Getting Started in Engineering

There are plenty of large and small ways to make engineering part of your Stanford experience: Besides the 16 major and 9 minor programs offered by the School, there are one-unit seminars, introsems, and WAYS courses that will allow you to explore and experience aspects of the exciting, challenging, and growing engineering community:

  1. Enroll in one of the Introductory Seminars taught by faculty in the School of Engineering. These are small classes with hands-on learning and minimal prerequisites. Check the Introductory Seminar offerings or find the list in the Undergraduate Engineering Handbook.
  2. Enroll in a Thinking Matters course on an engineering topic, and check out engineering courses that satisfy the WAYS – there are many.
  3. Attend the engineering orientation talk with Senior Associate Dean Tom Kenny during NSO and introduce yourself after the Q&A.
  4. Introductory Engineering Fundamentals courses offer a rigorous way to explore a specific engineering topic; find the current list on the UGHB website.
  5. Take one of the one-unit courses that feature an array of industry and Stanford speakers to introduce you to specific topics and issues in engineering. For instance, MS&E 472: the Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders Seminar in which industry leaders share lessons from real-world experience; EE 100: Lectures/discussions on topics of importance to the electrical engineering professional; CHEMENG 10: An overview of careers in chemical engineering and opportunities to develop networks with working professionals; CS 546: How IT can be used to further social good; or CS 547: Human-Computer interaction topics.

Want to find out about summer research opportunities or funding for internships? Don’t be afraid to contact departments or faculty to find out how to get involved.