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First-year Engineering CoRe Experience

Engineering your future

Our mission is to provide early engineering students with an understanding of the critical roles engineers play in our society and offer unmatched learning opportunities within a supportive community that encourages academic, professional and personal success. We know fostering life-enriching connections between students and their peers, faculty members, advisors, and corporate representatives helps to cultivate skills and encourage lifelong learning and achievement.

View our CoRe Annual report 2022-2023

View report

We invite you to read a message for parents from our assistant dean for undergraduate studies, Amanda Idema, for advice on your college search and selection process.


First-year Engineering students attending Colloquium and huddling around Sparty

CoRe offers designated housing for both first-year and second-year engineering students who choose to LIVE and LEARN within the Engineering Living-Learning Community (LLC). The first-year engineering LLC is located in Wilson and Wonders Halls, in South Neighborhood. The second-year engineering LLC offers space in Wonders Hall (South Neighborhood), Shaw Hall (Rivertrail Neighborhood), and Emmons Hall (Brody Neighborhood). Visit Neighborhoods to learn more.

While residing in the Living-Learning Community with other engineering students is beneficial, it is not a requirement. Visit frequently asked questions for more information on Housing. 

CoRe EGR 100 classroom with students working

The academic portion of the First-year Engineering CoRe Experience is the Cornerstone Engineering Program. It consists of two courses that introduce students to the team design process and analytical tools used in the engineering profession. Throughout both courses, students generate written reports and oral presentations, with significant feedback from undergraduate mentors, graduate teaching assistants, and the academic staff. Especially for the design course, the projects are open-ended and completed by interdisciplinary teams, leading to creative, divergent solutions to engineering problems. We also collaborate with our corporate partners, local non-profit agencies, the MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, and the MSU Residential Initiative on the Study of the Environment to provide client-oriented and service learning opportunities to these early engineering students.

EGR 100: Introduction to Engineering Design
Introduction to Engineering Design, is required for all engineering students. The course engages students in multiple hands-on, team-based design experiences leading to tangible deliverables. Students in EGR 100 begin interdisciplinary, team-based work from their first day of class. During Fall 2020, it has become necessary to develop team-based design experiences in a virtual format. Dr. Morgan has worked to create projects that promote a fun virtual experience, while satisfying the intended objectives of the course.

EGR 102: Introduction to Engineering Modeling
Introduction to Engineering Modeling introduces engineering problem solving and numerical modeling. The course focuses on advanced applications of Excel and structured programming in MATLAB. Instructor, Jason Smith has made an exerted effort to create a fun and effective virtual learning experience for his students this year.

Students at Core tutoring hours

Tutoring
First-year engineering students may take advantage of free tutoring offered at our center in C105 Wonders Hall. Our students find CoRe tutoring to be beneficial to their academic success. CoRe tutors are undergraduate engineering students with excellent academic records.

Tutoring is offered Sunday through Thursday evenings, 6pm to 10pm, and typically begins the third week of the semester running through the week before final exams. Students have the opportunity to attend regular tutoring sessions, as well as mid-term and final exam review sessions, in the following subjects:

PHY 183- Physics I
PHY 184- Physics II
MTH 103- College Algebra (includes MTH 103A and MTH 103B)
MTH 114- Trigonometry
MTH 116- College Algebra and Trigonometry
MTH 132- Calculus I
MTH 133- Calculus II
MTH 234- Calculus III
MTH 235- Differential Equations
CEM 141/151- General Chemistry

Student talking to Whirlpool representative at a career fair

Professional development
The CoRe Experience benefits from a strong connection to industry, giving students insight on engineering in the “real world”. Building connections with our corporate partners helps CoRe students visualize the impact they can make in their careers. Our partners also support “theme floors” that teach students about 21-st century engineering practice while providing collaborative spaces where students can work and play together.

Co-ops and careers
The Career Center: Experience Engineering Careers
Engineering students benefit from the many resources offered by The Center, the college's co-op and careers office. Students are prepared to network with engineering recruiters interested in hiring interns and co-ops and are taught how to build professional resumes, prepare for career workshops and job fairs, and get the most out of experiential education opportunities. Review our Destination Report for information on graduate employment outcomes.

