- First Year Engagement
First-Year Seminars
Fall 2025
AE 124: – Architectural Engineering Orientation
Section 001 Tu 1:35-2:50 p.m.
Section 002 Tu 3:05-4:20 p.m.
Section 003 Th 1:35-2:50 p.m.
Section 004 Th 3:05-4:20 p.m.
Section 005 Tu 4:35-5:50 p.m.
This course is a first-year seminar (FYS) designed for students interested in learning about architectural engineering as a major and careers in this field while also providing the skills for students to successfully navigate Penn State University. The course is broken into three major areas: (1) an overview of architectural engineering as a major and a profession; (2) professional and study skills for navigating a university environment; (3) resources available for coursework application across Penn State and within the College of Engineering; and (4) unique themed experiences related to architectural engineering topics. AE 124 introduces the field of architectural engineering and discusses the wide range of career paths that graduates can pursue. The course overviews the 5-year architectural engineering curriculum and presents the research, study-abroad, internship, and other extracurricular opportunities available for students in the major. Next, the course provides students with the necessary skills to be successful in their classes, including: how to schedule classes and plan out study habits while familiarizing themselves with campus and the resources available to engineering students. Students learn how to navigate professional settings such as the Architectural Engineering Career Fair and job interviews so they can maximize their opportunities for internships and fulltime careers in the building industry. Lastly, students take a deeper dive into a selected themed topic that explores innovative hands-on projects that reflect various aspects of the architectural engineering discipline. Themes for the hands-on projects may vary from section to section and year to year to remain relevant to the current needs of the profession. Students learn in an interactive environment that utilizes a combination of teaching styles including, but not limited to: construction site tours, behind the scenes campus building tours, field trips, active building and testing, individual and group projects, guest speakers, and more.
AERSP 1: Aerospace Explorer
Section 001 M 3:35-4:25 p.m.
Section 002 W 3:35-4:25 p.m.
First-Year Seminar explores aerodynamics, structural mechanics, flight mechanics, rotorcraft systems, high performance computers, air/space propulsion, and space systems. AERSP 1 Aerospace Explorer--First-Year Seminar (1) (FYS)Aerospace Engineering deals with vehicles that fly -- airplanes, sailplanes, jets, helicopters, rockets, satellites, the space shuttle, space stations, etc. Students with an interest in these subjects can learn more about the variety of challenges and opportunities in the aerospace field through the small-class environment of the Aerospace Explorer First-Year Seminar. An introduction to both the academic major and career paths in Aerospace Engineering, this seminar deals with the design, analysis and operation of aircraft and space vehicles. Students will learn about aerodynamics, structural mechanics, flight mechanics, rotorcraft systems, high performance computers, air-breathing propulsion, space propulsion, and space systems. The classes will include presentations by the Aerospace Engineering faculty, tours of the Aerospace Engineering laboratories, and presentations by student officers in the Penn State chapters of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and make this change – instead of AHS change it to - the Vertical Flight Society (VFS), as well as introductions to the use of scientific plotting, graphing, and analysis software.
AERSP 97: – Hands on Helicopters
Section 001 Tu 6:00-6:50 p.m.
Section 002 Th 6:00-6:50 p.m..
This First-Year Seminar introduces you to the world of vertical flight. You will be introduced to the vocabulary that is unique to helicopters, will discuss the several vertical flight configurations, and will assess the strengths and weaknesses of those configurations. These discussions will be led by an experienced helicopter test pilot. You will have the opportunity to fly a helicopter simulator and will visit a Life Flight helicopter facility, get hands-on with their helicopter, and be briefed by its crew. You will, in addition, discuss goal setting, time management, resume-construction, character development, library skills, and other topics intended to assure success in your studies at Penn State.
BE 100: – Growing Your Future
Section 001 Th 1:35-2:50 p.m.
First-year seminar to introduce students to the breadth of the agricultural and biological engineering profession, including bioprocessing, machinery, and natural resources. This first-year seminar introduces students to the university in general and to the breadth of the agricultural and biological engineering profession. Students participate in hands-on lab activities in the focus areas of the profession, including machinery systems, food and biological processing, and natural resource engineering. Through these lab activities and a group project, students learn how the profession is critical to providing a growing world population with food, fiber, fuel, and water under increasing environmental constraints. In addition to being introduced to Penn State as an academic community, students also become familiar with the resources, tools, and opportunities available to them. Through the lab activities and in-class discussions on research, internship, and international opportunities, students meet and establish relationships with faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students affiliated with the Biological Engineering and BioRenewable Systems programs.
