How did you get interested or decide on ECE?
Most before entering NEU (19/20). Some in High Tech. Tools and Toys (1 + others that the students knew about).
Freshman (design) course - what did you get from it?
Panned class - not worth the time. Substantial work load, but not useful material for the most part. Learning about the design process was useful. Would like to explore branches of engineering, not busy work. A few weeks on each major would be good. Another comment by several students: Why Autocad? Why not Solid Works?
High-tech tools and toys "totally different" than the regular section (in a very positive way).
What did you learn about your major?
Not much.
What would help you make a decision?
More subject area material. Students loved the idea of being able to choose 2 (or 4 half) courses in different areas for two reasons: One, to explore areas, and two, to customize their program so that they are studying what they are interested in. Many thought that taking several courses related to their interests would be best.
What about after Freshman year - how do you decide what to specialize in?
Coop was cited by many students. Few other responses.
Other:
Place in programming like calculus to be able to go into a more advanced programming course.
Less theory - practical/hands on.
For ECE:
Computer Arch. before imbedded sys.
Discrete math overlap??
Diff. eq. Sometimes Maple sometimes Matlab, sometimes both, sometimes none.
Networking class - labs are more like homework.
Want to know about course offereings sooner.
Semester Abroad: Hard to set up. Semesters don't match in many cases.
Dialogs: Hard to do because of courses.
Very interested in study abroad. Coop yes, but academics even more.