits.</p>
<p>1) So I have a these random AP credits and I’m not sure if they count toward the intellectual breadth requirements or whatnot? Outside of CoE, I have Stat, US History, Microecon and Macroecon. Do these fulfill any of the requirements at all or do they only count toward the 128 (which I heard is easily attained anyway…)?</p>
<p>2) I also got 5’s on the physics APs (despite learning nothing…) and at first I was happy about getting out of 140/240, but I’m a little concerned now… Will I be missing critical material by skipping these courses? I’m going the ChE route by the way.</p>
<p>3) Exactly how easy/hard is UROP? I love research so I intend on doing it for 3 credits, but I don’t want my love for the lab to get my GPA into trouble. </p>
<p>Thanks guys. You’re a helpful bunch!</p>
<p>@attribute I have a long post coming up for you</p>
<p>Looking forward to reading it!</p>
<p>1) YES, YOUR AP CREDITS COUNT! A max of about 14 will count towards intellectual breadth. The remainder will count towards general credits (a max of 12). Coming in with lots of credits is a good thing. I came in with a lot of credits and I can graduate a semester. In fact, I only plan on taking 14 credits a semester and I will still graduate early (6 out of my 7 semester will be 14 credits, 1 was 17 credits)</p>
<p>2)NO!!! DO NOT TAKE PHYSICS AT U-M!!!DO NOT TAKE PHYSICS AT U-M!!!DO NOT TAKE PHYSICS AT U-M!!!DO NOT TAKE PHYSICS AT U-M!!!DO NOT TAKE PHYSICS AT U-M!!!</p>
<p>DO NOT take physics at U-M if you do NOT have to, Especially Physics 240. Some of the concepts may be important, but if they are, your engineering professors will go over it again. If you really need to know a physics concept, you can just look it up. Lectures seem interesting, but the material is NOT taught well.</p>
<p>3) UROP seminar work is very easy, but only makes up 20% of you grade if you do it for credit. Your research sponsor determines 80% of your grade. As long as you do good work and your sponsor is understanding, you should be fine.</p>
<p>UROP should be a GPA booster. If you are worried about GPA, STAY AWAY FROM PHYSICS 140/240.</p>
<p>I’m considering ChE or MSE–I didn’t think it was too bad that I hadn’t declared yet because there are actually quite a few people in my class in the same situation (thinking of either one of the two). No special skills in terms of programming or that sort, but I have completed the general math, chemistry, and physics courses needed in the college of engineering.</p>
<p>I’m taking the intro courses for both ChE and MSE in the fall, so I don’t think I would be behind or anything for not having declared. But I guess I could just pick one for now and switch later.</p>
<p>Should I go ahead and email professors then towards the end of the summer, in hopes of doing research starting with the fall semester?
I don’t know how easy it would be to stand out in intro engineering courses (i.e. MSE 220) that have a huge class size for a professor though. Vladenschlutte, if this was your case, did you ask your professor, or did he/she extend the offer to you at the close of the course? </p>
<p>And in the end, I suppose it doesn’t hurt to try and ask at the very least.</p>
<p>On a side note, I do have a lot of room on my schedule for the fall, and if I can’t do research, I feel like I’m going to have a lot of extra time on my hands. Is there any elective (engineering or not) that’s 3 credits or less that anyone would recommend taking as either an enjoyable or useful course (that’s manageable)?</p>
<p>Thanks a lot 777Blue! I guess I won’t be taking physics at U-M (yay). Does UROP credits count toward general electives?</p>
<p>@attribute</p>
<p>Yes, UROP counts towards general electives.</p>
<p>As a ChemE, you already have to take extra Chemistry classes (Orgo 1,2, P Chem, and maybe more). You should focus on those chemistry classes instead of retaking classes you do not have to. I was over the top earlier, but physics (140/141,240/241) at U-M still sucks. You don’t want to retake those classes, potentially become frustrated, and then ask yourself why you signed up for this class when you already had the credit. Focus on your chemistry classes.</p>
<p>If you don’t have to take physics courses here, I wouldn’t. Physics 140 though would be a breeze and a GPA booster. Its not that hard at all with prior experience. I avoided talking 240 here though and took it over the summer at a local community college instead. </p>
<p>Stats will get you either 2 or 4 credits of GE, can’t remember which. US History, Macro and Micro will get you 8 SS credits. The econ credits don’t replace Macro and Micro here though, they’re just “departmental credit” placeholders. </p>
<p>You did take Physics C right?</p>
<p>@flight, why exactly do you want to do research? It isn’t anything that’s required to get an internship</p>
<p>Yeah, I took physics C; mechanics (140?) was alright and e&m (240?) killed me. I guess I’ll focus on my chemistry classes then! </p>
<p>What are your thoughts on the Design Immersion program? (Sorry if this is a weird question… I know you guys are upperclassmen and this is like a pre-freshmen thing).</p>
<p>"@flight, why exactly do you want to do research? It isn’t anything that’s required to get an internship"</p>
<p>Having research experience is a resume booster. I am NOT saying that it is an absolute necessity, but it’s certainly better to have research experience than lack it. During the school year, it’s probably easier to conduct research than obtain a meaningful internship (for the school year,not spring/summer).</p>
<p>@ThisIsMichigan–
I agree with 777Blue77, I think research experience isn’t necessary, but it will help not only my resume when applying for future internships, but also (if I do well), I could get letters of recommendation that I can use when applying for future internships and scholarships.</p>
<p>There are a few internships opportunities I have in mind for next summer, but they seem competitive to get and research would certainly give me a boost.</p>
<p>Also, I’ve been hoping that maybe whatever research I could potentially get would help finalize my choices regarding my major as well.</p>
<p>i recommend getting involved in research early on as well. if you haven’t had an internship yet, a research position will look great on your resume and help you land that first internship.</p>