ENGN0030/ENGN0031/ENGN0032: (Introduction to Engineering / Honors Introduction to Engineering / Introduction to Engineering - Design), is the first course in the engineering core curriculum and is required of all engineering concentrators. The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the profession of engineering and the important role engineers play in society. The course begins with the consideration of engineering design and introduces a number of topics and tools that are fundamental to engineering. These include vectors, computer aided design (SolidWorks), and basic programming (Matlab). Particular attention is then focused on analysis of static structures, but topics also include professional ethics and the social responsibility of engineers.
ENGN 0030 should be taken by first-year students considering a concentration in engineering, as well as students just curious about engineering and design. Students should be enrolled in MATH 0100 or higher.
Students should enroll in ENGN 0031 if they are enrolled in MATH 0190 (or an equivalent or higher level math course) and have completed AP Physics (or equivalent). Any questions on placement can be addressed to Prof. Karen Haberstroh.
ENGN 0031 will introduce scientific computing with statics as a primary source for applications. Using MATLAB as a programming language, topics covered in section include: variables, decision statements, looping statements, functions and recursion, strings and data structures, complexity and algorithm analysis, advanced visualization, and File I/O. Programming examples and assignments for applications in statics, numerical optimization and combinatorial optimization are included. Because of the Matlab focus in ENGN0031 section, students pursuing concentrations in mechanical, electrical or materials engineering who successfully complete this honors course may substitute an approved engineering/computer science course for introductory computer science requirement.
All students (whether registered for ENGN0030 or ENGN0031) will be required to complete a set of training modules and three design projects in the Brown Design Workshop. These will all be performed as team-based activities (across the two classes), and led by an undergraduate mentor.
ENGN0032 is is an introduction to the engineering profession with an emphasis on design. This class is designed for students who have a strong interest in design or are unsure of their interest in engineering. Students should be enrolled in MATH 0100 or higher.
How to choose between ENGN 0030, 0031 or 0032? The answer is that all three courses serve the same purpose of being an introduction to engineering, and all are considered equivalent in terms of satisfying the requirements of an engineering concentration. The distinction between ENGN 0030 and ENGN 0031 is based upon mathematics preparation, as noted above. The distinction between ENGN 0032 and the other two courses is simply in the mode of delivery of the material - ENGN 0032 emphasizes the design aspects of engineering, whereas the other two courses tend to emphasize some more traditional fundamental underpinnings and tools of the engineering profession. While distinct from one another, all three courses are designed to prepare a student for all of the following courses in the engineering core program.
ENGN0040: (Introduction to dynamics and vibrations) covers Newtonian physics and its applications in engineering. You also learn how to use the computer program MATLAB; and complete four design projects. MA0200 is a co-requisite; if you are following a different math sequence you can request an over-ride from the course instructor.
ENGN0520: (Circuits and Signals) covers electrical circuits and their applications. It makes extensive use of differential equations. ENG0520 is a good choice if you have a strong interest in computer engineering or electrical engineering, and took MATH0200 in your first semester.