Engineering Sequence Studies during the Spring Semester of BSE
Shannon Yeow, Engineering Correspondent, shares their experience in the Engineering Sequence during their second year BSE Fall semester. The Engineering Sequence, a series of courses designed to provide a solid foundation in engineering principles, includes EGR 153 and EGR 154.
EGR 153, Foundations of Engineering: Electricity, Magnetics, and Photonics, is one of three courses eligible to fulfill the second semester of BSE physics requirements. This course is structured with three weekly lectures, a weekly lab, weekly problem sets, and lab analysis papers. EGR 153 labs involve conducting different lab experiments every week and writing an analysis based on findings. The course focuses on applying physics concepts to simplified real-world scenarios for the sake of learning a particular physics concept.
On the other hand, EGR 154, Foundations of Engineering: Linear Systems, is one of three courses eligible to fulfill the linear algebra BSE math requirements. EGR 154 includes two weekly lectures and weekly problem sets. Although it does not have guest lecturers and its problem sets are not highly conceptual, the course offers a straightforward approach to linear algebra, a fundamental mathematical concept in engineering.
Despite enjoying the spring semester Engineering Sequence courses less, the author found value in them due to the learning experiences they provided. The author did not regret taking the Engineering Sequence as it allowed them to discover their interests and learn about physics experiments and instruments related to electricity. However, the author found the courses less real-world application-based compared to other Engineering Sequence courses and wished to learn more about applying concepts to real-world scenarios.
COVID during the junior year of high school prevented the writer from having any standard lab experiences in physics, making the physics labs in EGR 153 a valuable learning experience. Resources for the Engineering Sequence include McGraw drop-in tutoring, individual tutoring, and general office hours. Professor or TA office hours are recommended for EGR 153 and EGR 154 to gain clarity on problem sets and improve understanding of concepts.
PAA, Residential College Faculty, and Academic Advisers can be consulted for help with registering for or showing interest in the Engineering Sequence. The author encourages good luck and wishes for success in the studies of others in the Engineering Sequence. The Engineering Sequence courses begin with Calculus II, followed by Linear Algebra, and Multivariable Calculus, which will be taken the following fall year.
In conclusion, the Engineering Sequence offers students a structured approach to foundational engineering principles, with EGR 153 providing hands-on lab experiences and EGR 154 focusing on linear algebra. While the courses may not be as real-world application-based as some other engineering courses, they provide a valuable foundation for further engineering studies. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the resources available, including office hours and tutoring, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the material.
Engaging in the Engineering Sequence courses during the second year BSE Fall semester, including EGR 153 and EGR 154, offered opportunities for personal growth and education-and-self-development, especially for the author who had missed standard lab experiences in physics during high school. The hands-on lab experiments in EGR 153 were beneficial for learning about physics experiments and instruments related to electricity, contributing to the author's understanding of real-world scenarios.