BME 100: Biomedical Engineering Seminar
Section 001 M 1:25-2:15 p.m.
Section 002 M 2:30-3:20 p.m.
Section 003 W 1:25-2:15 p.m.
First-year seminar to introduce the students to the field of biomedical engineering, and related opportunities in research, and industry. BME 100S Biomedical Engineering Seminar (1) A first-year seminar designed for students interested in pursuing a career in Biomedical Engineering. Through a series of lectures, demonstrations and problem-solving sessions, the multifaceted world of biomedical engineering will be explored. Students will be: 1) introduced to Penn State as an academic community, including fields of study and research with an emphasis on Biomedical Engineering 2) acquainted with the learning tools and resources available at Penn State 3) given an opportunity to develop relationships with full-time faculty and other students interested in Biomedical Engineering 4) taught about their responsibilities as part of the University community 5) engaged in discussion about Biomedical Engineering and possible career paths that are available to Biomedical Engineering graduates.
CE 100S: Civil Engineering Topics/Issues
Section 001 M 1:25 – 2:15 p.m.
Section 002 F 9:05-9:55 a.m.
Section 003 W 12:20 -1:10 p.m.
First-Year Seminar exploring a specific topic or contemporary issue in civil and environmental engineering. CE 100S Topics and Contemporary Issues in Civil and Environmental Engineering: First-Year Seminar (1) (FYS)he first-year seminar in civil engineering will provide an opportunity for students to explore a specific topic or contemporary issue, which may fall within one of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering's technical emphasis areas or include many of the facets of civil engineering. Civil engineers plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain the physical works and facilities essential to modern life: highways, streets, bridges, dams and levees, water distribution and wastewater collection, and treatment systems. Civil engineers work with architects and other engineers in the design and construction of buildings and industrial structures and facilities. They also have a major responsibility for identifying and remediating environmental hazards. The specific course topic, chosen by the course instructor, will vary by section and semester and will be indicated by the section subtitle. Examples of the topics that may form the core of a seminar section include droughts and floods, lessons from structural failures, engineers as environmental change agents, beneficial reuse of treated wastewater, highway accident reconstruction and engineering, and landmark civil engineering projects. Within the context of the specific seminar topic, each section will provide students with an introduction to the civil engineering field, exposure to some of the professional skills and competencies associated with academic study and the practice of engineering, and access to relevant student and professional societies. Each seminar section will include an active learning element that may include laboratory experiments, group projects, class discussions, and possible trips, providing close interaction with the faculty member teaching the course. This seminar course will help incoming students become acclimated to university life and become aware of available resources and support services.
ChE 100: Explore Ch E First Year Seminar
Section 001 W 1:25-2:15 p.m.
Section 002 W 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m.
Section 003 W 10:10-11:00 a.m.
Designed for students intending to major in Chemical Engineering (ChE), this course is an introduction to ChE. Discussions with faculty and visiting engineers on job selection, patents, licensing, and professional ethics. The exploration of Chemical Engineering and available career opportunities.
CMPEN 111: Computers and Computer Hardware
Section 001 – Tu 1:35 – 2:50 p.m.
Section 002 – Tu 3:05 – 4:20 p.m.
Section 003 – Tu 4:35 – 5:50 p.m.
A brief orientation to university life and resources and an introduction to computers and computer hardware. This course contains two components: an orientation to university life and an introduction to the hardware aspects of computer engineering. In the orientation to university life, students learn about the responsibilities of and expectations on a student including ethical behavior and explore some of the academic and non-academic resources of the University. In the introduction to computer engineering students learn about some of the fundamental concepts, devices, and methodologies that are involved in the design and use of digital and computer hardware. This exploration begins with a foundation of logic and critical thinking. Logic is examined first from a theoretical problem-solving standpoint. The discussion then progresses to an implementation perspective examining how logic devices are created and used. Included is a look at some CAD tools and some logic design laboratory exercises. Using logic as a basic building block, the organization and design of a computer is then examined, ending in an exploration of some of the contemporary methods used to make computers faster and more efficient.
CMPSC 111: Logic Comp Science
Section 001 Tu 3:05-4:20 p.m.
Section 002 M 2:30-3:45 p.m.