Student and advidsor during a advising session

Early engineering advising
Perhaps the most valuable resource we provide current students is our academic advisors. We recommend meeting with an academic advisor each semester to check progress toward your degree and get valuable insight and information on your academic and life goals. The College of Engineering employs academic advising professionals with advanced degrees in counseling, education, university administration and related fields. Our academic advisors are available to help you plan an academic program that meets your educational and professional goals and to provide you with information you need to make wise educational and personal decisions. Advisors help current students explore engineering majors and career options and direct them to important campus resources for assistance with test-taking, study skills, career planning and much more.

Visit our student resources page for undergraduate students

Each year students arrive to campus looking to explore all that the College of Engineering has to offer. The excitement of developing new skills, becoming an engineer, meeting new friends, joining a student organization and more, fill the air of the South Neighborhood. This excitement is very contagious and must not be extinguished! CoRe has the enormous task of grabbing the attention of over 1900+ incoming Spartan engineering students fast, and sustaining their engagement throughout the entire academic year. Through advanced planning, college and corporate partnerships we are able to be successful in our mission. It is always an honor to serve the students and to play a small role in their transformative learning experiences. - Carmellia Davis-King, Co-Curricular Director

Peer leaders
Peer leaders CoRe peer leaders are upper-level engineering students who live among CoRe students and serve as role models for success as engineering students. Through relationship building and group activities, Peer Leaders create a strong, connected support network that fosters academic, professional, and personal success for CoRe students.

Peer Leaders assist with the organization of academic, professional and social events for our students to attend, as well as perform weekly door-to-door check-ins with our students in the First-Year Living Learning Community. Throughout the academic year students attend community events created to help them grow as an engineering major, connect with the campus community, and learn more about the professional world of engineering from faculty members and engineers currently in the workforce. In 2023, CoRe expanded programming services to include the residential settings of engineering students outside the South Neighborhood.

South neighborhood

Other ways to engage:

First-year Engineering students attending Colloquium and huddling around Sparty

CoRe offers designated housing for both first-year and second-year engineering students who choose to LIVE and LEARN within the Engineering Living-Learning Community (LLC). The first-year engineering LLC is located in Wilson and Wonders Halls, in South Neighborhood. The second-year engineering LLC offers space in Wonders Hall (South Neighborhood), Shaw Hall (Rivertrail Neighborhood), and Emmons Hall (Brody Neighborhood). Visit Neighborhoods to learn more.

While residing in the Living-Learning Community with other engineering students is beneficial, it is not a requirement. Visit frequently asked questions for more information on Housing. 

CoRe EGR 100 classroom with students working

The academic portion of the First-year Engineering CoRe Experience is the Cornerstone Engineering Program. It consists of two courses that introduce students to the team design process and analytical tools used in the engineering profession. Throughout both courses, students generate written reports and oral presentations, with significant feedback from undergraduate mentors, graduate teaching assistants, and the academic staff. Especially for the design course, the projects are open-ended and completed by interdisciplinary teams, leading to creative, divergent solutions to engineering problems. We also collaborate with our corporate partners, local non-profit agencies, the MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, and the MSU Residential Initiative on the Study of the Environment to provide client-oriented and service learning opportunities to these early engineering students.

EGR 100: Introduction to Engineering Design
Introduction to Engineering Design, is required for all engineering students. The course engages students in multiple hands-on, team-based design experiences leading to tangible deliverables. Students in EGR 100 begin interdisciplinary, team-based work from their first day of class. During Fall 2020, it has become necessary to develop team-based design experiences in a virtual format. Dr. Morgan has worked to create projects that promote a fun virtual experience, while satisfying the intended objectives of the course.

EGR 102: Introduction to Engineering Modeling
Introduction to Engineering Modeling introduces engineering problem solving and numerical modeling. The course focuses on advanced applications of Excel and structured programming in MATLAB. Instructor, Jason Smith has made an exerted effort to create a fun and effective virtual learning experience for his students this year.

Students at Core tutoring hours

Tutoring
First-year engineering students may take advantage of free tutoring offered at our center in C105 Wonders Hall. Our students find CoRe tutoring to be beneficial to their academic success. CoRe tutors are undergraduate engineering students with excellent academic records.

Tutoring is offered Sunday through Thursday evenings, 6pm to 10pm, and typically begins the third week of the semester running through the week before final exams. Students have the opportunity to attend regular tutoring sessions, as well as mid-term and final exam review sessions, in the following subjects:

PHY 183- Physics I
PHY 184- Physics II
MTH 103- College Algebra (includes MTH 103A and MTH 103B)
MTH 114- Trigonometry
MTH 116- College Algebra and Trigonometry
MTH 132- Calculus I
MTH 133- Calculus II
MTH 234- Calculus III
MTH 235- Differential Equations
CEM 141/151- General Chemistry

Student talking to Whirlpool representative at a career fair

Professional development
The CoRe Experience benefits from a strong connection to industry, giving students insight on engineering in the “real world”. Building connections with our corporate partners helps CoRe students visualize the impact they can make in their careers. Our partners also support “theme floors” that teach students about 21-st century engineering practice while providing collaborative spaces where students can work and play together.

