Starting college is a difficult transition for most first year students. With a new academic and social environment, finding a place to belong during a student’s first few weeks on campus can be a challenge. CEC 101 helps students make the transition.

CEC bridges the gap

CEC 101 is a one credit hour course connects incoming students with on campus resources that can help them succeed for years to come. From having them go and access resources like Howe Writing Center and Rinella Learning Center to learning about plagiarism and the importance of liberal education, CEC 101 strives to make the first year students more comfortable in their new environment.

First year student is advised on class schedule         

The importance of a liberal education is highlighted in the course and how it can be applied to any future career. Through alumni videos, students are able to see how past students apply their diverse knowledge base to their present careers. By making students more informed about the resources and policies within the university and CEC, the students become more prepared to face the years to come and the challenges they will face in college.

Students learn what engineering and computing can do

Taught by faculty with in the College of Engineering and Computing, this class allows students to connect with faculty and staff within their department to form relationships that could have a positive impact on their future.

In addition to the informational course load, the students are able to learn more about the CEC and its departments specifically. Through attending departmental presentations and CEC picnic (where freshman meet with CEC organization leaders), first year students are able to further engage with their new community of both students and faculty. These events give students the opportunity to find a place that they belong at Miami and have access to a large network of professional connections. 

Grand Challenge poster done by students                 

Finally, the largest part of the course is the Grand Challenges Project. “[Students learn] as engineers, there are problems we need to solve,” stated Edgar Caraballo, chief departmental advisor and visiting assistant professor for the mechanical and manufacturing engineering department This project allows for students to examine the problems that face engineers in the 21st century.

The students research one of these problems and present their research at the end of the course. This project allows for the students to engage with one another and learn about the impact that their major could have on society.

Through the course topics and events, CEC 101 helps bridge the gap between college and high school. It helps students connect with resources and information that will help them be successful for years to come.

By Maggie Cavanaugh