An introduction to logic and its application to problem solving and computer science. CMPSC 111S Logic for Computer Science (1) Computer Science provides the fundamental tools for analyzing problems and designing solutions to these problems which can be implemented on a computer. Logic plays an important role in this process, from a general-purpose tool for reasoning about knowledge to a special-purpose language for specifying the behavior of programs and designing hardware. This course examines the role of logic in problem solving and its application to computer science and computer engineering. Example problems will be drawn from a variety of sources, including brain teasers, puzzles, and mathematics. We will show how these problems and their solutions apply to real problems involving computers. We will also explore a number of important areas of computer science and computer engineering including Boolean and Digital Logic, Designing Arithmetic Hardware, Cryptography and Security Programming Languages, Networking and Wireless Communication, Artificial Intelligence, and Computer Ethics.
EE 8: Introduction to Digital Music
Section 001 Th 1:35-2:50 p.m.
First-year seminar that discusses digital music from an electrical engineering perspective; topics include sampling, digital filtering, compression, and music synthesis. EE 008S is a lab-oriented first-year seminar course aimed at students interested in the field of digital music. Specifically, this course discusses how the various digital music formats (and other types of digital audio) relate to the electrical engineering sub-discipline of digital signal processing. Students will come out of this course with a more technical understanding of the digital audio formats that they listen to every day. This course is structured to have alternating periods of lecture and lab. New concepts are first covered in the lectures and then reinforced with a variety of laboratory activities. In the laboratory experiments, students will use various computer programs and will also get exposure to standard test equipment used by electrical engineers. Topics covered in the lectures/labs include investigating the physics of sound, sampling and quantization of music signals, generating audio special effects through the use of digital filters, compression techniques used in digital audio, and mathematically synthesizing instrument sounds. Current popular digital audio formats such as compact disc audio, WAV, MP3, and MIDI will also be investigated throughout this course. No musical experience/talent is necessary. This course is for first-year students only.
E E 9: 1st-Yr Seminar in Electrical Engineering
Section 001 Th 10:35-11:50 a.m.
Section 002 Tu 1:35-2:50 p.m.
Section 003 Tu 10:35 – 11:50 a.m.
First-year seminar covering a variety of Electrical Engineering topics that vary from year to year. E E 009S First-Year Seminar in Electrical Engineering (1) (FYS) The overall objectives of Engineering First-Year Seminars are to engage students in learning about engineering and orient them to the scholarly community in a way that will bridge to, and enhance their benefit from, later experiences in the College and the University. Seminars adhere to the two specific goals identified below by including one or more of the three strategies following each goal:(1)Introduce students to a specific field, or encourage their exploration of a number of fields, of study in engineering; familiarization with the engineering majors and career options and with the objectives of general education and other components of the curriculum; development of a particular topic, contemporary issue, emerging or interdisciplinary field of concentration, or professional responsibilities in engineering; plant tours or demonstrations of engineering facilities(2)Acquaint students with tools, resources and opportunities available to them in the department(s), College and University; exposure to learning support services and career development resources.
ENGR 100: Intro to Engineering
Section 001 M 9:05-9:55 a.m.
Section 002 Th 12:05-1:20 p.m.
Section 003 Th 1:35-2:50 p.m.
Section 004 Th 12:05-1:20 p.m.
Section 005 Th 3:05-4:20 p.m.
Section 006 W 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m.
Section 007 W 10:10- 11:00 a.m.
Section 008 W 11:15 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.
Section 009 Tu 10:35-11:35 a.m.
Section 010 W 12:20 – 1:10 p.m.
Section 011 W 11:15 a.m.- 12:05 p.m.
Section 012 W 1:25 – 2:15 p.m.
Section 013 Tu 9:05 - 9:55 a.m.
Section 014 Tu 3:35 - 4:25 p.m.
Section 015 Tu 12:20 - 1:10 p.m.
Section 016 Tu Th 12:20 -1:10 p.m.
Section 018 W 12:20-1:10 p.m.
Section 019 Tu 10:05 - 10:55 a.m.
Section 020 M 3:35-4:25 p.m.
A seminar providing information about different engineering majors, coping with college life, and exploring educational and career goals. ENGR 100 – is a First-Year Seminar designed as an introduction to the majors available to students in engineering. There are three main goals:
1. To introduce students to the areas of study that the college has to offer - this is to assist students in deciding whether engineering is for them. It also helps students decide which major within engineering is for them. This introduction is accomplished through homework exercises and guest speakers - graduates in industry, graduate students, department heads, faculty, and current undergraduates. 2. To introduce students to the university in general - what resources are available and what it means to be a student at a university instead of high school. This is accomplished through guest speakers, lectures by your professor, and homework exercises. 3. To provide students with an opportunity to interact with faculty members, academic advisers, and other students.