Co-ops and careers
The Career Center: Experience Engineering Careers
Engineering students benefit from the many resources offered by The Center, the college's co-op and careers office. Students are prepared to network with engineering recruiters interested in hiring interns and co-ops and are taught how to build professional resumes, prepare for career workshops and job fairs, and get the most out of experiential education opportunities. Review our Destination Report for information on graduate employment outcomes.

Student and advidsor during a advising session

Early engineering advising
Perhaps the most valuable resource we provide current students is our academic advisors. We recommend meeting with an academic advisor each semester to check progress toward your degree and get valuable insight and information on your academic and life goals. The College of Engineering employs academic advising professionals with advanced degrees in counseling, education, university administration and related fields. Our academic advisors are available to help you plan an academic program that meets your educational and professional goals and to provide you with information you need to make wise educational and personal decisions. Advisors help current students explore engineering majors and career options and direct them to important campus resources for assistance with test-taking, study skills, career planning and much more.

Visit our student resources page for undergraduate students

Each year students arrive to campus looking to explore all that the College of Engineering has to offer. The excitement of developing new skills, becoming an engineer, meeting new friends, joining a student organization and more, fill the air of the South Neighborhood. This excitement is very contagious and must not be extinguished! CoRe has the enormous task of grabbing the attention of over 1900+ incoming Spartan engineering students fast, and sustaining their engagement throughout the entire academic year. Through advanced planning, college and corporate partnerships we are able to be successful in our mission. It is always an honor to serve the students and to play a small role in their transformative learning experiences. - Carmellia Davis-King, Co-Curricular Director

Peer leaders
Peer leaders CoRe peer leaders are upper-level engineering students who live among CoRe students and serve as role models for success as engineering students. Through relationship building and group activities, Peer Leaders create a strong, connected support network that fosters academic, professional, and personal success for CoRe students.

Peer Leaders assist with the organization of academic, professional and social events for our students to attend, as well as perform weekly door-to-door check-ins with our students in the First-Year Living Learning Community. Throughout the academic year students attend community events created to help them grow as an engineering major, connect with the campus community, and learn more about the professional world of engineering from faculty members and engineers currently in the workforce. In 2023, CoRe expanded programming services to include the residential settings of engineering students outside the South Neighborhood.

South neighborhood

Other ways to engage:

Financial aid and scholarships
Learn about scholarship funding and how to apply

Academic calendar
Find important dates and details

Enrollment and registration
Visit Office of the Registrar for information

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Majors, degrees and programs
Explore our B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. programs

Education abroad
Explore exciting opportunities to study around the world

Mathematics Learning Center
Find high-quality, friendly, free math help for MSU undergraduates

Writing Center
Explore one-on-one peer writing consultations, writing workshops, graduate and creative writing groups, and student employment opportunities

First-year Engineering CoRe Experience Tutoring 
Visit our About page for information on core tutoring options
 

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Current MSU student advising
Current MSU students can connect with an advisor

The Center for Spartan Engineering
Get career help, connect with employers, and learn about co-ops

DECS
Find helpful technology resources provided to students by the Division of Engineering Computing

Campus life
Explore ideas, energy, purpose and possibilities

Registered Student Organization
Check out over 1,000 Registered Student Organizations at MSU

Engineering student groups 
Find and build connections with fellow Engineering students

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Inclusion and Diversity
Learn about our commitment to a diverse and inclusive college community

Women in Engineering
Explore student success programming designed to build connections and develop opportunities

Student Health Services
Student Health Services provides health care services for students year-round

Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)
CAPS is the place on campus for students seeking help for a wide range of concerns

Health Promotion
Resources for fitness and wellness coaching, nutrition, recovery, and sexual wellness
MSU Recreational Sports and Fitness Services
Informal or drop-in recreation at any of these facilities; structured competitive intramural sports; programs dedicated for health, wellness and fitness; sport club opportunities; non-credit instruction for acquiring new skills; and unique opportunities targeted for persons with disabilities.

Intramural sports
Participate in many Intramural Sports and activities on a competitive and recreational level