In Spring 2026 we are continuing our PILOT of offering sections of the “EN1: Applications in Engineering” course during the Spring semester. The “EN1” course (an Introduction to Engineering experience) is typically taken in the first-semester (fall) of your first year; but for a variety of reasons some students can not/do not take it then, so here is an experiment in offering sections of EN1 in the Spring semester.
Course Description:
Introduction of various concepts in engineering. Emphasis on project work, engineering ethics, and engineering design process. Discipline topic areas vary each term. Note: Spring sections of EN1 are NOT limited to first-year students.
EN1 Sections (Spring 2026):
Section 02: Intro to Renewable Energy (Thomas Vandervelde, ECE)
Section 03: Exploring Computer Science (Diane Souvaine, CS)
Section 02: Intro to Renewable Energy
We will examine renewable energy generation technologies with a critical eye; including, the examination of the way the media portrays energy technologies. We will explore the renewable energy technology of today as well as future prospects. We will look at the natural resource requirements of energy systems as well as their environmental and economic impacts. While going off the grid sounds like a great idea, it is a complex problem to be solved. Solar and wind energy sources require a lot of land; additionally, they are not constant with time, and efficient energy storage technology does not exist. Labs will give the student a hands-on sense for the energy generation process and its complexity. (Thomas Vandervelde, Electrical and Computer Engineering)
– In Spring 2026, EN1 Section 02 meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30pm to 2:45pm
Section 03: Exploring Computer Science
Basic principles of computer science for students with minimal or no prior programming background. Fundamentals of design, coding, and testing computer programs. Fundamental algorithms for sorting and searching. Programming projects employ and demonstrate common algorithms. Projects analyze and visualize data from real applications. This sampling of various topics will give the student a taste of not only what constitutes computer science, but also a deeper understanding of mankind’s most powerful tool. The course will prepare the student to take CS 11 in a subsequent semester, if so desired. Note: This section should NOT be taken in the same semester as CS 11. (Diane Souvaine, Computer Science)
– In Spring 2026, EN1 Section 03 meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am to 10:15am
– Students ALSO need to register for one of the Section 03 labs: Monday 9:00am to 10:15am or Friday 9:00am to 10:15am
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