FYS–ESC 097: Sustaining and Improving Our Environment
Section 001 - W 12:20-1:10 p.m.
The rising global population and global affluence place demands for industrial and technological growth, whereas the eco-system they relied on is reaching its limits. Resources are dwindling. Pollution of air, water and land create toxic living conditions. This is a grim and pessimistic description. But it is in our control to reverse the trend.
The FYS will introduce the basic concept of sustainable development and methods to assess its interdependence of society, economy, and natural environment. We will be discussing the contributions of modern technologies to articulations of sustainable development and designing the strategies for their implementation. Students will also be exposed to a range of resources and academic opportunities available at Penn State University and the department of Engineering Sciences and Mechanics. This seminar is also a part of SDG Badges.
ESC 120: Design for Failure
Section 001 – W 10:10-11:00 a.m.
This seminar, through the utilization of commonly used examples, discusses the engineering principles which are exploited by such designs. Although an important facet of engineering design is to minimize the possibility of failure of a system component, there are many devices which protect a system by their controlled 'failure'. Further, some components are designed to "work" through failure. In the former situation are such devices as: a shear pin in an outboard motor driveline, a fuse in an electrical circuit, a valve actuated by heat in a sprinkler system. In the latter situation, "tab tops " allow one to open a beverage can, perforations cause the paper towel to "tear" in a prescribed manner, plasticity/elasticity allows stamped parts, such as automobile hoods, to retain their new shape following stamping.
ESC 121: Fiction and Engineering Science
Section 001 – M 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m.
Examines the technology predictions of authors in view of the engineering sciences on which the underlying devices of their stories are based. From the times of Jules Verne, books, then movies and TV, have utilized engineering/science and pseudo-engineering, in envisioning devices which were not then available, but perhaps became so in later times. From Verne's nuclear driven submarine to his voyage to the moon; to Mary Shelly's electrically created monster; to Dick Tracy's wrist radio (cell phone); to the warp speed of the Jedi, there are successes and failures as to predictions of what would someday be possible. These are examined and discussed.
IE 100: Discover Industrial Engineering
Section 001 MW 12:20-1:35 p.m. (6-weeks - starts 8/25/25 through 10/10/25)
Informational first-year seminar on Industrial Engineering as a career choice and profession; guest speakers; real world problems. Discover Industrial Engineering: First-Year Seminar (1) (FYS)The objective of this first-year seminar course is to provide information on industrial engineering as a career choice and as a profession. It is a fact that most first-year students have never heard of Industrial Engineering (I E), or the many varied opportunities that exist within the IE major. This course explores the many aspects of the major and offers the opportunity to interact with IE faculty and students, something that is an uncommon occurrence during the first year of engineering study. Class time is used for a variety of activities including: interactive class sessions where students learn about "real-world" problems in industrial and manufacturing engineering; IE faculty guest speakers addressing career opportunities within IE; Lab experiences or demonstrations; Alumni guest speakers or panels; IE student panels on topics. The class atmosphere is relaxed and there are no examinations. Homework assignments are given throughout the semester on relevant topics.
ME 101: Toy Fundamentals
Section 101 – Tu Th 9:05-10:20 a.m. (9/01/25-10/17/25) – 7-week mini course)
Section 102 – Tu Th 9:05-10:20 a.m. (10/20/25-12/12/25) –7-week mini course)
ME 101 Toy FUNdamentals is a hands-on first-year seminar that explores mechanical engineering design through toy products. This seven-week course engages students in toy dissection, design, prototyping, and field-testing. Students also engage in career development and explore careers and create a technical resume. The course will be the first or second half of fall semester.
ME 190: Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering: First-Year Seminar 1 Credits
Section 001 – M 10:10-11:00 a.m.
A First-Year Seminar focusing on issues related to Mechanical Engineering. M E 190S M E 190S Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering: First-Year Seminar (1) (FYS)In this First-Year Seminar, students will explore the Mechanical Engineering profession by means of treatment of a particular topic in M E. Students will be assigned pertinent readings, and the professor will lead discussions on the ethical, professional, and societal aspects of the topic area. The seminar will also feature group activities and encourage participation in the classroom setting.
