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Fundamentals of Engineering for Honors Program

The Fundamentals of Engineering for Honors (FEH) Program is designed to challenge the well-prepared first-year student by offering access to more advanced levels of study, and by encouraging creative abilities and a sustained interest in advanced education and research.

FEH students are required to take an engineering fundamentals and laboratory (EFL) sequence, a physics and engineering mechanics sequence, and an accelerated calculus sequence.  Engineering, physics, and mathematics faculty members plan their courses together and meet on a weekly basis to discuss the courses and the students' progress.  The program covers autumn, winter, and spring quarters of the freshman year.

Requirements for the program include admittance to the University Honors Program, enrollment in engineering, and a full year of calculus in high school.  There is an alternative schedule for students who are well qualified, but may be better served by a non-accelerated reformed calculus course sequence.

During the quarters in which students participate, they attend the FEH classes only with other FEH students.  The emphasis in the FEH program is on teamwork; students are required to work in teams on design projects, laboratory exercises, and in class.

The FEH Courses

There are two basic FEH schedule, which differ in math placement.  Some honors students will be more advanced in math and may wish to begin with a math course other than Math 161.  This is easily arranged.  the importance of the mathematics instruction is to have the appropriate skills when they are needed in engineering and physics.

Schedule for students taking accelerated calculus:

Autumn Winter Spring
Eng H191 (4) Eng H192 (4) Eng H193 (4)
Phys 131E (5) Phys 132E (5) ME H210 (4)
Math 161G (5) Math 162G (5) Math 263G (5)
Eng 100 (1)    

 

Schedule for students taking reformed calculus:

Autumn Winter Spring
Eng H191 (4) Eng H192 (4) Eng H193 (4)
Phys 131E (5) Phys 132E (5) Phys 133E (5)
Math 151A (5) Math 152A (5) Math 153A (5)
Eng 100 (1)    

 

bulletEng 100 is a survey course that all first-quarter freshmen are required to take.  Regarding the physics sequence, accelerated calculus students have math background necessary to take vector mechanics spring quarter (ME H210), while reformed calculus students proceed to Physics 133.
bulletThe first course in the Engineering Fundamentals sequence, Eng H191, covers drafting and computer-aided drawing, and includes eight hands-on laboratory experiences.  There is also a two-person design project in the course.
bulletEng H192 is a computer programming class that covers MATLAB (a matrix-oriented technical computer package) and the C/C++ programming language.  Students do seven hands-on labs.
bulletThe focal point of the FEH program is Eng H193, in which four-person student teams design and build small autonomous robots for a competition.  there are three hands-on lab exercises.  Students are exposed to many aspects of engineering, including design, testing, fabrication, project management, budgeting, and written and oral presentation.

Advantages of the FEH Program

The FEH program offers an unparalleled first-year engineering experience because:

bulletStudents take engineering courses beginning fall quarter, and labs and projects given throughout the Eng series are designed to provide as broad an introduction to engineering as possible.
bulletProspective employers greatly favor candidates who demonstrate the ability to work in teams.  By the end of your FEH experience, you will have had many valuable group work experiences.
bulletAccelerated classes and increased workload will require the development of study and time management skills that will be beneficial later in your college experience.
bulletPresentation and communication skills will be enhanced, and students will learn the importance of documentation in engineering.  These are valuable assets when you are looking for a job or internship.

Is FEH the Right Choice for You?

There are certain situations where very talented students may not find FEH to be the best choice for freshman year.  If any one of the following situations applies to you, please contact one of the FEH staff members to discuss options.

bulletPre-Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) majors will be faced with the challenge of completing the required two quarters of CIS courses (221, 222) in the freshman year in addition to the FEH courses listed.
bulletPre-Chemical Engineering (CHE) majors will be faced with the challenge of completing the required three quarters of chemistry in the freshman year in addition to the FEH courses listed.  Some advanced placement or post-secondary credit in chemistry is advantageous, and pre-Chemical Engineering majors who choose to accept the challenge of the FEH program may substitute Chem 123 for ME H210 in Spring Quarter.
bulletStudents are not allowed to test out of both quarters of physics.  If you are in a position to test out of Physics 131 (particle motion), you must rejoin the group the next quarter for Physics 132 (electromagnetism).  If you are in a position to test out of both of these courses, you should consider a different program.

VISION

The Honors Engineering Program will enhance the capability for engineering education to adapt to the changing needs of a technological and diverse society. We will prepare students to lead this increasingly diverse society in which human progress and our nations' economic future depends on the wise development and application of technology. We will expand the impact of innovations, embrace and fulfill the aspirations of a diverse student body, and meet the needs of the engineering enterprise and society.

This will be done through:

  1. the maximum development of human potential.
  2. innovation in curricular structure and content.
  3. leadership in the innovation and use of educational technologies.
  4. continuous improvement in the engineering education process.

If you are a prospective student, for further information fill out our online request form.
If you are not a prospective student and would like more information please contact:

Dr. John Demel 
Professor
College of Engineering, 
Ohio State
2070 Neil Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
Ph: (614) 292-2427
email: demel.1@osu.edu
Dr. Rick Freuler
Assoc. Dir., AARL
Aeronautical & 
Astronautical Engineering, 
Ohio State
2036 Neil Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
Ph: (614) 688-0499
email: freuler.1@osu.edu

Ms. Judith McDonald
Honors Advising
College of Engineering, Ohio State
2070 Neil Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
Ph: (614) 292-3894
email: mcdonald.6@osu.edu

Ms. Lisa Barclay
Recruitment Coordinator
College of Engineering, Ohio State
2070 Neil Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
Ph: (614) 292-0550
email: barclay.4@osu.edu

 
This information is the property of The Ohio State University Honors Engineering Program. Any reproduction or use of this material must have the consent of the Author.