Engineering Courses
What are engineering courses like?
Take a look at course descriptions about class projects and what you'll learn.
This course is packed full of awesomeness! You will learn more about your path to
an engineering career and how engineers impact the world through problem solving and
design thinking. Students take on the role of engineers in designing a solution to
a real-world problem, then present their solution to a panel of experts. This course
incorporates entrepreneurial thinking along with ethics and sustainability. Students
will practice the design process and leave the course empowered to make a difference
in the world. Homework includes reading and writing assignments. This course involves
team projects.
Use the Matlab coding language to write programs that can solve physics, chemistry,
and math problems. Along the way, master general coding tricks and techniques. This
course may include a project on a self-directed topic such as planning a space route
to Mars, recreating aspects of Photoshop, games, and GUIs to automate physics homework.
No previous experience needed!
In Statics, students explore how forces must be balanced in order to keep towers from
tumbling and bridges from breaking. Forces are all around us, and engineers use the
concept of forces to understand and communicate their designs. Students are expected
to come to class prepared and to be responsible for completing problem sets for homework.
This course includes a team project.
In ENGR 37 we start off with current, resistance, voltage and power to refresh your
basic concepts. Then in week two we zoom into an interesting array of electrical circuits
(think puzzles) and analysis techniques to model their behavior in DC, transient and
AC circuits. Students are encouraged to work in groups on homework. Understanding
the techniques thoroughly will be critical to your success. Quizzes, tests and an
exam will fill out the quarter.
In ENGR 37L you will work through hands-on labs in small groups to reinforce Engr
37 circuit principles. Lab reports, a practical and an exam will be included.
Students in Properties of Materials will explore how metals, ceramics, and polymers
break. Students will get hands-on experience with what happens when you heat these
materials. This course also investigates the electrical and magnetic properties of
metals, semiconductors, and ceramics.
Learn how materials behave under pressure. How much can a material take?
Learn how to track the position, velocity, and acceleration of an ant as it walks
across a football that is spinning as it flies through the air. Concepts taught in
this course are essential to avoiding catastrophes from large rocket systems to small
spinning parts in cars. This course analyzes collisions and moving systems. Homework
includes reading assignments and working problem sets. There is an individual project
for this class.
Practicing Engineers from local companies are the guest speakers for this course that
explores the pathways, work, and lifestyle of engineers. Previous guests include engineers
from large companies: Google, Apple, SpaceX, Phillips 66, Intel, Silicon Valley Water
Water District, NASA Ames, and Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, and start-up
companies: Nest, BRD Motorcycles, Motive, HealthIQ, and Ateva. Students are expected
to attend regularly and ask thoughtful questions. There is an individual project for
this class.
Additionally, you can find out what projects you might be doing in a variety of Foothill STEM courses by attending the STEM Showcase held at the end of each quarter.
Contact UsSarah Parikh, Engineering Department ChairBuilding 4400, Office 4403650.949.7748 parikhsarah@fhda.edu |
